What films should you see at the Centre Film Festival? Here’s a day-by-day overview
The 6th annual Centre Film Festival kicks off Monday — and it’s again hoping to intrigue, entertain and educate a growing number of attendees.
Those unfamiliar with the festival might be surprised by the breadth and quality of the films set to be shown through Sunday. Last year, for example, several films were first screened here before moving on to streaming giants like Netflix and Apple. Another, “Letter to a Pig,” earned an eventual Oscar nomination.
There are horror films and documentaries, comedies and dramas, shorts and features. Some films are already decorated with awards from the likes of Sundance and Tribeca, some remain hidden gems with limited reviews, and others seem poised for the mainstream.
Need a few examples? “Bad Shabbos” (8 p.m. Wednesday at UEC Theatres 12) features an all-star cast that includes Kyra Sedgwick, Method Man and Milana Vayntrub. The director and editor will be on-hand here to discuss the comedy that centers around an accidental death while an interfaith couple prepares to have their parents meet for the first time over a Shabbat dinner.
Plenty of films are worth celebrating. “Dovbush” has become a blockbuster in Ukraine, inspired by a folk hero not unlike Robin Hood. More than 500,000 Ukrainians have already seen the film, and this will mark the first time the movie is screened at a festival in the U.S. An actor from the film will talk after it’s shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The State Theatre.
Then there are films like Alex Lora’s “The Masterpiece,” which won Sundance’s Short Film Grand Jury Prize, and Hasan Oswald’s “Mediha,” which was named Best Documentary by more than a half-dozen other festivals. And don’t forget “Hippo,” which was filmed in State College and has already drawn positive press from likes of RogerEbert.com, which called it “an unholy fusion of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and ‘Napoleon Dynamite.’”
More than 40 films — taken from about 650 submissions — will be shown across about a half-dozen theaters around Centre County. Admission ranges from pay-what-you-can to $12 for adults (and free for students), and a weekly all-access pass is available for $60. (Additional films will also be available for streaming through Nov. 24.)
The films will be shown at The State Theatre, The Rowland Theatre, UEC Theatres 12, State College’s Tempest Studio and a few theaters on Penn State’s campus. The founder and artistic director of the festival, Pearl Gluck, has been lauded for her curation of the films to be screened — and she’s earned a reputation for taking great care to choose a diverse variety.
Here is a complete day-by-day look at those films, the post-screening Q&As, and more. (All film synopses are taken from Centre Film Festival, the respective film websites and/or IMDB.)
Monday
(2-film screening starts noon at Penn State’s Foster Auditorium in Paterno Library)
Film No. 1: “Love in the Time of Migration”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 21 minutes; Language: Spanish; Director: Erin Semine Kökdil
Synopsis: Ronny and Suly are in love. The only problem is that Ronny is in the U.S., while Suly is in Guatemala. This film illustrates the modern day romance between two individuals from a community deeply impacted by migration and asks: Can love conquer all?
What to know: This earned a Special Jury Mention when it was shown at Mountainfilm Festival in Colorado. The jury issued the following statement: “We wanted to give a special jury mention to a film that told a vital story about immigration in a way we’d never seen before that was equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.”
Film No. 2: “Sometime, Somewhere”
Genre: Documentary (feature); Runtime: 97 minutes; Language: Spanish/English; Director: Ricardo Preve
Synopsis: An up-close look at the challenges faced by Latino communities in Charlottesville, Virginia, against the backdrop of immigration-driven by factors like climate change, poverty and drug-related violence.
What to know: This has already won multiple awards, including Best Cinematography at the Golden Gate International Film Festival. Director Ricardo Preve will be on-hand for a Q&A after the screening, in addition to Penn State’s Dr. Kevin Hagopian who is interviewed in the film.
(2-film screening starts 6:30 p.m. at The State Theatre)
Film No. 1: “The Masterpiece”
Genre: Drama (short); Runtime: 20 minutes; Language: Spanish/French/English; Director: Àlex Lora Cerco
Synopsis: Leo and Diana, a rich couple, bring a broken TV to a recycle center. They meet Salif and Yousef, two scrap dealers, who are then invited back to their mansion to collect more junk. But the immigrants actually might be the ones with something the couple wants.
