Vail Film Festival

A feature-length documentary about the toughest sport you’ve never heard of. Break the ice. Shatter a ceiling. Change the world.
Synchronized skaters do it all - together.
Angela Pinaglia | Director, Producer, Co-Cinematographer, Editor, Nicole Davies | Producer, Sarah Nelson | Co-Cinematographer, Thomas Huggins | Colorist, Sarah A. Daggett | Impact Producer
Followed by Q&A

Director:  Alessandra Gavin-Müller
Barbara has a child but doesn't feel like a mother. She leaves her companion and daughter to go on a personal journey that will bring her to find her place in society.
Starring: Cristina Zamboni

The Short History of the Long Road (USA, 2019, 94 minutes)
Director: Ani Simon-Kennedy
For teenage Nola, home is the open road. Her self-reliant father is her anchor in a life of transience. The pair criss-cross the United States in a lovingly refurbished RV, making ends meet through odd jobs while relishing their independence. A shocking rupture, though, casts Nola out on her own.
Starring: Sabrina Carpenter, Steven Ogg, Danny Trejo, Maggie Siff

Reclamation: The Rise at Standing Rock (USA, 2018, 23 minutes)
Director: Michele Noble
In 2016 from the summer through the harsh winter at Standing Rock, North Dakota, the youth of many tribes unite the Native Nations for the first time in 150 years and rise up in spiritual solidarity to non-violently fight for Unci Maka (Mother Earth) against the 3.8 billion dollar Dakota Access Oil Pipeline (DAPL).

Adult Night (USA, 2019, 11 minutes)
Director: Leslie Alejandro, Kevin Alejandro
In an attempt to “live colorfully,” the strength of a couple’s relationship is tested by a situation where it might be more important to get out rather than get off.
Starring: Kevin Alejandro, Lesley Ann-Brandt, Tom Degnan, Alyshia Ochse, Laura Hine, Nikko Reyes, Donovan Soria

We Are Forbidden (USA, 2019, 8 minutes)
Director: Cheryl Strayed, Brian Lindstrom
In Nepal, menstruating girls and women are considered impure. This stigma permeates every aspect of their lives. In this participant-driven documentary, nine girls who range in age from 12 to 18 tell their menstruation stories and offer their hopes for an end to menstrual stigma in Nepal.

A Woman (Azerbaijan, 2019, 12 minutes)
Director: Tahmina Rafaella
A young, modern mother struggles to find her place in Baku, Azerbaijan, a culture simultaneously Muslim and secular, progressive as it is traditional, and like her at a crossroads of seeming contradictions.
Starring: Tahmina Rafaella, Zaur Shafiyev

A Handful of Rust (USA, 2020, 10 minutes)
Director: Conor Chandler Simpson
Inheriting the family junkyard when her father dies unexpectedly, 18 year old Simone makes eccentric punk music with her troubled savant brother and battles their short-fused mother intent on sending him away.
Starring: Katie Chang, Camille Chen, Mystic Inscho

Odd Bird (USA, 2019, 8 minutes)
Director: Katy Dore
As a boy, Clark always felt like the odd bird in his conservative ranch family. To cope, he created a comic book, “The Adventures of Odd Bird,” making himself the hero of his own story.
Starring: Michael Varde, Betsy Moore, Jacob Peacock
Under Cover (USA, 2019, 4 minutes)
Director: Shereen Lani Younes
A young woman walks home.

Rehearsal (USA, 2019, 8 minutes)
Director: Courtney Hope Thérond
A film crew for an upcoming feature film pushes the boundaries of consent during a courtesy rehearsal for its female lead. Written & Directed by Courtney Hope Thérond
Starring: Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Clinton Lowe, Alexander Chard, Alex Portenko

Carrying Tomorrow (USA and Ethiopia, 2019, 22 minutes)
Directors: Sarah Davis and Caleb Lucky
For women and girls in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, becoming pregnant can be a death sentence. It is the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age, and could be almost entirely preventable with access to basic surgical care.

Trial By Fire (USA, 2018, 14 minutes)
Director: Alex Astrella
During the devastating Thomas Wildfire, inmate firefighters relish the opportunity to emerge from their restraints, finding serenity and a sense of purpose through the work that they devote their lives to.

