The Desertscape International Film Festival returns to the Electric Theater for Year Five
June 21st, 2023
The Desertscape International Film Festival is back for its fifth year. Powered by the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU), this celebration of shorts and features from all around the world will, once again, take place in beautiful Southern Utah, home to breathtaking scenic locales including Zion Canyon, Pine Valley, and Snow Canyon. This is to say that once you’re done taking in the cinematic sights of Desertscape, be sure to explore the lovely area that this festival calls home.
Desertscape: Year Five will take place from Wednesday, June 21st thru Saturday, June 24th at the historic Electric Theater in St. George. This venue has been around for over a century. A beautiful space and a perfect spot for the proceedings. As for the lineup, while this fest is still relatively young, programmers pride themselves on a winning (and diverse) slate of films comprised of multiple genres. Drama, comedy, animation, documentaries, horror, etc. Additionally, there will be an After Dark Block for those who like their independent cinema a little on the edgier side as well as a Made-In-Utah block which will celebrate a handful of titles produced right in the Bee Hive state. Suffice it to say, there will be a little something for everyone.
The powerful French import “Revoir Paris” will serve as Desertscape’s opening night feature. This emotionally-charged drama tells the story of a woman (played by a stellar Virginie Efira) who attempts to pick up the pieces after surviving a terrorist attack. A thought-provoking and hopeful story that not only delves into the navigating of PTSD but also shows the very best of humanity.
Desertscape will close out with the world premiere of the hilarious superhero/super villain send up, “Villains Inc.” from director Jeremy Warner. This good-natured, high-energy laugh-fest features members of the famed Studio C comedy troupe as well as beloved “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” cast member Colin Mochrie. With tips of the hat to the likes of “Despicable Me” and “Megamind,” this infectiously likable comedy puts an immensely entertaining spin on the superhero genre. “Villains Inc.” will be preceded by the homegrown kid-centric superhero-inspired short, “Scorpiation.” This out-of-competition entry was produced by the Figmendation Foundation, a vital nonprofit dedicated to aiding children afflicted with various forms of trauma through the power of storytelling. “Scorpiation” is Figmentation’s very first production and it will serve as a fitting primer for “Villains Inc.”.
Other notable highlights from this year’s festival will include David Liban’s darkly hilarious feature “Publish or Perish,” Luke Higginon’s creatively zany time travel romp “Relax, I’m From the Future,” Evan Marlowe’s innovative lifelike puppets-headlined After Dark noir piece “Abruptio,” the poignant life-on-a-res doc “Scenes From the Glittering World,” Jerusha and Jared Hess’s poignant and poetic animated offering “Ninety-five Senses,” Aemilia Scott’s well-written Sundance entry “Help Me Understand,” Pins Sebastien’s picturesque “When the Swallows Fly Away,” Luis Fernando Puente’s much-buzzed-about immigration drama “I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry,” Masashi Kawamura’s breathtaking stop-motion animated opus “Hidari,” Ben Brewer’s insanely creative body horror offering “A Folded Ocean,” Liz Sargent’s moving estranged sisters-centric drama “Take Me Home,” Douwe Dijkstra’s creative ode-to-filmmaking “Neighbour Abdi,” Hisonni Mustafa’s thought-provoking drama “Triggered,” Vasco Sa’s and David Dautel’s gorgeously animated Sundance entry “Garrano,” Olivier Labonte LeMyone’s trippy midnight movie offering “Nude,” and Alain Fournier’s visually sumpteous (and unforgettable) animated adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Temple.” Of course, these titles only scratch the surface. You can read about the entire lineup and schedule HERE.
While Desertscape International Film Festival: Year Five will pride itself on a wonderfully entertaining and enlightening slate of films, programmers also promise a variety of other noteworthy film-centric activities and events as well. Included; Filmmaker Q&A’s, special guests, a Steadicam Masterclass (in conjunction with ARRI) with industry pro Rey Reyes, a live script read, a 16mm film print screening with Big Screen 16 curator Josh Hafen, live music, food, an opening night party, an Awards Ceremony, a closing night party and more.
This promises to be 4 epic days of independent cinema that you won’t want to miss! For a look at ticket information, CLICK HERE.
*Schedule subject to change
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