Guerilla Shorts Showcase has one of its biggest turnouts in 10 years; ‘Controllable’ takes Jury Prize
Written by Adam Mast
If the outpour of tremendous support displayed at the recent Guerilla Showcase event was any indication, then community filmmaking is alive and well in Southern Utah.
The Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge made its debut in October of 2005 and was designed as a springboard for locally based filmmakers to take that first creative step in making a film. Not only did the Challenge provide encouragement for the filmmakers themselves, but it also ensured that they have an audience with which to share their work. And as any frequent moviegoer will tell you, there’s nothing quite like the collective sharing of a theatrical experience. It’s a feeling that simply can’t be duplicated online or in a home setting.
The recent Summer Movie Edition of the Guerilla Shorts Showcase was the 26th Showcase since 2005, and the standing-room only crowd at Megaplex’s Red Cliffs Cinema showed their approval and appreciation by way of nearly three hours of cheers, laughs, and unbridled enthusiasm.
Throughout the Showcase, attendees were treated to 11 short films (each 5 minutes in length) put together in a limited amount of time utilizing themes inspired by upcoming summer movies. Each short had its own unique style, and the teams behind them are to be commended for their passion, dedication, and pure creativity.
While the Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge puts more of an emphasis on the filmmakers challenging themselves, the competition aspect is simply a given. However, as far as programmers are concerned, every filmmaker who took part in the Challenge was a winner. In the end though, there were a handful of awards bestowed upon select filmmaking teams for their creative and inspirational work.
After a lengthy and well thought out deliberation, a panel of judges—comprised of author Jennifer Bennett, humorist/musician Kevin Jones, writer/Independent managing editor Paul Dail, and filmmaker Shaun Labrecque—handed out awards for Best Film, Runner Up, Best Actor, and Best Actress. In addition to these Jury prizes, an Audience Choice Award was given.
For those who were unable to make it, links to all the films are included below. For those who were lucky enough to attend, you’ll be happy to know that a few of the links are to special extended cuts, so you’ll be experiencing these particular versions for the very first time.
2015 SUMMER MOVIE EDITION OF THE GUERILLA SHORTS SHOWCASE—EVENT TRAILER (2 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COtqcW3oboo
JURY PRIZE–“CONTROLLABLE” directed by John Pugh
“CONTROLLABLE” (5 min.)–Theme: “It’s All in Your Head”
A man (Brett Pendleton) is consumed by his need to trash talk online until a startling revelation brings him to his senses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxasbJXm2IA
RUNNER UP–“SORTA SUPER HEROES” directed by Kreigh Carter
BEST ACTOR–Jesse Nepivoda–“SORTA SUPER HEROES”
“SORTA SUPER HEROES” (Extended Version-6 min.)–Theme: “Buddies for Life”
We are introduced to a team of crime fighters with most unusual powers as they attend a superhero support group. https://vimeo.com/129743504
BEST ACTRESS–Alysha Aldred–“DAY ONE”
“DAY ONE” (5 min.) directed by Don Barfuss–Theme: “Tomorrow is Another Day”
A woman finds hope and inspiration in the form of a shiny ball of light. https://youtu.be/KfAwPfsY6Mc
AUDIENCE CHOICE–“I NEED A VACATION” directed by Garry Morris
“I NEED A VACATION” (5 min.) –Theme: “I Need a Vacation”
A man gets more than he bargained for after taking a trip to what he believes is going to be paradise. https://vimeo.com/130106863
THE BEST OF THE REST
“SIGN THIS” (5 min.) directed by Lonie Black and Brandon Tippetts–Theme: “Team Work”
Two cable company installers work together in an effort to sign up as many customers as they can, and they do it to the smooth stylings of a disco tune. Black and Tippetts have been with the Guerilla Challenge from the beginning. This is their 26th consecutive “Guerilla Short!” https://youtu.be/I6qkyEZnBbE
“CRUISE CONTROL ACT I” (Extended Version– 13 min.) directed by Zachary Hume–Theme: “Cruise Control”
The fate of the world is at stake, and the only thing standing in the way of complete destruction are a few teens and “The Force.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReC7BiUTIhc&feature=youtu.be
“THE WELL” (5 min.) directed by Dan Bringhurst–Theme: “Your Mission, Should You Choose to Except It”
A confused man, a tape recorder, a creepy forest, and a sinister well are at the very heart of this grind house/Hammer Horror-inspired thriller. https://youtu.be/MtChksAOHAw
“IT’S CALLED SATIRE” (5 min.) directed by Inti Chabert and Christian Navarrete–Theme: “If Something Chases You, Run!”
Two lovable (if a tad egomaniacal) filmmakers set out to make the ultimate Guerilla Short, but as expected, things aren’t always as they seem in the world of satire. https://www.facebook.com/christian.navarrete.9/videos/1035395796472846/?pnref=story
“FUTURUM” (Extended Version– 16 min.) directed by Kipp Howard–Theme: “It’s Good to be Bad”
A man finds himself in a future populated by tough female warriors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC7kmTHpry4
“ALONE” (5 min.) directed by Caleb Hatton–Theme: Have You Gone Mad”
A socially awkward man attempts to make himself noticed at a party, but what he’s truly after is at the center of this subtle and affectionate character study. http://youtu.be/fQjByUuERTg
“CHANGES” (5 min.) directed by Liz Baxter–Theme: “Come With Me if You Want to Live”
What starts as a wonderful relationship quickly unravels as a man realizes that the girl he thought was his soul mate may be more trouble than she’s worth. https://youtu.be/Tn40JQ1nx3c
The Guerilla Showcase was followed by a special Local Filmmaker Spotlight, featuring a collection of short films that were made outside the parameters of the Guerilla Challenge. Those shorts included a western supernatural thriller called “Timeless,” an outlaw actioneer with a heartfelt twist called “The Wild Misadventures of Jesse James and Billy the Kid,” a “Little Rascals”-inspired southern adventure called “Finn,” and the premiere of Shayne Cullen’s mysterious, off-kilter thriller, “The Invitation.” Most of these titles are expected to hit the festival circuit, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.
In addition to the previously mentioned short films, programmers presented an exclusive sneak peek at Jeff Sanders’ upcoming thriller, “Lay Me Down to Sleep.” This edgy, feature length movie stars Liz Baxter as a single mother reeling from a tragedy. Her emotionally devastating past will push her into survival mode during a deadly encounter. “Lay Me Down to Sleep” is expected to make its theatrical bow sometime in 2015.
Filmmaker Darren Chase was also on hand to chat passionately about an important new non-profit called Capturing A Dream, while local Don Barfuss spoke to attendees about his upcoming plans (which will be made available soon) for a thriving southern Utah filmmaking scene.
For more information on Capturing A Dream, visit http://www.capturingadream.org/v1/index.php
The 2015 Summer Movie Edition of the Guerilla Shorts Showcase and The Local Filmmaker Spotlight proved to be a very inspirational night at the movies. Programmers want to remind local aspiring filmmakers that the Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge will celebrate its tenth anniversary this October. Watch for information in the coming weeks. Organizers have some magical plans in store for this milestone, and they hope that you’ll all be a part of it.
