deadCENTER Film Festival 2009

This collection is as diverse as the US itself. From a doc about a celebrated Native American artist or the oldest man to run for Congress to a quiet narrative about love through a window, these shorts capture the various sparks of inspiration and determination that are uniquely American.

And Everything Was Alright is a short film about a day in the life of a lonely bear who wants to travel to space. It is the first joint venture between Robert Kilman and Safwat Saleem, and was filmed on location in Phoenix, Arizona in the summer of 2008.The concept came out of a folktale about the origin of Ursa Minor (The little Bear). In some cultures it is believed that many centuries ago, a large female bear lived a happy existence with her cub. One day, the cub wandered away from home when the mother was asleep. Upon waking up, she feared the worst and was terribly distraught. In her time of despair, she prayed to the Gods to show her a sign that her cub was okay. Seconds later, she noticed that the stars had realigned in the night sky to form the shape of a little bear. At that moment, she knew that her cub was in safe hands and that everything would be alright.The ending of the story differs in various cultures. Some say the cub returned home safely the next morning and they lived happily ever after. Others say that the cub never did return and every night for the rest of her life, the mother looked at the glowing bear in the sky and knew that her cub was somewhere safe living a happy life.

A story of regret, of reconciliation, and of hope, And What Remains explores the complexities of a father’s relationship with his son while unfolding the essential desire of wanting to leave behind something great. Utilizing a visual style that pushes the edge of traditional movie making, it captures the beauty and simplicity of Eastern Kansas through a panoramic and picture-in-picture editing technique not common in non-fiction storytelling. The story unfolds as Rick Cree takes his son to the small town where his father grew up to share the sights and sounds of his father’s past and search for the legacy he himself will someday leave.

After getting in trouble with his mother for playing with a plastic bag, 14 year old Alexander rides his bike to the park to blow off some steam. He is alone at the park . . . or so he thinks! Will he make it home? Will his dear mother ever see her boy again? Will Alexander ever learn not to play with plastic bags?

Irene and Frankie have a difficult past, but Frankie needs Irene to help him with one task. He needs to get out of the hospital and go home to his daughter and new grandbaby to make amends. Irene had been his one, true, on-again, off-again love until they parted ways for good. But to make up for the past, Irene agrees to help him in this trying time. With steady and graceful performances by Richard Ray Whitman as Frankie and Casey Camp-Horinek as Irene, this story takes viewers for a ride in the backseat of Frankie and Irene’s Indian car, listening to their past and the rhythmic soundtrack that sets the beat for a redemptive road journey.

Bean, a fifteen year old writer, says goodbye to her surrogate father, Johnny. Her mother, Julie, has a new boyfriend, Scoot, a lazy redneck. Bean wants Julie to stop cycling through men and start being a mother. When Julie is unreceptive, Bean takes action to gain her mother's attention.

Miss some short films during the fest? Get caught up at the Best of Fest. See encoure screenings of winning short films announced the night before at our awards ceremony. It's the perfect way to wrap your your deadCENTER 2009 experience.

A blue ball bounces its way into people's lives, bringing them some bounce back before bouncing on.

When Ethan and James are caught in deadly crossfire, one brother's passing leaves the other in safe haven. And in the face of meaningless, one brother finds purpose. Sometimes death harbors us all.