Media Theatre June Film Festival with Local Independent Films and Classics

Grab a date and come on out to the "10 Nights In June" Film Festival. It takes place June 6-17 and will highlight classics which have influenced generations since their release--as well as independent short films made by local filmmakers, students and documentarians who hope to make the same type of impact.

The two week festival, with showings Monday through Friday at 7 p.m., begins June 6 with the classic 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film "Reefer Madness." The film is preceded by Eric Balchunas’ short comedic works "Behind the Goose: A Trip To Wawa, PA," in which an overly enthused faux reporter explores the meaning and origin of Wawa, and "Owen Vs. Ikea," a short film about a man who has a tough time in life and blames a coffee table.

Tuesday, June 7 brings the classic 1954 giant ant movie "Them!" starring James Arness preceded by a documentary short from St. Joe’s Prep student Connor Mannion, of Broomall. His short film "The Making of The Producers at St. Joe’s" is a behind the scenes look at the recent musical production of Broadway’s famed musical at the high school.

Sara Painter, of Media, and Mary Beth Rim, from Brookhaven, will have their "A Turn of The Blinds" short as the DelCo showcase on Wednesday, June 8 prior to the night’s main title ("Triumph of the Will"). The 2010 film tells the story of a 60-year-old accountant who has no family, but surrounds himself with a lot of friends. Three strange people show up for an interview when he seeks a secretary. The cast includes Painter, Marcia Hepps, Michael Broussard, Brian Anthony Wilson and Bill Vargus (remember BILLY V on FOX-TV?).

Thursday, June 9 brings the classic "Freaks" and Steve DeMarinis’ two shorts "Forget Me Not," about a writer who has an infatuation with a grocery store clerk, and "Meet The Leopolds" a documentary about a 1920’s ice cream parlor which recently had a rebirth. DeMarinis is from Gladwyne and a graduate of The Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film & Television.

Steve Condon, a filmmaker from Delaware County who has an office based in Nashville, will have his "Little Hollywood" comedy shown on Friday, June 10. The film follows two disgruntled "producers" who try to make it big and features several local performers. It has been picked up as an eight episode web series. The classic that evening is George Romero’s original "Night of the Living Dead."

The Media Theatre will highlight one of its own filmmakers and aspiring thespians on Monday, June 13 when Kelsey Riker’s documentary "Behind the Barricades" has its premiere showing at 7 p.m. The short film is a compilation of several backstage and behind the scenes experiences with her and the cast of the Media Theatre’s 2010 summer teen musical production "Les Miserables." It presents the young actors as they are, with youthful energy, talent, and-of course-lots of opinions. The classic Marx Brothers film "A Night at The Opera," all about stage shenanigans, follows Riker’s movie.

Matthew Bourne’s modern take on "Swan Lake" will be the main title Tuesday, June 14, preceded by three live dance routines from local teenagers Ryan Batchelor, Lydia Krull, and Ryan Blackson. And you should see these young artists dance! WOW!

Media documentarian Dick D’Anjolell’s film "My Friend’s Garden: Longwood Gardens," which has been shown on WHYY, explains how and why Longwood Gardens became what it is known as today. It will precede the Oscar winning film "Brokeback Mountain" on Wednesday, June 15.

Merion Park resident Andy Clibanoff’s 25-minute short "Air We Breath" is the Thursday, June 16 independent highlight. It tells the tale of a writer who is losing his grip on life, love, and family and features several Delaware County actors. It’s followed by the classic "A Streetcar Named Desire" which propelled Marlon Brando into household-name status.

Friday, June 17 the 10 Nights in June Film Festival closes with another Steve Condon creation, "Radio On," a documentary about a rock band based in Lock Haven. The band will perform two live numbers after the short and before the final movie of the festival "In Cold Blood," which stars a young Robert Blake (and how ironic that he was in this classic film, considering what happened with his life in later years).

The 10 Nights In June Film Festival is $5 per person, all ages, each night. The Media Theatre is located at 104 East State Street in Media, at State and Monroe Streets. The Film Festival is a fundraiser for the Media Theatre’s music theatre programming. For more information call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org