PHX Film News for April 18, 2014

PHX Film News April 18th, 2014 Thank you to everyone who came out to the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival. In the upcoming weeks, many of these films will be released in theatres and we'll keep you posted.This week we thought we would update you on some exciting news on some of our films from 2013. The Retrieval : Opening April 25th at Harkins Shea After a successful run on the film festival circuit in 2013, The Retrieval is hitting theatres. Next Friday (04/25) the film will be opening exclusively at Harkins Shea 14.Taking place a year after the Emancipation Proclamation, The Retrieval follows Will (newcomer Ashton Sanders), a boy sent by a bounty hunter gang to retrieve a wanted freedman (Tishuan Scott) and bring him back to the South. The film is Independent Spirit Award winner Chris Eska’s second feature and has garnered over a dozen awards at more than forty festivals worldwide, including Best Director, Best Acting Ensemble, and the Audience Award at last year’s Phoenix Film Festival.Find out more at the Harkins website Favor: iTunes and On Demand on April 22nd Favor was the winner of Best Screenplay at the 2013 Phoenix Film Festival and it will be available on home video starting on April 22nd. That includes iTunes, Cox On Demand and along with another dozen services.Here's a refresher on the synopsis: Kip Desmond has gotten everything he's ever wanted: a thriving career, beautiful wife and an affluent lifestyle, all of which is put in jeopardy when Abby, the waitress with whom he's having a casual fling, is accidentally killed. ​ ​ Desperate, he ends up on the doorstep of childhood friend Marvin Croat and asks him for a huge favor: help get rid of the body. ​ This gruesome circumstance begins a series of events which unravels Kip and Marvin’s lifelong friendship, leading both men to murderous acts neither had ever suspected themselves capable of. ​ Click here to get it on iTunes Putzel: Available nowOur 2013 Best Picture winner, Putzel is available now for purchase through Amazon as well as various home viewing options.Synopsis: For Walter Himmelstein, a young man endearingly known as Putzel, life literally doesn't go beyond his family's fish store on the upper west side of Manhattan. In this heartwarming romantic comedy about sex, love and smoked fish, Walter's aspirations of taking over his uncle's fish emporium are disrupted by the arrival of Sally, who becomes romantically involved with his about-to-retire and very-married uncle. While Walter tries to thwart their romance in order to ensure his taking over the business, he finds his circumscribed life thrown off kilter, and, after years of being undermined by his family and friends, finally starts to realize that he's more than a Putzel. Click here to get your copy Down and Dangerous : Available now in iTunes Down and Dangerous is one of the films we get asked about the most from last year's festival. And we have great news, it's also available on iTunes.Here's the synopsis: Always one step ahead of the Feds, Paul Boxer is the most inventive and principled smuggler in the trade, and has never needed to carry a gun. When violent mid-level traffickers coerce him into designing a foolproof plan to bring ten kilos of cocaine across the México border, he maneuvers to rid himself of their hold over him once and for all. However, when a sharp and beautiful woman from his past enlists his help to escape this rival outfit, Paul must confront the man that is hunting him down, and choose between his livelihood as a drug runner and his integrity as a man.Click here to check it out on iTunes

Are You an AZ Filmmaker?

Are you a local Arizona filmmaker who wants to get more involved with the local film community? IFP Phoenix (Independent Feature Project, Phoenix)  supports and develops the growth of independent filmmaking in Arizona through comprehensive training, networking, exhibition and filmmaking opportunities. Additionally, the organization aspires to continually reach out with support for all other filmmaking-friendly organizations in Arizona and be the resource that helps connect everyone in our filmmaking community.

How do you get involved?  Join IFP Phoenix today, and get involved in the various programs and events that are scheduled through out the year, just for filmmakers.  If you believe independent film is critical to our culture and to the future of cinema here in Arizona, visit IFPPHX.org today.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition!

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition. We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

First Place: Tattoo by R. Wayne Gray from Welles River, Vermont.

The wife of an old man is less-than-thrilled when he tells her he wants to get a tattoo..

