The fiercely independent film festival Dances With Films (DWF) is pleased to announce the date for its 4th annual edition of Dances With Kidz!, which will take place on Saturday, June 10, 2017
DWF’s popular and unique DANCES WITH KIDZ! program is back for its fourth year of family-friendly films, with 28 of the 34 short films in the lineup created by kids under the age of 18. Films this year explore themes as diverse as friendship, growing up in the 90’s, and space exploration. DANCES WITH KIDZ! will rock the Chinese Theaters on the second weekend of DWF.
WHAT: The 4th Annual Edition of DANCES WITH KIDZ!
WHERE: TCL Chinese Theaters
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
WHEN: Saturday, June 10, 2017
WHY: Although the family film market is one of the most profitable in the
industry, there are relatively few opportunities for independent
projects in this genre to screen, which DWF seeks to address by
providing a platform for the next generation of media visionaries. Their popular DANCES WITH KIDZ! sidebar presents films BY kids and FOR kids.
INFO: All tickets are $13 prior to June 1. THEREAFTER ALL tickets are $15. Tickets and passes are available for sale at http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/ or thru the festival’s own site athttps://danceswithfilms.com.
Festival schedule can be accessed at http://danceswithfilms.com/schedule/.
LINEUP:
Dances With Kidz by Kidz
AN AMERICAN NIGHTMARE: THE MAKING OF BLOODBATH
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2017, HD, 14 min.
WRITER: Sarah Evans
DIRECTOR: Jamie Lippmann
PROD: Kathy Cutler
CAST: Jamie Lippman
A group of Senior High School students go into production of a college application short film. Things don’t go as planned and emotions run high trying to avoid a disaster.
BENEVOLENT BOYS, THE
WEST COAST Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 38 min.
WRITER/DIR: William Nielson McAllister
PROD: Kirby Saxton, Kim Dominguez, Mark Dominguez
CAST: Kirby Saxton, Ian Monsen, Taylor Stoddard, Jackson Hays
Four high school friends in the 1990s get into a lot of trouble while trying to do something they think is a good idea, but, actually, maybe isn’t. This film is a loving homage to the ’90s, when VHS was king.
BIRDMAN
USA, 2016, HD, 5 min.
WRITER: Yixing Li
DIRECTORS/PRODS: Yixing Li, Yixuan “Maisie” Luo
A young man dreams of flying like a bird with his own wings. Will study, training and persistence pay off, or is a man not a bird?
THE BOUNDARY
USA, 2017, HD, 46 min.
WRITER/DIR: Evan Hara
PRODS: Evan Hara, Brad Corn, Gregg Hara
CAST: Colton Tapp, Matthew Roy, Crystal Cook, Lesley Pedersen, Neil deGrasse Tyson
Miles, a former Air Force captain, has been taking a break since a flying accident. After he gets a call from NASA, his whole world gets flipped upside-down when he is told that reality may not be what it seems. He and his co-pilot, Doug, travel to the edge of the universe in search of answers to their existence.
BOX MONSTER
USA, 2012, HD, 4 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Nicolas Medrano
CAST: Bradley Goedde, Manuel Medrano, Nicolas Medrano
An action-packed film about a human vs. cardboard conflict.
BRAVE BOY
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Alejandro Lombard
CAST: Baxter Chelsom, Charlie Paluck
A story of friendship and courage, a young boy is forced to grow up and face his fears when he realizes his best friend is not always going to be there for him.
THE CANDY GIRL
CAN, 2015, HD, 14 min.
WRITERS: Lettie Costea, Joshua Costea
DIRECTOR: Joshua Costea
PROD: Lettie Costea
CAST: Maia Costea, David Raynolds, Carla Costea, Izabel Pearce, Matt Kennedy, Bree Crosby, Preston Barkwell, Mae Pearce, Summer Barkwell, Zyrack Dean Osmon, Michele Pearce
The Candy Girl clandestine business has been operating smoothly in school until the principal infiltrates an undercover spy in the group. Would the infiltrator betray them?
CHOICES
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2017, HDV, 4 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Nicholas Taplitz
CAST: Theo Taplitz, Daniel Taplitz
A boy who can never make up his mind about anything finds unexpected help in the fruit bowl.
CYCLE
USA, 2016, HD, 10 min.
WRITER/DIR: Caleb Wild
PRODS: Caleb Wild, Jonathan Niles-Gill
CAST: Isaac Hollingsworth, Jeremy Marr Williams, Tami Kent
A teen aging out of the foster care system, scrambling to determine his future, is suddenly interrupted by the appearance of his biological father.
EAGLE FEATHER
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2017, HD, 4 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Pasquale Encell
CAST: Pasquale Encell, Steve Encell, Heidi Walker
In Eagle Feather an American Indian father and his young daughter leave before sunrise to drive to an American wilderness lake so that she can find her first ceremonial eagle feather. We see beautiful animated landscapes and assorted wildlife as our heroes journey on their quest. Eagle Feather is based on portions of my own childhood and the background music is traditional American Indian songs.
