9TH LDS FILM FESTIVAL 2010
JANUARY 20-23, 2010 | SCERA CENTER, OREM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23

Tickets for all events are available beginning Monday, January 11, at 801-225-ARTS, online at scera.org or at the door. Click here for admissions information.

All events are open to the public and take place at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem (745 South State Street).

10:00 am | LDS Film Forum:
LDS Film Forum & Panel
Scera Room B1

Several speakers will explore LDS experimentation with new media, including Jeff Parkin and Jared Cardon (The Book of Jer3miah web series) and Christopher Clark and Patrick Parker (Mormon Messages on YouTube), as well as BYU professor Travis Anderson. Moderated by Katherine Morris.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 10:00 am, Scera Room B1

10:00 am | Presentation:
Script Workshop
Scera Showhouse II

Festival founder and filmmaker Christian Vuissa will introduce this year's winners of the 7-page script competition and talk about the festival's mission to support writers and filmmakers in their storytelling quest.

Tom Morrill, producer of BYU-TV's Writer's Block series, will also be present and talk about his experience in working with young screenwriters and the collaborative process from script to screen.

The filmmakers of the 7-page scripts will screen their films and talk about their collaboration with the writers. The writers of the scripts will also be present and are possibly joined by the writers of the latest Writer's Block scripts.

Everyone is invited to participate and join the discussion.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 10:00 am, Scera Showhouse II

11:00 am | Special Screening
Scera Xango Grand Theatre

Trouble in Zion
Documentary, 61 minutes, color, 2008
Director, Producer: Kenny Ballentine
A tragic piece of American history is retold through spoken word, folk music, and the vibrant pages of a comic book in Kenny Ballentine's Trouble in Zion. The film offers a unique look at the 1838 Mormon/Missouri War from both the Mormon and Missourian perspectives. It also features intriguing interviews with notable LDS scholars such as Richard Bushman, Alexander Baugh, and Richard Turley. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

12:00 pm | Presentation:
Maclain Nelson
Scera Room B1

Maclain has made himself a name as an actor and producer of independent feature films. His resume includes films like One Good Man, Dragon Hunter and Moving McAllister. He recently finished principal photography on his directorial debut, titled Immortality Bites, a vampire comedy, in which he also stars in. Maclain will talk about his passion for filmmaking and what he learned as a first-time director.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 12:00 pm, Scera Room B1

12:00 pm | Special Screening
Scera Showhouse II

Baptism of Fire
Drama, 23 minutes, color, 2009
Director: Bruce Neibaur
Carmen and her two young sons—all recent immigrants from Colombia—suddenly find themselves thrust into an impossible situation with only an old photograph and faith to get them through it. Carmen desperately tries to reach the sister missionaries who baptized them back in Colombia in hopes of attaining some form of assistance. As Carmen struggles to keep her family safe, her own sanity and faith are slowly revealed as the thin threads keeping them together begins to unravel. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

Black and White World
Drama, 27 minutes, color, 2009
Director: Ethan Vincent
Lou and Max, father and son, have always had a strained relationship. Since the death of their wife and mother, Marilyn, the two have severed all ties. Both live isolated, lonely lives, caught up in their own individual ways of coping with grief. Lou fills his days with crossword puzzles, which is more an obsession than a pastime and inadvertently a tribute to his late wife favorite hobby. Max has become completely absorbed in his job of firing people for big companies. When Lou decides to send Max a notepad full of crossword puzzle riddles, his clumsy attempt to reconnect with his son finally opens the door to a possible reunion. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

Coffin Maker
Drama, 29 minutes, color, 2009
Director: Sam Wallace
After his best friend Milton is struck ill and hospitalized, Arty Watson begins work building his own coffin. It's not until Arty has alienated himself from everyone including his own daughter that he finally learns to cherish the time he has with those he loves. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

12:30 pm | Special Screening
Scera Xango Grand Theatre

Another Testament - Reflections of Christ
Documentary, 60 minutes, color, 2009
Director: Cameron Trejo, Mark Mabry
Filmed at the Copan Ruins in Honduras, filmmaker Cameron Trejo creates a Book of Mormon documentary featuring the sacred events of Jesus Christ’s visit to ancient America as found in 3 Nephi. This one-hour documentary features gospel scholars and professors of ancient scripture who discuss and help interpret doctrinal accounts of Christ’s ministry among the people of Nephi. Interviews include John W. Welch, Camille Fronk Olson, and Dennis R. Deaton. In addition, photographer Mark Mabry shares his unique insights and the spiritually-charged experiences that were felt upon recreating the events portrayed in 3 Nephi chapters 9 through 27. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

