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2024 FILM
SCHEDULE
SCROLL DOWN TO LEARN MORE
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING
Filmmaker Panels
Downstairs in the Panel Room or Main Theater
Live Script Read
Downstairs in the
Panel Room
2024 SCHEDULE
CLICK THE FILM TITLES BELOW TO LEARN MORE
DAY 1
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27TH
2 PM - 4 PM-- BADGE & PASS PICKUP
Guests may pickup their badges and passes in the lobby of the Electric Theater.
FILM
4 PM-- STUDENT SPOTLIGHT SHORTS
Desertscape 2024 opens the fest by shining a spotlight on the extraordinary emerging talent within film schools around the globe. Students get in FREE!
Click the film titles to learn more.
“Pickles” (8 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Ben Vasion
"One Day" (8 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Robert Cole Wilkes
"Phase III" (12 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Numark Ricafranca
"Screen Test" (9 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Adam Shimberg
“In a Foreign and Unknown Land” (13 min)
Directed By Ricardo Villanueva Avalos
“Henry’s Hand” (5 min)
Directed By Laura Gilda Maiullari, Lilith Eva Föhn, Oleksandra Gorshevikova
"Blue Hour" (15 min)
Directed By J.D Shields
“Enactment” (16 min)
Directed By Bridger Roberts
FILM
7:00 PM-- OPENING NIGHT FEATURE
If action has a name, it must be June Squibb! Be one of the first to see Josh Margolin’s winning (and charming) action/comedy, THELMA, months ahead of its late-summer release. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FILM'S WILL SCREENING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MEGAPLEX THEATERS AT SUNSET STADIUM 8. Click the film title to learn more.
Only screening at Sunset's Stadium 8:
Badge Holders will join us following the film for a special opening night afterparty.
9 PM-- OPENING NIGHT AFTER PARTY
Sponsored in part by ERNESTO'S
Festivities continue at TBA
*Badge Holders Only* Food, drinks (first one free), and good company!
929 W Sunset Blvd, Ste 18, St. George, UT 84770
DAY 2
THURSDAY, MARCH 28TH
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
FILM
1 PM-- COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS SHORTS
A diverse collection of 6 short films that you won’t soon forget. Explore the complexities of relationships in themes ranging from love and hate to friendships, quarrels, life, and death. Click the film titles to learn more.
“Bonding” (13 min)
Directed By Luke Rex
"Rooster’s Crow" (17 min)
Directed By Alexandre Lefebvre
"Not Him" (15 min)
Directed By Sarah Young
“Minutes to Go” (17 min)
Directed By Rick Page
"Dreams Like Paper Boats" (19 min)
Directed By Samuel Suffren
“Virga” (24 min)
Directed By Jean-François Leblanc
PANEL
4 PM-- INDUSTRY PANEL -
STORYTELLING IN MUSIC VIDEOS & COMMERCIAL
Prepare to meet the visionary behind The Lucky Bastards Inc. Dive into Mike's journey breaking into the industry as he shares his triumphs, challenges, and the artistry behind crafting compelling stories in music videos.
Moderator
Ben Hurst
Writer/Director
Special Guests
Michael Breslauer
Producer
Ashley Dalley
Casting Director
FILM
6 PM-- FEATURE DOCUMENTARY BLOCK
Join us for a short that asks us to re-consider our perception of tourism followed by the Utah premiere of a provocative documentary that takes a hard look at homelessness and addiction.
Click the film titles to learn more.
“Been There” (10 min)
Directed By Corina Schwingruber Ilić
“His Name is Ray” (1 hr 23 min)
Directed By Michael Del Monte
FILM
9 PM-- FEATURE FILM - 80'S FLASHBACK
In honor of The Utah Film Commission’s 100-Year Celebration of Film in Utah, DIFF will present a screening of the 80s gem, “Three O’Clock High” which was shot at Ogden High School nearly 40 years ago.
Click the film titles to learn more.
TBA Local Guerilla Short Film Winner *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By TBA
“Three O'Clock High” (1987) (1 hr 41 min)
Directed By Phil Joanou
DAY 3
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH
FILM
10 AM-- SLICE OF LIFE SHORTS
A collection of 6 outstanding shorts that represent the human experience to varying degrees. This multi-faceted block of films features animation, documentaries, and international titles. Click the film titles to learn more.
