Stingray Sam
Cory McAbee
Feature (USA, 2009, 61min)
Friday, 7:00PM, SURC
Q&A : Cory McAbee (director/star)
with The Thomas Beale Cypher

A dangerous mission reunites STINGRAY SAM with his long lost accomplice, The Quasar Kid. Follow these two space-convicts as they earn their freedom in exchange for the rescue of a young girl who is being held captive by the genetically designed figurehead of a very wealthy planet.
http://www.corymcabee.com/stingraysam/videos.php

The Secret of Kells
Tomm Moore
Animated Feature (USA, 2009, 75min)
Saturday, 2:30PM, SURC

In a remote medieval outpost of Ireland, young Brendan embarks on a new life of adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying a book brimming with secret wisdom and powers. Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw2_HZTuQBE

The Secret In Their Eyes
Juan Jose Campanella
Feature (Argentina, 2009, 127min)
Saturday, 7:00PM, SURC

Benjamin, a retired court employee, decides to write a book about an old murder case that he believes wasn't properly solved. He becomes determined to find the real culprit and reopen the case - a complicated and thrilling quest that director Juan Jose Campanella depicts with a style that effortlessly juggles romance, comedy, suspense and political commentary.

A Prophet
Jacques Audiard
Feature (France, 2009, 140min)
Sunday, 3:00PM, Grand Meridian Cinema

Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena can neither read nor write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang that rules the prison, he is given a number of missions to carry out, toughening him up and gaining the kingpin’s confidence in the process. But Malik dares to secretly develop his own plans.

Senior Prom
Nicholas Terry
Feature (USA, 2010, 80min)
Saturday, 3:00PM, Brix
Q&A: Nicholas Terry (director)

Drawing inspiration from improvised ensemble mockumentaries, Senior Prom captures the absurdity and perceived depth of commitment in high school relationships with youthful creativity. Seventeen-year-old director Nicholas Terry guided his fellow improvisational actors at Mountlake Terrace High School (north of Seattle, WA) to depict stereotypical romantic situations in their high school experience and plant them firmly in the seminal social event of prom.

Alamar
Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio
Feature (Mexico, 2009, 73min)
Saturday, 1:30PM, Grand Meridian Cinema

Intent on teaching his son Natan about their Mayan heritage, Jorge takes him to the pristine Banco Chinchorro reef of Mexico, and eases him into the rhythms of a fisherman's life. As the bond between father and son grows stronger, Natan learns to live in harmony with life above and below the surface of the sea.

Amplified Seattle
John Jeffcoat
Documentary (USA, 2010, 60min)
Saturday, 5:00PM
Sunday, NOON & 4:00PM, Brix

In this collection of short documentaries, director John Jeffcoat intimately portrays 13 Seattle bands ranging from alt-country to hip-hop, punk rock to electronica. These portraits delve into the real soul of the music and the process behind them, making you feel like you’re right there, live, with these creators of the new Seattle sound.

Assume Nothing
Kirsty MacDonald
Documentary (New Zealand, 2009, 81min)
Sunday, 1:00PM, SURC

Focusing on the art, photography and performances of four 'alternative' gender artists of Maori, Samoan-Japanese, and Pakeha descent, Assume Nothing poses the questions: What if “male” and “female” are not the only options? How do other genders express themselves through art? Candid, playful and provocative, Assume Nothing travels from Wellington’s Red Rocks to the Metroplitan Museum of Art in New York to explore the potent creative world that flourishes between and beyond genders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ISC6aJddYs

The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
Daniel Junge
Short (USA, 2009, 37min)
Saturday, 3:00PM, Grand Meridian Cinema
with Last Night, Long Ago / Sofia / The Shave

Upon leaving office, Booth Gardner, the most popular governor in Washington state history, thought he had life figured out. But within months of leaving office, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. As his condition deteriorates, with no prospect of improvement, he finds himself wondering: “Why can't I decide when I want to go?” This short film follows the governor on the campaign trail to get Prop 1000 to legalize "death with dignity" passed in Washington State.

