THE DESERTSCAPE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE ELECTRIC THEATER ON JULY 29TH

The Utah-based nonprofit, Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU), will host Desertscape International Film Festival: Year Two, an epic 4-day cinematic event. This second-year fest will celebrate over 70 films–shorts and features of various genres–from all over the globe. Desertscape will take place at the historic Electric Theater from July 29th – August 1st. In addition to films, expect filmmaker Q & A’s, panels, live music, and a handful of other surprises.

Given the pandemic, it’s certainly been a very strange and unpredictable few months but hopefully, things will start to look up soon. Whatever the case may be, come July 29th, Team Desertscape wants to assure filmmakers and attendees that all necessary safety precautions will be taken in an effort to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable. Precautions will include masks, sanitizing stations, theater cleanliness, and social distancing.

Desertscape will present several film blocks for your viewing pleasure and it’s clear that’s there’s a little something in the mix for everyone. Blocks will include; Features, Sights and Sounds, Student Films, International Shorts, International Student Films, Animation Spotlight, the Guerilla Showcase, VR, Made in Utah, and Desertscape After Dark, for those attendees who are in the mood for edgier fare.

 

Among this year’s feature selections are “All Its Name Implies” – A harrowing look at the tragic Paradise, CA wildfire of 2018, “Omar and Us” – A quietly powerful drama about the effect a pair of refugees have on an ex-military man, “Shred of Decency”-An optimistic expose on war shot on a shoestring budget in Pine Valley, UT, the world premiere of “The 13th Cross”-An effective micro-budgeted thriller about an abused young woman and her bond with a man convinced he’s doing God’s work, and “Dog Valley”- a gut-wrenching dissection of at a hate crime that rocked the state of Utah in the late 80s.

On the shorts side, the festival will unveil a myriad of impressive titles including “Always”-A  haunting tale of a man who must face a sickness head-on, “Daughter”- an Oscar-nominated father/daughter story told through breathtaking animation, the 2020 Sundance favorite, “I’ll End Up in Jail”–A dark drama about a woman whose life is turned upside down after a car wreck, the immensely entertaining Aaron Morgan-directed creature feature, “Seek,” and the heartbreaking, “One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand”- A dramatic story about a debt collector and a trainee who are assigned to search a single mother’s home for valuables.

Of course, these titles are only but the tip of the iceberg. You can read about the entire lineup, purchase $10 film block tickets, or grab one of the few remaining $60 all-access badges (comes with a few great perks including a very special Desertscape swag bag) at fmasu.com/desertscape or by visiting the Desertscape International Film Festival Facebook page. The schedule is subject to change.

We are certainly living in unprecedented times and it’s clear that we need events like Desertscape now more than ever.

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Adam Mast
Adam Mast's love affair with the movies began at the ripe age of 6 after his parents took him to see a little film called Jaws at a drive-in theater in Northern California. From that moment, he was hooked. Mast began his epic stint as a film critic with The Independent back in May of 1996. At the time, the publication was still in its infancy and known as the Revolution. Through the years, Mast would go on to write for Zboneman.com before co-founding the entertainment site, Cinemast.net. His love of storytelling would also lead him to aid in the creation of the film-centric 501(C)(3) nonprofit, Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU)--An organization primarily known for championing storytellers both locally and worldwide by way of various film-related events held throughout the year, including The Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge, Desertscape International Film Festival, HorrorFest International, and A Merry Movie Christmas. His love of cinema and the arts in general knows no bounds. Mast currently resides in St. George, UT with his lovely (and undeniably supportive) wife Tonja and their four amazing children, McKenzie, Matthew, McKian, and Mason.

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