That was the NAFF VI that was
So busy were we, prepping for the sixth annual New Art Film Festival this past Sunday, October 4, that we did not get a chance to post all the filmy details we knew that our dearest readers would want to know, too! Luckily, we had already directed you to the full schedule on the official NAFF site, but it will be nice to have everything and everyone mentioned here for the sake of courtesy and historical inclusion, yes? Please find listed below the nearly 40 movies of Champaign, Urbana, and the cities beyond that intrigued, entertained, and informed approximately 200 audience members at the Art Theater Co-op, 126 W. Church St., Champaign, IL, between 5 and 11 p.m. last Sunday! Thank your friends and ours at the Art Co-op, ThirdSide, and Shatterglass Studios for co-sponsoring and adding their respective magic to the proceedings. Also thank photographer Dora Valkanova, voice of reason Sanford Hess, and cinema rock Austin McCann for their valuable contributions to the show. We hope everyone felt comfortable with the hazy sunshine and cool fall breeze ushering them into our little artistic universe du C-U!
Until we NAFF again…
~ Jason Pankoke
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New Art Film Festival – Complete Schedule
@ The Art Theater Co-op, Champaign, IL
October 4, 2015, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION
5 p.m. – Doors Open
5:30 p.m. – Introductions
+ Film Block 01 [Ages 13+ recommended]
ART/BTS, “Deke Weaver” (documentary)
2015, 3 min., Directed by Tim Meyers, WILL-TV 12 (PBS), University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Champaign-based performance artist Deke Weaver discusses his passion for live performance and his use of different textures in his multi-media works.
THE TEXTURE OF FOURTH STREET (experimental | animation)
2015, 2 min., Directed by Dan Boomgarden, Champaign-Urbana, IL
The Texture of Fourth Street is an experimental animated film made from hundreds of crayon rubbings of street texture. It takes a functional surface and turns it into the abstract in an attempt to make the viewer think differently about the industrial surfaces around them.
WHAT’S THE PASSWORD? (comedy)
2015, 8 min., Directed by Andrew Gleason, Thomas Nicol & Anna Zorn for Pens to Lens/CUFS, Champaign-Urbana, IL
When two brothers decide to start a “no girls allowed” blanket fort, their younger sister decides to take over their living room kingdom. Written by Eliza Foli.
THIS MOMENT – A HUMANE SOCIETY SHORT (industrial)
2015, 2 min., Directed by Andrew Gleason, Champaign-Urbana, IL
A short story about the bond between people and their pets.
THE MOOSE EMERGENCY (comedy | animation)
2015, 2 min., Directed by Thomas & Becky Nicol, Sleepy Creek Studios, for Pens to Lens/CUFS, Champaign-Urbana, IL
A moose gets a nasty surprise. Written by Lydia Hacker.
ONLY IN FARGO: THE ELECTRIC FENCE (comedy)
2014, 9 min., Directed by Grant Czadzeck, Bad Winter Productions, Champaign, IL
Simple country men set out to find that some of life’s most simple quests are the hardest to complete.
ORDINARY VIDEO SERIES #17, “Air” (experimental | documentary)
2014, 1 min., Directed by David Gracon, Champaign, IL
The Ordinary Video Series is a series of short haiku-like/minimalist observational documentaries that explore the intersection between nature, consumer culture, socially constructed spaces, and nothingness, shot on a consumer grade mobile Smartphone. “Air” is a montage of various air conditioners around Champaign, Illinois, that humorously double as everyday ambient/noise music.
INDIAN BEN (preview | comedy)
2015, 2 min., Directed by Ben Hoene, Haniac Productions, Effingham, IL
Indian Ben is an exploitation comedy that tips its hat to classic Bollywood cinema and Indian culture. An orphan adult male named Ben, an Anglo-Indian born and raised in India, is followed by controversy and moves to the United States to start a new life. What he ends up doing, though, is bringing India with him.
