Parachute
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
Parachute
Directed by Aaron Putnam
Short Narrative
USA | 5 minutes | 2015
We spend our entire lives looking forward to the possibilities adulthood will bring, fully unprepared for its drab reality. For Scarlet, adulthood has amounted to lessons in disappointment and a quarry of apathy. A chance meeting with an unlikely lifeline pulls her out of her self-centered depths, showing her that the only way to survive adulthood is to become a kid again.
Aaron Putnam
Director
With over 10 years of experience in television and film, Aaron has worked as a director, editor, designer, producer and/or writer on multiple feature films, short films and television shows for ESPN, Warner Bros., the History Channel, the Discovery Channel and TLC.
In his current role as Motion Director at Wray Ward he leads a talented team of editors, producers and videographers that craft everything from nationally broadcasted commercials and feature length documentaries to web series’ and short product videos.
Originally from Milwaukee, he received an associate’s degree in television production from Milwaukee Area Technical College and attended the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles
Film Information
Director: Aaron Putnam
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Language: English
Runtime: 5 minutes
Credits
Writers: Katie Moore
Producers: Devon Chandler
Editors: Griffin Glaze and Lewis Dameron III
Director of Photography: Justin Smith
Key Cast: Brooke Bradley and Carter Nesbitt
We Interrupt This Broadcast
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
We Interrupt This Broadcast
Directed by Kurt Raether
Short Narrative
USA | 6 minutes | 2015
A security guard at a museum spends his late night shifts reenacting old radio dramas. Tonight: Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds. Are we truly alone? Is he? Inspired by the 100th anniversary of Orson Welles’ birth.
Kurt Raether
Director/Writer
Kurt Raether is an producer, director, and partner at Sabljak Raether Hogerton. Known for short documentaries and visually innovative music videos, his latest film “Little America” recently won top honors at the Wisconsin Film Festival. In addition to his own projects, Raether is an indie developer with several projects underway, including a feature length Iranian American documentary on the life of Hamid Naficy, famed film scholar.
Film Information
Director: Kurt Raether
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Language: English
Runtime: 6 minutes
Credits
Producers: Martin Kaszubowski
Executive Producers: Mark Sabljak, Matt Sabljak, and Sam Hogerton
Assistant Director: Carol Brandt
Editor: Leo Fleming
Special Effects: Jacob Holiday
Sound Design: Kurt Raether
Music: The Tontine Ensemble
Costume Design: Dani Groom
Makeup Artist: Erica Thompson
Key Cast: WC Tank, Kelly Danen, Mike Sabljak, Kyle Willkom , and Mark Sabljak
Connect With This Film
Website
IMDb
Facebook
Twitter
Hashtag:
The Discovery of Alan Hindley
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
The Discovery of Alan Hindley
Directed by Andy Fortenbacher
Short Narrative
USA | 6 minutes | 2015
A ham radio enthusiast discovers a mysterious object that might be a window into another world.
Andy Fortenbacher
Director/ Writer
ANDY FORTENBACHER has a Masters of Fine Arts from Columbia University and has built a portfolio of 14 short films from different genres. His film, Moths, received awards from several festivals and was a semi-finalist in the 2015 Student Academy Awards. His comedy/horror short film, Melon Head, screened at over thirty-five film festivals worldwide and received awards for best film, best comedy, and audience choice.
Fortenbacher believes that exceptional work is the result of strong collaboration. He relies on his team to help bring his vision to life so that he can meticulously focus on the details in order to achieve polished results.
Film Information
Director: Andy Fortenbacher
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Language: English
Runtime: 6 minutes
Credits
Producers: Zac Page, Cassidy Bisher, and Lisa Mueller
Director of Photography: Craig Harmer
Visual Effects: Ankit Mishra
Sound Designer: Enos Desjardins
Composer: Jay Lifton
Fire Escape
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
Fire Escape
Directed by James Heiner
Short Narrative
USA | 6 minutes | 2014
After a chance encounter with a stranger on a fire escape, a young woman takes stock of her lived-in routine.