What to know: This has already garnered two dozen awards, including the Sundance Film Festival’s Short Film Grand Jury Prize. Lora will attend and will be available for a Q&A after the screening of the second film.
Film No. 2: “Running on Sand”
Genre: Drama (feature); Runtime: 95 minutes; Language: English/German/Hebrew/Arabic/Tigrinya; Director: Adar Shafran
Synopsis: When a young Eritrean refugee deported from Israel is mistaken for the new foreign player of a struggling football team, his survival depends on the team’s success.
What to know: In addition to winning Best Narrative Feature at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, this was also nominated for Best Film at the 2023 Awards of the Israeli Film Academy. Director Adar Shafran will take part in a Q&A after the screening of his film.
Tuesday
(2-film screening starts 3:30 p.m. at Penn State’s Carnegie Cinema)
Film No. 1: “Afterwards”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 24 minutes; Language: French; Director: Romane Garant Chartrand
Synopsis: Inside a shelter, participants in a talking circle share their experiences of intimate partner violence as a way to regain their dignity and strength to act.
What to know: This won Best Editing in Documentary (Short) from the 2024 Canadian Cinema Editors Awards. It was also nominated for Best Short Documentary at La Gala Quebec Cinema. At least one filmmaker here plans to attend the screening in-person.
Film No. 2: “Mediha”
Genre: Documentary (feature); Runtime: 90 minutes; Language: English/Kurdish; Director: Hasan Oswald
Synopsis: Mediha, a teenage Yazidi girl who has recently returned from ISIS captivity, turns the camera on herself to process her trauma while rescuers search for her missing family members.
What to know: This was named Best Documentary (Feature) by more than a half-dozen different festivals, including the Florida Film Festival (Grand Jury Award) and the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival (Jury Award). A conversation with local activists will take place after the screening. A fundraiser here will benefit Centre Safe.
(2-film screening starts 6:30 p.m. at The State Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Tattooed4Life”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 30 minutes; Language: Hebrew; Director: Kineret Hay-Gillor
Synopsis: Liraz, a survivor of the NOVA party massacre in Israel, wields her tattoo needle as a weapon against pain. Each inked line becomes a thread of healing — stitching together the wounds left on that fateful Oct. 7. Through her art, she finds solace and helps others find theirs.
What to know: This was nominated for Best Short Film at the DocAviv Film Festival.
Film No. 2: “Bye Bye Tiberias”
Genre: Documentary (feature); Runtime: 83 minutes; Language: French/Arabic; Director: Lina Soualem
Synopsis: Years after leaving her Palestinian village to pursue an acting career in France, Hiam Abbass returns home with her daughter, in this intimate documentary about four generations of women and their shared legacy of separation.
What to know: This won a half-dozen awards, including Best Documentary at the Cleveland International Film Festival and the DOXA Documentary Film Festival. After the screening, a Q&A will be held with Middle Eastern Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Wednesday
(2-film screening starts 2:30 p.m. at UEC Theatres 12)
Film No. 1: “Terminally Ill”
Genre: Comedy (short); Runtime: 8 minutes; Language: English; Director: Christopher J. Cole
Synopsis: When a rapper is summoned to his grandmother’s deathbed, he engages in a madcap freestyle in an attempt to prevent her death.
What to know: This won Best Comedy (Jury Award) at Aspen Shortsfest and Best Narrative Short at the Chicago International Film Festival.
Film No. 2: “Chaperone”
Genre: Drama (feature); Runtime: 100 minutes; Language: English; Director: Zoe Eisenberg
Synopsis: Alienated by friends and family for her lack of ambition, 29-year-old Misha finds a dangerous acceptance in a bright 18-year-old athlete who mistakes her for a fellow student.
What to know: This was honored at Slamdance Film Festival by being named the top Breakout film, meaning the best film by a non-first-time-feature director who carries a unique style. It boasts a 100% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes (seven reviews) and an 8.5 rating on IMDB from 55 reviews. Producer Devin Murphy will take questions after the screening.
(2-film screening starts 6 p.m. at The State Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Cleo from 8:20 to 2:35”
Genre: Drama (short); Runtime: 11 minutes; Language: English; Director: Shaina Feinberg
Synopsis: Cleo has six hours and 15 minutes between dropoff and pick up. But when she receives an ominous alert on her phone, Cleo finds herself counting down the moments until she and her children can be reunited.