A “TABLOIDS” SHORT: TRUTH OR DARE (comedy | animation)
2015, 4 min., Directed by Dan Drake, Slanted House Production Company, Champaign-Urbana, IL
The Blandridge High newspaper class decides to play a game of truth or dare.
WHO STOLE MY HOO-TO FOO-TO BOO-TO BAH? (fantasy | musical)
2015, 33 min., Directed by Brian Hagy and Thomas Nicol, DCS of Champaign County, Champaign, IL
Adapted from The Cat in the Hat Songbook, this original musical by the Prompting Theater tells the story of little Simon Spingle Spungle Sporn and his search for his stolen Hoo-to Foo-to Boo-to Bah.
7 p.m. – Film Block 02 [Ages 18+ recommended]
ART/BTS, “Nina Paley” (documentary)
2015, 3 min., Directed by Tim Meyers, WILL-TV 12 (PBS), University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Urbana-based animator, cartoonist, and quilter Nina Paley discusses her evolution from stop-motion filmmaker to syndicated cartoonist to feature film animator.
SANCTUARY (music video)
2014, 6 min., Directed by David Gracon, Champaign, IL
Music by Film
Film is a post-rock indie band based in Kanazawa City, Japan. This music video for their song “Sanctuary” is a minimalist and poetic exploration of Niagara Falls, New York. The video ambiguously explores the facial expressions of those who gather at the falls from around the world. Videography by Scott Gable.
ZACK AND THE MOUNTAIN MAN (drama)
2014, 7 min., Directed by Thomas Nicol for Pens to Lens/CUFS, Champaign-Urbana, IL
When Zack’s terrible parents die in a car accident, he’s taken in by a kindly Mountain Man. Written by Preston Richardson.
THE LIFE OF FLORENCE RAE (horror | drama)
2014, 11 min., Directed by Jeff Kacmarynski, Vision Test Productions, Champaign-Urbana, IL
A woman returns home, at the request of her brother, to help their mother and her unusual, newfound appetites. The Life of Florence Rae is a short film made to look and feel like the “grindhouse” and B-movies of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
INDIAN BEN (preview | comedy)
2015, 2 min., Directed by Ben Hoene, Haniac Productions, Effingham, IL
Indian Ben is an exploitation comedy that tips its hat to classic Bollywood cinema and Indian culture. An orphan adult male named Ben, an Anglo-Indian born and raised in India, is followed by controversy and moves to the United States to start a new life. What he ends up doing, though, is bringing India with him.
BROKE JUKE (drama)
2014, 5 min., Directed by Anthony E. Cabral, ACE Films/Little Bug Productions/Walk About Theater Company, Chicago, IL
After the death of her husband Jimmy, DeAnne returns to the bar they frequented together to relive happier memories by playing their song on the old jukebox. Dale, the bartender and her husband’s best friend, tries to ease her frustration.
SUNSHINE (drama)
2015, 9 min., Directed by Andrew Gleason for Pens to Lens/CUFS, Champaign-Urbana, IL
A woman discovers her mother’s old journal while preparing to sell her home, and discovers a new perspective on her mother during her struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Written by Hope Llewellyn.
TRASH (music video)
2015, 4 min., Directed by John Isberg, Swede Films, Urbana, IL
Music by Kenna Mae
Trash is the first music video for the upcoming album by Champaign-Urbana singer-songwriter Kenna Mae, Blue Darlin’. Filmed in the historic Lincoln Square Theatre in Decatur, IL.
SHITCAGO (preview | dark comedy)
2015, 2 min., Directed by Nick Alonzo, Onion Film Productions, Chicago, IL
In its minimal and non-traditional plot, Shitcago follows a seemingly mundane day in the life of a young loner living in Chicago as he wanders around the city and encounters many idiosyncratic characters.
