2012 United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival
View the winning films and digital videos of the International U.S. Super 8 Film + Digital Video Festival, selected by a jury of filmmakers, students, and media professionals. The festival--now in its 24th year—will feature finalist works by independent filmmakers from the United States and around the world. A different program of films and videos will be offered each night. Prize winners will be announced on the closing night of the festival, in a competition for prizes, along with the Audience Favorite Prize. 120 min. Films shown in order listed below.
Friday, February 17, 2012 Schedule
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So Long, Kodachrome - Jim Granato (San Francisco, California)An ode to Super 8 and to Kodachrome, the beloved, now defunct, popular color film stock, and an homage to a landmark American film from the seventies. 2010; 7 min.
The Seafarer - Michael Feldman and Kevin Clark (Astoria, New York) An adaptation of an Old English poem about the suffering and joy of the seafarer’s life. A cellist has the same conflicted relationship with his instrument as the narrator in the film has to the sea. Both are lonely and dedicated; both are unsure if they would still choose the life they lead, and both are unsure if there was ever any choice at all. 7 min, 2011
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SUNYATA - Dane Webster and James Fazzaro (Bricktown and Somerville, New Jersey)
A lowly house-painter, tired of his mundane existence, goes out in search of a better way of living. He encounters many obstacles both past and present that he must overcome and conquer before he can achieve true serenity. In the end, he sheds his material way of life and embraces a more profound co-habitation with nature. But is it at the cost of his sanity? 2012; 27 min. With in-person appearances by director Dane Webster and producer James Fazzaro!
Slip Cue - Robin Kupferman (Wilmette, Illinois)
A group of internationally-renowned DJs—including Junior Vasquez, DJ Sneak, the Freestylers, Krafty Kuts, Telefon Tel Aviv, Kate Simko, Kenneth Thomas, and Lady D--reveal how success in the music industry is possible with enough practice and dedication. A documentary, set to a throbbing beat, not only about the passion that it takes to become a DJ, but also about the way to shape one’s own path within the music industry. 2011; 25 min. With in-person appearances by director Robin Kupferman!
Keenan - Tom Knoff and Kurt Hemmer (Palatine, Illinois) An intimate portrait of legendary photographer Larry Keenan, who captured both the intimate lives of the Beat Generation and the rise of the ‘60s rock counterculture in the San Francisco Bay area. As a student of the poet Michael McClure, Keenan gained access to the inner circle of the Beats: Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. He then went on the photograph some of the most influential events and artists of the rock era, including Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Brian Jones, Jerry Garcia, and Country Joe McDonald. Keenan then moved onto exploring the possibilities of computerized photography. This film is dedicated to both the man and the art he created through his lens. 2011; 39 min. With in-person appearances by co-directors Tom Knoff and Kurt Hemmer!
Saturday, February 18, 2012 Schedule
WE CANT SEE by Melissa Dellacato featuring Nick Vandell (Oak Ridge, New Jersey) A touching music video. 2012; 3 min. With an in-person appearances by director Melissa Dellacato and actor Nick Vandell!
Waiting – Juan Rodriguez (Bronx, New York) A short film that asks the question: What will come after waiting? 2012; 5 min. With an in-person appearance by director Juan Rodriguez!
Smoking Gun – Carl Zumatto (Bronx, New York)
A short film focusing on why some friendships mean more than everything. 2012; 5 min. With an in-person appearance by director Carl Zumatto!
Vampiria - David Simonetti (West Paterson, New Jersey) When the sun goes down, the claws and fangs come out as two jealous women with boyfriend issues exact revenge on each other as only vampires will do. Tonight they're out for blood...each other’s blodd. 2011; 17 min. With an in-person appearance by director David Simonetti!
I Am ZOZO - Scott Di Lalla (Los Angeles, California)
In this feature-length horror film shot on Super 8 film, five friends sneak into an island getaway on Halloween weekend. When they decide to play with a Ouija board things take a macabre turn for the worst as they become the target of a malevolent demon named ZOZO. 2012; 90 min. With in-person appearances by director Scott Di Lalla and producer Zack Coffman!
Sunday, February 19, 2012 Schedule
Cadavers in the Trees - Jeannette Louie (Livingston, New Jersey) A short animation about mortality, documenting the last moments of a beloved climbing tree that resided in a public park. With its dying limbs riddled with carvings, the tree no longer appears botanical, and is transformed into an organism sporting tattooed skin and weathered bones. 2010; 6 min. With an in-person appearance by director Jeannette Louie!
78 Days - Jason Nardella (St. Joseph-du-Lac, Quebec. Canada) Working long days in desolate conditions; bearing up with rain storms, snow-covered tents, bears, swamps, and endless bombardments of flies: that's the life of a tree-planter in the Canadian outback. Capturing the resilience and grit that it takes to pursue this work, this feature documentary follows a group of veteran planters as they reforest the earth, one tree at a time. 2012; 63 min.
TOWERS - Jet Wintzer (Old Bridge, New Jersey)
In this post-apocalyptic independent feature, mutations caused by radiation from cell phones and towers have brought humanity to the point of virtual extinction. Within the barren American landscape, two girls and the world's last DJ, broadcasting via Ham radio, seem to be the only survivors. Jane emerges from a bunker underneath her Amish farm, and sets out onto the highways and back roads of America searching for a reason to live. Petal hid out in the deep woods of Oregon, where her folks lived as hippie pot farmers. She decides to put a gun to her head, when suddenly she hears Jane's voice come through on the CB, and knows that this is a signal she must follow. 2011; 71 min. With an in-person appearance by director Jet Wintzer!