“Tennis, Oranges” (11 min)
Directed By Sean Pecknold
“Oasis” (14 min)
Directed By Justine Martin
"Ministry of Surf" (9 min)
Directed By Collins Reagan
“Nubbinwood” (8 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Tim Granberg
“Free Play” (17 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Alex Astrella
“The Disappearance of Brandon Mull” (26 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Jason Conforto
SCRIPT READ
1 PM-- LIVE SCRIPT READ
Enjoy live reads of selected screenplay entries of our
6th annual Desertscape Screenplay Competition. *FREE to the public
Feature Screenplay
“Three Rivers Meet”
Written by Craig Stewart
(Excerpt from script)
Short Screenplay
“Checked Out
Written by Amy Santos
and Sara Siggard
(Excerpt from script)
FILM
2 PM-- FEATURE FILM BLOCK
Up first is a short film that puts a comedic spin on our feelings of anxiety. As for the feature film that follows, it’s all right there in the title; A coming-of-age road movie punctuated by warm and inviting characters, thoughtful banter, and beautiful shots of a picturesque Americana. Click the film titles to learn more.
"Social AnnXiety” (7 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Jason C. Brown
"What We Find on the Road” (1 hr 33 min)
Directed By Chaysen Beacham
FILM
5 PM-- FEATURE FILM - *WORLD PREMIERE*
Desertscape breaks out the red carpet and gives festival attendees the World Premiere treatment in the form of the funny, dramatic, and often bittersweet feature film, BREAKUP SEASON. Energetic director, Nelson Tracey and members of his gifted cast and crew will be on hand for a Q&A.
Click the film title to learn more.
"Breakup Season” (1 hr 42 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By H. Nelson Tracey
7 PM-- CONCERT - THE NATIONAL PARKS
Presented by the St. George Arts Festival
Concert is outside and up the street from the Electric Theater
*FREE to the public
FILM
9 PM-- DESERTSCAPE AFTER DARK
Desertscape presents After Dark, a block for those who prefer edgier fair. Up first is a short that explores a monstrous dark past within a family unit followed by a feature that puts a little spin on the quintessential slasher mythos. You won’t want to miss this! Click the film titles to learn more.
“Blood Waters” (11 min)
Directed By Stephen Robinson
“He Never Left” (1 hr 34 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By James Morris
*SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
DAY 4
SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH
FILM
10 AM-- MADE-IN-UTAH SHORTS
A collection of creative short films made right here in the Bee Hive state.
Click the film titles to learn more.
"Audrey Taylor Artist" (9 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Ned Cordery
"Volveré" (15 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Marlon Gonzalez
“Bears Ears: Echoes of Time” (4 min)
Directed By Daniel Richardson
“To Err” (22 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Derek Romrell
“The Time Machine” (12 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Ebrahim Ghaeini
“Just Your ( . )” (29 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Mandy Harmon
12 PM-- WOODFIRED PIZZA LUNCHEON
Sponsored by Riggatti's Pizza
*Badge Holders Only* Served downstairs in the VIP Lounge area
PANEL
1 PM-- INDUSTRY PANEL -
CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF FILM AND TELEVISION IN UTAH
Moderator;
Ryan Little (Saints and Soldiers)
Panelists;
James D'Arc (Film Historian) and Joyce Kelly (Greater Zion)
FILM
2 PM-- FEATURE BLOCK
This nuanced block will feature a short about a man who questions the meaning of our existence followed by a feature that delves into the complicated nature of an estranged father/son relationship. Click the film titles to learn more.
"You Are Here" (8 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Michael Friberg
“Chicken Coop” (1 hr 38 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmakers)
Directed By Joseph DeGoyler
FILM
5 PM-- CLOSING NIGHT FEATURE FILM
The perfect Desertscape 2024 closer as this immensely entertaining and observant documentary delves into our love of the movies and reminds us why film history and preservation is so incredibly important. And it tells its story through the lens of some of the most colorful individuals you’ll ever meet.
Click the film title to learn more.
“Film is Dead. Long Live Film!” (1 hr 42 min) *Q&A (W/Filmmaker)
Directed By Peter Flynn
8 PM-- CLOSING NIGHT RED CARPET
8:30 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.
Delicious food will be catered by Cafe Sabor!
Located across the street from the Electric Theater
at the City View Apartments
FIND YOUR LODGING TODAY
CALL AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR WITH DESERTSCAPE
