Professional Entries

The Act USA, 2005, 8 min., short, 35 mm Directors: Susan Kraker and Pi Ware Writers: Susan Kraker and Pi Ware Producer: Samuel Dowe-Sandes Cast: James P. Connolly, J. Michael Flynn and Debra Jo Rupp Rosy Marconi is a stand-up comedian with a secret. On stage, she blasts her ex-husband and refuses to accept anyone’s pity. Stan was a man that made “laziness a religion,” and Rosy says she’s happy to be rid of him. Once the performance is over, though, Rosy is left in her lifeless kitchen to seek solace in a bottle of alcohol. What she reveals next in her kitchen drawer and bedroom explains why Rosy is a woman with something to hide. Sunday, Oct. 30, 12:30 p.m., Trustees Theater Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m., Lucas Theatre

Çanta (The Briefcase) Turkey/USA, 2004, 31 min., short, BetaSP Director: Emre Sahin Writer: Emre Sahin Producers: Sarah Wetherbee and Emre Sahin Cast: Ali Atay, Oner Eren, Mehmet Gülerbasli, Sema Önür, Abdullah Sahin and Ceyda Sener Set in the gritty-yet-enchanting streets of Istanbul, “Çanta” is the story of three strangers who unknowingly possess the object of each other’s desire. Yasemin, a poor young woman full of dreams, must decide whether to follow her heart or her mother’s wishes to marry Ibrahim, a wealthy, corrupt businessman who can pull her family out of poverty. Ilhan, a petty street dealer hoping to make a deal with Ibrahim, has his future riding on what is locked away in his briefcase. When the briefcase disappears, their lives intersect, taking them on a collision course full of surreal twists and turns with life-altering results. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 3 p.m., Trustees Theater Friday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m., Lucas Theatre

Le Croisment (The Crossing) USA, 2004, 13 min., short, BetaSP Director: Brad Jayne Writer: Brad Jayne Producers: Brad Jayne, James Mastracco and Lee Dashiell Cast: Sylvia Jefferies and Mark Wallace A small town in southern France holds these souls tightly to her womb. As Kourina, the young, anguished prostitute wandering the well-worn streets, and the Poet, unknown and penniless, aching for validation in the shadow of his own mortality, cross paths over the course of one day, “Le Croisment” will lead one to an ultimate destiny, the other to the cusp of hope, and viewers to an understanding of the role pain plays in the humble human experience. Monday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m., Trustees Theater Wednesday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m., Lucas Theatre

Fern Hill USA, 2005, 89 min., feature, Beta SP Director: Cole Claassen Writer: Cole Claassen Producer: Cole Claassen Cast: Miles Bruce, Mackenzie Harden, Daniel James and David James In 1979, Colin’s father’s plane disappeared without a trace. Seven years later and left without a sense of closure, 13-year-old Colin convinces his best friends Kenny, Seth and Bob to help him search the Colorado mountains where he believes the plane went down. The journey holds challenges that each boy must face as courage is tested, reality is confronted and friendship sealed for life. Monday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m., Trustees Theater Thursday, Nov. 3, 12:30 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Four Lane Highway USA, 2004, 109 min., feature, 35 mm Director: Dylan McCormick Writer: Dylan McCormick Producer: Christopher Roberts Cast: Greer Goodman, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Reg Rogers and Fred Weller Sean, stuck in his life in a small college town in Maine and living in the shadow of his famous writer father, takes off for New York City with his best friend to find Molly, a painter and former love. The journey, fueled by a deep sense of longing, loss, and the memories of their relationship, explores the fragility of human bonds and how the factors that draw people together can tear them apart. Sunday, Oct. 30, 12:30 p.m., Trustees Theater Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m., Lucas Theatre

Jump USA, 2005, 70 min., documentary, BetaSP Director: Justin Bookey Producer: Justin Bookey Cast: Bob Fasano, Lee Giudici, Michael Ziehlke Sr. In some counties, length is everything. Each spring, Calaveras Countycelebrates its history with a Jumping Frog Jubilee, an event based onMark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of CalaverasCounty.” “Jump” follows three dedicated frog teams and one solo jumperas they prepare for their annual quest to be the county’s top frogjockey. The contest holds different meanings for each of thecontestants, and each takes a different journey to get there. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 12:30.m., Trustees Theater Thursday, Nov. 3, 3 p.m., Lucas Theatre

The Loss of Nameless Things USA, 2004, 103 min., documentary, BetaSP Director: Bill Rose Producer: Bill Rose In 1978, Oakley Hall III was a promising playwright on the verge of national recognition. A mysterious fall from a bridge, however, violently interrupts and transforms both his life and the lives of those around him. “The Loss of Nameless Things” is the haunting story of Hall’s fall from grace and what happens when, 25 years later, a theater company discovers and stages the very play he was writing the night he fell. Monday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m., Trustees Theater Wednesday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m., Lucas Theatre