The Granny Flat (Australia, 2018, 8 minutes)
Director: Rachel Mackey
Whilst their parents are off trainspotting, two siblings wake to find an elderly woman baking scones in their kitchen. This seems great until that one granny multiplies into four hundred dithering old biddies.
Starring: Naomi Mourra

Esperanza Y Futuro (USA and Guatemala, 2019, 11 minutes)
Director: Claire Imler
This orphanage has created an environment to build hope for a better future in children seeking refuge.

The Condor and The Eagle (USA, 2019, 80 minutes)
Director: Sophie Guerra, Clement Guerra
This documentary takes the struggle for Climate Justice beyond the standard borders of separate nations and shows a new, larger movement rising up across many Indigenous peoples, using thrilling cinematography, deeply personal stories and the urgency of tomorrow’s headlines.

Miss America By Day (USA, 2019, 40 minutes)
Director: Rick Higgins, Bill Ranshaw
Former Miss America Marilyn Van Derbur was 53 years old when she was able to speak publicly the words "I am an incest survivor." It was as important step in her recovery and it brought the ugliness of incest out into the open for millions of others.
Starring: Marilyn Van Derbur

Director: Amy Glazer
Beautiful Dreamer is a contemporary "dramedy" about a group of Bay Area friends in their early 40s navigating one of those life moments together. Beautiful Dreamer explores the messy secrets and complicated nature of parenthood and the modern family.
Starring: Wendie Malick, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Erin Daniels 

Since the death of his parents, the teenage Burak lives with his uncle Cemil and grandmother in a remote Turkish village town.  They try to make a living by selling pomegranates but while the religious Cemil is satisfied to live his life in poverty, Burak struggles to leave for the city and going to university.  When the grandmother gets sick, both have to make tough decisions that will change their lives.
Director: Sevgi Hirschhäuser
Writer: Sevgi Hirschhäuser
Cast: Numan Cakir, Burak Aydin
Followed by Q&A

Director: Jessica Ellis
A new college graduate takes a summer job babysitting a sheltered teen girl who harbors a secret wish for a daring adventure.
Starring: Nicolette Ellis, Chloe Moore
Followed by Q&A

Curtains (USA, 2019, 18 minutes)
Director: Kirsten Vangsness
Kirsten Vangsness (CBS, Criminal Minds actor and writer) makes her directorial debut in this animated short adapted from her own personal essay about a feral cat who stars on a network procedural drama, takes ballroom dance lessons, and has an encounter with a predatory tow truck driver. 
Starring: Kirsten Vangsness

Brought To You By Satan (USA, 2019, 11 minutes)
Director: Holly Laurent
A young woman grapples with the supernatural origins of a family dinner.
Starring: Rae Gray, David Pasquesi

Call From Onaga (USA, 2019, 8 minutes)
Director: AJ Oscarson
An American farmer becomes an unlikely hero for mental health nearly 40 years after he was first diagnosed with depression. From his hometown of Onaga, Kansas, John Blaske has made it his personal mission to bring mental health into the open.

To Her (Italy, 2019, 13 minutes)
Director: Jacopo Ardolino
Orpheus lives in the memory of a past love from which he cannot free himself.
Starring: Ghemon, Isabella Torre, Lialiana Fiorelli

Unicorns (USA, 2019, 14 minutes)
Director: Candice Carella
When Elise hits rock bottom, her mentor Marlon suggests she connect with Jonah, a teenaged boy battling severe depression of his own. 
Starring: Hilary Curwen, Malik Yoba, Markees Christmas

Oh Sorry (USA, 2019, 15 minutes)
Director: Justin Giddings & Ryan Welsh
A grieving young woman leans on her younger brother for emotional support until a spontaneous night out forces her to confront her denial.
Starring: Madeleine Coghlan, Wyatt Oleff, Reina Hardesty, Brandon Perea

Rhinestone Blue (USA, 2019, 7 minutes)
Director: Aisha Schliessler
An aging cowboy sets out to compete for the grand prize in a small town talent show. When his plan goes awry, he’s left to win something much more meaningful.
Starring: James C Burns, Victoria Goodhart, Laura Estrada, Aion Boyd, Rachael Murphy, Elin Aune, Quinn Aune, Claire Cetera

Martha (United Kingdom, 2019, 16 minutes)
Director: Christopher Haydon
A teenager awakens to discover she is the only person left on earth.
Starring: Shannon Tarbet

Adeline, The Great (USA, 2019, 11 minutes)
Director: Jessica Siqueiros
A woke boarding school student questions her commitment to activism when she finds herself with no friends, countless enemies and facing some very serious accusations that threaten to get her expelled. Starring: Melora Walters, Rileigh McDonald, Dylan Dash, Sara Targum