What to know: This will be the first time the film has been shown in Pennsylvania. Filmmaker Shaina Feinberg, who also writes for the New York Times, has been involved in prestigious festivals such as Tribeca in the past. She is expected to attend the screening in-person.
Film No. 2: “Hippo”
Genre: Drama/Comedy (feature); Runtime: 100 minutes; Language: English/Hungarian; Director: Mark H. Rapaport
Synopsis: Hippo, a peculiar adolescent, and his Hungarian stepsister Buttercup struggle to come of age in late 1990s America, under the roof of a mother who has been institutionalized at least once.
What to know: This was shot in 15 days in State College, and a critic from RogerEbert.com referred to it as “an unholy fusion of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and ‘Napoleon Dynamite’” while IndieWire called it “perverse and hilarious.” It already earned a half-dozen awards, such as Best Film from Montevideo Fantastico, and this will be the first time it is screened in Pennsylvania. Director Mark Rapaport will take part in a Q&A after the screening.
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(2-film screening starts 8 p.m. at UEC Theatres 12)
Film No. 1: “HoleY”
Genre: Drama/Comedy (short); Runtime: 20 minutes; Language: Arabic/English; Director: Bavly Soliman
Synopsis: While visiting New York from Egypt, Mark, a Christian-Orthodox 32-year-old, decides to lose his virginity, confronting all the cultural and religious restrictions that shaped him.
What to know: “HoleY” director Bavly Soliman will take part in a post-screening conversation.
Film No. 2: “Bad Shabbos”
Genre: Comedy (feature); Runtime: 84 minutes; Language: English; Director: Daniel Robbins
Synopsis: An engaged interfaith couple are about to have their parents meet for the first time over a Shabbat dinner when an accidental death gets in the way.
What to know: This placed first in the Tribeca Film Festival’s Narrative Category (Audience Awards), and the cast features stars such as Kyra Sedgewick and Method Man. Director Daniel Robbins and editor Kait Plum will be on-hand for a post-screening Q&A.
Thursday
(2-film screening starts noon at UEC Theatres 12)
Film No. 1: “Don’t Pick Up”
Genre: Romance (short); Runtime: 14 minutes; Language: English; Director: Jeremiah Kipp
Synopsis: Louisa enters a children’s bookshop to escape a humiliating day. When Chris, the sweet and lonely store manager, attempts an awkward flirt, it both excites and terrifies her, awakening old compulsions. Which is stronger? Love — or the wild need to escape with the book in her purse?
What to know: This stars Keith David and Kathryn Erbe, two well-known actors who have combined to appear in past works such as “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (Erbe) and “American Fiction” (David). Screenwriter and executive producer Susannah Nolan plans to make an appearance for a Q&A after the screening.
Film No. 2: “Rent Free”
Genre: Drama/Comedy (feature); Runtime: 93 minutes; Language: English; Director: Fernando Andrés
Synopsis: After hitting emotional and financial rock bottom, best friends Ben and Jordan come up with a scheme to spend an entire year living “rent free” with the help of friends, family and strangers alike in a rapidly changing Austin.
What to know: This was nominated for Best U.S. Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival and Best Narrative Feature at the BendFilm Festival. At least one filmmaker and/or actor will be on-hand for the screening.
(1-film screening starts 6:30 p.m. at The State Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Dovbush”
Genre: Action/Adventure; Runtime: 120 minutes; Language: Polish/Ukrainian/Romanian; Director: Oles Sanin
Synopsis: Set in 18th-century Ukraine, a man named Oleksa Dovbush becomes a mountain outlaw to help his people as his Robin Hood-like legend grows. The aristocracy aims to destroy that legend by attacking his Achilles’ heel — his childhood sweetheart. Can he lead his people to freedom? Inspired by the life of an actual historical figure.
What to know: This won a half-dozen awards from Ukraine-based festivals, and it was nominated for Best Film at the Ukrainian Film Academy Awards. According to The Washington Post, this has become the fall’s breakout hit in Ukraine and has been seen by more than half a million people there. This will be the first time the film is screened at a festival in the U.S. and, immediately afterward, “Dovbush” actor Luzer Twersky is set to be on-hand for a dialogue with Penn State’s Yuliya Ladygina, an associate professor of Slavic and Global and International Studies.
