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ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON
Filmmaker Panels & Workshop
Downstairs in the Panel Room
Live Script Read
Downstairs in the Panel Room
Desertscape Arcade
Downstairs in Art Gallery
SCRIPT READ
2026 SCHEDULE
CLICK THE FILM TICKETS BELOW TO LEARN MORE
DAY 1
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 1ST
12 PM -- BADGE/PASS PICKUP
Guests may pickup their badges and passes in the lobby of the Electric Theater.
Lobby will remain open until 7:30 PM.
FILM
1 PM - 3 PM -- MADE-IN-UTAH SHORTS
While we’re all about independent films from all around the world here at Desertscape, we’re also all about honoring storytellers in our own backyard, and that’s what this shorts block is all about! Enjoy 7 Utah-made shorts.
Films may contain some mature content (Language, Violence, Blood)
"Thus Spoke The Wind" (10 min)
Directed By Ebrahim Ghaeini
“Dead Man's Hand” (15 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Trey Paterson
"Gabe’s Last Leg" (10 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Loren Zoltan
“Come Sunrise: A Van Helsing Story” (8 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Benjamin Vasion
"Gracie Buckshot and The Kiddo" (12 min)
Directed By Blade Sabovcik
“Be Not Afraid” (10 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Jacob Hamblin
“Morgan” (20 min)
Directed By Connor England
FILM
4 PM - 5:30 PM -- GLOBAL SHORTS 1
Experience 5 short films that bring together bold stories from outside the U.S., showcasing diverse voices, cultures, and perspectives. These stories reflect the universal power of cinema to connect audiences across borders.
Films may contain some mature content (Language, Violence, Blood)
“Three Kisses” (14 min)
Directed By Ellis Kaan Özen
"See Your Eyes " (25 min)
Directed By JiWon Song
"Nocturne" (5 min)
Directed By Andrew Przybytkowski
"Blue Heart" (15 min)
Directed By Samuel Suffren
“In Half” (25 min)
Directed By Jorge Morais Valle
5:30 PM - 7 PM -- OPENING NIGHT DINNER RECEPTION
Kick off Desertscape 2026 with our Opening Night Reception, exclusive to badge holders! Enjoy a wonderful catered meal and connect with fellow filmmakers and festivalgoers before the Opening Night Feature Film Block. A perfect way to start an unforgettable cinematic journey!
BADGE
REQUIRED
FILM
7 PM - 9 PM -- OPENING NIGHT FEATURE BLOCK
A beautiful and lyrical look into the life of a boy who wants nothing more than to connect with his distant father, set against the backdrop of Watts, Los Angeles.
Films may contain some mature content (Adult themes, Language, Sexual Situations)
“The Spectacle” (17 min)
Directed By Bálint Kenyeres
"If I Go Will They Miss Me" (95 min)
Directed By Walter Thompson-Hernández
Badge Holders will join us following the film for a special opening night afterparty.
9:30 PM - 11 PM -- OPENING NIGHT AFTER PARTY
Festivities continue at Station II Bar by Zion Brewery (142 N Main St, St. George, UT 84770)
Drinks, music, and good company!
*Free Drinks for Badge Holders*
DAY 2
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
THURSDAY,
APRIL 2ND
PANEL
11 AM - 1 PM -- LUNCH & LEARN: FILMMAKER CONVERSATIONS
Only Badge Holders will receive food downstairs in the VIP Lounge area.
The Panel will take place downstairs in the Panel Room.
Panel will begin at 11:30 AM and run for 1 hour.
Come and listen and learn from visiting filmmakers.
Meet and network following the discussions.
Moderator
Beau Stucki
Writer/Actor/Film Historian
w/Visiting Filmmakers
Doug Ryan, Carlos Plummer, Kyle Plummer, and Jonathan Hammond
FILM
1 PM - 2:30 PM -- SIGHTS AND SOUNDS SHORTS
A collection of 8 shorts that puts an emphasis on music, dance, visual storytelling, and expressive performance without the use of dialogue.