En Route (USA, 2019, 14 minutes)
Director: Christine Chen
Two unlikely EMT partners reluctantly bond over mutually realized tragedies. Can they help each other move forward or will they allow their differences to hold them back?
Starring: Diana Rose, Major Dodge

Tracks (United Kingdom, 2019, 14 minutes)
Director: Rosie Day
'Your past could be in front of you'
When two young women meet on a train, unbeknownst to them, this journey will change their perception of life forever. Starring: Isabelle Fuhrman, Stefanie Martini, Emun Elliott

Hung Up (USA, 2020, 12 minutes)
Director: Damon O'Steen
HUNG UP updates the modern-day cowboy mythology to a cowgirl mythology, telling the story of the injured-but-indomitable Patty "Duke," played by Ecuadorian-American actress Melissa Jackson.
Starring: Melissa Jackson, Kevin Kane, Catherine Curtain

Misfit M. (Canada, 2019, 14 minutes)
Director: Austin Ball and Sarah Hempinstall
Who can you trust when you're the most famous woman in the world? The year is 1961. The woman is Marilyn Monroe. The words are her own.
Starring: Paige Locke, Allie Dunbar, Altair Vincent, Amin Bhatia

Lady Hater (USA, 2019, 7 minutes)
Director: Alexandra Barreto
A self-proclaimed "guy's girl" finds herself stuck in an all-female goddess seminar.
Starring: Natalie Zea, Allyn Rachel, Mo Beatty

WOMEN IN FILM PANEL DISCUSSION
The Vail Film Festival is excited to present the Women in Film: Personal Stories panel discussion.
The discussion will focus on the panelists personal filmmaking journeys. They'll talk about the lessons they've learned and share tips they've picked up from their experience in the film industry. There will be an audience Q&A after the panel.
Panelists include producer, director, actor Alexandra Baretto, producer and CEO of The Creative Coalition Robin Bronk, producer Mali Elfman, and producer Ashleigh Snead.
Saturday March 28, 11am-12:15pm @ Cascade Theater (1310 Westhaven Drive, Vail, CO 81657)
Free and open to the public.

It's 1993 and the south is experiencing the worst drought in history. However, Carl, who is on the autism spectrum, is fascinated by weather and predicting a storm to hit west of his small town. In hopes of creating a better life for Carl, his sister Sam decides that they will chase the storm by stealing their mother's ice cream truck. Unexpectedly, they are joined by their best friend Lewis and estranged older sister, Lillian where they learn about family, forgiveness, and following your dreams.
Directors: Hannah Black, Megan Petersen
Writer: Hannah Black
Cast: Owen Scheid, Hannah Black, Megan Petersen, Drew Scheid

A Towering Task (USA, 2019, 107 minutes)
Director: Alana DeJoseph
A Towering Task is the unlikely and uniquely American story of the Peace Corps: From its founding under JFK, through tough times confronting war and changing attitudes, a surprising revival during the 80s, to today's existence at the forefront of some of the pressing themes facing the global community.
Starring: Narrated by Annette Bening
Followed by Q&A

Fresh Tracks (USA, 2019, 47 minutes)
Director: Hans Rosenwinkel
This true-life documentary follows the journey of Cleveland native, Paul Leimkuehler, who lost his leg during WWII, and turned his amputation into an opportunity by building his own artificial leg and opening a prosthetic business. He returns to the world of sports triumphantly after designing the first pair of ski outriggers in the U.S. and launching the adaptive skiing movement.
Starring: Bill Leimkuehler, Jon Leimkuehler, Bob Leimkuehler

At a party in Los Angeles one evening, aspiring songwriter Hannah (Juno Temple) finds herself at the piano, singing nervously alongside Theo (Simon Pegg), an established music producer with an infectiously joyous spirit. Despite Hannah’s self-consciousness, her talent is evident to Theo, who suggests they get together to record some tracks. But just as their friendship and creative partnership are taking off, Theo suddenly changes. He becomes distant and starts talking about secret messages transmitted through radio static. Hannah soon learns that he is schizophrenic, and when he goes off his medication, his delusions and paranoia take over. When Theo’s condition worsens and he starts alienating colleagues in the insular L.A. music scene, Hannah sticks by him, determined to keep him from throwing away his career—and his life. She chases him through Los Angeles, trying to get him into treatment, and comes face-to-face with the frustrating inadequacies of America’s health care system, all while balancing the demands of her own blossoming career writing songs for Dana Lee (Alexandra Daddario), a shiny, pre-packaged pop star in need of a new hit.
Director: Katharine O'Brien
Writer: Katharine O'Brien
Cast:  Juno Temple, Simon Pegg, Alexandra Daddario
Followed by Q&A

Senior Love Triangle
An 84-year-old charming but delusional WWII veteran, William, forms romantic relationships with two elderly women, Adina and Jeanie, respectively, and goes on a crusade to save them from the isolation of their retirement homes in East Hollywood. Inspired by the true story documented in the photo series “Senior Love Triangle” featured in TIME Magazine.

