12:30-1:45pm

Program 1: Scary-tale Endings (O’Dowd 202A)

Abattoir by Nolan Trotter
A young woman, working for an overbearing chef, is asked to lock up at the end of the night. But someone, or something, has entered. Armed with whatever utensil she could find, she searches for the mysterious guest. Trotter’s choice of music and shot sequences create tension that you could cut with a chef’s knife.

Hansel and Gretel by Rachel Bruhn
Bruhn tells the classic fairytale from the limited perspective of a stationary camera, placed deep within the roaring fire that could be the key to saving these two children. This film’s wonder- ful actors, costuming, framing, makeup, and overall commitment to the story will make you feel like you got the story all wrong.

Eyes Wide Open: Dead by Daylight by Ethan Webb
Things in your sleep can haunt you. Or worse. Webb’s film uses sleep paralysis, suspicious characters, and unanswered questions to truly instill fear in his characters and audiences.

Nyctophobia by Jack Bexell, Emily Grey, and Jacalyn Grisvold
It’s almost 2 am. A girl wakes up to get some water. She’s all alone…So why does she keep hearing knocking? The intriguing visuals and sound effects in this film help to create an enchantingly eerie short film that will remind you to lock your doors at night.

The Hat Man by Dustin Hendrix and Amanda Tingley
Filmmaking duo Hendrix and Tingley complicate a simple story of a man who hears something in the middle of the night. You’ll hear things, see things out the corner of your eye, and think you’re safe…but when The Hat Man comes for you, there is no escape.

Come Over by Kourtland Austion and Ethan Webb
Austion and Webb’s film portrays a seemingly simple story of teen who is invited to a girl’s house late at night… But tales of the boogeyman haunt him when he brushes off his grandmothers warning.

Neutrals by Jacob Horne
Join Horne as he gives a “middle finger to the world” in this dark comedy about two friends who accidentally kill the wrong person. This film has it all: 90’s nostalgia, a wonderfully evil antagonist, twisted humor, and rock’n’roll. It should be noted that Horne and his talented team truly enhance this story with excellent dedication and prowess from start to finish. Edgar Wright could never.

Blink by Aidan Schieber
A woman trapped in an experiment with an unexplained creature finds herself unable to look away. Schieber’s film encapsulates suspense through impressive camera work, sound effects, and come- dic interludes. Just make sure you don’t blink.

Program 2: Fringe Theater (O’Dowd 202C)

Brotha to the Night by Nicholas G. Sims
Sims’ sultry, smooth, alluring “Love Jones” re-enactment, with clean visuals and polished pace, feels like a completely original piece. It will make you want to get on stage and sing to your love, just like the Brotha to the Night.

Caesar Rodney by Anna Dorflinger
Dorflinger combines history, music, and comedy to create a film deserving of a lost found- ing father. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics and impressive vocals, combined with excellent shot composition and lighting will leave you wanting to see the whole musical.

Gimme Fiction! by Paolo Malagar
A writer composes a screenplay as his friend critiques it. We watch the screenplay, and the critiques, visualized alongside their composition in this comedic, self-referential feature on the trials and absurdities of screenwriting.

Horror in the Woods by Byron Bell
Bell’s playfully self-aware satirical lampoon of the common tropes of horror films feels like it’s straight from an SNL skit. Join these three friends as they find themselves in a haunted forest, with no choice but to make some hard decisions.

Pigeon by Katie Colwell
Colwell’s eye for design and storytelling truly brings her animation of a lone pigeon to life. You’ll find yourself rooting for the bird through its journey of trying to find its way out of the dark, lonely city.

Seas of Infinity by Noah Thulin
Alumni Thulin spins the classic cult horror film into something much darker. This no-dialogue creation captures thrill and suspense with stylized lighting, creative costume design, stop-motion animation, and more.

Your First Time: In-house Suspension by Isha Khan
This how-to of the rules of suspension is nostalgic and light. That is, until it twists into something much darker. Khan’s specific style contributes to the comedic and dark undertone of this short film.

Welcome Home Bitches by Raya Ellsberry
Two friends wake up find them- selves trapped in a basement, unaware of why they are there. Ellsberry’s fascinating mise-en-scene, inventive cinema- tography, and hilarious wit shine through as we learn that an unlikely person from their past is behind it…but why?

Over & Over by Wyatt Key
The 2019 OU Production Workshop feature,Key’s film concerns a burdened director dealing with obstinate producers. In this movie about making a movie, the roles of director and actor are revealed to be interchangeable while the mercantile role of producer remains unchanged and dictatorial. Narratively, it recalls Groundhog Day; tonally, Mulholland Dr.

