Return to 2010 Film Schedule
Made in the U.S.A - Short Films (under 60 min)
These films are paired with feature-length films throughout the festival (see schedule).
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ADELAIDE The quirky story of a girl named Adelaide, whose definition of finding love means “accidentally” ending up in the hospital and always having to fill prescriptions in hopes of meeting "the one" in the medicine aisle. After a brief encounter with Brad, the pharmacist who dreams of practicing “real medicine”, Adelaide finds herself in the perfect relationship that contradicts normal perceptions of love. In competition. 12 min. www.lilygs.com
Sunday, March 14, 4:00pm Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo |
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ANA'S PLAYGROUND The gripping film depicts just another day for children surrounded by armed conflict. When Ana is forced into a sniper zone to retrieve a soccer ball, she finds herself in a game of cat-and-mouse with a mysterious shooter. As their interaction comes to a head, she and her friends make the ultimate decision, showing that a moment of humanity can quickly be lost in an environment of war and violence. In competition. 17 min. anasplayground.com
Sunday, March 14, 4:00pm La Perla Del Mar, Shell Beach |
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Bean, a fifteen-year old writer, says goodbye to her surrogate father, Johnny. Her mother, Julie, has a new boyfriend, Scoot, a lazy redneck. Bean really wants Julie to stop cycling through men and start being a mother. When Julie is unreceptive, Bean takes action into her own hands to gain her mother’s attention. Winner of multiple awards and screened at over 20 festivals. In competition. 19 min.
Sunday, March 14, 4:00pm |
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BEYOND LIMITS Born with cerebral palsy, Bonner Paddock disregards conventional limits in hopes to defy his condition and inspire others. Despite a weak lower body, spastic leg muscles, zero sense of balance and lack of climbing experience, Bonner is fully committed to challenging the impossible task of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,340 ft.. His mission is to inspire children living with disabilities and is raising money for the Early Learning Center in Orange County. Directed by 2009 SLOIFF filmmaker, THE LINE director, Kent Bassett. In competition. 39 min. www.beyond-limits.com
Saturday, March 20, 3:00pm |
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BOTSO This is the extraordinary story of a boy given only twenty minutes to learn the crucial lessons of life from his father – a man about to be executed. After surviving prison himself under both Stalin and Hitler, Botso Korisheli settled in Morro Bay and, at 88, continues to inspire generations of young people as a teacher of music, sculpting and life itself. Filmed locally and in the Republic of Georgia, this sneak preview is also a fundraiser. 22 min. www.botsomovie.com.
Friday, March 19, 4:00pm |
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Oppressed by Soviet forces, Anatoly scavenges Ukraine to find anything left to feed his hungry family and dying daughter. Stalin’s New Economic Policy has left most of the country barren and the people hopeless. Anatoly’s journey brings him face to face with his wife’s killer and with the God responsible for his suffering. This touching historical portrait of a suffering family was shot mainly in San Luis Obispo County. In competition. 25 min. www.breadalonethefilm.com
Tuesday, March 16, 4:00pm |
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A young woman, Val, shows up at her mother's rural Vermont home for a visit and finds a For Sale sign on the front lawn -- and her mother missing. When a stranger repeatedly calls the house looking for her mother, Val's concern grows. Searching for clues to her mother's disappearance, she discovers that her mother is drowning in credit card debt and that the house is in foreclosure. These disquieting revelations lead to another -- this one, immeasurably more devastating. In competition. 13 min.
Saturday, March 13, 1:00pm Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo |
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Presented by Amtrak BUCKETS Kamel, a young Jamaican musician, is living on the streets. Playing the buckets is how he makes his money and making music feeds his soul. When his earned money, intended for the rent, is stolen things go rapidly downhill from there. Navigating the street politics is his specialty and how he deals with this setback defines his true self. Written and produced by AFI grad, Todd Serlin, this was the only student film chosen to screen at AFI Fest 2008. bucketsthemovie.com 15 min.