Friday
(2-film screening starts 1:30 p.m. at Penn State’s Carnegie Cinema)
Film No. 1: “Happy Thanksgiving”
Genre: Drama/Comedy (short); Runtime: 7 minutes; Language: English; Director: ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby
Synopsis: An Indigenous man takes a Happy Thanksgiving wish very, very personally.
What to know: Director ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby will be on-hand for a post-screening conversation with Penn State’s Tracy Peterson, who is also a citizen of the Diné and Navajo Nation.
Film No. 2: “Sugarcane”
Genre: Documentary (feature); Runtime: 107 minutes; Language: English/French; Co-Directors: Emily Kassie; Julian Brave NoiseCat
Synopsis: An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school sparks a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.
What to know: This has already garnered 11 awards, including the Directing Award (U.S. Documentary) from Sundance and Best Documentary Feature from the San Francisco International Film Festival. “Sugarcane” director Julian Brave Noisecat will be on-hand for a post-screening conversation with Penn State’s Tracy Peterson.
(3-film screening starts 6:30 p.m. at The Rowland Theatre)
Film No. 1: “We Should Eat”
Genre: Comedy (short); Runtime: 10 minutes; Language: English; Director: Shaina Feinberg
Synopsis: When a family gathers for dinner and to be part of a 12-year-old’s school project on identity, people rethink who they are and what they want to eat.
What to know: This will be director Shaina Feinberg’s second screening of the week, as her film “Cleo from 8:20 to 2:35” will be screened Wednesday. She and actress Lexi Perkel will be available for a Q&A after the third film is shown.
Film No. 2: “3.400KG”
Genre: Narrative (short); Runtime: 13 minutes; Language: Persian; Co-Directors: Atefeh Nafari; Samira Mokhtari
Synopsis: A middle-aged woman struggling with obesity faces a critical decision when her pursuit of a life-changing gastric bypass surgery takes an unexpected turn. Will she follow a strict diet to prevent another stroke or consume high-fat foods to reach the weight required by her insurance, further endangering her health?
What to know: This was nominated for Best Screenplay at Vision Festivals Corte in Italy, and Forough Qajabegli was named Best Actress at Officine Festival.
Film No. 3: “We Strangers”
Genre: Drama (feature); Runtime: 80 minutes; Language: English; Director: Anu Valia
Synopsis: Rayelle Martin works as a commercial cleaner in Gary, Indiana. One day while at work, she is approached by Dr. Neeraj Patel, a therapist who hires her to work as his housekeeper. Who’s going to say no to extra money? Not Ray.
What to know: This has won three awards, such as the Narrative Feature Grand Jury Award at the New Hampshire Film Festival. And it was also a nominee for the Narrative Feature Grand Jury Award at the SXSW Film Festival. Editor James Codoyannis will be on-hand afterward for a dialogue.
Saturday
(9-film “Made in PA” screening starts noon at The Rowland Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Schlumpy Funk Movie”
Runtime: 30 minutes; Language: English; Director: Stephen Seliy
Synopsis: This serves as a closer look at Schlumpy Funk, a Pittsburgh-based art movement started by artist Laura Jean McLaughlin that Warhol.org says has “origins in the Surrealist, Dada and Funk movements.” One of the artist’s pieces was inspired by Andy Warhol’s mother.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. Director Stephen Seliy will be on-hand for a Q&A after the full screening.
Film No. 2: “Abstract Narrative”
Runtime: 8 minutes; Language: English; Director: Michael Sheridan
Synopsis: A Lehigh Valley artist uses his abstract art to express his emotion, and deal with his troubled past.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. Director Michael Sheridan will be on-hand for a Q&A after the full screening.
Film No. 3: “Manifesto”
Runtime: 18 minutes; Language: English; Director: Wallace McKelvey
Synopsis: A lonely young rideshare driver writes his manifesto while transporting a series of passengers back and forth across central Pennsylvania.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. Director Wallace McKelvey, a Penn State alum, will be on-hand for a Q&A after the full screening.
Film No. 4: “Memory Card”
Runtime: 23 minutes; Language: English; Co-Directors: Taras Lashchak; Stanislav Puzdriak
Synopsis: Two gamers chase hidden coordinates in classic PlayStation games to win a valuable and collectible memory card.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. This won two awards, the Outstanding Achievement Award (Thriller Short) at the IndieX Film Festival, and the two directors were named Best Male Director (Summer Award) at the Central Coast International Film Festival.