1:00 pm | Presentation:
Michael Flynn
Scera Room B1

Michael is one of the most renowned actors living in Utah today. He is also the producer of The Dance and The Best Two Years, one of the most successful and beloved films among Latter-day Saints. Recently, he has been working on adapting several books into films, including Anita Stansfield's First Love and Forever, Dean Hughes' Midway to Heaven, and Carolyn Pearson's A Stranger for Christmas. Michael will talk about the unique development process from book to screen.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 1:00 pm, Scera Room B1

2:00 pm | Presentation:
Dave Hunter, Craig Clyde
Scera Room B1

Dave is the producer of Singles Ward, The RM, and several other Halestorm productions of recent years. Recently, his production company Stone 5 Studios and distribution arm Halestone Distribution have emerged again with several new productions, including the 2009 release of The Wild Stallion, a film directed by Craig. Dave has teamed up again with Craig for the production of A Root Beer Christmas, which will premiere this Christmas. Dave and Craig will discuss their new approach to film production and distribution.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 2:00 pm, Scera Room B1

2:00 pm | Special Screening
Scera Xango Grand Theatre

The Measure of a Man
Documentary, 54 minutes, color, 2009
Director: Mark Goodman
The Measure of a Man is an inspiring true story. This film depicts the life of Charles C. Rich, a remarkable man, husband to six wives, father to 51 children, missionary, military leader, colonizer of 5 states, political leader and Apostle of the Lord.

Treasure in Heaven - The John Tanner Story
Drama, 21 minutes, color, 2009
Director: T.C. Christensen
In the 1800's, John Tanner was a wealthy New York businessman when he was afflicted with a rare disease that would take his life. Through a miraculous healing and conversion, he joined the LDS Church, then gave all he had to assist the building of the kingdom. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

2:30 pm | Special Screening
Scera Showhouse II

Mormon Messages
Drama, 45 minutes total, color, 2009
Directors: Tucker Dansie, Christopher S. Clark, Patrick H. Parker
Since the launch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Mormon Messages channel on YouTube in August 2008, its influence has grown to reach millions. Situated among the endless variety of videos available on YouTube, the dozens of videos currently available on Mormon Messages have been viewed a total of 7.5 million times. The Social Media Club of Salt Lake City, a local chapter of a larger organization, named the Mormon Messages channel the “Best Use of YouTube” during its 2009 awards ceremony. The judges said it was “a great use of a very accessible media medium for an organization with a growing global audience." Several of the filmmakers will be at the screening and talk about their experience making these short films. God's Words...Never Cease: 2:54 Elder Jeffery R. Holland testifies that God continues to speak His word and reveal His truth, revelations which mandate an open canon of scripture. Lessons I Learned As a Boy: 4:07 President Gordon B. Hinckley recalls a story of an older boy and his young companion as they find an old coat and a badly worn pair of shoes by the roadside. An Apostle's Easter Thoughts on Christ: 4:25 One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time: 3:23 This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving. At times when we may feel to say, Hope you know, I had a hard time, we can be assured that Jesus Christ is there and we are safe in His loving arms. A Father Indeed: 7:08 The story of a committed husband and father who consistently and passionately demonstrates his love and devotion to his wife and kids. Choose This Day: 3:00 Henry B. Eyring, a disciple of Jesus Christ, urges us to seek God's help to overcome complacency and discouragement and find joy in serving Him today. Finding Hope: 8:36 A man describes his journey from the tragedy and trauma of 9/11 to hope, healing, and renewal through Jesus Christ. In Sickness and Health: 4:27 See how faith and love can remain strong through the challenges and the changing seasons of our lives. Christmas Spirit: 3:57 A young girl with true Christmas spirit quietly teaches her preoccupied family the true meaning of Christmas. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

3:00 pm | Presentation:
Dennis Packard, Lyman Dayton, Joe Pia
Scera Room B1

Dennis is a professor at BYU and has established Campus Studios in 2007, a web-based corporation developed to promote thoughtful movies. He was the producer of Fire Creek, the first BYU-produced theatrical release. Recently, Dennis has teamed up with veteran filmmaker Lyman Dayton, producer of the 1974 classic Where the Red Fern Grows. Dennis and Lyman are working closely with Joe Pia, an entertainment attorney in Salt Lake City. The three are currently collaborating on several new projects, called the Masterpiece Film Initiative, which will heavily involve BYU and UVU students in the financing and production process. Dennis, Lyman, and Joe will discuss their unique model and how it can benefit everyone in the LDS filmmaking community.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 3:00 pm, Scera Room B1