James Heiner
Director/Writer
James considers himself a writer first, director second, and the rest of the time he’s usually an AD. After graduating with a BA in Film & Media Arts from the University of Utah, he elected to return for a more production-intensive MFA from Columbia College Chicago in Cinema Directing. Currently he lives and writes in Los Angeles as he works in talent management.
Fire Escape is about a small moment with world-shaking implications; a young mother steps back and takes stock of the path she’s on and where she’s landed. Storytelling at it’s best can lend varied points of view and experience to an audience that may never have looked at that lens otherwise–and that’s the kind of storytelling James aspires to and loves best.
Film Information
Director: James Heiner
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Language: English
Runtime: 6 minutes
Credits
Producers: Katie Sponseller and Jonathan Moeller
Director of Photography: AJ Young
Editor: Jordan Nelson
Key Cast: Scottie Caldwell, Jeff Cummings, and Michael Medford
More Alike than Different
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
More Alike than Different
Directed by Haley Labian
Short Documentary
USA | 6 minutes | 2015
A short video about Danielle, the most caring individual I’ve ever met. She continues to break down barriers and overcome challenges in her life, most of which come from people who believe that since she looks and acts different, she can’t accomplish the same things. She has Down Syndrome, but she will always first and foremost be my big sister and best friend.
Haley Labian
Director
Haley is currently a sophomore Film and Digital Media major at Loyola University Chicago. In her free time, she likes to photograph the beauty in the world around her and make short films.
Film Information
Director: Haley Labian
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Language: English
Runtime: 6 minutes
Credits
Producer: Haley Labian
Key Cast: Danielle Labian
Discovering the Truth /w Tanner DeMita
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slots #1
YES! Filmmaker(s) Attending for Q & A
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
Discovering the Truth with Tanner DeMita
Directed by Matthew J Grcic
Short Documentary
USA | 9 minutes | 2014
Tanner DeMita is an 18 year old senior at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. He discusses the time when he learned about his diagnosis of Autism, and how it has helped him understand why he is the way he is. We learn of some of the struggles he faces in life, and some of his incredible successes. His twin sister offers her input into his life, and some of her experiences.
Matthew J Grcic
Director, Producer, Writer
After completing my Master’s in Communication, Digital Media and Storytelling, from Loyola University Chicago, I find myself settling down near my hometown in the Greater Cleveland/Akron area of Northeast Ohio. I am a photojournalist by nature and I am driven to tell stories. I encourage you to have a look at my portfolio to see the array of work I have created, from commercials and marketing videos to short documentaries.
I have a special interest in environmental and social issues. This is my main focus with my artistic talents. I tell stories with my still and motion pictures, and I will take on any story that needs to be told.
Film Information
Director: Matthew J Grcic
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Language: English
Runtime: 9 minutes
Credits
Producer, DP, and Editor: Matthew J Grcic
Key Cast: Tanner DeMita
The Death Drive
Kyle James
Director, Editor, Writer
Kyle V. James: Director, Editor, VFX. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kyle works as a digital artist, designer, and filmmaker. His video work spans music videos, short films, T.V. commercials, and full-length feature films. A recent graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Kyle has already worked for Milwaukee Magazine, Wonder Wonder, and About Face Media. Also working as a freelancer, Kyle was able to accumulate an impressive body of work as a cinematographer, editor, animator, and visual effects artist.
Kyle V. James is best known for his work on The Death Drive (2015), China Test Girls (2015), and Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (2015).
Michael Bourne
Director,Writer, Cinematographer
Michael Bourne. Director, Cinematographer/DP, Editor. Michael was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and works as filmmaker and videographer. His video work includes short films, music videos, and short documentary projects. Michael has completed the film program at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and currently works as videographer and editor for Doc-UWM, and as a freelancer cinematographer and grip.
Michael Bourne is best known for his work on The Death Drive (2015) and Illuminate (2014).
Film Information
Director: Kyle V. James and Michael Bourne
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Language: English
Runtime: 10 minutes
Credits
Producer: Kyle V. James, Michael Bourne
Writer: Kyle V. James, Michael Bourne
Editor: Kyle V. James
Key Cast: Mallori Taylor, Kyle V. James
Dinosaur
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
Dinosaur
Directed by Spencer Ortega
Short Narrative
USA | 8 minutes | 2014
A young man struggles with the balance between his love for dinosaurs and his social responsibilities.
