Sunscreen Film Festival

Celebrating local film making!  Block 1

SHIFT (6:55)  Rebeca Donovan; World Premiere (in attendance)
A mood short about a young woman struggling with friendship. After the loss of someone she once considered a "best friend" she learns that happiness can be found differently than expected.

DOWNPOUR (9) Tony Ahedo; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
With a category 4 hurricane imminent, two brothers, bunker down at home to wait out the storm. When they let a stranger in looking for help, they realize maybe the real danger isn't outside, but inside with them.

WOOLY BURGER (10) Briston George; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
With the help of a guide, four film students set out to make a film about an urban legend where it's said to take place. Along the way they get more of the story than they asked for.

THE PURGATORIST (10:50) Maurice Jovan; (in attendance)
A man must watch his wife commit suicide over and over again until he can figure out how to stop it.

PHONE: INSTAFAMOUS (10:30) David Scott Leatherwood;St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
Two friends want to become internet celebrities so they can quit their jobs and get paid to post on social media. Who do you follow?

PALEO MAN (20) Bill Leavengood ; World Premiere (in attendance)
https://youtu.be/aFO3AHs1EdM
 “I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.” ― Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein. A lonely and traumatized teenaged runaway with a terrible secret must try to live off the land with the help of a mysterious homeless veteran who calls himself Paleo Man.

RELAX (7) Matthew Herbertz; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/246853320
Soon after the 2016 U.S. election, an anti-Trump activist waits outside a supporter’s home considering something that could result in deadly consequences.

AUDITION (11:42) Robert Dittmer; World Premiere (in attendance)
A chance meeting at an audition changes the lives of two unlikely friends.

TIME 85:57

BLOCK 2

LISTENING (16:05) Mark Zampella;St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/238300516
A small-time grifter in search of his next score. He gets realtor Sara Holmes in his sights, but will she turn the tables on him? A neo-noir rom-com involving high-end real estate, wiretapping, blackmail, bird watching, and petty theft.

THE APOCALYPSE NEEDS WEIRDOS (13:18)
The Apocalypse Needs Weirdos is a road trip comedy...with zombies. Our two resident weirdos are unknowingly driving themselves to their own death, Godfather style. Can weirdos make the cut in the new world order?

POLTERHEIST (25:05) Austin Spicer; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ_3v75EUlM
Two men return from a heist and begin to experience several paranormal things that cause them to wonder if the whole heist was worth it.

CHECKMATE (16:30) David Jeremy Meyer; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
We don't fear the dark, we fear what's in it. Checkmate invites you on a slow burn descent into our most primal fears. How will you survive? It's your move.

REVENGE OF THE PIZZA KING (7:24)
A local pizza parlor owner, the self proclaimed, "Pizza King" seeks vengeance from the grave after his failing 15 minute guarantee drives him into bankruptcy.

 HALF AN HOUR (4) Victoria Jorgensen; World Premiere (in attendance)
A woman past her prime, prepares for her 'date' in front of her dresser mirror. There is an old photo of a younger version of her dressed in circus show garb, stuck on the mirror. As she prepares for the 'date', she musters strength from the memory of her former, untainted, idealistic self.

THE DEATH SWITCH (4) Jeremy Westrate; World Premiere (in attendance)
In a strange sequence of events, a retired police detective is haunted by his past.

TIME: 86:12

DEKALB ELEMENTARY (20:23)Reed Van Dyk (Oscar Nominated)
https://vimeo.com/205092257
Inspired by a 911 call placed during a school shooting incident.

SON TO SON (8) Taron Lexton; World Premiere (in attendance)
A late-night meeting between a father and son reveals an insidious secret lurking beneath the surface. What began as an innocent habit has led to the most deadly—and unexpected—epidemic in modern history.

FADING SCARS (13;21) Cullen Douglas
https://vimeo.com/243480230
Soft music plays, the fire roars. Ben and Alison’s physical chemistry is off the charts and they’re falling for one another, hard. But they’re both carrying painful secrets. If their love is to last, they’ll need to lay bare the most damaged parts of their souls and hope they still shine. (MAYBE list the two stars?)

HUMAN PROJECT (12:39) K. Spencer Jones; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/236131613
In the wake of their father’s death, two estranged siblings begin a journey of self discovery. When family responsibility conflicts with their dreams, they must learn to love each other before they can truly begin to heal.

MARCUS (10) J.R. Poli; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
A group of men struggle with a life changing decision. They find themselves on different sides of an argument.  One which could possibly lead to a tragic ending.

