2022 CENTRE FILM FESTIVAL

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

PRODUCERS

CO-PRODUCERS

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS

THE MCCOURTNEY INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY

Table of Contents

COVID RESPONSE: We are committed to keeping everyone attending the Centre Film Festival safe and informed. We will follow all CDC and state guidelines as well as the guidelines set by our venues. We are limited screening capacity to allow for social distancing in our theaters at our special events. We are also offering some of our films via online streaming from October 28-November 7 for those who prefer to engage with the festival from home.

Director’s statement

Because of your ongoing interest and support, it is an honor to return to our historical theatres in Centre County with some of the most pivotal films of the year. It is particularly striking to note the relevance of this year’s films as the news continues to unfold both here and abroad, including in Ukraine and Iran.

Since its inception, through films that range from horror to comedy, documentary to experimental to fiction, the festival breaks down boundaries between local and global, addresses pressing issues and provides the audience with multiple lenses through which to examine our realities.

As always, our film programmers, film lovers, community activists and sponsors, stand behind daring filmmakers, and celebrates freedom of expression by screening hard-hitting, heart warming, current, sometimes popular, sometimes edgy films.

This year, it is thrilling to be able to bring back our High School Masterclasses. We will also continue to offer you an opportunity to meet the directors and talent of the films we screen, focus on Made in PA films, engage in post-screening conversations with local advocates, attend afterparties at some of our favorite venues, and listen to an exciting lineup of live music.

The 4th Annual Centre Film Festival is a venue for multimedia creators who re-define the contours of filmmaking and storytelling.

Please join us in the celebration of cinema!

Pearl Gluck Artistic Director

Curtis William Chandler In Memorium

February 27, 1957 - January 31, 2022

There isn’t a day that goes by here at the festival that we don’t think of Curt. We take this moment to honor our co-founder, programmer, and mentor extraordinaire, Curt Chandler, may his memory be a blessing. The festival would not have come to life without him.

Curt was born to William Dean and Joyce Wareing Chandler on Feb. 27, 1957, in Bad Cannstaat, West Germany, where his father was stationed.

When asked about his life, Curt would always proudly respond with “This is my 10th state and second country.” Growing up, Curt’s family moved frequently. In college he spent his summers with his family in McGehee, Arkansas. Growing up, Curt was an Eagle Scout and cherished memories of attending a Jamboree in Japan and being on the staff at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He also raced bicycles, played in the school band, and took up photography, which became the focus of his professional life.

Curt was a 1978 graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he was a member and president of Chi Psi Fraternity, a photographer for the Daily Northwestern and the yearbook, and served as publisher of Byline magazine. In his junior year at Northwestern he met Stacie Paulsen -- one of his favorite stories. The couple married in 1980 and began their 42-year adventure.

Curt started his career as an award-winning photojournalist at the Pueblo (Colo.) Star-Journal and Chieftain as a police reporter and photographer. From there he went to the Ogden (Utah) StandardExaminer as a staff photographer. In 1986 he moved to Cleveland, Ohio to work as a staff photographer and picture editor for the Plain-Dealer and in 1994 he became the Director of Photography at the Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette and was later named the paper’s first Editor for Online Innovation. During this time he taught photography at Duquesne.

In 2007 Curt pivoted from almost 30 years at daily newspapers to a 15-year career in education when he became an associate teaching professor in the Bellisario College of Communications at the Pennsylvania State University in State College, where he launched the college’s multimedia program.

Curt’s skill, enthusiasm, vast technical knowledge, and love of storytelling combined to make him a valued and beloved teacher, mentor, colleague and friend. He was active in the National Press Photographers’ Association, the Online News Association, Multimedia Immersion, and Lens Collective, among others.

At home, Curt was a loving father to Toby, Molly, Vince and Madeline. He was a dedicated hockey dad and cheerleader at sporting events, plays, concerts, art shows, skate parks, and poetry readings. Curt loved music and movies.

He was especially proud of the two Pittsburgh homes the family renovated.

In recent years he especially embraced the opportunity to travel with his wife and family. Trips to destinations from Rome, Prague, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Norway, Key West and Yellowstone Park are all captured in his photographs. A dedicated eater, Curt especially enjoyed taking cooking classes during their travels.

Curt is survived by his wife, Stacie Lynn Paulsen Chandler; his children, Toby Benjamin Chandler Ekmann (Kate) of Pittsburgh; Molly Kathleen Chandler Campe (Brian) of Bloomfield, NJ; Vincent William Chandler of Denver; and Madeline Wareing Chandler of Brooklyn; three grandchildren: Zooey Michelle Chandler and Logan Thomas and Chandler William Campe; a sister, Cindy Chandler Smith (Don) of McGehee, AR; and a brother, Christopher Taylor Chandler (Tammy) of Loveland, CO.

letter From the dean

On behalf of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State, I am pleased to welcome you to the fourth annual Centre Film Festival. The festival, which will be taking place in two of our historic theatres this year, and virtually, brings outstanding work by filmmakers across the globe and the United States to our community in Central Pennsylvania. These films, once again, will inspire, motivate, and spark important conversation. Our guests — the filmmakers, musicians and subjects of these films — will be part of those conversations.