FLU SEASON
CALIFORNIA Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 6 min.
WRITER: Isabella D’Ambrosio
DIRECTORS: Cate Sundahl, Koko Crawford, Remy Boul
PROD: Karen Bennett
CAST: Ava Downing, Maddox Cudd, Lily Silverstein, Ian Salmon
Germaphobic Julia has a terrible day when her classmates all seem to come down with the flu.
THE FORTUNE TELLER
NORTH AMERICAN Premiere | CAN, 2016, HD, 3 min.
WRITERS: Carla Costea, Aias Dalman, Juliet Ross, Mckenna Mubanda
DIRECTOR/PROD: Levente Mihalik
CAST: Carla Costea, Aias Dalman, Juliet Ross, Mckenna Mubanda, Zach Wolfman
Three friends don’t heed to the warning of a young boy who tells them to be careful what they wish for, when they find his paper fortune teller.
GOLDFISH
WEST COAST Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 20 min.
WRITER/DIR: Christina Xing
PRODS: Pamela Bagwell, Shane Bagwell
CAST: Ella May Hunsander, Oliver Klein
Goldfish tells the story of an unlikely friendship between Amelie (an introvert) and Ben (an extrovert). They are paired together to take care of a goldfish. Except there’s one major problem. Amelie’s deathly fear of marine creatures.
HEAR ME OUT
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 3 min.
DIRECTOR: Jenn Page
PRODS: Barbara Fifield, Kacey Fifield
CAST: Kacey Fifield
Kacey Fifield is a 12-year-old singer/songwriter. She wrote “Hear Me Out” to be heard as she sees our world with its many flaws. Please hear her out and be kind to the animals, environment and each other. Look around, stop and listen. Kids are the future. Together we can make a difference and make the world a better place.
HIS FIRST TIME
WORLD Premiere | CAN, 2016, 35mm, 6 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Angel Violet Hawes
CAST: Danny Bristol, Angel Hawes, Melina Suelzle, Jeremy Stewart
A young man always remembers his “first time”. First time being truthful that is. Watch as he learns a valuable life lesson from his girlfriend….sometimes it IS best not to tell the truth.
LETTER TO HEAVEN
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 5 min.
WRITER: Jennia Fredrique Aponte
DIRECTOR: Shaman Aponte
PROD: Sol Aponte
CAST: Genis Wooten, Sol Aponte, Jennia Fredrique Aponte, Trenton Lucas, Arlene Njuru
Ten-year-old Oscar is tired of getting picked on at school because of his mentally challenged father that he tried so hard to keep a secret. Oscar grows to understand his father’s challenges and finds a way to look past them, while learning to be proud of his father for the loving dad he is.
LILLY NEEDS A RIDE
USA, 2016, HD, 5 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Paloma Perez
CAST: Jesse Gilbert, Morgan Wheeler
Lilly is running away from her mother and finds a friendly man with a personal connection and willingness to help her out. Is accepting a ride from a stranger ever a good idea?
THE MAGIC POWER
USA, 2016, HD, 3 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: William Lancaster
CAST: Maeve Morgan Phoa
This film follows a girl living in a world where everyone is born with magic powers except her. With help from her brother, she eventually finds her own unique power that is just as magic as everyone else’s.
MISSION ROAD
WEST COAST Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 9 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Ioannes Palomaria
CAST: John Huckert
A homeless veteran, who is always faithful to his cause, gets another chance to save a life.
THE MOBSTERS
WEST COAST PREMIERE | USA, 2017, HD, 7 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Evan Hara
CAST: Evan Hara, Ben Cheatham, Collin Jarvis
In a teenager’s world without candy, life can be rough. Mobsters who deal different kinds of sweets dominate the streets. However, Donny, one of the head honchos, is trying not to be shut down by Guido, another top gangster. Donny now has to assemble his team, take down Guido, and get the sweets.
OCTAVIUS 3 THE HEIST
WEST COAST Premiere | Australia, 2016, HD, 4 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: James Baras-Miller
CAST: Octavius Teddy Bear, Bob Teddy Bear, Buttercup Teddy Bear
Octavius escapes from prison and frames his nemesis Bob for a major art heist. With the law closing in Bob Teddy Bear must clear his name before he can discover the truth and bring the evil Octavius Teddy Bear to justice.
PLANET 98475
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2017, HD, 8 min.
WRITER/DIR: Noah Z
PROD: Noah Z, Rafael Z
CAST: Jack Massee, Atlantic Terry
This story is about the argument between a flesh and blood human and an artificial intelligence robot. The man and robot argue about who is human and who is not, while being stuck on planet 98475 by themselves. They have to learn how to get along.
PLASTIC IS FOREVER
USA, 2016, HD, 19 min.
DIRECTOR/PROD: Dylan D’Haeze
FEATURING: Dylan D’Haeze
Dylan D’Haeze, a 13-year-old filmmaker from the San Juan Islands, follows plastic trash to where it ends up—with some surprising results. And he shows how kids can help make a difference in a world that is increasingly dependent on plastic.