RALLY (4:29) Wasly Castillo; World Premiere
Michael decides that it is time to stand up to his sister when their father is imprisoned for marching in a racist rally. Sara feels that her brother needs to put family first and help get their father out of jail.

PLEA (19:59) Joseph Oppenheimer; St. Petersburg Premiere
https://vimeo.com/209355065
A public defender has minutes to save her 16-year-old client from a life sentence for murder by convincing him to take a plea deal for a crime he only technically committed, but to defend this boy, she will have to condemn him.

TIME   88:51

CAT (11:20) Tural Manafov, Zeke Gase (Co-Director); Florida Premiere (in attendance)
​https://vimeo.com/227348617​​​
Kevin is a lonely guy who lacks confidence & doesn't have courage to speak to the girl he likes. Eventually he decides to ask for advice from a hand puppet who's much more confident than him.
   
THE PROFESSIONAL CUDDLER (15:32)  Mika Orr; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/219453243
A young Israeli man is about to meet his long-distance lover for the first time-- while pursuing his dreams in NYC playing the trumpet by day and working as a Professional Cuddler by night.

US (13) Will Darbyshire; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/255443676/244d14e514
On the journey to the airport, a young couple lock horns over the differing views of their tumultuous relationship. What transpires is a conversation about distance, commitment and the uncertain future ahead.

AFTER ME (3:15) Randy Garcia; World Premiere (in attendance)
Camila leaves her life, and everything she knows to embark on a journey without return. She says goodbye to her boyfriend, the city and her past. She leaves with melancholy, and the decision to not go back.

GOTTA PEE  -  (3:05) Quinn Chittenden; World Premiere (in attendance)
In a world of popcorn snacks and really long movies, we can't all expect to hold in our urine for over two hours. Gotta Pee follows the journey of one man as he discovers the difficulties of the male public restroom.

KNOCK KNOCK (5:32) Jacob Ulintz; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
Eve Wulff commits embezzlement in retaliation to a corporation she despises. Once he becomes aware of the situation, her boss sends a hitman for her and her family. While in hiding, Eve begins to reflect upon her previous decisions.  

KNOCK KNOCK (7) Briana Flouro-Smith; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
A newly single girl gets an unexpected message from an old friend. Despite sharing their affection online, he never seems to show up when they try to catch up in person. Her suspicion grows as time goes on.

Fine combs (10:50) An old man's comb collection presents the opportunity of a lifetime.

FUGUE (8:33) When two people are locked in a room with limited food and water what becomes of their humanity.

HERO (4:25) A young man's desire to be a hero leads him down an unexpected path.

LOVESTORY (6:39) A young girl's dream date doesn't turn out quite as she expected.

THE DOG HOUSE (4:26) Eric tries unsuccessfully to locate his girlfriend's missing dog.

SUDDENLY (1:40) Blake Drivas; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
A man on the run. He must trust no one.

GET A GRIP (4) Antonino Fabiano; St Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
Our short film is about the effect of drugs in our area. Our film will follow the story of a student who picks up a bad habit of abusing drugs.

SECOND CHANCE (7) Maddie Glas; World Premiere (in attendance)
When 15 year old Donte Glover was arrested for armed robbery, he thought he had no one. His whole life changed when his high school biology teacher took an interest in helping him. This is the story of a young man's journey through the justice system and how he learned to find hope in the darkest of times.

SOMEDAY (7) Maddie Glas; St Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
Life was never easy for Robbie Gordon. Wheelchair bound, he struggled to find happiness in his life. It wasn't until he found wheelchair basketball that he truly begin to thrive.

70:10 MINUTES

BURT AND THE WALL CHILDREN (13:51) Michael Boyle; World Premiere
A lonely, embittered old man is terrorized by a tribe of feral children that live in his walls. The children steal his food, play tricks on him, and ruin the first date he's had since he was 20.

ONE SMALL STEP (13:18) Aqsa Altaf; Florida Premiere
A 9-year-old girl attempts to juggle the responsibilities of school and her younger siblings after her mother goes missing.

THE LAST INTERVIEW (12:23) Jamie Cunxia Wang; Florida Premiere
A man with memory loss walks into a room where a woman is waiting to interview him. He decides to go along but things get stranger as she knows everything about him.

MERMAIDS (12) Dream Thanika Jenjesda; St. Petersburg Premiere
After the untimely death of his wife, a grieving young man struggles to raise his five-year-old stepdaughter.

KARMA (19:21) Irmak Tasindi; World Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/256255336
Haunted by the memories of his past life, a ten-year-old boy, is looking for his ex-wife Jenny in his search for answers.