This festival also invites us to celebrate the aspiring filmmakers in our community. It’s exciting to see this young talent right here in Centre County and to take part in supporting it! The success of this festival belongs to the entire community, including partners at Penn State, local and state not-for-profit organizations, and community sponsors. The festival is also made possible in part because of support from the Happy Valley Tourism Board and local sponsors in Philipsburg and State College.

Thank you for joining us. I think it’s an especially important time to come together for film and the conversation it sparks. I trust you’ll become richer in mind, spirit and community as a result of participating. Your support will also benefit the entire community.

Enjoy!

Marie Hardin Dean, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

Greetings from the Dean of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

Letter from the state representative

Greetings from State Representative Scott Conklin

It is a pleasure to send greetings from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to welcome everyone attending the fourth annual Centre Film Festival in the boroughs of Philipsburg and State College.

Centre County has been at the crossroads of the cultural world and a focal point for those with the passion for making great films and cinematic art since as far back as the turn of the century. The first movie to play at the Rowland Theatre was the Vitagraph Studio’s release, Within the Law, and the very first trainwreck that appears on film in American cinema history was staged right here in Philipsburg, PA in 1914. When he built the theatre in 1917, Charles Rowland himself was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and was a supporter of Women’s Suffrage. It is an honor to follow in his footsteps.

Once again, this weekend, more than a century later, the Centre Film Festival offers an opportunity for a collaboration between the central Pennsylvania counties’ communities and industry professionals who are dedicated to encouraging local filmmakers to flourish and introducing audiences to insightful, creative, and entertaining new projects.

The festival offers something for movie lovers of all ages. The work reflects various distinct cultures of the world and broadens our perspective on many issues by exploring universal themes as well as more unique facets of the human experience.

I applaud everyone involved with this event. Warm Regards, and see you at the Rowland!

Scott Conklin Centre County State Representative (PA-77)

Letters from the mayor

We are so excited to welcome you to the Centre Film Festival! We love the Centre Film Festival, and seeing it grow through your contributions and participation has truly been a joy.

As Mayor of State College, I am grateful for the incredible energy that the Centre Film Festival brings to our downtown. A film can have such a powerful effect on our livesinspiring us, moving us, calling us to action, uniting us, transporting us, awakening us, calming us, scaring us (Happy Halloween btw), making us laugh and cry, stirring our spirits, and enlivening our dreams.

I can still remember the first time I ever sat in a theatre and watched a movie. The magic of that experience remains alive in me to this day, and I love going to the movies with my family. I also spent a good portion of my professional life as an actor, which has only served to increase the deep respect and admiration I have for the work of our Centre Film Festival contributors.

To all of the Filmmakers, Talent, Artists, Production Teams, Producers, Organizers, Volunteers, and your Families, thank you for sharing your creativity and vision with our community. We value the opportunity to experience your stories, your journeys - to see the world through your eyes.

And to all of our wonderful guests, visitors, and neighbors who have come out to enjoy the Festival, thank you! I hope you’ll find time to walk around downtown before or after and enjoy our great local businesses and our hospitality.

Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Mayor of State College

Greetings from the Mayor of the Borough of State College, Ezra Nanes

Letters from the mayor

It is my pleasure as the mayor of Philipsburg to extend warm greetings to everyone attending the fourth annual Centre Film Festival. We enjoy hosting the festival at the Rowland and we’re happy to have you all back in person.

The performing arts are an integral part of the social fabric the town. What better place to hold this exciting event in central Pennsylvania than the historic and majestic Rowland Theatre.

The festival is made possible in part because of grants from the Pennsylvania Partnership for the Arts, Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation, as well as the Centre County Tourism Board. We are hopeful that audiences will emerge and appreciate the opportunities for conversation created by the inaugural event.

For those of you visiting, I hope that you take some time out to enjoy Philipsburg’s cuisine, local shops and meet the wonderful people here in Central Pennsylvania. I love my town, not only for its beauty, but also for its historical importance.

I wish to thank the organizers of this event and offer my very best wishes for a memorable film festival and continued success.

Yours truly,

John Streno Mayor of Philipsburg

Greetings from the Mayor of the Town of Philipsburg, John Streno

Letter from Happy Valley

As the official tourism promotion agency for Centre County, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) is pleased to welcome back the fourth annual Centre Film Festival. To the talented filmmakers, aspiring filmmakers, special guests and patrons who will attend this year’s festival in person, we enthusiastically welcome you to beautiful Centre County, Pennsylvania. For those watching online, we extend an invitation to visit us soon and discover why all of the valleys that comprise our Happy Valley are so special.