Film No. 5: “40° 24.2983’N 79° 58.251’W”
Runtime: 6 minutes; Language: English; Director: Tony Buba
Synopsis: A four-channel video that immerses the viewer on the effects of corporate decisions on front line communities.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. Director Tony Buba will be on-hand for a Q&A after the full screening of this experimental film and the other films.
Film No. 6: “Terra Luna”
Runtime: 10 minutes; Language: English: Director: Scott Lentz
Synopsis: Annie is the lone inhabitant of a lunar base and she’s about to find out that something isn’t quite right about her environment.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. Director Scott Lentz, a Penn State alum, will be on-hand for a Q&A after the full screening.
Film No. 7: “Tyler Slippy: Forever 27”
Runtime: 25 minutes; Language: English; Director: Jeremy Byers
Synopsis: Tyler Slippy had his life brutally taken away from him back in 2020. Filmmakers interview his family and walk the viewer through the horrific events of his murder.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. Director Jeremy Byers will be on-hand for a Q&A after the full screening.
Film No. 8: “Lorica”
Runtime: 14 minutes; Language: English; Director: Benjamin Carlucci
Synopsis: A young priest is confronted with the horrific abuse perpetrated by a mentor.
What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania
Film No. 9: “Senior Software Engineer”
Runtime: 15 minutes; Language: English; Director: Scott Danzig
Synopsis: A grandma programmer allies with the ghost of her predecessor to satisfy her young, trendy influencer boss’s latest ultimatum.
What to know: What to know: This entire screening is themed with this and the eight other films having been made in Pennsylvania. Director Scott Danzig will be on-hand for a Q&A after the full screening.
(2-film screening starts 2 p.m. at The Rowland Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Rodeo Girls”
Genre: Documentary (feature); Runtime: 57 minutes; Language: English; Co-Directors: Kévin Noguès; Justine Morvan
Synopsis: In Texas, where rodeo is an institution, three very young girls immerse themselves in the tough world of this spectacular and dangerous sport, proving that it is not just for men.
What to know: Both co-directors will be on-hand after the screening with Penn State film production professor and filmmaker Catharine Axley.
Film No. 2: “Through the Storm”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 22 minutes; Language: English; Co-Directors: Charles Frank; Fritz Bitsoie
Synopsis: Despite dwindling interest and a two-decade-long losing record, a determined coach and group of young athletes at Red Lake Nation High School fight to keep their football program alive.
What to know: This won a Special Mention for Best Documentary Short at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.
(2-film screening starts 4 p.m. at The Rowland Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Driver”
Genre: Documentary/Drama (feature); Runtime: 90 minutes; Language: English; Director: Nesa Azimi
Synopsis: After losing everything, Desiree Wood takes a second lease on life as a long-haul truck driver. Alongside an irreverent group of female truckers, she fights for a life on the road.
What to know: This was a nominee for Best Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival, and Director Nesa Azimi was named Best First-Time Filmmaker at the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival. The director will attend to take part in a post-screening conversation.
Film No. 2: “Every 85 Minutes”
Genre: Drama (short); Runtime: 12 minutes; Language: English; Director: Jason Aaron Goldberg
Synopsis: An Army veteran in Las Vegas struggles with the effects of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and PTSD while isolated during the pandemic. Her thoughts vacillate between seeking help at the VA and taking her life.
What to know: Director Jason Aaron Goldberg will be on-hand for a post-screening conversation.
(3-film screening starts 7 p.m. at The Rowland Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Seeds”
Genre: Comedy/Horror/Thriller (feature); Runtime: 82 minutes; Language: English; Director: Kaniehtiio Horn
Synopsis: Ziggy, a Mohawk woman, gets hired as an influencer for Nature’s Oath company. Her cousin calls her back to their reservation, embroiling her in a fight to preserve their people’s heritage amid corporate interests.
What to know: For this film, director Kaniehtiio Horn won the Discovery Award from the Directors Guild of Canada, an honor that celebrates emerging filmmakers. Horn has acted in a number of films and TV shows, such as “Letterkenny” and “Reservation Dogs.”