Thursday, March 18, 7:00pm |
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After a rough break-up with one of his co-stars, a young actor grudgingly shares the stage with his ex-girlfriend and her new beau. When life imitates art this much, it's hard to see the forest for the trees. Co-stars SLO County native and UCLA student, Chris Reinacher. Directed by fellow UCLA student, Steven Wilson. 5 min. Screens before TEN YEARS LATER on opening night.
Thursday, March 18, 7:00pm |
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Dangerous antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, have been destroying the lives of healthy people. For years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration turned a blind eye to this tragedy. Washington, D.C. consumer advocacy group, Public Citizen, successfully sued the FDA, in 2008, forcing stronger warnings on name brands like Cipro and Levaquin. Along with compelling insights from the titans at Public Citizen, this documentary exposes the eye-opening, little known aspects of the American prescription drug trade. In competition. 53 min. www.certainadverseevents.com Tuesday, March 16, 4:00pm |
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Laguna Beach's much-loved flower lady, Daisy Messer, tells her inspiring story of courage in overcoming childhood abuse, homelessness, and a life long struggle with Polio. An amazing tale from a person who won't give up and has managed to turn unimaginable adversity and sorrow into a life of fulfillment and the desire to bring happiness to others. 12 min. In competition. Sunday, March 14, 4:00pm Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo |
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DEEP DOWN Deep Down follows the once-peaceful Appalachian mountain community of Maytown, Kentucky as neighbors find themselves in the center of a contentious battle over mountaintop removal coal mining. Through a complex human story that cuts across environment, economics, public policy and culture, the story of two friends and their community reveals the devastating impact of our energy consumption against an explosive backdrop -- Appalachia's centuries-old struggle over the black rock that fuels our planet. In competition. 57 min. Friday, March 19, 1:00pm |
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THE DESPERATE On a rainy night in a concentration camp, a fearsome Nazi general is forced to plead with a condemned Jewish doctor to save his dying only son. This sets up a moral dilemma that is both perplexing and emotional. This simple yet complex film effectively debates the challenging circumstances and is emotionally gripping from the very first frame. In competition. 33 min. www.thedesperatethemovie.com Tuesday, March 16, 4:00pm Downtown Cinemas, SLO |
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DIVE! It might be difficult to swallow, but dumpster diving has provided filmmaker Jeremy Seifert with enough food to feed a small army daily and pack a freezer with supplies for a year. This film follows Seifert and friends into the back alleys of L.A.'s supermarkets where they collect the daily cast-offs and turn them into gourmet meals. They also uncover an ugly truth about waste in America: that grocery stores throw away enough food to feed the hungry and most refuse to do anything about it. In competition. 45 min. www.divethefilm.com Friday, March 19, 7:00pm Joe Momma's Cafe, Avila Beach |
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THE FIGHTING KIND Davin has been estranged from his family for five years. He finally returns home in desperate need of financial help from his sister, his only living relative. During what is supposed to be a quick visit, his is surprised to learn that his reliable, hard-working sister may need more from him than he needs from her. In competition. 21 min. nilstaylor.com Friday, March 19, 7:00pm |
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FURTISSIMO When the neighborhood alley cats try to get in on his groove, Fluffy the cat will do whatever it takes to get his spotlight back. Tempers flare and music blares as every one of Fluffy's efforts backfire into a jam session that turns his personal stage into the set of Stomp. Created by filmmaker Jacob Cementina, a San Luis Obispo High School graduate who now has a degree in Animation. In competition. 3 min. Sunday, March 14, 7:00pm Joe Momma's Cafe, Avila Beach |
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World Premiere This colorful and whimsical film is an animated musical voyage out of the land of broken hearts. A personal and emotional journey for animator/filmmaker, Debra Solomon, the film has something in it almost anyone can relate to. It is a sexy, funny and poignant reminder that losing love can mean finding yourself. In competition. Animated. 28 min. www.debrasolomon.com Wednesday, March 17, 7:00pm |