Director: Kelly Blatz
Writer: Isadora Kosofsky and Kelly Blatz
Cast: Tom Bower, Marlyn Mason, Anne Gee Byrd, Travis Van Winkle, Mathew Bush, Lee DeBroux
Followed by Q&A

Alina (USA, 2019, 25 minutes)
Director: Rami Kodeih
As Nazis separate children from their parents in the Warsaw Ghetto, a gang of women risks everything to smuggle their friend's three-month-old baby to safety. Inspired by true events. 
Starring: Alia Shawkat, Edin Gali, Erika Soto, Mark McCullough

The Journeyman (USA, 2019, 11 minutes)
Director: Pamela Perrine
Driven by the desire to be reunited with her son, a mother struggling with mental illness finds the courage to make the bravest decision of her life- whether or not to take her own life.
Starring: Jay Mohr, Anthony Reynolds, Pamela Perrine, Noor Anna Maher, Lydia Chandler

Baby Kate (USA, 2019, 12 minutes)
Director: Jennifer Lefleur
Rebecca and David meet one last time to finalize their divorce, but are unable to avoid the minefield of grief that hangs between them.
Starring: Jason Ritter, Ruby Siegel, Jennifer Lefleur

Nice Ride (USA, 2019, 13 minutes)
Director: Rose McIver
In a small coastal town, two teenage cousins fantasize about their future together. When life pans out differently for each of them, the women try to navigate their relationship despite trauma and comparison. Underneath appearances is a complicated love that withstands more than either woman predicted.
Starring: Catherine Parker, Hannah Marshall, Nicole Falk, Lucia Tower

A Broken Hearted Solstice (Canada, 2019, 12 minutes)
Director: Fanny Lefort
A professional mascot named Fauve gets dumped on the summer solstice, aka the longest day of the year. The icy storm she’s plunged into doesn’t quite fit with the current heatwave.
Starring: Élodie Grenier

La Gloria (USA, 2019, 15 minutes)
Director: Mary Evangelista
In the days following her suicide attempt, a queer lovelorn teen finds connection and solace with her Abuela through the secret language of dreams.
Starring: Cris Gris, Michelle Badillo, Alma Adams, Marisilda Garcia, Juan Magana

Whiteout (USA, 2018, 11 minutes)
Director: Lance Edmands
When a young couple encounters a strange old man wandering in a snowstorm, they must decide if he needs their help, or if he has more sinister intentions.
Starring: Sarah Tihany, David Call, Patrick M Walsh Jr.

Two Paper Nightingales (USA, 2019, 16 minutes)
Director: Kaylin George
"Two Paper Nightingales" is an original fairy tale illustrated simultaneously from three distinct cultural perspectives. 
Starring: Yukina Takase, Narisa Suzuki, Ria Patel
, Shreya Jhalani
 élixe de Becker, Kaylin George

A Letter to Myself at 16 (USA, 2019, 3 minutes)
Director: Claire Tankersley
I was sexually assaulted by a close friend at a party in high school. Five years later, there is so much that I wish I'd known when I woke up the next morning.

Sweet Tooth (Australia, 2019, 23 minutes)
Director: Shannon Ashlyn
Set in a fictional European town in 1780, this is a dark and magical fairytale film inspired by the classic story of Hansel & Gretel by the Brothers Grimm, but it offers a different perspective on the tale you may think you know...! 
Starring: Julia Savage, George Holahan-Cantwell, Liz Wheeler, Diesel La Torraca, Mikayla Castillo

Dirty Business (USA and Vietman, 2019, 12 minutes)
Director: Yutao Chen
Most of us don’t think much about recycling. We rinse our yogurt containers, crush our milk cartons, and break down our boxes. But once our trash hits the curb in a blue or a brown or a green bin, we forget about it. Welcome to Minh Khai, Vietnam – where plastic from all over the world finds new life.