2016 48hr Film Challenge Films

Following is the screening order of the 2016 Omaha Film Festival 48hr Film Challenge Films

Screening is Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30
at the Village Pointe Cinema

Admission is just $5 at the door!

The Shift – 4:57 minutes – Comedy
Team Gut
Director: John Gutowski
Producer: John Gutowski
Screenwriters: John Gutowski, Tierre Cabbell, Ernest Bless, David Terrell Green
Cast: John Gutowski, Tierre Cabbell, Ernest Bless, Terrell Green, Noelle Pee, Jon Daniel Roberson
Additional Crew: Justino de Medeiros

Synopsis: A new employee gets stuck working the desk waiting for another employee to relieve him. He deals with patrons who come into the shop and remains completely oblivious to the business’s true dealing. Will Ben even show?

Chocolate Spades – 4:51 minutes – Drama
Team First Bite
Director: Asa Neville
Producer: Athena Neville
Screenwriter: Bethany DeCarolis
Cast: Asa Neville, Athena Neville, Bethany DeCarolis
Additional Crew: Dad

Synopsis: Rivals in the underground candy market join forces, to disastrous results.

Ben’s Last Day – 4:57 minutes – Comedy
Student Category
Team Trigger Warning
Director: Gabrielle Push
Producer: Natalie Runyon
Screenwriter: Imani Lamar
Cast: Jaimee Jindra, Cameron Synder, Imani Lamar, Gabrielle Push
Additional Crew: Jaimee Jindra, Cameron Sunder, Imani Lamar

Synopsis: The Super Duper Secret Services (SDSS) president, Sergeant London Harper, has decided to retire. Agent Benjamin Bently is called in after Sergeant Harper has picked her preceding leader. Agent Bently finds the wrong man and it doesn’t end well for him.

On Accident – 4:56 minutes – Comedy
Team Pirate Ninja Alliance
Director: Robert Wilkie
Producers: Robert Wilkie, Alberto Lazo-Halme, Jen DeRouchey
Cast: Robert Wilkie, Alberto Lazo-Halme, Jen DeRouchey, Angel Olsen

Synopsis: Three friends sign up for the local 48 hour film contest and nothing goes as planned.

Five Minutes Ago – 4:59 minutes – Drama
Team S.G. a B. Productions
Directors: Alex Lenosky, Mark Tourek
Producer Alex Lenosky, Mark Tourek
Screenwriters: Alex Lenosky, Mark Tourek, Isaac Reilly
Cast: Mark Tourek, Chris Koch, Molly Mullen, Merlin Olson, Jack Slater
Additional Crew: Tori Lenosky, George Hatcher, Annie Klein, Maura Tourek, Trace Vardsveen

Synopsis: Four friends meet up for drinks before a midnight movie. When the host’s brother shows up, he is forced to make a difficult decision.

White Girl – 5:00 minutes – Romance
NO TEAM NAME
Director: Kenny McKee, Julian Jackson
Producers: Kenny McKee, Tim Vogel, Julian Jackson, Lucas Moranda, Tyler Johnson
Screenwriters: Kenny McKee, Tim Vogel, Julian Jackson, Lucas Moranda, Tyler Johnson
Cast: Lucas Moranda, Whitney Grace, Julian Jackson, Brian Fimbres

Synopsis: A man struggling with his relationship must face his demons. But not everything is what it seems.

Obsession – 5:00 minutes – Romance
Student Category
Team Type II
Director: Mitch Fey
Producers: Jacob Curley, Connor Paintin, Joey Winton
Screenwriters: Mitch Fey, Jacob Curley, Connor Paintin, Joey Winton
Cast: Joey Winton, Jacob Curley, Connor Paintin, Mitch Fey
Music: Connor Paintin

Synopsis: A man’s struggle with feelings for an unconventional love interest, spiraling into a final confrontation.

Something in the Water – 4:58 minutes – Horror/Thriller
Team Jack and Company
Director: Jack Forey
Producer: Jacob Phillip Anderson
Screenwriter: Jack Forey
Cast: Annette Wolfe, Paul Pflug, Jack Forey, Jacob Phillip Anderson
Sound Engineer: Trent Pflug
Director of Photography: Jacob Phillip Anderson

Synopsis: A paranoid young man, trying to cope with his brother’s death, soon learns the source of his sickness.

