Multiple projects with connections to UNCSA to screen at RiverRun International Film Festival
Students, alumni and faculty from the School of Filmmaking at UNCSA have multiple connections to films selected to screen at the 26th RiverRun International Film Festival. The festival, which runs from April 18-27, which will feature 196 screenings — the most in its history. RiverRun will also host a variety of free panels that are open to the public, as well as its Annual Pitch Fest, giving student documentary filmmakers the opportunity to pitch to judges, receive feedback and win cash prizes.
The festival is mainly in-person this year with several virtual options. The screening venues include the UNCSA Babcock and Gold theaters in the ACE Exhibition Complex; the Hanesbrands Theatre; Marketplace Cinemas; and RED Cinemas in Greensboro. UNCSA is a sponsor.
“Our students, alumni and faculty have profound connections to this year's RiverRun International Film Festival,” said School of Filmmaking Dean Deborah LaVine. “Having a festival of this caliber accessible to UNCSA is truly a critical resource for the university. We’re looking forward to fostering connections made during the screenings, panels and events during the festival which will assist our emerging filmmakers in laying the groundwork for their careers.”
"Lady Like"
UNCSA connections include:
Documentary Features, Focus:
- High School Visual Arts alumna Cookie Walukas (H.S. ’11) produced “Lady Like,” about drag queen Lady Camden who struggles to manage the demands of her newfound fame after competing on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” She must come to terms with a traumatic childhood which drives her to seek escape through the performing arts.
Documentary Features, RiverRun Arts:
- Filmmaking faculty member Julian Semilian directed “Fish Have No Psychiatrists,” centered around the life and times of poet, novelist, public speaker and NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu. UNCSA students and alumni were in the crew and make cameo appearances.
Documentary Features, Carolina Stories:
- Filmmaking alumnus Gerry Gibson (B.F.A. ’12) directed and alumnus Devin Forbes (B.F.A. ’12) edited “Through the Lines” following the men’s North Carolina Fusion U23 soccer team as they compete in the 2021 season.
"Through the Lines"
Narrative Features, Carolina Stories:
- Filmmaking alumna Hayley Vinson (B.F.A. ’19) directed and Filmmaking alumna Epiphany James (M.F.A. ’20) produced “Polecat,” following two Appalachian kids seeking escape from the backcountry. They move to a small metropolis to deal drugs when they catch the attention of the local biker gang that runs the territory. Soon after, chaos ensues, introducing a firecracker of a character named Polecat.
- Filmmaking alumna Summer Shelton directed, produced and acted in the film “You & I,” which is about two middle-aged former flames who are unexpectedly brought together for a weekend where they have an opportunity to explore what could have been.
- Filmmaking alumna Julia Lofton Walpole (B.F.A. ’21) was the first assistant director for “A song for Imogene,” a gritty, female-driven independent drama set against the grueling landscape of the rural American South that explores issues around abuse, pregnancy trauma and the female bid for independence.
Animated Shorts, Saturday Morning Cartoons:
- Filmmaking student Viktor Maverick wrote, directed, animated and produced “Red Bird,” a film about a woman who is waiting anxiously in a cabin in the snow and decides to pass the time by making hot chocolate.
Documentary Shorts, North Carolina Shorts:
- Filmmaking alumni Aiden Siobhan (B.F.A. ’23) wrote, directed and produced; Meg Fisher (B.F.A. ’23) co-wrote, edited and sound supervised; Diana Kotzin (M.F.A. ’23) was the composer; and Filmmaking student Stewart Jeffers was the cinematographer for “Bestseller,” which explores the “New York Times Best Sellers List,” examining the myths and realities of the list’s curation and its impact on diversity in the publishing industry.
"Red Bird"
Narrative Shorts, North Carolina Shorts:
- School of Drama alumna Abigail Holland (B.F.A. ’20) directed “Ruby,” about a lonely veterinary technician who struggles to stop drinking on the job and stealing pills from the animals she cares for.
- Filmmaking alumna Clara Hirata (B.F.A. ’23) directed and alumni Abrianna Sigel (B.F.A. ’23) and Richie O'Kane (B.F.A. ’23) wrote “Mila and Imran.”Additionally, alumnae Ava Tennis (B.F.A. ’23) and Grace Williamson (B.F.A. ’23) produced, alumna Summer Sierra (B.F.A. ’23) was the director of photography, alumna Lyric Abbott (B.F.A. ’23) was the editor and sound designer, alumna Kathryne Garrido (B.F.A. ’23) was the production designer and alumna Katerina Papadopoulou (M.F.A. ’23) oversaw music for the project. The film is about German and Turkish street vendors who form an unlikely alliance to help make ends meet as competition rises between them. This film was shot in Germany in collaboration with students from Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf.
- Filmmaking student Mackenzie Marsteller directed, James Knowles and Mackenzie Marsteller wrote, and Alex Archipov and Evan Ramseur produced “Strawberry Mouthwash,” a film about a teenage girl who clings to the memory of her troubled older sister through memories triggered by objects in their bathroom.
- Drama alumnus Samip Raval (B.F.A. ’12) directed, and Drama alumni Jackie Robinson (B.F.A. ’12) and Isaac Klein (B.F.A. ’06) are also a part of “The Entire Lifespan of A Mayfly,” a film about a man named Jimmy who gets stood up on a first date, and to his surprise, is set up with a substitute date through his dating app who fills in for his no-show and saves his night.
"Ruby"
Panels:
The festival will also be offering a special screening of “Two Soliders,” the Academy Award-winning film which was co-produced by Filmmaking Festival and Internship Coordinator Kate Miller, set decorated by Filmmaking faculty member Burton Rencher and with support from numerous UNCSA Filmmaking students and alumni as crew members. As part of the film’s 20th anniversary, the Piedmont Triad Film Commission — which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year — will host a panel following the screening to discuss how the commission works with production companies to recruit projects to film in the Piedmont Triad region.
Information in this release reflects what could be obtained by press time. If we missed a connection, please contact us at the link below and updates will be made as they are brought to our attention.
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April 20, 2024