Film No. 2: “Cut Me If You Can”
Genre: Comedy/Horror (short); Runtime: 21 minutes; Language: English; Co-Directors: Nicolas Polixène; Sylvain Loubet
Synopsis: Stuck in the loop of a horror B-movie, two Black stereotyped characters decide to muck up the script. But the film has other plans.
What to know: This won three awards, such as Staff Favorite (Featurette) at the Another Hole in the Head Genre Film Festival, and it garnered another 15 nominations. (It was also a nominee for Best Horror Comedy Short at the Nightmares Film Festival.) Actor Anthony Lalor will be available after the screening for a conversation.
Film No. 3: “On a Narrow Range”
Genre: Western (short); Runtime: 21 minutes; Language: English; Director: Phoebe Post
Synopsis: A sheep farmer and her husband must decide between serenity or fortune when they find a mysterious stranger on their ranch.
What to know: This won Outstanding Short Film at the Sacramento International Film Festival. Director Phoebe Post will be on-hand for a conversation after the screening.
Sunday
(6-film “kid flicks” screening starts 10:30 a.m. at State College’s Tempest Studio)
Film No. 1: “Pufferfish”
Runtime: 4 minutes; Language: No dialogue; Director: Julia Ocker
Synopsis: In an ocean full of big, bad fish, the pufferfish must act as tough as possible, but looks can be deceiving.
What to know: This entire 6-film screening is advertised as “inventive first films for ages 5+,” and the entire screening should last 67 minutes.
Film No. 2: “Forever Seven”
Runtime: 9 minutes; Language: English; Co-Directors: Antje Heyn; ALexander Isert
Synopsis: The greatest treasure of the wooden crate Mouse finds may just be the possibilities it holds.
Film No. 3: “Coquille”
Runtime: 6 minutes; Language: No dialogue; Co-Directors: Justine Aubert; Cassandra Bouton; Grégoire Callies; Maud Chesnea; Anna Danton; Loic Girault; Gatien Peyrude; Justine Raux
Synopsis: After losing his shell, hermit crab Bernard must face the dangers of the beach to find a new home.
Film No. 4: “My Name is Edgar and I Have a Cow”
Runtime: 8 minutes; Language: Czech/Slovak (with English subtitles); Director: Filip Diviak
Synopsis: When Edgar rescues a newborn calf from a food factory, he learns that raising a cow isn’t as easy as it seems.
Film No. 5: “Hoofs on Skates”
Runtime: 12 minutes; Language: No dialogue; Director: Ignas Meilūnas
Synopsis: Two friends discover the joys of the ice — both above and below.
Film No. 6: “Tabby McTat”
Runtime: 25 minutes; Language: English; Director: Jac Hamman; Sarah Scrimgeour
Synopsis: Experience the the adventure of a tabby street cat and his busking friend.
(3-film screening starts 10:30 a.m. at The State Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Three (Extra) Ordinary Women”
Genre: Documentary (feature); Runtime: 92 minutes; Co-Directors: Cionin Lorenzo; Pearlette J Ramos
Synopsis: This tells the personal stories of three women of color who have collectively overcome poverty, abuse, systemic racism and political occupation. As they brave their biggest physical obstacle yet — climbing Mount Kilimanjaro — they discover they still have emotional hurdles to climb.
What to know: Co-directors/co-producers Cionin Lorenzo and Pearlette J Ramos will be on-hand after the screening here to hold a conversation with Appalachian Outdoors’ Geoff Brugler.
Film No. 2: “A Runner’s High”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 17 minutes; Language: English; Director: Cameron Wilson
Synopsis: Finding himself at rock bottom, Kallup McCoy Il finds the strength within himself to face his personal demons and generational trauma head on.
What to know: Director Cameron Wilson will attend the screening and will participate in a conversation afterward with Appalachian Outdoors’ Geoff Brugler.
Film No. 3: “It Will Be Different For You”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 18 minutes; Language: English; Director: Megan Mayhew-Bergman; Simon Perkins
Synopsis: Lea Davison finds her power through riding a mountain bike. A two-time Olympian, Lea knows the toil, pain and commitment it takes to compete at the highest level. But behind the accolades, she views her relationship with mountain biking as a lifelong journey filled with thrills and heartbreaks, where she eventually found unconditional love.
What to know: This was also shown at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) Fall Series 2024 in a program called “Thrill-Seekers Matinee.”