Buscemi – 3:38 minutes – Comedy
Team Gaggle
Director: Mason Shumaker
Producers: Karlee Currin, Mason Shumaker
Screenwriters: Mason Shumaker
Cast: Jon Flower, Tessie Flower, Trae Graham, Karlee Currin, Kayle Moore

Synopsis: A P.I. is on the case after Steve Buscemi is reported missing.

Unfortunately Fortunate – 3:18 minutes – Comedy
Team B and D Productions
Directors: Kari Spangler, Kayleen Serfass
Screenwriters: Kayleen Serfass, Kari Spangler
Cast: Trisha Serfass, Collin Dunn, Fred the Dog, Kayleen Serfass
Additional Crew: Reggie Dawson, Crista Campbell, Emily VanRoekel, Kyle Everette, Yakor Evan

Synopsis: A woman rehashes the experiences of a unique date and with her best friend and discovers it might be true love after all.

Tiny House Terror – 5:00 minutes – Horror/Thriller
Team the Farm Fresh Eggs
Director: Tony Bonacci
Producer: Tony Bonacci
Screenwriters: The Full Team
Cast: Micah Renner, Jacqueline McLane, Linda Hughes, Michael Hulstein, Darrick Silkman
Additional Crew: Whitney Van Arsdall, Gabriel Burkman, Chad Wegener

Synopsis: A young hipster couple rent a tiny house for the night. When they are greeted by an awkward family they get a sense that something might be askew.

Buried In the Hum Of The Universe – 3:54 minutes – Horror/Thriller
Team Gladanimal
Director: Mike Comstock
Screenwriter: Mike Comstock
Cast: Katie Otten, Phinias Comstock
Additional Crew: Terry Thompson, Dax Sukstorf

Synopsis: A young woman must come to terms with her past.

Wizard Quest – The Questing – 4:58 minutes – Drama
Student Category
Team Those Dorks in the Woods
Director: Emma Korengel
Producer: Emma Korengel
Screenwriter: Emma Korengal
Cast: Kathryn Monochie, Joy Weidenhamer, Bailey Kussman, Sophie House
Additional Crew: Ana Swoboda

Synopsis: Wizards, since olden times, have taken many forms and always kept nature and harmony in balance, including The Wizard of Darkness, a soul fated to bring misery to the Earth. But when The Wizard of Darkness creates global warming, a threat impossible to rebalance, it’s up to the remaining wizards to talk some sense into her.

Acorn of Peace – 5:00 minutes – Drama
Team Fresh 2 Death
Director: Magie McCombs
Producer: Paul B. Allen IV
Screenwriters: Cody Jones, Magie McCombs, Lyn Sanchez
Additional Crew: Dalamar Mctizic, Nate Romsses

Synopsis: Mother has dispute with daughter over her grades and has a change of heart.

You and Me and Buscemi – 3:09 minutes – Romance
Team Buscemi
Director: Zach Bock
Producer: Jesse Merrimen
Screenwriters: Patrick White, Zach Bock, Jesse Merriman, Natasia Otto-Berglund
Cast: Patrick White, Natasia Otto-Berglund

Synopsis: They say that love always finds a way. But what happens when you throw Steve Buscemi into the mix? Will one man’s obsession drive apart true love or will Buscemi be the glue that holds them together? Watch romance bloom as two movie lovers learn to love each other.

Strange Obsessions – 4:20 minutes – Drama
Team ROROFLIX
Director: Levi Peters
Producer: ROROFLIX Production Studio
Screenwriters: Ronnie Romero, Levi Peters, Drake Tucker
Cast: Levi Peters, Amanda Christi, Andrew Nordin, Drake Tucker
Director of Photography: Ronnie Romero
Boom Operator: Brett Mayo
Post Production: Ronnie Romero, Levi Peters, Drake Tucker

Synopsis: A man walks blissfully through life enjoying the constant company of a black and white portrait, much to the displeasure of his potential love interest and society at large. When some friends decide to take matters into their own hands and have the picture stolen, his life begins to unravel around him. Struggling to find any joy in the world after losing what he thinks is the most important thing in it, he stumbles into the startling realization that he might not be the only one who covets the portrait.