THE CROSSING (science fiction | animation)
2014, 12 min., Directed by Johnnie May, Tabletop Studios, Madison, WI
When a wandering robot takes refuge from a storm in an abandoned cabin, his interactions with objects left behind reveal glimpses of the previous occupant’s struggle to make a life-altering decision.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (science fiction)
2015, 10 min., Directed by Anne Lukeman, Railsplitter Media, for Pens to Lens/CUFS, Champaign-Urbana, IL
In this loosely PORTAL-themed film, a woman finds herself being coerced into a robotic science experiment. Can she take control, and at what cost? Written by Lillian Hall.
ROBOT COP (commercial spoof)
2015, 1 min., Directed by Matt Wiley, MATTWILEYART.com, Champaign-Urbana, IL
A throwback to ‘80s action commercials, Robot Cop must rescue the hostages before the commercial break runs out.
DARK WATCH (science fiction)
2014, 6 min., Directed by Thomas Nicol, Champaign, IL
The first interstellar colonization fleet from Earth discovers that it is not alone.
THE THINKING MOLECULES OF TITAN (science fiction | drama)
2014, 18 min., Directed by Andrew Stengele, Forced Perspective Entertainment, Champaign, IL
A team of faculty and research students at the University of Illinois attempts to understand why the signal from a space probe stationed at Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, has suddenly changed. Based on the unfinished short story written by the late Roger Ebert and co-adapted by feature film director Patrick Wang (In the Family).
9 p.m. – Film Block 03 [Ages 18+ recommended]
ART/BTS, “Thomas Nicol” (documentary)
2015, 3 min., Directed by Tim Meyers, WILL-TV 12 (PBS), University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Champaign-based filmmaker Thomas Nicol shares his passion for stories, stop-motion animation, and the Champaign film community.
ORDINARY VIDEO SERIES #22, “Acid Rain” (experimental | documentary)
2014, 2 min., Directed by David Gracon, Champaign, IL
The Ordinary Video Series is a series of short haiku-like/minimalist observational documentaries that explore the intersection between nature, consumer culture, socially constructed spaces, and nothingness, shot on a consumer grade mobile Smartphone. “Acid Rain” is an experimental portrait of sitting, waiting, and looking on the tarmac. Sound by Brad Decker.
SHITCAGO (preview | dark comedy)
2015, 2 min., Directed by Nick Alonzo, Onion Film Productions, Chicago, IL
In its minimal and non-traditional plot, Shitcago follows a seemingly mundane day in the life of a young loner living in Chicago as he wanders around the city and encounters many idiosyncratic characters.
THE WIZARD (dark comedy)
2014, 4 min., Directed by Chris Lukeman, Kill Vampire Lincoln Productions, Champaign, IL
Two friends go on a heartwarming journey of discovery and imagination.
MR. SNUGGLES (dark comedy)
2014, 8 min., Directed by Andrew Gleason, Thomas Nicol & Anna Zorn for Pens to Lens/CUFS, Champaign-Urbana, IL
Something strange is going on with Tyler’s teddy bear after Tyler decides he is too old to be playing with stuffed animals. Written by Andrew Kowalski, Curtis Bradley, and Garret Williams.
COYOTE GIRL (drama)
2015, 17 min., Directed by Robert Biggs, Outcast Café Productions, Westfield, IL
Huddled in a windswept farmhouse, Riley Ann cares for her dementia-ridden Dad. He slips away. She falters. Playing his endgame saves her. Magical thinking prevails.
RIPPER THE CLOWN WANTS A DATE (comedy)
2014, 2 min., Directed by Ripper the Clown (Jake Aurelian), Danville, IL
In this silent film spoof, Ripper the Clown wants a date.
UNA MUJER SIN PRECIO 1961 (A Priceless Woman, 1961) (science fiction)
2014, 16 min., Directed by Alaric Rocha, Blue Bassoon Pictures, Chicago, IL
When the perfectionist scientist, Dr. Victor Junco, loses his wife, Maribella, to a car accident, he builds a robotic version to replace her. Una Mujer Sin Precio 1961 is created in the vintage style of ‘60s Mexican sci-fi, with intent to pay homage to this often ridiculed genre by balancing the fun, campy elements with important themes of loss and finding purpose. It is one of five films done in this same style but from different periods in Mexican cinema history for the upcoming feature film, Searching for Francisco, about the mysterious film auteur Juan Francisco Moctezuma II.