Lessen Up (On Us) by Drew Sweet
Through vibrantly colored spaces, various forms of visual media, and entrancing music, Sweet introduces us to musician Jessie Hurts. Both artists together create an otherworldly environment where we are able to see Jessie’s new music video, from concept to concrete.

2:00-3:00pm

Networking Event (O’Dowd 202B)

Cinematography Workshop (Varner 112)

3:15-4:30pm

Program 3: Oh, The Drama (O’Dowd 202A)

Finding Hope by Michaela Dorflinger
In a world where love is defined by some as fate, and by others as predestined, two awkward teens serendipitously meet and decide to go on a date. This film’s romantic cinematography, settings, and actors invite us along for a magical tale that could end with finding hope.

Art by J Hayward
Phil’s wife has just told him that she is pregnant…but he just left his job. How will they survive? The answer might be in the title. Hayward’s film showcases that you don’t need a complex plot to tell complex stories.

Chase Your Passion by Cameon Wade
Wade urges viewers to never give up on their dreams. Her film follows an aspiring pilot who continually perserveres against initial failure. With its stunning cinematography and voiceover narration, you will feel like you’re in the cockpit.

Christmas Movie by Samantha Hamel
As the excitement of Christmas and presents inches closer, Sam and her friends try to decide what they truly want. Sam contemplates why she didn’t ask for more. This socially consious tale warns of the dangers of materialism and invites the viewer to think about the true meaning of the holidays.

Whipped Cream Cake by Minju Hong and Ray Mo
Saddened by her mother’s absence on her birthday, a young woman celebrates alone with a cake shared by the two in the past. Food transfigures into memory of lost childhood. What was sweet is now bitterly so.

Feelings by Malo Riou
Riou’s short, allegorical film quickly goes inside the mind of young boy who escapes from the reality of a broken home to a dreamscape of unmitigated happiness.

Stuck by Dustin Cehaich
What would you do if you saw a creepy figure blocking your path? Or if you had to tell your parents something that they might not approve of? Would you face your fears? Cehaich asks these questions as he weaves the story of a woman who is on the verge of pursuing the arts, with help from unusual places.

The Yawning Grave by Wesley Swigart
A woodsman is driven to madness by his loss and an uncaring son. Swegart uses editing styles and a great location to show the collapse into madness.

Dichrome by Weston Snider
A young man who tries to close his eyes to the problems in his life encounters a person who can see things others can’t. Snider skillfully explores themes of subjective beauty, friendship, and perspective while keeping the film’s incredible production value intact.

Program 4: Laugh, Ponder, or Both? (O’Dowd 202C)

Behind the Gold by Brittany Guzynski
Guzynski brings us backstage with Maria Evola, All Star dancer and ten time USASF World Dance Champion, as she recounts her experiences with “the best form of expression.” As a dancer herself, Guzynski can personally illustrate how this competition unites passionate athletes and creates tight-knit communities.

Family Reunion by Spencer Greene
It’s Thanksgiving, Dylan is forced to spend time with his annoying family who don’t pay attention to him. Greene’s short hilariously features only one actor who plays the roles of all of the family members.

Joe DiFranco: Kicking and the Pursuit of “It” by Ryan Pini
A profile of a small town Lutheran school football kicker who became the kicker for Oakland University’s club football team, told from the perspective of filmmaker Pini, whose love for the sport shines through.

One Joke Too Many by JC Carroll
Two gay landlords talk with their obliviously offensive roommate to stop her constant antics. Will they finally get her to understand that her phallic pranks and jokes go too far?

Optimism. by Anna Dorflinger
Optimism is the best and only mindset you should have! Right? Dorflinger’s film puts a unique spin on the meaning of positivity that will have you laughing and leave you thinking.

The Genocide Project by Rachel Goodman
With an impending 6,000 point project and some sub-par group members, a highschooler’s chances at getting into University of Michigan, the school of his dreams and where his long-time crush will be, is at stake.

The Imperfect Crime by Dani Parker
Angela Jones is being questioned by police after she has just organized a seemingly perfect plan to indefinitely end problems with her infuriating mother…but something has gone very wrong. Parker’s subtle use of comedic timing and witty dialogue really bring this creative story to life.

The Incident at the Pier by Abby Bright and Grace Joo
Bright and Joo take us with them on the infamous high school trip to Los Angeles aimed to teach student the entertainment industry that quickly devolves into social media gossip: who likes who? Can you tell from their Facebook post? Or their “finsta” caption? Interviews and social media imagery propel this humorous teen mockumentary.