• $300 from the Phoenix Film Foundation
• One InkTip.com Script Listing on InkTip.com. InkTip Script Listings provide writers with the opportunity to get their scripts read by InkTip’s extensive network of producers, reps, manager, agents, and other qualified industry professionals.
• Script review and consultation from the Director of Development at Script Pipeline
• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• One free entry to any Script Pipeline writing or idea competition
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Second Place: The Loop by Matthew Himlin from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Two scientists successfully test a time machine, but are they prepared for the implications of time travel?

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Third Place: Ghost in the Gun: Vintner's Folly by Andrew Chen from Mountain View, California.

A man left for dead in the desert comes across a possessed gun and transforms into a gunslinger bent on avenging his murdered family, but unbeknownst to him the gun has a vendetta of its own.

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Top Ten Finalists:

A Challenge To the Dark by Anna Imhof from Los Angeles, CA

No matter what anybody else says; Frankie, a 9-year-old tomboy, is convinced that in due time John Wayne will appear in her sleepy Midwestern hometown, pick her up on his horse and take her to the Wild West to fulfill her destiny.

Away From the Slough by Danielle Barcena from Concord, CA.

An abused woman struggles to free herself from her brother's web of control when a grocery store clerk offers her the chance to escape.

Crank by Matthew Himlin from Scottsdale, AZ.

Lou is such a cranky son of a b!tch that he's going to a wake to settle a score with a corpse.

Golddigger by Phil Yuhas from Orange, CA.

A couple's anniversary celebration is spoiled by the antics of a pretentious young blonde and her very elderly date.

Haunted House Hunters -- LA by Heidi Willis from Montgomery, AL.

Watch Jeff and Laura, a ghost couple, shop for a new home to haunt when Haunted House Hunters hits Los Angeles.

John Mott by Suzy Stein from Phoenix, AZ.

No one asks the Devil for happiness. Sell your soul to the Devil and he takes it away immediately and puts it in a box until you die. You can't be happy without your soul, no matter how much money you have. But John Mott can get that box back. For a price, John Mott can set you free. Unless the Devil stops him first.

True Blue by Phil Yuhas from Orange, CA.

The virtue of loyalty is explored through the eyes of an aging shelter dog.

Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com.

 

 

2014 Award Winners Announced!

2014 Phoenix Film Festival Award Winners

International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Fest Awards

Best Sci-Fi  Short: The Developer

Best Sci-Fi Feature: S.O.S: Save Our Skins

Best Horror Short: The Carriage or Dracula and My Mother

Best Horror Feature: Billy Club

Short Film Awards

Best Grade/High School Short: As Always (Come al Solito) - Rodolfo Lissia --  Liceo Luigi Galvani  Bologna, Italy

Best College Short:  Til Death - Connor Gaston   --  University of Victoria, BC Canada

Best Arizona Short: Long Way

Best Arizona Short Documentary: For the Love of Dogs

Best Short Documentary: Eugene

Best Animated Short Film: Estefan

Best Live Action Short Film: Ice

World Cinema Awards

Best World Cinema Short: Mr. Invisible

Best World Cinema Documentary: The Aryans

Best World Cinema Director: Petr Nikolaev, Godfather’s Story

World Cinema Best Picture: When I Saw You

World Cinema Audience Award Winner: The Aryans

Foundation Awards

Arizona Filmmakers of the Year: Josh Kasselman and Stephanie Lucas

Volunteer of the Year: Marty Freetage

Feature Film Awards

Dan Harkins Breakthrough Filmmaker Award: Eddie Jemison and Sean Richardson for King of Herrings

Special Achievement in Acting: Elias Koteas in Jake Squared

Best Ensemble: Teddy Bears

Best Director: Henry Barrial – The House That Jack Built

Best Screenplay: Joseph Vasquez – The House That Jack Built

Best Documentary: The Joe Show

Best Picture: The House That Jack Built

Cox Audience Award: Life Inside Out

Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competition

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competition. We are very excited to announce the winners of the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competiton!

First Place: Sardis the Merciful by Christian Thomas from California

When a king wakes up to the sound of assassins creeping into his bedchamber, he knows his past has caught up with him. He must escape and make his way through mysterious caves, erotic brothels, and savage battlefields...to get one last chance at redemption, and bloody revenge.