4:00 pm | Presentation:
Steven A. Lee, McKay Daines
Scera Room B1

Steven and McKay have both had an impact within the LDS film community. Steven was the line producer of Forever Strong and Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration, and one of the executive producers of Emma Smith: My Story. McKay has written and directed The Dance and Heber Holiday (aka Shooting Star), and was a producer on Friends for Life. The two have now teamed up to produce a science-fiction fantasy film currently titled Dragon Fire. Production starts in February, and the film is being directed by Ryan Little, director of Forever Strong and Saints & Soldiers. Steven and McKay will outline how they develop a product for a world-wide audience and what it takes to compete in these bigger markets.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 4:00 pm, Scera Room B1

4:30 pm | Feature Film:
God's Army
Scera Xango Grand Theatre

Drama, 108 minutes, color, 2000
Rating: PG
Official Website: God's Army
Director: Richard Dutcher; Writer: Richard Dutcher; Producer: Richard Dutcher, Mark Victor; Director of Photography: Ken Glassing; Original Score: Miriam Cutler; Editor: Michael Chaskes; Casting Director: Jennifer Buster.
Cast: Matthew A. Brown, Richard Dutcher, Jacque Gray, Jeffrey Scott Kelly, Desean Terry, Michael Buster, Luis Robledo.

In 2000, God's Army took the independent film world by storm and Mormon Cinema was born. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the theatrical release of God's Army in March 2000, we will showcase the original print of the film. Writer/director Richard Dutcher will be in attendance.

Synopsis:
Life as a Mormon missionary isn't what 19-year-old Brandon Allen expected: so many rules and so few successes. Los Angeles is as unrepentant as Sodom and Gomorrah. He's forced to share a small apartment with five young prank-loving missionaries and, to top it off, his first companion, 29-year-old Marcus Dalton, proves to be a harsh mentor. After only one day as a missionary, Allen is ready to hang up his necktie and go home. His point-of-view changes, however, as he begins to see the struggles and sacrifices that the other missionaries endure: Dalton, he soon learns, is fighting a losing battle with cancer. Banks, an African-American missionary, was disowned by his family when he joined the Mormon church. Kinegar, a fifth-generation Latter-Day Saint, finds himself doubting under the intellectual attacks of anti-Mormons. Working and living with these young men, Allen becomes a part of the drama occurring under the everyday surface of missionary life. After only a few intense days, Allen finds faith he didn't know he had, and courage he didn't know he lacked. He learns that the time has come to put away childish things, and to become more than just a man--to become a man of God.

Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

Screenings:
Saturday, January 23, 4:30 pm, Scera Xango Grand Theatre

5:00 pm | Short Film Competition
Scera Showhouse II

A compilation of short films by LDS filmmakers:

Already Over, Music Video
Born Again, Documentary
Chicken Boy, Drama/Comedy
Ego's Epiphany, Comedy
I Love You Bernie Summersby, Drama
Mashed, Comedy/Animation
Pas de Deux, Drama
Pyramid Scheme, Comedy
She's a Fox, Comedy
The Missing Song, Drama

Click here for short film synopses.

7:00 pm | Feature Film:
White on Rice
Scera Xango Grand Theatre

Comedy, 86 minutes, color, 2009
Rating: PG-13 (for some violent images and sex-related humor)
Official Website: White on Rice
Director: Dave Boyle; Writer: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark; Producer: Duane Andersen, Dominic Fratto, Michael Lerman; Executive Producer: Howard Hayes; Director of Photography: Bill Otto; Production Designer: Meg Boyle; Original Score: Mark Schulz; Editor: Duane Andersen; Additional Music: Micah Dahl Anderson.
Cast: Hiroshi Watanabe, Nae, Mio Takada, Lynn Chen, James Kyson Lee, Justin "Bob" Kwong.

Synopsis:
Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe, Letters from Iwo Jima) loves dinosaurs and sleeps on the top bunk. Unfortunately, Jimmy is 40 and shares that bunk with Bob (Justin Kwong), his 10-year-old nephew. Freshly divorced, Jimmy lives with his sister Aiko (Japanese Academy Award winner Nae) and her family while boldly searching for a new wife. His brother in-law, Tak (Mio Takada, Late Night with Conan O'Brien) thinks he’s a disaster. And although Jimmy may lack social grace, he is convinced the best years of his life are just beginning. His plan seems like it’s all falling into place when Tak’s beautiful niece Ramona (Lynn Chen, Saving Face) moves in. But once Jimmy sets his sights on stealing her from his best friend Tim (James Kyson Lee, Heroes), he sees his intentions go hilariously awry. The San Francisco Chronicle calls White on Rice "wonderful...a cinematic milestone!" While the tone of the movie is overall innocent, parents of small children and audience members who are easily offended should take note: this film includes a scene of comedic "Monty Python" style violence, several instances of mild language, a brief accident scene featuring some blood, and a scene in an adult lingerie store with some innuendo.

Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

Screenings:
Saturday, January 23, 7:00 pm, Scera Xango Grand Theatre

7:30 pm | Feature Film:
You're So Cupid
Scera Showhouse II

Drama/Comedy/Romance, 93 minutes, color, 2009
Official Website: You're So Cupid
Director: John Lyde; Writer: Sally Meyer; Producer: John Lyde, Sally Meyer, Cynthia Coury, Brian Brough; Executive Producer: Cynthia Coury; Director of Photography: John Lyde; Production Designer: Anthony Straga; Original Score: James Schafer; Editor: John Lyde.
Cast: Brian Krause, Jeremy Sumpter, Lauren Holly, Caitlin EJ Meyer, Danielle Chuchran, Malese Jow.

Synopsis:
Fraternal twin sisters Emma and Lilly are as different as night and day. Emma, the beautiful blonde tomboy, would rather be riding a horse than anything else in the world. While Lilly, her shy redheaded twin, loves to be left alone to curl up with a good book. Inseparable since the day they were born, Emma and Lilly have an insatiable desire to play matchmaker, even though they've never fallen in love themselves. Emma and Lilly find out their matchmaking skills are not just a gift from heaven, but rather because their father is actually Cupid (yes the guy who shoots bows and arrows). As they enter their senior year in high school, Emma and Lilly finally fall in love. Life gets complicated when they discover they're in love with the same guy and they become bitter rivals as they try to win his affection.

Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

Screenings:
Wednesday, January 20, 7:00 pm, Scera Xango Grand Theatre
Saturday, January 23, 7:30 pm, Scera Showhouse II

7:00 pm | Special Screening
Scera Xango Grand Theatre

Inspector 42
Drama/Comedy, 26 minutes, black, 2009
Director: Nathan D. Lee
A 1950's shirt safety inspector lets out a number of un-safe shirts in order to meet a quota and impress the people around him. These shirts soon start causing a series of horrific disasters. Inspector 42 must then decide whether or not to come clean. Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

9:30 pm | Feature Film:
The Yankles
Scera Xango Grand Theatre

Comedy, 115 minutes, color, 2009
Official Website: The Yankles
Director: David R. Brooks; Writer: David R. Brooks, Zev Brooks; Producer: Cary Glieberman, Zev Brooks, David R. Brooks; Executive Producer: Zev Brooks, Michael Morhaime; Director of Photography: Boris Price; Production Designer: George Costello; Original Score: Eddie Hernandez; Editor: Lance Chapman; Hair: Janna Larsen; Makeup: Ed Matsu; Casting: Joan Peterson, Lori Weekes.
Cast: Brian Wimmer, Michael Buster, Susanne Sutchy, Don Most, Bart Johnson, Jesse Bennett, Kenneth F. Brown, Tyler Johnson, Matthew Whittaker, Gavin Bentley, Jared Shipley, Mark Brocksmith, Danor Gerald, Trevor Jerome, Nicholas Dunn, Garet Carson, Ryan Hiatt, Cameron Garner, Robert Kelleher, Jeff Olson, Sheldon Worthington, Britani Bateman, Ben Governale, James Goldberg, Loren Lambert, Darius A. Gray, Phyllis Cummings, D Minor, Joshua Nelson, Jason Tatom, Geoff Hansen, Joseph Batzel, Ray Kelleher, Steve O’Neill, Mitch Hall, Jimmy Chunga, Zev Brooks, Ann Bosler, Kenny Ho, Rick Macy, Rory Markas, Cary Glieberman.

Synopsis:
The Yankles is the story of an upstart, Jewish orthodox yeshiva baseball team that earns a ticket to compete in the college world series, coached by Charlie Jones, an ex-major league center fielder on parole for multiple DUI convictions and desperate to fulfill his community service. While The Yankles strive for success on the field, Charlie works to rebuild his reputation and relationships, and in the process finds redemption. The Yankles was filmed in Utah with a majority of LDS actors. It will be screened on the same day at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

Screenings:
Saturday, January 23, 9:30 pm, Scera Xango Grand Theatre

9:45 pm | Presentation:
Award Ceremony
Scera Showhouse II

The LDS Film Festival awards a number of prizes and honorable mentions to honor and recognize filmmakers. The winners and honorable mentions of the short film competition, 24-hour filmmaking marathon, and 7-page script competition will be announced at an informal come-together. Admission is free.

For the fourth time, we will also recognize two individuals with special honorary awards. The Pioneer Award honors a filmmaker who has prepared the way with his or her pioneering efforts in filmmaking. The Visionary Award is given to a filmmaker who has been a visionary influence for the LDS film community and whose work has been an inspiration to other filmmakers.

Click here for a list of awards and prizes.

Time:
Saturday, January 23, 9:45 pm, Scera Showhouse II