SAVANNAH, Ga.— The Savannah College of Art and Design announced today the films chosen to compete in the Professional Filmmaker Competition Awards at its 11th annual Savannah Film Festival, Oct. 25–Nov. 1. A jury of filmmaking industry professionals will select the winning films, including the HBO Films Producer Award winner.

Documentary Entries

Between The Folds
France, Israel, U.K., USA, 2008, 55 min., documentary, Beta SP
Director: Vanessa Gould
Producers: Vanessa Gould, Ariel Freidman

“Between the Folds” depicts a cast of unlikely artists and eccentric scientists who have doggedly devoted their lives to the unusual medium of modern origami. Through their determination and passion to reinterpret the world in paper, they bring forth a fascinating mix of sensibilities toward art, expressiveness, creativity and meaningful concepts that have the power to speak to us all. With breathtaking cinematography, animation and an inspiring original score, the film paints an arresting portrait of the creativity that goes into this ever-changing art form, fusing science and sculpture, form and function, ancient and new.

The Brothers Warner
USA, 2008, 90 min., documentary, Beta SP
Director: Cass Warner
Producer: Cass Warner
Cast: Angie Dickinson, Dennis Hopper, Debbie Reynolds

An intimate portrait of the four film pioneers who founded and ran Warner Bros. studios for more than 50 years. This epic story is told in the voice of Harry Warner’s granddaughter and includes never before seen photos and footage from the family archives. “The Brothers Warner” follows the brothers who rose from immigrant poverty through personal tragedies, persevering to create a major studio with a social conscience.

Who Does She Think She Is?
St. Vincent and Grenadines, USA, 2008, 84 min., documentary, Beta SP
Director: Pamela Boll
Producers: Pamela Boll, Kerthy Fix

In a half-changed world, women often feel they have to choose: mothering or working? Your children’s well being or your own? Responsibility or self-expression? “Who Does She Think She Is?” features five bold women who navigate some of the most problematic intersections of our time: mothering and creativity, partnering and independence, economics and art. Along the way, the film invites us to consider ancient legacies where women were worshipped as cultural muses, to more modern times when most people can’t even name a handful of female artists. In the end, the diverse women in the film demonstrate that creativity and care giving are not mutually exclusive but deeply connected. In fact, their co-existence might just be the key to finishing the job.

The Wrecking Crew
USA, 2007, 95 min., documentary, Beta SP
Director: Denny Tedesco
Producer: Denny Tedesco
Cast: Brian Wilson, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Mickey Dolenz, Herb Alpert, Lou Adler, Dick Clark, Jimmy Webb, Brian Wilson and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

You heard them playing on the Beach Boys hits, on the Mamas and the Papas’ recordings, on Frank Sinatra records. Simply put, you heard them everywhere. They have performed on more number-one singles than the Beatles. They were one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most legendary bands, a hit-making machine. Most likely, you never heard their name. If you knew who they were, you called them the “Wrecking Crew.” Hal Blaine, Carole Kaye, Tommy Tedesco, Glen Campbell, Earl Palmer. These are a few members of the “Wrecking Crew.” Their story is remarkable.

Features

Your Name Here
USA, 2008, 107 min., Beta SP
Director: Matthew Wilder
Writer: Matthew Wilder
Producers: Wali Razaqi, Mark Burman, Jon D. Wilder
Cast: Bill Pullman, Taryn Manning, Traci Lords, Harrold Perrineau

“Your Name Here” tells the tale of sci-fi author William J. Frick during the last few days of his life. Penniless and living in squalor, Bill Frick is on a mission to finish his latest literary masterpiece. His inspiration is the actress Nikki Principal, the object of his obsession. After evading a lengthy visit from an IRS agent, Bill has a sudden stroke and wakes up in a limo with none other than Nikki Principal herself, who informs him that his current literary endeavor is going to change the world. He looks out his window and soon realizes that he has become a god amongst mortals, as murals and statues of him permeate the entire city. The vast majority of people worship him, but some like the nefarious Maurice Kroger want Bill’s knowledge and power for their own malicious agenda. Over time Bill realizes that he is now living in a world that he created; he is living one of his novels.