May I Be Frank
Greg Marks
Documentary (USA, 2009, 90min)
Sunday, 2:45PM, SURC

Frank, a 54-year-old Sicilian from Brooklyn, finds himself living in San Francisco, struggling with addiction and depression. Three young men from the local vegan café befriend Frank. Inspired by the possibility of helping, the men get Frank to agree to eat only vegan, raw food and practice gratitude. What took place over the 42 days wasn’t anything Frank could have expected. The film becomes documentation about the human condition, and what it means to really fall in love again.
http://mayibefrankmovie.com/

My Sexuality: A Sensory Experience
Felicia Giouzelis
Documentary (USA, 2009, 64min)
Saturday, 1:00PM, SURC

In the United States, where sex sells, it isn’t hard to see why many American women have issues with low self-esteem. This film follow the risqué adventures of a minister, princess, comedian, preschool teacher and grocery clerk through the wildly entertaining events that push them to their limits and make them question everything they thought was “right”.
http://www.mysexualitymovie.com/

Only When I Dance
Beadie Finzi
Documentary (Brazil, 2009, 78min)
Saturday, 4:15PM, SURC

Defying the idea that ballet is an art form steeped in the history of the wealthy white elite, this documentary captures the dreams of two black children from the infamous favelas of Brazil. Despite constant prejudice and doubt, both are determined to beat the odds and follow their dreams to use dancing as an escape from their tough day-to-day lives.
http://www.onlywhenidance.com/

Percy Schmeiser: David vs. Monsanto
Bertram Berhaag
Documentary (Germany, 2009, 65min)
Sunday, 11:30PM, SURC

Imagine a storm blows across your garden and genetically-manipulated seeds are now planted in your vegetable patch. A few days later, representatives of a multi-national corporation file a criminal complaint against you for the illegal use of patented and genetically-manipulated seeds. 
What's more: the court finds for the corporate group! 
This is the true experience of the family of Percy and Louise Schmeiser in Canada, winners of the Alternative Nobel Prize, who have been fighting the chemical and seed manufacturer Monsanto since 1996.
http://www.percyschmeiser.com/conflict.htm

Twenty Five Hundred & One
Patricia van Ryker
Documentary (USA, 2009, 47min)
Saturday, 11:30AM, SURC
Q&A: Patricia Van Ryker (director/producer)

Teococuilco, birthplace of Oaxacan artist Alejandro Santiago, is a pueblo of grandparents and children. Like countless villages across the globe, working age people are forced to leave in search of jobs. Alejandro spent six years sculpting 2,501 life-size ceramic Migrantes to commemorate his town and people. His “lost souls” speak to issues we must confront.
http://www.2501migrants.com/home.html

Waste Land
Lucy Walker, Karen Harley
Documentary (Brazil, 2010, 90 min)
Sunday, 7:00PM, SURC

An uplifting feature documentary highlighting the transformative power of art and the beauty of the human spirit. Contemporary artist Vik Muniz takes us on an emotional journey from Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, to the heights of international art stardom. Vik collaborates with the brilliant catadores, pickers of recyclable materials, true Shakespearean characters who live and work in the garbage quoting Machiavelli and showing us how to recycle ourselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWPU5WNgQ2w

Wheedle’s Groove
Jennifer Maas
Documentary (USA, 2009, 95min)
Sunday, 1:00PM, Grand Meridian Cinema, with I Saw U

The Emerald City was home to a flourishing funk and soul scene in the ’60s and ’70s. With Producer DJ Mr. Supreme as her guide, director Jennifer Maas unearths a treasure-trove of archival audio and video recordings by these artists, and discovers that many of them have settled in quietly all around us. She weaves intriguing interviews with industry observations and commiserations from six decades of Seattle music royalty.
http://www.wheedlesgroovemovie.com/

Animal Drill
Patrick Murphy
Short (USA, 2010, 24min)
Sunday, 4:30PM, Live Action Shorts Program, SURC

Attempting to please his homophobic father, Buck Jackson tries out for a basketball team. The coach informs Buck he did not make the team and tension bubbles at home. His father’s obsession for a “tough” son culminates in an altercation at dinner, after which Buck affirms his sexuality to his father.

Cruising the Urban Inferno from the 4th Floor
Bridget Irish
Short (USA, 2009, 4min)
Sunday, 4:30PM, Live Action Shorts Program, SURC

A string of images capture life outside of the 4th floor window of a hotel in Vancouver.

Dessicator
Wijnand Geraerts
Short (Netherlands, 2009, 13min)
Sunday, 4:30PM, Live Action Shorts Program, SURC

Extreme weather conditions lash the plateau, keeping people in a state of constant struggle, from which there is no escape. The few people who manage to live on this Bolivian Altiplano try to carve out a meager subsistence as farmers or miners. The arid climate, volcanic activity, relentless sun, and ceaseless winds tend to destroy all human activity.

El Cortejo
Marina Seresesky
Short (Spain, 2010,14min)
Saturday, 3:30PM, with Booth Gardner, Grand Meridian Cinema

Capi, the oldest gravedigger in the cemetery, is used to working amidst the suffering of others and the jokes of his colleagues. But there is one person capable of taking him out of his routine.

I Saw U
Maile Martinez, Lane Stroud
Short (USA, 2010, 9min)
Sunday, 1:00PM, with Wheedle’s Groove, Grand Meridian Cinema

A light-hearted look at the real stories behind several “I Saw U” ads placed in The Stranger.