Spencer Ortega
Director, Producer, Writer
Spencer Ortega is in his third year at the University of Wisconsin of Milwaukee. He started out on sets mostly doing sound, but his heart was always in cinematography. As his lighting skills improved, he was asked more to help in the grip department than sound and recently has been the Director of Photography for a variety of short films. His philosophy of shooting as much as possible and helping others shoot as much as possible has led him on many great cinematic adventures. Spencer has taken a lot of what he has learned from working on other sets and applied it to his own short films. He loves to use cinema to create new worlds and experiment with characters in peculiar situations. His film from his freshman year, “Balloons” played in the Shorts Corner at the Cannes Film Festival.
Film Information
Director: Spencer Ortega
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Language: English
Runtime: 8 min
Credits
Music: Olive Musique, Gyom, and Kevin MacLeod
Art Director: Aby Farrey
Sound Ops: Clayton Backes, Sean McDowell, and Katelyn Schulfer
Voice Artist: Alex Catalano
Assistant Camera: Ben Sheetz, Josh Peterson, Louie Fisher, Daniel Lindsay
Key Cast: Colin Schultz, John Baiocchi , and Abby Farrey
Connect With This Film
Website
IMDb
Facebook
Twitter
Hashtag:
Blame
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
Blame
Directed by Kellee Terrell
Short Narrative
USA | 15 minutes | 2014
Haunted by a dead rape victim, a young father must decide to either turn his only son into the police or delete the only evidence of the attack.
Kellee Terrell
Director/Writer
Kellee Terrell recently graduated from Columbia College of Chicago with a MFA in Film Directing. She also holds an M.A. in African-American Studies from Columbia University in New York. Her first film “Goodnight My Love,” (2013), a short about a Black lesbian couple trapped in the zombie apocalypse, has screened in over 40 cities around the world including San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Berlin, Kingston, Geneva, Toronto, Copenhagen and Los Angeles. With filmmakers Nate and Rob Bailey-Millado, Terrell is currently co-producing Herr (2015), a feature length documentary about Barbara Herr, an iconic Latina transgender lip-sync artist in NYC. In addition to being a filmmaker, Terrell is also an award-winning journalist whose articles and interviews have been featured in The Huffington Post, Al Jazeera, BET.com, Essence, The Root, Glamour, The Advocate, POZ and Colorlines to name a few.
Film Information
Director: Kellee Terrell
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Language: English
Runtime: 15 min
Credits
Writer: Kellee Terrell
Producer: Meera Jogani
Editor: April A. Wilson
Composer: Andrew Orkin
Key Cast: Jerod Haynes, Kristin Anderson, Javoun Baker, and Flavia Borges
We Know You Have a Choice
Wisconsin Illinois Short Slot #1
Sat Feb 20, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Bagels & More
Sun Feb 28, 2016 – 2:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center
We Know You Have a Choice
Directed by Eric Simonson
Short Narrative
USA | 12 minutes | 2015
A successful career woman meets her match when she takes on the complexities of technology and so called “customer service”.
Eric Simonson
Director, Producer, Writer
Eric Simonson is an ensemble member of the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company, a position he maintains while working as a writer and director for film, television, theatre and opera.
Recent films include the documentary, “Studs Terkel: Listening to America” (Emmy nomination); “A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin”, which won the Oscar for Documentary Short and received a nomination from the International Documentary Association (IDA) for Distinguished Achievement; “On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom” (Oscar nomination, IDA Award, Emmy nomination). All three films subsequently aired on HBO/Cinemax. Other films include “Hamlet” (co-directed with Campbell Scott) for Hallmark Entertainment, and the independent feature, “Topa Topa Bluffs”. Simonson has also written and developed multiple television series for HBO, FX, Starz, TNT, and USA networks.
Film Information
Director: Eric Simonson
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Language: English
Runtime: 11 min 45 sec
Credits
Producer and Writer: Eric Simonson
Key Cast: Sue Cremin