MY LOYAL AUDIENCE (12:23) Megan Seely; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
​https://vimeo.com/229757664​​​
In this dark comedy, a socially insecure teenage girl begins to suspect the unimaginable — that her most personal, embarrassing thoughts may not be as private as she had hoped.


TIME:  83:16

NOBLE CREATURES (19:53) Daniel Lafrentz; Florida Premiere
Film pits two adversarial escaped convicts - with different ideas about how to hold onto their freedom - against a tortured, but resolute, female corrections officer known as 'put-down'.

17 LOCUST ST.(16:50) Daniel Wyland; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/251910504
Two detectives want to ask a loner a few questions about a recent hit-and-run. Little do the detectives know they will find themselves trapped and become victims of a twisted mind.

CELLS (12)Raymond Wood; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
http://vimeo.com/227126851
When a reputable doctor finds himself being held captive by a group of masked intruders, he struggles to understand their motives while being forced to answer why billions of dollars go wasted each year in the name of medical research.

LIGHTS OUT (4:50) Savannah Bloch; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
To the point of desperation, a young women copes with the struggles of motherhood, while dealing with her toddler's desire to leave the lights on.

.HIJO POR HIJO (CHILD FOR CHILD) – VENEZUELA (10:53) Juan Avella; St. Petersburg Premiere
https://vimeo.com/201736210
The life of a Venezuelan Kidnapper takes an unexpected turn on his last job.

DISCLOSURE (8:48) Lawayne & Dewayne Bontrager; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/twiinmedia/disclosuretrailer
Detective Nash is questioned for the decisions he made during his attempts of apprehending the ring leader of merciless group bank robbers... and the consequences that followed.

FATHER & FATHER (9:54) Michael Baumgarten; World Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/253230475
Udo, a wounded, infamous mobster enters a church to confess his sins. As  two priests hear Udo's confession, a large group of bad guys enter the church looking for him.

 DRIVER (11) Shaine Jones; World Premiere (in attendance)
A woman is forced to fight for her life and escape the clutches of a serial killer, who catches his victims by impersonating as a driver with a ride share company.


Time 94:08

GARDEN PARTY (6:50) Théophile DUFRESNE, Florian BABIKIAN, Gabriel GRAPPERON, Lucas NAVARRO, Vincent BAYOUX, Victor CAIRE; OSCAR NOMINATED
In a deserted rich house, a couple of amphibians explore their surroundings and follow their primal instincts.

NEGATIVE SPACE (5:30) Max PORTER & Ru KUWAHATA;   OSCAR NOMINATED
My dad taught me how to pack.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT (5:45) Neal Fox; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
Human rights need to be on everyone's mind. It should be taught in the schools starting at an early age. "You Have The Right" is an animated music video about human rights. I believe the Arts are the best way to convey the message.

MARTINI BOMBINI O’FEENAY MOONAY (6) Gerry Mooney; Florida Premiere
An eight-year-old boy builds his own hydrogen-powered race car to enter in the Big Race. When they find out he's only eight, they won't let him in. He doesn't like that and decides to enter anyway!

UNKNOWN POTATO SELLER (15) (EGYPT) Roshidy Ahmed; St. Petersburg Premiere
A murder investigation of a boy who sold sweet potatoes during the revolution of Egypt. Events follow where the truth is lost in chaos and no one know what is true from false.

DREAM CATCHER (9 MIN) Matthew J Killian; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
For a child, choosing the right toy for bedtime can mean the difference between sweet dreams and terrible nightmares, but for the toy it could mean the difference between life and death. The Dream Catcher tells the story of a gentle, stuffed bear who will stop at nothing to protect his child from a nightmare inducing creature from the shadows.

 AIRPORT  (10:35) Michaela Müller; St. Petersburg Premiere
https://vimeo.com/216051945
In a modern day airport, the flow of passengers is broken by sudden irregularities. Security forces try to get to the cause of the disruption, the atmosphere turns menacing at the slightest anomaly.  The film explores the borders between the right to freedom of movement and the restrictions national security requirements put on society.

CATHERINE (11:51)Britt RAES;
​https://vimeo.com/169825442​​​
Catherine loves pets! But most of all, she loves her cat. As she grows up, she can not connect with other people. Her cat is her life, and little by little she grows up to be a crazy old cat lady. Will she ever find friendship or love?