The 27 Club
USA, 2008, 89 min., feature, 35mm
Director: Erica Dunton
Writer: Erica Dunton
Producers: Erica Dunton, Chiara Trento, Susan Carpenter
Cast: Joe Anderson, David Emrich, Eve Hewson, David Sherrill

When you’re dead, you’re gone. You exist only in the minds of those you’ve left behind. You become a fragment of a story, a beginning, middle, or an end. Tom is dead. Elliot has been left behind. Tom was the front man of their successful band Finn. He died on his 27th birthday. They’ve spent their whole lives side by side. Elliot is left to decide if he, too, will join The 27 Club. Jimmy Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain also belong to this infamous club – they all died at 27. As Tom and Elliot’s story is revealed, and the history of their life unfolds, it’s clear that it takes more than just a number to determine one’s fate.

Crazy
USA, 2007, 114 min., feature, 35mm
Director: Rick Bieber
Writers: Brent Boyd, Jason Ehlers
Producers: Rick Bieber, Alan Cohen, Steve Vai, Ray Scherr
Cast: Waylon Payne, Ali Larter, Lane Garrison, Scott Michael Campbell

Inspired by legendary guitar player Hank Garland, “Crazy” is a story of musical genius, passion and betrayal. Emerging from Nashville in the 1950s, Hank had established his brilliant playing in country, rock and jazz. But his adversarial relationship with the Nashville Mob – those who controlled the music industry – caused him to be seen as a troublemaker. From fighting for artists’ rights to bringing black jazz musicians into the restricted Southern music culture, Hank refused to compromise his pursuit for excellence. It may have been his tempestuous relationship with his beautiful wife Evelyn, however, that led to his final demise. After surviving a car crash, Hank was subjected to electro-shock treatments, which tragically ended his career at the age of 31.

Lake City
USA, 2008, 92 min., feature, 35 mm
Directors: Hunter Hill, Perry Moore
Writers: Hunter Hill, Perry Moore
Producers: Allison Sarofim, Donna L. Bascom, Mike S. Ryan
Cast: Sissy Spacek, Troy Garrity, Rebecca Romijn, Drea De Matteo, Keith Carradine

When you are on the run, the last place you expect to end up is home. In this searing Southern drama, a mother and son reunite under desperate circumstances years after a family tragedy drove them far apart.

War Eagle, Arkansas
USA, 2007, 94 min., documentary Beta SP
Director: Robert Milazzo
Writer: Graham Gordy
Producers: Chris Carroll, Vincent Insalaco
Cast: Luke Grimes, Dan McCabe, Brian Dennehy, Mare Winningham, Mary Kay Place

“War Eagle, Arkansas” is a character-driven drama about a young man’s choice of whether to leave his family and friends for a career in baseball or stay and redeem his struggling community. The story takes place over a few pivotal weeks in the summer after Enoch Cass’ senior year, and is set against the backdrop of Arkansas’ beautiful Ozark Mountains.

Short Film Entries

City of Cranes
UK, 2007, 14 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Eva Weber
Writer: Eva Weber
Producer: Samantha Zarzosa

“City of Cranes” offers a unique and mesmerizing view of London from high up in the sky through the eyes and words of crane drivers. Whether in the East or West, you can really see that London is a city in constant transformation – its skyline animated by “a ballet of cranes.” ‘City of Cranes’ is a visual attempt to understand what becomes of the human spirit in such extreme working conditions

A Day’s Work
Czech Republic, 2007, 14:30 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Edward Feldman
Writers: Edward Feldman, Thomas Logoreci
Producer: Aleksander Manic
Cast: Daniela Reinisch, Robin Kotubej, Roman Janecka

Anna lives on the outskirts of Prague with her son Sasha in a dismal housing project. When her neighbor can’t watch Sasha for the day, Anna must bring him with her to work. Getting there proves to be challenging. The bus she takes is not running. Anna hurries to another bus line, which she makes just in time. She arrives late to work, an audio dubbing session for an American film with Thomas, an ornery director, and Ed, his sheepish producer. What follows is something unforeseen, and gives us a unique glimpse into the depths of Anna’s inner world.