The Photographer – 4:26 minutes – Horror/Thriller
Student Category
Team OPS Career Center
Director: Julian Hock-Beaty
Producer: Julian Hock-Beaty, Naomi Turner
Screenwriter: Julian Hock-Beaty, Shakira Hudson
Cast: Naomi Turner, Romyn Peterson, Julian Hock-Beaty, Virgen Palma, Diamond Graham, Ryan Hunter

Synopsis: Young woman is stalked by an unknown man.

Rekindled – 4:57 minutes – Romance
Team Rad Rocket Productions
Director: Robert R. Herbaugh
Producer: Robert R. Herbaugh
Screenwriter: Robert R. Herbaugh
Cast: Colby Trull, Andrea Rolland, Aaron Bailey

Synopsis: After Natalie leaves, Ryan is shattered by the death of his friend Ben. Could this single event be enough to restore the love he once knew?

Stuck – 4:05 minutes – Horror/Thriller
Team A Slow Jack Bauer
Director: Daniel Grzeskowiak
Screenwriter: Steve McNamee
Cast: Tim Barr, Cher Bloomingdale, Jordan Smith
Additional Crew: Amber Greser Jade Allen

Synopsis: Stuck in a cramped room, out of food and water, tension rises as three survivors argue about their next move.

Impulse – 2:15 minutes – Horror/Thriller
Team Walter Ego
Director: Dana Altman
Producer: Jordan Fountain, Joe Dempsey, Barry Joyce
Screenwriters: Dana Altman, Walter Ego, Barry Joyce
Cast: Barry Joyce, Ben Drickey
Additional Crew: Derek Altman

Synopsis: Ben. Ben knows how to get it done. Impulses of a lake dweller.
Drawers – 4:22 minutes – Comedy
Team 939 Productions
Directors: Thomas Gjere, John J. O’Connell V
Producers: Thomas Gjere, John J. O’Connell V
Screenwriter: Thomas Gjere
Cast: Regina Palmer, Matthew Hegstrom
Sound Design and Music: Dustin Wood
Title Design: Brendan Gepson

Synopsis: College – studying is necessary; clothing is (apparently) optional.

2016 48hr Film Challenge

Congrats to 21 teams for turning in completed films! Join us on Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30pm at the Village Pointe Cinema for a screening of each film followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and an awards ceremony celebrating their accomplishments!

Check out our Facebook event page for more info!

To see a listing of all of the films go here.

———

And they’re OFF!

26 teams signed up and joined us for the 48hr Film Challenge launch!
The line of dialog that everyone has to use is “Ben knows how to get it done.”
The prop is a picture of Steve Buscemi.
Good luck everyone and we’ll see you on Sunday!
Hashtag your behind the scenes pics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. with #OFF48

A completed entry form must be submitted with your film.
To download a copy of the Entry Form click here.

———

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your cameras! The Omaha Film Festival is hosting a 48 Hour Film Challenge to spark creativity and collaboration among local creatives. Participants will be given 48 hours to write, shoot, edit, and deliver a film under 5 minutes in length.

The 48 Hour Challenge will commence on Friday, September 9th at 6:00pm at the Image Arts Building on 2626 Harney Street.

Need to work on your writing and filmmaking skills before the challenge?
Check out our Cinematography and Screenwriting Workshops!

Cinematography Workshop Facebook Event Page – August 21
Screenwriting Workshop Facebook Event Page – August 28

Films will be due back to festival staff at the same address on Sunday, September 11th by 8:00pm. Final delivery will be an H.264 file and we’ll be ready with computers to capture the files if you bring them in on a flash drive or a disc. Festival staff will be available between 3:00pm and 8:00pm to receive the films.

All films will be screened the following week and prizes will be awarded. (screening location TBA)

Filmmakers can register for the 48 Hour Film Challenge here.

Pre-registration is $20 per team.
High School student pre-registration is $15 per team (student ID required at check-in).
Registration the day of the Challenge launch (September 9) is $25 per team.

So here’s how it works:
Start putting your team together now! Actors, writers, filmmakers…get ready! Send at least one representative to the event on Friday, September 9th where the rules will be announced and your film packets will be distributed. Within that packet of info you will be given three required challenges:

1. You will be given a genre.
2. You will be given a line of dialog that must be in the film.
3. You will be given a prop requirement that must be used in the film.