BEYOND THE BOOKS (6:37) érôme BATTISTELLI, Mathilde CARTIGNY, Nicolas EVAIN, Maéna PAILLET, Robin PELISSIER, Judith WAHLER  -  Musique : Amin K. GOUDARZI; Florida Premiere
You will discover the immensity of a giant library through the eyes of an old librarian, until an unforeseen event which will turn his life upside down, as never before.

76:37 MINUTES

RFLKTR (7:15) Matt K. Turner; Florida Premiere
https://vimeo.com/236829249
RFLKTR is a story of nature vs. nurture and the internal struggles waging in all of us. The short centers on Captain Avery, a commercial pilot who crashes on an alien planet.

THE MANUAL (29:30) Wil Magness; St. Petersburg Premiere
https://vimeo.com/219709990
In a dystopian future, the last human is raised by a machine. He struggles with the loneliness of no human interaction and questions the teachings of a mysterious religious 'Manual' which the machine claims is holy.
       
CARONTE (15) Luis Tinoco; Florida Premiere
https://vimeo.com/203857821
Debbie is rude with her own family, but after a dramatic car accident, she starts to regret  the way she behaved with them. Unexpectedly, Debbie's  connects with Arsys's, an experienced military and space fighter pilot who tries to survive a  space battle.

THE PRIME  (17:58) Jessica Alexandra Green; North American Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/260483488
Lone Wolf Jeffrey McKenna lives in the cracks of an Orwellian reality where Dogma, Spirit and Ideology are heretical and forbidden. Wondering if the whispers he hears come from God, he challenges the tenets of The Prime.

THE TOLLS (19:59) Liz Anderson; St. Petersburg Premiere
https://vimeo.com/248618313
1945. A grieving U.S. army corporal is transported to an alternate, Nazi-occupied San Francisco. Here, he'll put the lives of millions at risk in order to reunite with his lost love.

89:42

A showcase of local films by the St. Pete Clearwater Film Society

The Lost (18) Rick Danford; World Premiere (in attendance)
The Lost is a short dramatic film with a strong message at its core. It tells the story of Frank who recently lost his wife to cancer after a 30 year marriage. This loss has devastated Frank as she was his world.

Hide (9:50) Ranelle Golden and John Kouromihelakis; nspired by real events, a young girl coming of age must deal with the unwanted attention of her Mother's lover. (in attendance)
Ranelle Golden 10m

Complicity (10) Anajani Pandey; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
"Complicity" is a mystery thriller about a women who plans the perfect crime which goes wrong or did it!!! Was it for "Love" or was it for "Money" or could it have been for both?

Battlesuit  (20) Marcus Kempton; World Premier (in attendance)
"Hard-Boiled Undercover Cop Ryan Craig was Having a Bad Day, Until he Found the.." Ryan Craig is an average cop with a chip on his shoulder until Battlesuit. Best Special Effects, Best Visual Effects, 2nd Best Screenplay, 2nd Best Actress, 2nd Best Wardrobe at the Action Film Challenge

Loved One (18) Gary Stoneberg ; (in attendance)
A couple is mourning the loss of their child and have lost their faith in God. It is a story about grief, loss, hope and strength to finding the way back to their faith. Inspired by a true story.

WINNER: GOOD MORNING ST. PETE (17:14) Andi Matheny; World Premiere (in attendance)
TV host Stacy McAndrew's career has taken a dive and her last chance is hosting a live morning talk show in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Inspired by filmmaker Andi Matheny's experiences as a talk show host.

WAKING UP WITH STRANGERS (14) Antoine Perry; World Premiere (in attendance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSaNmWYZX58
 New comedic anthology digital series based on the true stories of millennials whose search for intimacy the night before leads to awkward, honest and revealing truths told from a different perspective of hookup culture: the morning after.

TINDER IS THE NIGHT (11) Misha Calvert; St. Petersburg Premiere
https://vimeo.com/222606156
Dorky gamer Eddie has finally decided to give online dating a try but finds that the strangers she’s been romanticizing are even more pathetic than she is.

BITES AND REC (14:16) Karleigh Chase; World Premiere (in attendance)
What begins as a typical day in photography camp quickly spirals out of control as the students find themselves at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.

OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN 16:31 Anna Maria Hozian & Brad Riddell; St. Petersburg Premiere
https://vimeo.com/219624124
Margot Antler dreams of becoming a renowned novelist with a three-book deal and a summer house in Ghent. Reality check: she's a rookie second-grade teacher about to experience the insanity of parent/teacher conferences for the first time! I

DO THE VOICE (12:51) Darren Stein
​https://www.dothevoice.com/trailer​​​
“Do The Voice” is a musical comedy starring Lori Alan, as a self-absorbed but lovable 50-year-old famous voice over actress struggling to find true love and relevancy in the unforgiving world of Hollywood.