Films may contain some mature content (Adult themes, Sexual Situations, Cyber-Bullying)
"Hi" (7 min)
Directed By Dan Alexander Newton
“Ideal Distance” (4 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Danny Chandia
"Going on Strike" (13 min)
Directed By Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin
Hot Chip - "Devotion” (4 min)
Directed By Will Kindrick
"What if I Die Flying Over Oklahoma?" (5 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By H. Nelson Tracey
Alexis Taylor - "Out of Phase ft. Lola Kirke” (5 min)
Directed By Will Kindrick
"Doin' Bad Things in the Night" (6 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Amy Johnson
“Little Victories” (16 min)
Directed By Rafaël Beauchamp
MOVIE TRIVIA
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM -- MOVIE TRIVIA
Theme: The Kino Film Library
Sponsored by
Beau Stucki will be leading a fun movie trivia with awesome prizes. Let's see if you know movies.
FILM
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM -- GLOBAL SHORTS 2 BLOCK
This block prides itself on showcasing 6 exceptional emerging storytelling talents from around the world.
Films may contain some mature content (Adult themes, Sexual Situations, Cyber-Bullying)
“Micheline” (6 min)
Directed By Maude Demers-Rivard
“Jazz Infernal” (16 min)
Directed By Will Niava
“The Loon” (20 min)
Directed By Paula Bourgie
“Siren” (15 min)
Directed By Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier
“Vultures” (15 min)
Directed By Dian Weys
“No Left Turns” (32 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Douglas Ryan
WORKSHOP
5:30 PM - 7 PM -- DINNER & DISCUSSION WORKSHOP WITH JACK FESSENDEN AND LU ROBINSON
Only Badge Holders will receive food downstairs in the VIP Lounge area.
The workshop will take place downstairs in the Panel Room.
Listen. Learn. Engage.
Industry professionals share insight on their new feature film, "Alfalfa" that is currently gearing up for production and will be filmed in the Southern Utah area.
FILM
7 PM - 9 PM -- MEMORY IS A MIRROR FEATURE FILM BLOCK
A short and a feature that both delve into themes of grief and guilt, and how we strive to move past the things that haunt us.
Films may contain some mature content (Adult themes, Language)
“After the Silence” (8 min)
Directed By Jean-François Cameron
“I’ve Seen All I Need to See” (84 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Zeshaan Younus
FILM
9:30 PM - 11 PM -- OFF THE BEATEN FRAME AFTER DARK FEATURE FILM BLOCK
Filmmakers John Giacobbe and Anabelle LeMieux break down the walls of traditional storytelling by way of a surreal, psychosexual drama about a couple in mourning who harbour dark secrets.
Films may contain some mature content (Adult themes, Nudity, Sexual Situations, Language, Violence)
"Crusty Fouler" (72 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By John Giacobbe
DAY 3
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
FRIDAY,
APRIL 3RD
FILM
10 AM - 12 PM -- LONG LIVE THE ARTS FEATURE DOCUMENTARY BLOCK
A look at beautiful roadside art coupled with an exploration into the decline of the wonderful single-screen movie houses of the American West.
Films may contain some mature content (Mild Language)
“Come to me Everyone” (24 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Shaffer Nickel
“The Last Picture Shows” (78 min)
Directed By Rustin Thompson
CROSSOVER EVENTS
PANEL
12 PM - 2 PM -- LUNCH & LEARN: FILMMAKER CONVERSATIONS
Only Badge Holders will receive food downstairs in the VIP Lounge area.
The Panel will take place downstairs in the Panel Room.
Panel will begin at 12:30 PM and run for 1 hour.
Come and listen and learn from visiting filmmakers.
Meet and network following the discussions.
Moderator
Beau Stucki
Writer/Actor/Film Historian
w/Visiting Filmmakers
Alex Astrella, Anabelle LeMieux, John Giacobbe,
Matt Edwards, and Zeshaan Younus
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM -- LIVE SCRIPT READ
Desertscape’s Live Script Read showcases the winning Feature and Short screenplays from this year’s competition, brought to life by live actors.
Feature Screenplay Winner
The Fourth Psalm Written by John Martins III
Short Screenplay Winner
ZMB-17: Deadbeat Written by J. Rhys Kaiser
FILM
2 PM - 4 PM -- STORIES THAT STAY SHORTS BLOCK
Thoughtful, poignant, and deeply personal stories that touch on love, family, and the power of human connection. These 6 short films are sure to stay on your mind long after their viewing.
