Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight returns to the Electric Theater

The Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah was designed as a means to inspire, encourage, and champion local filmmakers of all ages and all skill sets by way of various storytelling platforms throughout the year, including the Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge, Horror-Fest, A Merry Movie Christmas, and the upcoming Desertscape International Film Festival. On May 18, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit will host the Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight, an evening dedicated to a select handful of local filmmakers and their work. This free event will be held at The Electric Theater. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show beginning promptly at 7:30. This spotlight event is open to everyone! You’re encouraged to come on out and enjoy what is sure to be an grand evening of locally produced cinematic entertainment.

A very passionate and dedicated Carlos Plummer will open up the Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight with his infectiously likable award-winning documentary “Becoming Rich.” This glimpse at famed online magician and prankster Rich Ferguson is a joyful look into the art of illusion, the life of a wonderfully affable family man, and the challenges that can come with navigating through that sometimes slippery slope that is YouTube.

Recent DSU film program graduate Kyle Plummer is currently putting the finishing touches on his psychological thriller “Sara,” and while we’ll have to wait a little while longer to see that film, this driven storyteller is treating Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight attendees to a gripping short from his past called “Nikki.” This dramatic conversational piece features a pair of strong lead performances both guided by way of the deft touch of a passionate storyteller on the rise.

Lori Lyle is no stranger to the southern Utah storytelling scene, having fashioned award-winning short films in the form of “Gallup” and “Glass Cages.” But the upcoming “Permitted” marks this passionate writer and director’s first foray into feature filmmaking. Lyle will be on hand to talk about the process, and with any luck, she’ll give attendees a little look at what she’s currently cooking up.

Local storyteller Dan Fowlks has been working tirelessly on “A Christmas Night: 1944” in an effort to have it ready for the 2019 holiday season. That said, he’ll take a brief break from shooting to fill attendees in on his latest effort. He’s also bringing along a small taste of footage from what promises to be a stirring World War II-set drama.

Filmmakers Jeff Sanders and Kreigh Carter put this amusing and relentlessly quirky short film together for Kanab’s Little Hollywood Shoot-Out. Taking a cue from the likes of “The X-Files,” this special director’s cut of “The Truth is Out There” features a wonderfully offbeat turn by Sara Sanders as an out there YouTube blogger with more than a little bit of a passion for things that come from outer space.

You say you’ve never heard of Richard Richardson? Well, that’s about to change as Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight presents the latest episode of the professional traveler’s long-running series “The Poetry of Travel.” In this episode, Richardson pays a visit to a very popular southern Utah town and shares his own unique brand of insight in regard to the area.

This very special 27-years-in-the-making look into the lives local filmmakers Brandon Tippetts and Lonie Black and their many spirited works will span nearly three decades of creative hilarity. From their humble beginnings to their not so humble endings, this extended presentation is sure to make you laugh and give you an even greater appreciation for the creative spark that drives us all as storytellers, no matter how big or how small.

Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight will also unveil a few details regarding the inaugural Desertscape International Film Festival before closing out with the theme reveal for the upcoming summer movie edition of the Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge. If you’re interested in taking part in the latest Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge, it should be noted that the sign-up sheet will be limited. Only 25 spots are available, so programmers highly recommend you attend Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight if you plan on making a short film for the Guerilla Shorts Showcase this June. A final reminder that the Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge is open to all ages and all skill sets.

Come on out to Southern Utah’s Filmmaker Spotlight and lend your support to a vibrant storytelling community.

For more information, log on to fmasu.com.