SISTER AND BROTHER IN THE CEMETERY (dark comedy)
2014, 3 min., Directed by Mike Trippiedi, Shut Up and Do It Productions, Champaign, IL
The first episode of a new Web series about a strange pair of siblings.
INTERMISSION (commercial spoof)
2015, 4 min., Directed by Andy Due, Rubber Chicken Films/RL3 Productions, Charleston, IL
There will now be a brief intermission, but don’t get up to get popcorn just yet. Please remain seated and keep your hands and arms inside the car at all times.
IF ONLY… (comedy)
2014, 2 min., Produced by Mike Trippiedi, Andrew Stengele, Sue Trippiedi & Breelyn Mehrtens for Freeky Creek Short Film Festival, Champaign-Urbana-Oakwood, IL
This short takes you inside the mind of a zombie and what it is really feeling.
DEAD THERAPY (drama | thriller)
2014, 16 min., Directed by Jeff Kacmarynski, Vision Test Productions, Champaign-Urbana, IL
Dead Therapy is a look into the lives of the survivors of an outbreak known as “The Resurrection Event.” As a therapy group’s members share their dark stories of survival, we learn a first time visitor named Natalie also has a story … and a dark, dirty little secret. The screenplay won an award at the 2014 RIP Horror Film Festival in Los Angeles.
SCARY PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION TV SHOW SPOOF (comedy)
2014, 4 min., Directed by Ripper the Clown (Jake Aurelian), Danville, IL
Ripper the Clown and Company parody popular paranormal television shows such as The Dead Files and Ghost Hunters. Filmed in the historic Fischer Theatre in Danville.
PEEZY PERKINS: HOLLYWOOD LEGEND (documentary spoof)
2015, 17 min., Directed by Andy Due, Rubber Chicken Films/RL3 Productions, Charleston, IL
Hear the unknown story of one of Hollywood’s greatest legends from the Golden Age of motion pictures, Peezy Perkins, in this rare documentary from 1975.
CLOWNS ARE NOT SCARY (dark comedy)
2014, 3 min., Directed by Mike Trippiedi, Champaign, IL
A clown explains why people should never fear them.
LAS FIERAS 1969 (The Beasts, 1969) (thriller)
2015, 12 min., Directed by Alaric Rocha, Blue Bassoon Pictures, Chicago, IL
Alcira is a bookworm and student of human nature through art and poetry, though rarely participating. When a curse strikes and werewolf-like creatures invade the city, Alcira locks herself into a university bathroom and weeks of loneliness ensue. Las Fieras 1969 is created in the vintage style of ‘60s Mexican genre cinema. It is one of five films done in this same style but from different periods in Mexican cinema history for the upcoming feature film, Searching for Francisco, about the mysterious film auteur Juan Francisco Moctezuma II.
SISTER AND BROTHER IN THE BEDROOM (dark comedy)
2014, 3 min., Directed by Mike Trippiedi, Shut Up and Do It Productions, Champaign, IL
The second episode of a new Web series about a strange pair of siblings.
ORDINARY VIDEO SERIES #18, “Winter” (experimental | documentary)
2014, 1 min., Directed by David Gracon, Champaign, IL
The Ordinary Video Series is a series of short haiku-like/minimalist observational documentaries that explore the intersection between nature, consumer culture, socially constructed spaces, and nothingness, shot on a consumer grade mobile Smartphone. “Winter” is a minimalist drive down a spectacular winter road. Sound by Omar Rueda.
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As always, titles and sequence are subject to change without notice.
The 2015 New Art Film Festival is presented by C-U Confidential and sponsored by the Art Theater Co-op, ThirdSide, and Shatterglass Studios.
NAFF logo design (revised) and NAFF poster design are by ThirdSide, Champaign, IL