• $300 cash from the Phoenix Film Foundation
• Script review and consultation from the Director of Development at Script Pipeline
• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• One free entry to any Script Pipeline writing or idea competition
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Second Place: Bob Dooley by Margina Sisson from Torrance, CA

When Emily, a sixth-grader with a bad reputation for lying is suddenly required to write a TRUE STORY about an ancestor, she struggles for ideas because she thinks true stories are boring, until Grandmother shares the amazing story of Bob Dooley, the Capuchin Monkey and the Kennedy Fair. But will anyone believe her? 

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Third Place: Wish You Were Here by Austin Kase

Harvard valedictorian Adam Getz is unexpectedly forced to move back in with his parents after his high-paying Wall St. employer is revealed to be a Madoff-esque con artist. With no choice but to take on a minimum wage job at a local fast food joint,  Adam reconnects with some old friends from the high school orchestra. Together, they embark on a series of misadventures that help Adam realize just how much of life he's missed out on.

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Top Ten Finalists:

Generations by Jack Bennett from Glenwood City, WI.

Running from every government agency imaginable, an exiled US Marshall and a special woman search for her brother who holds the secret to how she became the most wanted person in the world.

Gone Monkey Gone by Marc Ketchem from Los Angeles, CA

David Thompson is a struggling magician with a monkey for an assistant. After his monkey is kidnapped, David must travel the country to retrieve his monkey before a televised magician's talent show.

Hooligan by Tony Cammarata from California

After his placement in child protection, Chico bounces between foster care and juvenile corrections due to his behavior and inability to complete a trial adoption. Tempted by the excitement and acceptance of a street gang, Chico begins the gang initiation process when he commits an act of violence, causing his victim to take an active interest in his life.

Jenna’s Gone by Russ Meyer from New Prague, MN

An untried deputy and a hunting guide find their lifelong friendship turning lethal as they track after the kidnappers of the waitress they both love, each suspecting the other of a role in her disappearance. 

Murmansk Run by Wendy Joseph & Sam Hakam from Mt Vernon, WA

May, 1942. After getting separated from their convoy and naval escort, American merchant seamen, with Russian men and women sailors rescued from a torpedoed Soviet ship, attempt to bring an American Liberty ship, her holds filled with supplies and munitions for the Red Army, into Murmansk alone.

Waterloo by Brian Samuel Davis from Phoenix, AZ

After 45 years in prison, Chuck 'Daddy' Dobbins is released. With the haunting memories of his crimes still fresh in his mind, he chooses to atone for his sins by helping Lacy, an AIDS infected heroin addict. The journey to redemption isn't always a righteous path.

Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com.

 

 

The Movie Guys talk about the Phoenix Film Festival!

The Movie Guys are going to be producing lots of cool highlights during this year's festival and much more.  

Click here to see their first batch of interviews from the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival

Click here to see their second batch of interviews from the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival

Check out The Movie Guys' Showcast filmed at the Phoenix Film Festival

Here's Day Two

The Festival has started and The Movie Guys are here!

The festival gets closer and here's #6

They're back with video #5

Video number 4 talks about Opening Night....

Here's video #3....

Here's video #2 from them.....

In case you missed it, here was their first PFF video....

Weekday Schedule Announced

  The winners have been announced and we are excited to announce the schedule for the rest of the week.

Click here to view a printable PDF of the schedule

Click here to see the Award Winners 

We look forward to seeing you this week as we close out the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival!

Join us for the 2014 Opening Night Premiere Party featuring the film Locke

Tom Hardy, Ruth Wilson and Andrew Scott star in the film  LOCKE, directed by Steven Knight.

The 2014 Phoenix Film Festival is coming up fast, so you will want to race to buy your tickets for our Opening Night Premiere Party.

The night kicks off at 6pm in our Party Pavilion with tastes from some of the best restaurants in town, great entertainment and some special silent auction items.

At 7:30, we all head over to the theatre where the Phoenix Film Festival will present its 2014 Visionary Award. Past Visionary Award recipients include Dan Harkins, Bob Oldfather from Bookmans and Dr. Sydney Shapiro.

Following the presentation of the Visionary Award, we will begin our Opening Night Film, Locke, starring Tom Hardy.

Locke tells the story of a a successful construction manager (Hardy) who receives a single phone call during his drive home which causes his life to unravel.

Platinum Pass holders receive admission to this awesome event, but if you are not a Platinum Pass holder, you can still purchase tickets.

Click here to purchase tickets to the Opening Night Premiere Party and screening.