Last Night, Long Ago
Scott Ballard
Short (USA, 2010, 5min)
Saturday, 3:00PM, with Booth Gardner, Grand Meridian Cinema

On the day before she is to move from the house where she raised her family, Eleanor, an aging widow, crosses the final few chores from her list. Driven by the aural presence of the house and time that slips quickly away, she decides some memories are meant to continue living in the past.

Liam & Ben
William Casey
Short (USA, 2010, 14min)
Sunday, 4:30PM, Live Action Shorts Program, SURC

Liam and Ben are two young brothers on the verge of 'growing up.' But through their vivid imagination of fighting veggie-monsters and pirate-aliens, the brothers are only stopped by each other. The two of them will have to learn to work together in order to find out what it truly means to be a friend and brother.

Local Shorts
Various local filmmakers
Short (USA, 2010, each film limited to 7min or less)
Friday, 5:00PM (contest winner), Brix
Saturday, 2:00PM & 7:00PM, Brix
Sunday, 2:00PM, Brix

View the films created during the 1st Annual Ellensburg Short Film Competition. Community members drew a genre out of a hat, then had 60 hours to write, cast, film & edit films. The winning entry will be shown at Brix on Friday, October 1. All of the films will be screened on a rotating basis at Brix on Saturday and Sunday.

Night Stand
Nathan Williams
Short (USA, 2010, 11min)
Sunday, 4:30PM, Live Action Shorts Program, SURC

A young woman finds herself in a war of antics with the other woman sleeping in her boyfriend's bed.

Shave
Sean Christensen
Short (USA, 2009, 6min)
Saturday, 3:00PM, with Booth Gardner, Grand Meridian Cinema

Witness the joyous yet disturbing autobiographical disconnect of a toddler’s violent clash with the adult world. Here, young Sean must come to terms with his father’s abrupt decision to shave his mustache and thereby, his identity

Sofia
Shervin Kermani
Short (Canada, 2009, 15min)
Saturday, 3:00PM, Booth Gardner & Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

In his final moments Joseph, an old reclusive painter, has a dream where he wanders through many of his memories. Over the course of a nostalgic odyssey, he encounters many images from his past including that of his late wife, professor, and a memory of his mother Sofia, a ballerina whose beautiful dancing becomes an image of redemption.

Water Burns Sun
Patra Kuppers
Short (USA, 2009, 7min)
Sunday, 4:30PM, Live Action Shorts Program, SURC

A Butoh dance video sheds light on skin, water, ghosts and the meaning of “cripple”. Produced by Olimpias Disability Culture Production.

For a Fistful of Snow
Julien Ezri
Animated short (Switzerland, 2009, 6min)
Saturday, 4:45PM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema
Sunday, 11:00AM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

A long time ago, terror, loathing and power reigned over the Wild Wild North. The foolishness of the inhabitants led them to battle for anything, even...for a fistful of snow.

Kings
Barbara Mones
Animated short (USA, 2010, 5min)
Saturday, 5:15PM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema
Sunday, 11:00AM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

War is a lot more than a game of cards.

Maska
Stephen & Timothy Quay
Animated short (Poland, 2010, 22min)
Saturday, 4:45PM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema
Sunday, 11:00AM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

A short story by Polish science fiction master Stanislaw Lem is refracted and retold through the meticulous, disquieting stop-motion animation of the Quay Brothers.

Prayers for Peace
Dustin Grella
Animated short (USA, 2009, 8min)
Saturday, 4:45PM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema
Sunday, 11:00AM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

In this animation the writer/animator stops to think about the loss of his brother, who his brother was, and how he identified him. He works through issues of guilt for not thinking about him as often as he feels that maybe he should. The piece reflects back on the funeral and tries to recall what those days were like for him and his family. An introspective journey, through the heart and soul of a difficult experience, the artist's conclusion proves very different from his original hypothesis.

The Sandwich Movie
Sean Christensen
Animated short (USA, 2010, 4min)
Saturday, 4:45PM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema
Sunday, 11:00AM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

A sandwich travels around the world.

The Thomas Beale Cipher
Andrew Allen
Animated short (USA, 2010, 9min)
Saturday, 4:45PM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema
Sunday, 11:00AM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

An animated train trip follows the mysterious unsolved cipher of the Thomas Beale treasures.

The Wonder Hospital
Beomsik Shimbe Shim
Animated Short (South Korea, 2010, 12min)
Saturday, 4:45PM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema
Sunday, 11:00AM, Animated Shorts, Grand Meridian Cinema

This winner of the SIFF 2010 Grand Jury Award for Best Short Animation presents a surreal journey through a mysterious hospital that laters the perception of physical beauty.