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(3-film screening starts 1 p.m. at The State Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Gardener of the Galaxy”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 11 minutes; Language: English; Director: Nick Natalicchio
Synopsis: World renowned astrophysicist and planetary scientist Dr. Edward Guinan reflects on his life, work and involvement in the “Red Thumbs Mars Garden Project” at Villanova University, which experiments with growing sustainable food sources on Mars.
What to know: Director Nick Natalicchio, who took part in the 2022 Centre Film Festival, will attend and hold a conversation with Penn State’s Chris Ali after the screening.
Film No. 2: “A Body Called Life”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 15 minutes; Language: English/Polish; Director: Spencer MacDonald
Synopsis: A self-isolated young human known as “James” delves into the hidden world of microscopic organisms, forging a tender connection with these nearly invisible creatures and developing a massive online following, as he seeks to understand his own place in the cosmos and accept the scars of his past.
What to know: This won Best Documentary Short at the Raindance Film Festival in addition to earning the Documentary Short Special Jury Award at the Sante Fe International Film Festival.
Film No. 3: “Home”
Genre: Drama (feature); Runtime: 111 minutes; Language: Yiddish/Hebrew; Director: Benny Fredman
Synopsis: A young and recently married Orthodox man’s dream to open a computer store in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem turns into a violent nightmare when the entire neighborhood sees him as an existential threat.
What to know: This earned two awards and seven additional nominations (including Best Film) at the Awards of the Israeli Film Academy. It won Best Actor (Roy Nik) and Best Supporting Actor (Dror Keren). Director Benny Fredman will take part in a conversation with Penn State’s Chris Ali after the screening.
(6-film screening starts 3:30 p.m. at The State Theatre)
Film No. 1: “Safety State”
Genre: Narrative (short); Runtime: 16 minutes; Language: English; Director: Jeanette L. Buck
Synopsis: In a dystopian near future, a gay and a lesbian couple form an unlikely friendship as they flee the Midwest for safety in New England.
What to know: Writer Rani Crowe will take part in a Q&A after the screening.
Film No. 2: “Pride of Texas”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 7 minutes; Language: English; Director: Ashley Seering
Synopsis: A look at the Texas Gay Rodeo Association and its participants who prove that rodeo, and Texas, is a place for everyone.
What to know: Director Ashley Seering will take part in a Q&A after the screening.
Film No. 3: “See You ‘Round the Block”
Genre: Comedy/Drama (short); Runtime: 11 minutes; Language: Hebrew; Director: Daniel Gat
Synopsis: As the morning rises over Tel Aviv, Dror encounters Eitan, his ex. Both are on their way back home from a long night out.
What to know: This was named Best Film at the Tel-Aviv International Student Film Festival, and it was a nominee for Best International Short Film at Rio Festival de Cinema LGBTQIA+.
Film No. 4: “Shimmer, Inspired by Eva Young”
Genre: Drama (short); Runtime: 13 minutes; Language: English/Chinese; Director: Alice Gu
Synopsis: After winning Miss International National USA, a closeted drag performer and doctor must rush to the hospital when a close patient begins to code, threatening their secret passion of drag.
What to know: This won the Best Short Film Jury Award from the Bentonville Film Festival, and it earned the Special Jury Award as the Best LGBTQIA+ Film at the Cordillera International Film Festival.
Film No. 5: “Good Enough Ancestor”
Genre: Documentary (short); Runtime: 20 minutes; Language: English/Min Nan; Director: Cynthia Wade
Synopsis: Every night as a child, when visionary Audrey Tang prepared to go to sleep, she felt she had only a 50% chance of waking up in the morning due to a congenital heart problem. Her heart, like democracy across the globe, is both fragile and strong — still beating but facing an existential threat.
What to know: This won Best Documentary Short at the Savannah Film Festival.
Film No. 6: “ILY, Bye”
Genre: Comedy (short); Runtime: 13 minutes; Language: English; Director: Taylor James
Synopsis: Unemployed and down on her luck, Siobhan is presented with a life-changing job opportunity. Unfortunately, she can’t get her foot out of her mouth long enough to get her foot in the door.
What to know: This was nominated for the Best Narrative Short Grand Jury Prize at the Nashville Film Festival, and director Taylor James was awarded Best First-Time Filmmaker at NewFest: New York’s LGBT Film Festival. James and producer Katie White will take part in a Q&A after the screening.