PLEASE
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2016, HDV, 13 min.
WRITER/DIR/PROD: Shirley Sui
CAST: Brian Falkner, Sofie Puchley, Noah Jones, Juliette James
An old clown has a superpower. He can make everyone follow his orders just by saying ‘please.’ For decades, he tries to find his teenage lover by telling his life story.
RECESS
WEST COAST Premiere | USA, 2017, HD, 3 min.
WRITER: Aidan Wonderling
DIRECTORS: Aidan Wonderling, Brett Elam
PRODS: Aidan Wonderling, Brett Elam, Amy Wonderling, Polymyth Productions
CAST: Aidan Wonderling, Gabriel Robert, Zach Thomas, Kalia Young, Nola Tallone, Charlotte Moran, Brett Elam, Ava Lovell, Theo Christopherson
Do you remember being in elementary school and the times you spent during recess? For a kid, it’s the toughest choice of the day deciding what to do in those precious 15 minutes.
SMILE: A MUSICAL
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2017, HDV, 16 min.
WRITER/DIR: Sarah Phillips
PRODS: Laetitia Leon, Sarah Phillips
CAST: Maya Grace Fischbein, Desmond Newson, Susan May Pratt, Aaron McPherson, Gina Hecht, M.J. Ordinario, Sydney Haik
When Hazel fails to connect with her clinically depressed father, she goes on a musical journey to make him smile.
STANDPOINT
US Premiere | US, 2016, HDV, 16 min.
WRITER/DIR: Erik Hirschhorn
PRODS: Erik Hirschhorn, Shirley He
CAST: Dakota Bailey, Solon Carter, AnaLia Lenchantin, Jonathan Sharp
Aliza is a Jewish ballarina who must escape Nazi occupied Poland in order to attend to a dance Audition in Prague.
Dances With Kidz by Pros
THE ADVENTURES OF WOOLLYFOOT & FRIENDS
WORLD Premiere | UK, 2016, HD, 5 min.
WRITERS/PRODS: Ed Hartwell, Sarah Simi
DIRECTOR: Ed Hartwell
CAST: Ed Hartwell (voice)
Woollyfoot is a loveable monster living in the wilderness. He explores his environment and makes friends through music, dance and the discarded objects he finds in the forest.
BAD LITTLE FAIRIES
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 5 min.
WRITER/DIR: Gayla Goehl
PRODS: Gayla Goehl, Nathan Moore, Eric Rottman
CAST: Cara Royston, Ruby Matenko, Alondra Munoz, Chynna Merritt, Evangeline Lindes
When the little fairies in Fairy Fairy Land get a little too curious and mischief gets the best of them, hilarious events to unfold and all the residents of Fairy Fairyland will never be the same.
THE ELIMINADORA
USA, 2016, HD, 20 min.
WRITERS: Jesus Renteria, P.J. Gaynard
DIRECTOR: P.J. Gaynard
PRODS: P.J. Gaynard, Jesus Renteria, Ana Renteria, Anne Grauso,Deven MacNair, Amanda Hart
CAST: Nadia Renteria, Brenda Banda, William Guirola, Michael Chubb, Tito Santana, Deven MacNair,Rigo Obezo, Andre Salcido, Sidd Munjal
Ten year old Sofia dream of being a lucha libre champion, like her father before her. However a disapproving mother and overprotective father stand in the way of her plans. So Sofia sets off on a journey that takes her all over the city in an attempt to make her dreams come true.
MR VIOLET
CALIFORNIA Premiere | Iran, 2014, HD, 3 min.
DIRECTOR: Abbas Jalali yekta-Mohammad hossein Azam pour
PROD: Ehsan Rasoulof
Mr Violet lives on a mug in a busy cafe. his life is boring and full of loneliness, till the time when presence of a girl on another mug change his life.
PRESSURE
WORLD Premiere | USA, 2016, HD, 9 min.
WRITER: Adria Dawn
DIRECTOR: David Tarleton, Adria Dawn
PRODS: Adria Dawn, David Tarleton, Stacey Flaster, Elizabeth Fauntleroy
CAST: Daniel Pass, Meghan Keefe, Jay Metzger, Matt Pierce
Overwhelmed with the pressure from his parents and peers to succeed in sports, school and activities, a boy struggles to keep it together.
SUPERMOM
USA, 2016, HD, 14 min.
WRITER/DIR: Jason Honeycutt
PRODS: Jason Honeycutt, Nick Pellegrini
CAST: Justine Herron, John Hensley, Kaylee Dennis, Garret T. Sato, Olivia Honeycutt, A Leslie Kies
“Supermom” is the “must see” (Palm Springs Life) award-winning short film about a daughter who believes her mother is a real life super hero – she might be right. It stars Justine Herron (“Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain”) and John Hensley (star of “Nip/Tuck,” “Teeth,” etc.).
Credit: DANCES WITH KIDZ!
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