Love, Ludlow USA, 2004, 89 min., feature, BetaSP Director: Adrienne Weiss Writer: David L. Paterson Producers: David L. Paterson, Amy Hobby and Joshua Blum Cast: David Eigenberg, Alicia Goranson, Andrea Maulella, Jay Patterson, Brendan Sexton III Myra, a hard-working temp from Queens, accepts a date with Reggie, ayoung executive from her office. Her brother, Ludlow, an aspiring finger painter confined to their cramped apartment because of manic episodes, is not amused. When Reggie comes knocking, a 36-hour comedic tug-of-war ensues threatening to destroy the budding relationship as well as Ludlow’s exclusive hold on his sister’s love. Monday, Oct. 31, 12:30 p.m., Trustees Theater Friday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Nick and Stacey USA, 2005, 14 min., short, BetaSP Director: Michael Knowles Writer: Michael Knowles Producers: Michael Knowles, Laura Knight and John Ramos Cast: Joelle Carter and Matthew Del Negro After waking up together in Room 314, Nick, a football quarterback, and Stacey, a nice girl “who doesn’t usually do” these kinds of things, at first feel they may have met in the wrong place at the wrong time. As Nick helps Stacey remember the events from the previous evening’s party, though, they come to realize that everyone is put into a person’s life for a reason. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m., Trustees Theater Friday, Nov. 4, 12:30 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Passing Normal USA, 2004, 20 min., short, BetaSP Director: Jonathan Green Writer: Andrew Ondrejcak Producer: Anne R. Howson Cast: Andrew Ondrejcak A young man with a mental disability embarks on a journey to reunite with his estranged brother. Believing him to be in the U.S. Army, he heads off to enlist. Monday, Oct. 31, 12:30 p.m., Trustees Theater Friday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Patch USA, 2005, 15 min., short, BetaSP Director: Christopher Romero Writer: Christopher Romero Producers: Ramsey Fong and Christopher Romero Cast: Leo Burmester, Deborah Harry, Melissa Leo, Erin Poll and Adam Rejto Maelynn returns to her hometown shortly after her mother’s death. With each passing day, she contemplates her youth, the loss of her mother and their turbulent relationship. Hidden inside a recurring dream, she discovers the erased childhood memory of a hit and run accident that she witnessed moments after playing by the side of the road with a childhood friend. Late one evening, she travels down the back roads of her youth and uncovers an ugly secret at the roadside memorial. Monday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m., Trustees Theater Thursday, Nov. 3, 12:30 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Pee Shy USA, 2004, 15 min., short, 35 mm Director: Deb Hagan Writer: Kathy Hepinstall Producers: Leslie Evers and Deb Hagan Cast: Michael Dahle, Pat Finn, Riley Kershaw, Matt Offerman, Nick Offerman and Lucas Till Bobby Darwood is the son of a pig farmer in a scout troop of attorneys’ sons. One night during a campout in the woods, he becomes so frightened by his scout leader’s campfire stories that he humiliates himself, becoming the object of the scout leader’s vicious humor…until the troop encounters something truly terrifying in the woods. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 12:30 p.m., Trustees Theater Thursday, Nov. 3, 3 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea USA, 2005, 67 min., documentary, BetaSP Director: Christopher Metzler and Jeff Springer Producer: Christopher Metzler There was a time when the Salton Sea, tucked into the southeast cornerof California, was known as the Riviera of the West–a haven for Hollywood jetsetters and vacationers alike. Originally created by accident, it is now one of the nation’s worst ecological disasters. Ahearty few have hung on there, though, hoping for help to come along and restore the lake to its former glory. Eccentricity abounds in this surreal story, part history lesson, part cautionary tale and part portrait of one of the strangest communities you’ve ever seen. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m., Trustees Theater Friday, Nov. 4, 12:30 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Premonition USA, 2004, 23 min., short, BetaSP Director: Renata Adamidov Writer: Renata Adamidov Producers: Lyn Healy and Revekka Adamidov Cast: Sarah Bolger, James Burns and Hunter Parrish Azura, a young psychic girl, lives in a rundown hotel room with her protective older brother, Charlie, and abusive father, Ralph, who forces her to use her gift of second sight to fund his gambling addiction. While dreaming of a better life for herself and her family, Azura has a premonition that she can’t quite understand, but knows will change the lives of everyone around her. Sunday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m., Trustees Theater Wednesday, Nov. 2, 12:30 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Swimmers USA, 2005, 89 min., feature, 35 mm Director: Doug Sadler Writer: Doug Sadler Producers: Melanie Backer, David Leitner and Michael Yanko Cast: Tara Devon Gallagher, Shawn Hatosy, Cherry Jones, Robert Knott, Michael Mosley and Sarah Paulson Set in a small watertown tucked along the eastern shore of Maryland, “Swimmers” follows the story of Emma, a lonely 11-year-old girl from a family of struggling watermen, and Merrill, an enigmatic young woman who returns home to face the ghosts from her past. As Emma’s family begins to crumble and Merrill is overwhelmed with grief, the two are drawn to one another for whatever strength they can find. Exploring the themes of survival and redemption, “Swimmers” is an intimate look at the strength and delicacy of nature, family and the costs of a fracturing American Dream. Sunday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m., Trustees Theater Wednesday, Nov. 2, 12:30 p.m., Lucas Theatre

Walking The Line USA/Mexico, 2005, 57 min., documentary, BetaSP Directors: Jeremy Levine and Landon Van Soest Producers: Jeremy Levine and Landon Van Soest A harrowing view of the chaos along the U.S.-Mexico border reveals private citizens taking the law into their own hands. Featuring rancher vigilantes with semiautomatic weapons, outlaw pastors with four-wheel drives and impoverished immigrants with hopes of a better life, “Walking the Line” explores the uncertain line between what is patriotic, what is moral and what is just. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 3 p.m., Trustees Theater Friday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m., Lucas Theatre