TIME 85:35 MIN

HER CALLING (10:50) Travis Mills; Florida Premiere
https://vimeo.com/234671485
Based on true events surrounding Mansfield Female College, the first female college west of the Mississippi, 'Her Calling' tells the story of a young female student forced to give up her studies and become a nurse during the Civil War.

DESERT ROSE (17) Ryan K. McNeal; Florida Premiere
Emilia leads a secluded life on a ranch with her husband.  One day, a passing stranger arrives, who kills her husband and leaves her to fend for herself. Through her grief, Emilia realizes she must live in fear of the stranger's return or take up her late husband's gun.

THE SHIVA LIST (11) Ashley Hillis; World Premiere (in attendance)
Sisters Julia and Emily don't get along at all and they would just assume living their separate lives, but the death of their mother forces a reunion. Mother has left a list of specific instructions for her own shiva, and the question is can the sisters fulfill her dying wishes without killing each other in the process?

BEEF WELLINGTON  (11:40) Jimi Dava; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
The City of Los Angeles is in the grip of a serial killer nicknamed ‘The Butcher’. About to strike his latest victim, he's lured by the intoxicating smells coming from a neighbor’s home and quickly finds out he's not the only one who knows what the best cut is.

GRAPE LEAVES (7:33) Dina Najjar; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
A well-respected, Arab American professor, is stunned into silence after her world is shaken in the wake of an unthinkable tragedy. She is forced to rethink the relationships with those closest to her.

ANATOMY OF AN ORCHID (8:26) Sonja O'Hara & Dan McBride; World Premiere (in attendance)
When introverted freshman Cassie enrolls in a botany class, she becomes convinced that her orchid is trying to communicate with her. As she begins to experiment with flower pollination, she comes to terms with her own sexuality.

THE SKIN YOU ARE IN (5) Stefanie Davis; World Premiere (in attendance)
As Leslie prepares for a night out, she falls victim to her own self esteem issues. Her ex boyfriend has used harsh words and derogatory language to bring her spirit down.

GIRL MEETS ROACH (17:01) Christopher Zatta; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/alisonzatta/gmrtrailer
Reeling from a sudden pre-Christmas breakup, Maggie hides herself away from the outside world, avoiding work, friends, and a persistent delivery guy. But then a cockroach appears in her apartment.

TIME: 88:30

WINNING SHORTS BLOCK

1.NEVADA (15:21)Best: Foreign short
2.REEFS AT RISK (11:13)best short documentary
3.MY LOYAL AUDIENCE (12:23)  best Emerging film maker
4.DREAM CATCHER (9)Best Animation; Best Florida Short
5.HIJO A HIJO (SON TO SON)–VENEZUELA (10:53)   Best thriller/scifi
6.OVER THE HILL (12)Best Comedy
7.PROFESSIONAL CUDDLER (15:32) Best Short Drama
8.TWO STRANGERS WHO MEET FIVE TIMES (12:12) FF UK ; Sunshine Award Winner

98:34 minutes

BROWN FISH (15:39)  Troy Deutsch; World Premiere (in attendance)
https://vimeo.com/241000491
It all starts with a missing goldfish and a strange smell. Now a young woman's world spins out of control, as she goes to meet her friend in the park.  

POSITIVE (13) Ty Minton-Small; Florida Premiere (in attendance)
A surprise herpes diagnosis sends a lonely man on a quest for connection.

READY TO GO  (9:30)  Lynda Reiss; North America Premiere 
Lance is taking his cat to be put down....and he wants to talk.

CROSSING (6) Morgan Dameron; World Premiere (in attendance)
Two friends are on an adventure when Finn suddenly refuses to cross a deserted road, making absurd excuses for his hesitation and bringing the journey to a standstill.

WINNER: OVER THE HILL (12) Marty Fortney; Florida Premiere
A hip Hollywood couple finally makes the move to the San Fernando Valley, where things aren't always as they seem.

MAN WITH BEARD  (10) Abie Axen; St. Petersburg Premiere (in attendance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR0N7K_-yh8
A man with a beard begins to receive unexpected attention from strangers who are acting strangely. He doesn’t show much interest in trying to find out why, until the reason is thrust upon him.

DEAR KIMBERLY (5:40) Jonathan Steinfield; World Premiere (in attendance)
On his last day of work, a straight-laced consultant writes a love letter to his office crush, telling her all the wonderful ways she's inspired him to change his life.

TIME :72