DESERTSCAPE INTERNATIONAL BRINGS A FILM COMPONENT TO THE LEGENDARY ST. GEORGE ART FESTIVAL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!
– By Adam Mast –
The Desertscape International Film Festival will return to beautiful St. George, UT from Wednesday, March 27th through Saturday, March 30th with the majority of the screenings and events taking place at the historic Electric Theater. It should also be noted that the second half of DIFF will coincide with the long-running St. George Art Festival for the very first time, and this will only add to the magic of the epic proceedings. Presented by the 501(C)(3) nonprofit, The Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah, this celebration of independent cinema will feature over 40 films–shorts and features–from all around the world. Multiple countries and genres will be represented throughout the festival and programmers promise to offer a little something for everyone.
Titles will include writer/director Josh Margolin’s charming, funny, and fittingly thrilling “Thelma” which will serve as the opening night feature. Starring the forever likable June Squibb in the title role, this adorable gem of a movie from Magnolia Pictures–which made its debut this past January at the Sundance Film Festival– finds a lovable grandma taking matters into her own hands after falling prey to a telephone scammer. An affectionate tribute to all the amazing grandmas of the world.
Desertscape will close out on Saturday, March 30th with a screening of the funny and observant love letter to film collectors, “Film is Dead. Long Live Film!” Director Peter Flynn’s immensely entertaining documentary is not only a wonderfully insightful look at film history, it’s also a cautionary tale as well as a lively tribute to the passionate and eccentric individuals who preserve that history at all costs. Mr. Flynn will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A.
Other notable feature film highlights from this year’s festival will include;
The World Premiere of H. Nelson Tracey’s relationship dramedy, “Breakup Season,” featuring Samantha Isler (“Molly’s Game”) and Chandler Riggs (“The Walking Dead”) as a couple at a crossroads during an emotionally turbulent holiday season. Funny, dramatic, and bittersweet in equal measure. An energetic Tracey and select members of the gifted cast and crew will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A.
Chaysen Beacham’s coming-of-age road movie, “What We Find on the Road,” features Finn Haney as a young man making a multi-state trek to reconnect with a dad he hasn’t seen in a very long time.
Michael Del Monte’s hard-hitting Canadian import “His Name is Ray,” a moving and provocative documentary that delves into a homeless man’s struggles with addiction.
Joseph DeGolyer’s “Chicken Coop,” an understated and nuanced Christmastime-set drama about a man looking to patch things up with his estranged father.
Desertscape will also host an After Dark screening of James Morris’s “He Never Left,” a nifty little spin on the slasher genre starring Colin Cunningham and Jessica Staples.
Additionally, in honor of The Utah Film Commission’s 100-Year Celebration of Utah Film and Television, Desertscape will present a special retrospective screening of the unsung 80s gem, “Three O’Clock High” which was shot at Ogden High School in Northern Utah nearly 4 decades ago. Featuring Casey Siemaszko as a high school journalism student and Richard Tyson as the terrifying bully he inadvertently picks a fight with, this righteously funny (and hip) comedy from director Phil Joanou, puts a fresh and youthful twist on a beloved “western” trope.
It should also be noted that Desertscape will showcase a plethora of outstanding short films. Included; The emotionally charged mini-doc “Free Play,” the creature-centric “Blood Waters,” the quirky animated gem “Tennis, Oranges,” the sci-fi-tinged “To Err,” the international Sundance entry “Dreams Like Paper Boats,” the moving AFI entry “Blue Hour,” the Made-In-Utah immigration drama “In a Foreign and Unknown Land,” and many more.
Beyond that, while Desertscape will certainly put an emphasis on films, the festival will also offer a variety of other events including a live script read, opening and closing night parties, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels with special guests, an awards ceremony, and more. And once again, the second half of DIFF will coincide with the venerable St. George Art Fest meaning there will never be a shortage of amazing things to see and do.
Desertscape International Film Festival All-Access VIP Badges are only $125 (includes a swag bag, food, and parties) with $10 single film block tickets and special $30 single-day passes also available. For all Desertscape details, CLICK HERE!