There’s no age limit on the filmmakers!
Don’t have a team? Come out to the launch and find a group to join!

Over $2000 in prizes will be awarded to winning filmmakers in both the student and open categories.

Prize awarded for:
Best Film
1st Runner Up
2nd Runner Up
Best Cinematography
Most Creative Use of Required Prop
Most Creative Use of Required Line of Dialog

Prize winners will be announced at the screening
Please direct questions about the 48 Hour Film Challenge to off48hr@gmail.com.

For more info visit our Facebook Event page:
48hr Film Challenge Facebook Event Page

THE RULES
– A member of your team must be present at the Challenge Launch to receive your challenge packet.
– Entry Fees can be paid by check to “Omaha Film Festival” or by cash or credit card at the time of the launch.
– Each entry must be a separate submission – you must include registration form and payment for each submission.
– Challenge Launch will commence at 6pm on Friday, September 9, 2016 at the Image Arts Building – 2626 Harney Street – Omaha NE 68131.
– You must complete all of the mandatory challenges (genre, line of dialog, prop).
– All submissions must be delivered via drive or data disc along with the FILM INFORMATION FORM.
– Acceptable format for submission is H.264 digital file.
– Submissions must be received by 8:00pm on Sunday, Sept 11, 2016 – Festival staff will be available at the office between 3:00pm and 8:00pm on Sunday to receive submissions.
– All films that are not in English must have English language subtitles.
– Only submissions with completed REGISTRATION FORM, FILM INFORMATION FORM, and paid entry fees will be accepted.
– Films must be no longer than 5 minutes in length (including credits).
– To be eligible, the film cannot have a public screening locally prior to the Film Challenge Screening date. We ask that your film not be viewable in its entirety online on sites like YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook before the Film Challenge Screening. Trailers or clips from the film are acceptable.
– Releases for locations, music, and talent must be obtained by the submitting filmmaker. The Omaha Film Festival is not liable for copyright infringement or unauthorized use.
– The Omaha Film Festival does not assume any liability for damage to films, videos, or publicity materials.

Challenge Launch and Delivery Address: 2626 Harney Street – Omaha, NE 68131

Results from the 2016 OFF

Screenplays:

Best Nebraska Screenplay – “Sanctuary” by Scott Pittock
Best Short Screenplay – “In Quest of the Bluebird” by Robert Mann & Connie Zerden
Best Feature Screenplay – “Sanctuary” by Scott Pittock

Films:

Jury Prizes:

Best Animated Short Film: – “Fulfilament” by Rhiannon Evans
Animated Short Film Honorable Mention: – “We Can’t Live Without Cosmos” by Konstantin Bronzit
Best Nebraska Short Film – “Second Words” by Jake Hull
Best Nebraska Short Film Honorable Mention – “The Adventures of Vanman and Truckboy” by Sam Senser
Best Short Film – “Iris” by Richard Karpala
Short Film Honorable Mention – “Move Me” by Gabe Crate
Best Documentary – “Llama Nation” by Tanner Shinnick
Documentary Honorable Mention – “Man vs Snake: The Long & Twisted Tale of Nibbler” by Andrew Seklir & Tim Kinzy
Best Feature Film – “Trivia Night” by Robert Gregson
Feature Film Honorable Mention – “West of Redemption” by Cornelia Moore
Death Grip Electric Award for Killer Cinematography presented to a Nebraska Short – Joel Froome for “Second Words”

Audience Choice Awards:

Audience Choice Short Film – “The Bespoke Tailoring of Mister Bellamy” by Alexander Jeffrey
Audience Choice Documentary – “The Million Dollar Duck” by Brian Golden Davis
Audience Choice Feature Film – “Coming Through the Rye” by James Sadwith

OFF’16 Conference Schedule

All Conference Sessions will be at the Village Pointe Theatre
304 North 174th Street
All sessions will be in Theatre #10
All Conference Panelists are “scheduled to appear”

Saturday, March 12, 2016

9:30am – 10:45am – Filmmaker Panel
Attending (non-Nebraska) filmmaker’s Q&A panel moderated by Jason Levering

11:00am – 12:00pm – Tell Your Story
A conversation with Phil Hay moderated by Joel Stevens

12:30pm – 1:30pm – Producers Panel
With Phil Hay and Dan Petrie, Jr. moderated by Joel Stevens

1:45pm – 2:45pm – Write On!