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World Premiere Diego, Miguel and Julio are three Mexican gardners who work on a golf course at an upscale hotel/resort. They have been working there long enough to learn how to get by with minimal effort, until one day when their American boss hires Weng and Little Ming who manage a group of Chinese gardeners. This sets into motion a competition between the two groups that ultimately affects the way they see each other, and the job. An AFI production featuring cinematography by Autumn Durald, the 2009/10 SLOIFF scholarship recipient. 18 min. guerilla-garden.com Friday, March 19, 9:00pm |
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West Coast Premiere Seven-year old Henry immerses himself in combat comics every night before he goes to bed. His dreams of fighting without consequence come to a violent halt however when the boy, now an adult, finds himself in the middle of a violent war in Afghanistan that leaves bodies lifeless and injuries permanent. His childhood dreams have disappeared in the dust of the latest bomb blast, and Henry is left to deal with the pieces of reality left behind. In competition. 17 min. Saturday, March 13, 1:00pm |
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Based on an autobiographical story in Harper’s Magazine by author/broadcaster Mike Feder, HERE'S HERBIE is about a teenager who sees new hope in life through a chance encounter with Herbie, a mentally disabled man whose joyful outlook is contagious. The contrast between Herbie and his perennially depressed, but seemingly 'normal' mother is like night and day. This is a film about escape, connection and the unexpected events that keep life fresh with possibilities. In competition. 11 min. www.heresherbie.com Saturday, March 13, 4:00pm |
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An exercise in the art of seduction is played out in this cold, dark, short story of sex, betrayal, and murder that takes a passionate, unexpected turn. Stars Deborah Harry (Blondie). In competition. 10 min. www.giraldi.com Wednesday, March 17, 7:00pm |
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As a child, Olive was happy and up, up, up all the time. But then, all at once, her whole kindergarten class suddenly died of the plague, her family was killed off by various industrial accidents, and her goldfish keeled over – so sad. Now, as an adult, Olive spends 23 out of 24 hours a day in bed and eats baby food from the jar. But leave it to the Professional Lifter Upper of Spirits to save the day. Partly animated. In competition. 11 min. Friday, March 19, 9:00pm |
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MIRACLE IN A BOX An old Steinway piano is about to be reborn! A fascinating film about the work of a small group of artisans who breathe life into an old classic and perform a small miracle by making the piano something new and beautiful again. More than just about piano restoration, this documentary is also the story of some fascinating people in Oakland, CA who have a passion for pianos – and it shows. In competition. 56 min. www.miracleinabox.com Friday, March 19, 4:00pm |
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What if your life eluded you? After breaking up with his fiancé and losing his top job in finance, Daniel, finds himself at a retreat where he meets Penelope, a soul mate with a mysterious past. Daniel and Penelope embark on a journey through the world of unknowing, distancing themselves from their bodies and resurrecting Daniel's soul. Strangely enough, Penelope dreams of escaping to San Luis Obispo! In competition. 28 min. http://www.michaelmasarof.com/ Saturday, March 13, 4:00pm Palm Theatre |
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PIGEON IMPOSSIBLE Walter, a rookie secret agent is faced with a problem: what to do when a curious pigeon gets trapped inside your multi-million dollar, government-issued nuclear briefcase. This hilarious romp through the streets of Washington D.C. is mesmerizing as Walter fights to save himself and the world, from the chaos threatened by a hungry pigeon. First-time writer/director Lucas Martell's 3D animation is breathtakingly funny. Since last May it's screened at over 33 festivals, won 17 awards and has become a viral hit with over 2 million views! 6 min. Friday, March 19, 7:00pm Downtown Cinemas, San Luis Obispo |