Films may contain some mature content (Adult themes, Language)
“Serenity” (23 min)
Directed By Frank Tremblay
“No Matter The Weather” (14 min)
Directed By Florence Lafond
"3 Minutos" (5 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Douglas Ryan
“The Mountain Keeps Watch” (15 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Caleb Hatton
“Tomorrow's Shame” (20 min)
Directed By Alexandre Lefebvre
“Extraordinary Character” (17 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Alex Astrella
MOVIE TRIVIA
4 PM - 4:30 PM -- MOVIE TRIVIA
Theme: Sweets in Cinema
Sponsored by
Beau Stucki will be leading a fun movie trivia with awesome prizes. Let's see if you know movies.
FILM
5 PM - 7 PM -- FATHERS & SONS FEATURE FILM BLOCK
Two heartfelt stories of fathers, sons, and moving forward on your own terms.
Films may contain some mature content (Mild Language)
"Pretty Boys” (18 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Sof Puchley
"The Strawberry” (91 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Kyle Plummer, Carlos Plummer
LIVE MUSIC
Presented by the St. George Art Festival
Concert is outside and up the street from the Electric Theater
*FREE to the public
7 PM-- FREE CONCERT - THE AQUABATS
FILM
9 PM - 11 PM -- DESERTSCAPE AFTER DARK SHORTS BLOCK
An effective collection of shorts for Desertscape attendees who like slightly edgier fare.
Films may contain some mature content (Language, Adult Themes, Blood, Violence, Sexual Situations)
“The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much” (17 min)
Directed By Eric Jackowitz
“Do Not Watch” (7 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Andy Matthews, Aaron Tharp
“Pandora, Inc” (12 min)
Directed By Joe Lueben
“A Seat at the Table” (10 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Hayes Tufts
“Missoula” (7 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Jacob Hamblin
“BOA” (25 min)
Directed By Alexandre Dostie
DAY 4
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SATURDAY,
APRIL 4TH
FILM
10 AM - 12 PM -- LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE SHORTS BLOCK
There’s nothing like starting the morning off with a plethora of great big laughs, and if that’s what you’re hoping for, then this block has definitely got you covered.
Films may contain some mature content (Language, Violence, Blood)
"WAR" (7 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Danny Shepherd
"For the Love of Money" (8 min)
Directed By Joseph Kowalski
“Fan” (9 min)
Directed By Philippe Berthelet
“Fireflies in the Dusk” (18 min)
Directed By Jonathan Hammond
“Ivar” (5 min)
Directed By Markus Tangre
“An Afternoon Punch-Up” (15 min)
Directed By Garance Chagnon-Grégoire
“Candy Bar” (16 min)
Directed By Nash Edgerton
“The Stones of Dunamase Castle” (18 min)
Directed By John Gray
WORKSHOP
Only Badge Holders will receive food downstairs in the VIP Lounge area.
The workshop will take place downstairs in the Panel Room.
Listen. Learn. Engage.
Industry professionals share insight on nontraditional paths to funding your independent film.
Come with questions. Open forum discussion before and after the workshop.
12 PM-- LUNCH & LEARN WORKSHOP WITH STEPHEN MASTROCOLA AND H. NELSON TRACEY
FILM
2 PM - 4 PM -- CLIMBING TO NEW HEIGHTS FEATURE DOCUMENTARY BLOCK
A true story of perseverance, grit, and determination against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Films may contain some mature content (Adult Themes, Language)
“The Ascent” (99 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Edward Drake, Scott Veltri, Francis Cronin
FILM
7 PM - 8:30 PM -- CLOSING NIGHT MEAL
*Badge Holders Only*
Served downstairs in the VIP Lounge area
8 PM-- CLOSING NIGHT RED CARPET
8:30 PM - 11:59 PM -- AWARDS & AFTER PARTY
Close out the festival this year in style!
Awards ceremony will be held at The Historic Electric Theater.
Free to the public!
Then, badge holders will be treated to a closing-night party at Amusement Co.!
Located up the street from the Electric Theater
at the East end of Tabernacle Street
(879 E Tabernacle St, St. George, UT 84770)
FIND YOUR LODGING TODAY
CALL AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR WITH DESERTSCAPE