A discussion with Lew Hunter moderated by Dan Petrie, Jr.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

10:00am – 11:00am – OFF’16 Nebraska Spotlight Filmmaker Q&A
A discussion with the OFF’16 Nebraska Spotlight filmmakers moderated by Ben Drickey

11:15am – 12:15am – Tell Your Story
A conversation with Dan Petrie, Jr. moderated by Scott Kurz

12:30pm – 1:45pm – Editing
A discussion with Tom Elkins and Mike Hill

Panelists:
Phil Hay – writer – “Ride Along,” “Ride Along 2,” “The Invitation,” “R.I.P.D.,” “Crazy/Beautiful”
Dan Petrie, Jr. – writer – “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Toy Soldiers,” “Turner & Hooch,” “Combat Hospital”
Tom Elkins – editor – “Inferno,” “Annabelle,” director – “The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia”
Mike Hill, A.C.E. – editor – “A Beautiful Mind,” “Apollo 13,” “Rush,” “The Davinci Code,” “In the Heart of the Sea”
Lew Hunter – writer – Screenwriting 434, Chairman Emeritus and Professor of Screenwriting at the UCLA Department of Film and Television.

 

OFF’16 Party Schedule

OFF’16 dates are March 8-13 and will feature amazing independent feature films, documentaries, short films, animated films, and screenplays from around the world. Each night after the film screenings will be VIP parties for All Access badge holders.

March 8th – Tuesday
Opening Night Party
Cheeseburger in Paradise
17304 Davenport Street
Free apps and drink specials!
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
8:00pm – 11:00pm

March 9th – Wednesday
Funny Bone
17305 Davenport Street, Suite 201
Free food provided by Hartland BBQ and drink specials/cash bar provided by Funny Bone!
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass
9:30pm – 11:30pm

March 10th – Thursday
Bravo Party!
17151 Davenport Street
Free appetizers provided by Bravo!
drink specials/cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
10:00pm – midnight

March 11th – Friday
Ring the Bell Party
Julio’s West
2820 South 123rd Ct
Free taco bar provided by Julio’s
Drink Specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
10:00pm – midnight

March 12th – Saturday
Saturday Night Party
Harrington’s
301 North 175TH Plaza
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
Free Harrington’s Apps! Drink specials at the bar! Happy Hour drink prices!
10:00pm – midnight

March 13th – Sunday
Closing Night OFFice Party
Omaha Film Festival OFFice
2626 Harney Street
Free food provided by Dante’s Pizza – come check out their mobile pizza oven!
Drink Specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
7:30pm – 11:00pm

 

OFF’16 Screenplay Finalists

To celebrate the craft of screenwriting, the Omaha Film Festival is thrilled to present the 2016 Writer’s Theatre. The Writer’s Theatre will be produced and directed by Aaron Zavitz and Scott Kurz and will feature live readings of our screenplay finalists.

The Writer’s Theatre will take place at the Funny Bone Comedy Club
on Wednesday, March 9 from 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Funny Bone Comedy Club – 17305 Davenport Street #201

See schedule for more details!

Feature Length Screenplay Finalists:

Thursday, After School by Tom Radovich
Sanctuary by Scott Pittock
A Posthumous Performance by Drew Wagner
Only The Impassioned by H. C. Turk
Jacksonville by Jeffrey Field
The Angel Rainbow Car Wash by Tom Rossi
Catharsis by Billy McNabb & Hannah Feller

Short Screenplay Finalists:

50 Years of Valentines by Doug Sasse
In Quest of the Bluebird by Robert Mann & Connie Zerden
Calling CQ by Adam Whitaker
Bad Heir Day by Jeffrey Field
The Forward Place by Henry P. Gravelle
Down The Drain by Robert Sheppard
Animal Skins by Bryan Ott

Cast of actors for the live reads includes:
Jill Anderson
Cheri Bloomingdale
Eric Griffith
John Hatcher
Scott Kurz
David Landis
Moira Mangiamelli
Jennifer McGill
Eric Salonis
Kevin Williams
Aaron Zavitz