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A light-hearted peek at the life of a surf 'grommet' on the island of Hawaii. Features cameos by Bethany Hamilton, Bruce and Andy Irons and Alana Blanchard. 8 min. http://www.runmanfilms.com/ Thursday, March 18, 4:00pm |
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SEBASTIAN'S VOODOO A voodoo doll must find the courage to save his friends from being pinned to death. A 3D animated film created at the UCLA Animation Workshop by Joaquin Baldwin, the recipient of a Student Academy Award in 2009 and a native of Paraguay. His film has screened at over 100 festivals and the recipient of more than 70 awards! In competition. 4 min. USA. www.pixelnitrate.com Saturday, March 13, 9:00pm Downtown Cinemas, SLO |
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Set in 1982, this is the simple, true-life story of an important week in the life of a twenty-something gay man who finally comes out to his beloved grandmother in the Jersey City house he was raised in. An honest, sensitive and inspiring short film. In competition. 9 min. giraldi.com/second-guessing-grandma Tuesday, March 16, 7:00pm |
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It's wartime in 1940's San Francisco, and the California Japanese have all been rounded up and interned in prison camps inland. All except one, that is. A self-serving private detective resorts to deceit and blackmail in an attempt to pay off his escalating gambling debts. Shot in film noir-style, this gripping drama is reminiscent of a 40's drama. In Competition. 26 min. Thursday, March 18, 7:00pm Joe Momma's Café, Avila Beach |
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World Premiere The air ain't all that's cold in the Sierra Nevada, especially just outside of nineteenth-century Virginia City...for this is where the lives of a Native American couple collide with a ruthless gang seeking revenge upon two brothers who interrupted their train robbery and have escaped with the cash. This moving film demonstrates how two polar opposites can come together and share a common bond – in this case, a callous enemy and the loss of a loved one. In Competition. 28 min. www.sierrathemovie.com Friday, March 19, 7:00pm |
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This short animated film cuts right to the truth, exploring the idea of false self-image and the effects that society's idea of beauty has on women. Through use of simple body language, the film follows a figure in a mirror that is dissatisfied with her appearance. In Competition. 2 min. Saturday, March 13, 1:00pm |
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TRUE BEAUTY THIS NIGHT Rhett Somers, so far scraping by on good luck or just plain old ignorance, has just met the love of his life. He's sure of it. Of course, she doesn't know. Now the only thing left to do is convince her that he's the one for her. Not an easy feat…considering how they met. In Competition. 10 min. www.truebeautythisnight.com Sunday, March 14, 7:00pm |
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WAKE UNTO BLUE Shell Beach resident, Anna Trent Moore grew up in the hey-day of the emerging Hawaiian surf culture, with her famous father, Buzzy Trent, and his wild-spirited pioneering friends. Filmmaker Bud Browne was also there, capturing it all on film for audiences who had never seen surfers on waves of this magnitude. Using rare historical footage of Bud's and poetry of her own, Anna has weaved together a heartfelt tribute to the life and times of the surfers who were pioneers of the sport. In Competition. 35 min. Thursday, March 18, 4:00pm |
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WHAT HAPPENS IN ENCINO After a wild bachelor party, mild-mannered husband-to-be Phil comes home early to confess to his conservative fiancé Wendy. But arriving at his suburban dream home, Phil slowly begins to suspect something’s up. After several strange discoveries in the house, it becomes apparent that Wendy might not be so conservative after all. What's a guy to do? Should poor Phil call the wedding off, or forgive Wendy and come to her rescue? In Competition. 12 min. Saturday, March 13, 7:00pm |
THE BUTTERFLY KING
CERTAIN ADVERSE EVENTS
DAISY
West Coast Premiere
Presented by Avila La Fonda
Presented by Rand Productions
Presented by Morris and Garritano
Presented by Hellie Blythe
Presented by Rand Productions
HERE'S HERBIE
HONEY TRAP
THE LIFTER UPPER
Presented by Ken & Jeannette Krone
World Premiere
Presented by Studios on the Park
West Coast Premiere
Presented by Peggy and Bill Kelley
SECOND GUESSING GRANDMA
Presented by La Perla Del Mar
SILOUETTE
Presented by Crown Limousine
Presented by Pismo Beach Winery
Presented by AV SolutionsReturn to 2010 Film Schedule
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