Goldfish
USA, 2007, 13 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Joe Wein
Writer: Joe Wein
Producer: Jana Memel
Cast: Madeline Carroll, Laura Marano, Andy Lauer

Two girls break into their elementary school to save their classroom’s goldfish. But everything they know is working against them.

LA Actors
USA, 2007, 9:30 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Ricardo Halpern
Writer: Ricardo Halpern, Justin Wells
Producer: Ricardo Halpern
Cast: Tony Shaloub, Brandon Routh, Tony Ferriter

Have you ever heard the saying “everybody in LA is an actor?” Well it turns out to be true.

The Suitcase (La Valise)
Switzerland, 2007, 12 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Marie Vodoz
Writer: Kaveh Bakhtiari
Producers: Heinz Dill, Elisa Garbar
Cast: Bella Wajnberg, Maurice Aufair

Jeanne and Michel have been married for 50 years. Jeanne is about to leave for a three week holiday on her own. Michael doesn’t like the idea and locks her in the bathroom, illustrating affective co-dependency, an archaic and childish fear of being abandoned and overwhelmed by the absence of a beloved one.

My Olympic Summer
USA, Germany, 2007, 12:30 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Daniel Robin
Writer: Daniel Robin
Producer: Daniel Robin

“My Olympic Summer” chronicles the subterranean currents of the filmmaker’s parents’ young marriage, set against the historical backdrop of the taking of hostages at the Munich Olympic Games of 1972. Their story indirectly parallels and comments on the filmmaker’s own recent failed marriage in this exploration of how we perceive home movies.

The Nature of Space and Time
USA, 2007, 18 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Lee Krieger
Writer: Lee Krieger
Producer: Tim Harms
Cast: Josh Janowicz, Tamara Feldman

What would you do to save the girl of your dreams from her fate? Charlie York is the type of kid who sits in the back of class and never says a word. The type of kid who has a crush on the beautiful Angela, a girl who barely knows he exists. But he is also a kid with a book that allows him to travel back in time. When Angela’s life is in danger, he revisits the day their paths crossed and attempts to find a way to save her from her fate.

Struck
USA, 2007, 7 min., short, Beta SP
Director: Taron Lexton
Writer: Milena Fereira
Producers: Nathan Lorch, Milena Fereira, Doug Dohring
Cast: Bodhi Elfman, Erica Christensen, Kelly Preston, Beth Reisgraf

Struck by an arrow that won’t come out, Joel resolves to live with his unusual affliction despite the torments from life.

About the Savannah Film Festival

Hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design, the Savannah Film Festival features independent, innovative and influential film from around the world, as well as workshops, panel discussions and presentations of well-known visiting artists and filmmakers. In 2006, all but one of the evening gala screenings went on to be nominated for an Academy Award, and all but two of those films won the Oscar in their category. SCAD students from across the college’s more than 40 accredited academic disciplines participate in the festival to learn about the art of filmmaking from industry leaders.

Award presentations and film screenings will be held at the historic Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., and Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St. Workshops and other presentations will take place at Red Gallery, 201 E. Broughton St.

Passes to the Savannah Film Festival are available for purchase through the SCAD box office, 216 E. Broughton St., online at www.scadboxoffice.com, or by phone at 912.525.5050.

A limited number of individual tickets to screenings and workshops will be available at the SCAD box office beginning Oct. 1. Morning and afternoon screenings and panels will be $5 for the general public, $3 for students, senior and military, and free for SCAD students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID.

The price for tickets to the evening screenings will be $10 for the general public and $5 for SCAD students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID.

Group discounts are available.

The Savannah Film Festival schedule is subject to change. For more information, visit www.scad.edu/filmfest.