15th Annual Filmmakers Showcase

About the Filmmakers Showcase

This year’s Filmmakers Showcase will comprise of an evening of short films followed by a reception for artists and attendees. We accept entries from around the state in an effort to celebrate the talent of all Utah filmmakers and create opportunities for collaboration and networking within the film making community. Now in its 15th year, the Filmmakers Showcase was created by Park City-based filmmaker Jill Orschel. The intent of the program is to foster emerging talent, provide a venue for works in progress, and cultivate and support the film making community in Utah.

The film screenings will be followed by a reception. Wine and beer will be available for purchase.

15th Annual Filmmakers Showcase Lineup:

Hairball of Glam (6:54) – Too old to adopt new pronouns, too young to put up with the status quo, a middle-aged artist explores her Gen[der] X identity by creating and destroying a “Hollywood persona” on camera. Directed and edited by Stan Clawson, photographed by Brett Colvin, hair/makeup by Brandee Bee and starring Alice Toler

Cowboy Poet (5:00) – A young man continues the tradition of cowboy poetry, using his performances to navigate his emotions, family and the modern world. Directed by Jared Jakins 

Iron Head (19:27) – After his family is destroyed as a child, a broken middle school counselor seeks to reunite with his long-lost sister, only to immerse himself in the horror that surrounds her in the dark underground of 1990s Los Angeles. Directed and written by Cameron Thuman, co-written by Zeke Cohen

 Choir From Cars (4:45) – Singers come together and form a choir from their cars – led by director Bruce Simonson with participants from the community, including singers from the Juneau Bach Society – in Juneau, Alaska. Directed, edited and produced by Paige Sparks

Remembering Michael (4:32) – Ryan Michael Painter, whose father died of the first documented AIDS-related illness in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1982, shares key details from his father life: marriage, a child, divorce, leaving his LDS faith, living as a gay man and finally, his death at age 34, when Ryan was just 7 years old. Directed by Kelsie Moore

Atomic Spawn (13:26) – On a nuclear test site in 1952, a lonely worker befriends an irradiated lizard. Directed and written by Arthur Veenema, produced by Yolanda Stange, edited by Stephane Glynn and starring Terence Goodman

Here Lies (7:04) – When humanity leaves Earth, a man stays behind to face his grief alone. Directed, written and produced by Parker Rawlins and starring Ethan Kartchner 

A Piece of Me (16:21) – A Piece of Me follows Chelsie Richter’s response to a few of life’s big throw downs; meeting cancer and marital chaos where they are at, and giving up control, or the illusion of it. It’s a story about food, mountains, roller skates, and intersections of hope. Directed and produced by Ginger Tolman and starring Chelsie Richter

Cha Gio (8:53) – A Vietnamese refugee shares cathartic memories of war, mental illness and resilience as he makes his mother’s spring rolls – Cha Gio. Directed by Peter Vordenberg, produced by Tamiyah Dihn and starring An Dihn

Lachesis (8:30) – Our “true” life path decisions are heavily influenced by many external factors (known as the imposed choice) such as our environment, our friends/families, and spiritual inclinations; however, our internal compass (known as our independent choice) such as personal passions and feelings is what helps guide us to our mind’s “true” path. Directed, written, edited and produced by Gregory Alexander Foltynowicz

Blind Contours (6:35) – Drawing herself out of a fog of Valium, an artist discovers new capabilities and a new way of seeing. Directed and edited by Stan Clawson and starring Alice Toler

Snowland (3:28) – A stop-motion animation sequence from the feature documentary-in-progress, Snowland, about a former child bride in a secretive polygamist sect who creates a magical fantasy realm, metaphorically navigating her journey of lost innocence, survival, and self-discovery. Directed, produced and cinematography by Jill Orschel and produced by J.R. Hardman

The Exaltation Program (11:54) – Eternal life awaits in a digital reality, and in order to qualify Jane must serve a 35-year quota working for a mysterious corporation. Written and directed by Conner Hall

Cats in the Kitchen: 2^nd Movement, “O Sole Meow” (3:30) – A musical mix of cats, oboes and kibble. Need we say more? Directed, edited and photographed by Chris Simon, produced and music composed by Phillip Bimstein, performances by Charlotte Bell (Oboe) and Hilary Coon (Oboe)