ST. LOUIS FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE Continues Saturday With Three Shorts Programs

By Tom Stockman | July 12, 2019

The 19th Annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, a presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, serves as the area’s primary venue for films made by local artists. The Showcase screens works that were written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis residents or films with strong local ties.  The festival starts Friday and continues Saturday with
 The Documentary Shorts Program Volume 2 at 4pm, The Comedy Shorts Program at 6:30pm and The Horror Shorts Program at 9pm.

The 19 film programs that screen at Washington University’s Brown Hall from July 12-14 & 19-21 serve as the Showcase’s centerpiece. The programs range from full-length fiction features and documentaries to multi-film compilations of fiction and documentary shorts. Many programs include post-screening Q&As with filmmakers. There are 106 films in this year’s event.

Tickets for film programs from July 12-21 at Brown Hall are $13 each; $10 for students with valid and current photo ID and for Cinema St. Louis members with valid membership cards. No phone sales, but tickets can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com. Direct ticketing links will be on the Cinema St. Louis website, or search for “St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase” on Brown Paper Tickets. There is a small service charge per ticket for online sales, which are limited to full-price tickets only. The closing-night awards party is free and does not require tickets.

The Documentary Shorts Program Volume 2 at 4pm . Ticket information can be found HERE:

Bang the Drum: The Life and Death of a Small-Town Music Scene

Douglas Wicker, 19 min.

Using Farmington, Mo., as an illustrative example, the film explores how social media has affected local music scenes. 

Interview with a Soldier

Edward Johnston, 9 min.

A film about a soldier’s call to action, the hardships he has faced, and the lessons he’s learned.

A Look Ahead: Our Energy Future in 20 Years

Joshua Kelley, 22 min.

The 14-year-old director talks to industry professionals about the potential environmental state of the country and St. Louis in 20 years.

Theatre of Pain

Zia Nizami, 33 min.

His back hurts, he’s a new grandpa, but Jim Hoffarth still wants to be king of the ring.

Why Do We Still Play Football?

Sean Kim & Michael Melinger, 15 min.

Examining the sport through medical, safety, and cultural lenses, Clayton High School journalists tackle the question of why football is still played.

The Comedy Shorts Program at 6:30pm. Ticket information can be found HERE

Burn It Down

Valerie Royer, 11 min.

A young pyromaniac must decide whether to burn down his “dream house” or spare the old couple who lives inside.

Catlove

Gary Lobstein, 1 min.

This funny faux drug commercial was the winner of the 2019 edition of Cat Clips: A Competition in Cuteness!, a co-presentation of Animal House and Cinema St. Louis.

Final Shindig

Jackson Chintha, 13 min.

Two college kids embark on a journey to make things right using the wrong methods.

The Foghorn Trilogy

Mike Steinberg, 14 min.

Loosely based on the filmmaker’s parents, this whimsical film tells the story of a romantic couple at three crucial stages in their lives. 

Going My Way

Stephen Province, 24 min.

When Jody’s car breaks down, Jack seemingly comes to her rescue. 

Hey! Aren’t You Garrett Crest?

Peter Bolte, 5 min.

When a man steps into a bar for some peace and quiet, he is accosted by some patrons who think they recognize him as a 1980s sitcom star. 

Jerad Davis Throws a Dinner Party

Valerie Royer, 13 min.

An alien on Earth studying the habits of humans is forced to throw an unexpected dinner party.

The Literalist

Lori Ann Potts, 4 min.

A professor visits a coffee shop to grade papers but keeps getting distracted by other customers and her own imagination.

Save the Date

Jeffrey Samet, 6 min.

As Mark and Jill have their save-the-date photos taken, they begin to wonder if their wedding date can actually be saved.

Sodapop

Robert Cox, 5 min.

Two rival drink-shop owners feud over the business of a thirsty customer.

The Horror Shorts Program at 9pm. Ticket information can be found HERE

Assemblage

Ashley Seering, 6 min.

An artist invites an especially harsh critic to her studio for an exclusive preview of her latest work.

Blood Trails

Daniel Rothermich, 12 min.

A vampire detective is approached by a new client who claims that he’s being threatened by vampires. 

Flakka

Lacey “G Souldier” Turner, 43 min.

Years after the tragic death of Dr. James Flakka, who was killed by the citizens of Ferguson, eight friends go on a retreat to the property where the murder happened and find themselves targets of a vicious attack from something evil.

The Other Side

Tim M. Sullivan, 8 min.

After a fatal accident, a young man wanders through the afterlife in the hopes of escaping to the world of the living.

Storage

Devin P. Dillon, 6 min.

When a man starts a job at his stepfather’s storage facility, a ghostly presence tries to scare him from the lot.

Thanatos

Shawn D. Holt, 7 min.

After an armed robbery goes wrong, Lee hides out from the police and finds himself greeted by death.