One of those reasons is the vision and passion of festival organizers in bringing innovative independent film to central Pennsylvania, and shining a bright light on the fascinating people behind the lens. To that end, we are proud to welcome back to this year’s event Penn State University alumni who are making their own mark in the industry, sharing what they’ve learned to those who might one day follow in their footsteps.

The Centre Film Festival is truly a special event. We look forward to supporting its growth in the years to come, as we prepare to be entertained and enlightened by the 2022 edition.

Enjoy the festival. We hope you will return next year, and bring more of your friends and fellow film buffs to experience the art of film in the heart of Pennsylvania!

Fritz Smith

President and CEO

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau

Greetings from Fritz Smith, President of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau

Tickets

Access Festival Pass:

Valid for all films in the festival + all events. A real bang for your buck! Applies to all live, in-person, and virtual films + events.

Available for in-person film blocks.

Saturday, Nov 5 double feature at The Rowland Theatre.

Valid for in-person (student ID required).

Tickets are available at centrefilm.org

Centre Film Festival

Free Shuttle s e rvi c e DAY

SHUTTLE LEAVES

FRIDAY SATURDAY

PSU HUB 3:30pm 4:30pm 7:00pm 9:30am 10:30am 12:30pm 4:00pm 6:30pm 8:30pm

SHUTTLE ARRIVES @ PSU HUB 4:00pm 6:30pm 10:00pm 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:00pm3:30pm 6:00pm 8:00pm 11:30pm

4:00pm 5:00pm 7:30pm 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 4:30pm 7:00pm 9:00pm

SHUTTLE LEAVES ROWLAND

SHUTTLE ARRIVES @ ROWLAND 4:30pm 7:00pm 10:30pm 10:30am 12:30pm 1:30pm 6:30pm 8:30pm 12:00am

VENUES

The State Theatre

130 W College Ave, State College, PA

In 1938, Warner Brothers opened The State Theatre as a test market for new films. Today, The State Theatre is a vibrant hub of music, cinema, and live performance — the cultural heart of downtown State College.

Fest at the State Theatre:

Monday, Oct 31, 6:00 PM

Tuesday, Nov 1, 6:00 PM

Wednesday, Nov 2, 6:00 PM Thursday, Nov 3, 6:00 PM

Sunday, Nov 6, 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM

HOLY SPIDER | page 36

NALUJUK NIGHT | page 36 HAZING | page 36

NUISANCE BEAR | page 36 OUTTA THE MUCK | page 37 THE TRAILS BEFORE US | page 37 SWERVE | page 37

ART AND PEP | page 37 NO SIREN LEFT BEHIND | page 37

EXPERIMENTAL FILM BLOCK | page 41

CHOP & STEELE | page 43

THE MOLOK | page 43

THE ERRAND | page 43

WE ARE LIVING THINGS | page 43

WATCHING THE WILDS | page 43

The Rowland Theatre

127 N Front Street Philipsburg, PA

A historic single-screen movie theatre built in 1917 by Charles Hedding Rowland. The theatre is owned by the borough of Philipsburg. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Fest at the Rowland Theatre:

Friday, Nov 4, 6:00 PM 8:00 PM

Saturday, Nov 5, 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM

KLONDIKE | page 38

HOLY HOLOCAUST | page 38

DEAD SEA GUARDIANS | page 38 MY MOM’S EGGPLANT SAUCE | page 38 REFUGE | page 39

LETTER TO A PIG | page 39

A WOMAN ON THE OUTSIDE | page 39 BLUE ROOM | page 39

OF MEDICINE AND MIRACLES | page 40 DEAR ANI | page 40

THE INSPECTION | page 40 SOLDIER | page 40

AWARD CEREMONY

On the last night of the festival, celebrate the week’s films and visitors with cocktails, bites, & music!

Sunday Nov 6, 6:00 PM eatre

STAN Lathan Lifetime Achievement Award

Stan Lathan is an award-winning director, producer, mentor and pioneer whose prolific career in television and film has spanned more than five decades. He has excelled in directing and producing content that is relevant to Black viewers while still entertaining a broader audience. While Stan is a legend in the field of comedy he has compiled a resume filled with hundreds of directing credits covering a diverse scope of work.

In 1963, West Philadelphia native Stan enrolled at Pennsylvania State University. He was a young man with an open mind looking for direction. His advisor, Arthur Hungerford, a pioneer in his own right in educational television, suggested Stan consider journalism. As a result, a class in broadcasting led to an interest in television and film. After graduating in 1967, Stan attended Boston University to pursue a work/study program in conjunction with the public television affiliate, WGBH. He also joined an experimental theater group in Boston, and it was there that he explored the power of art as a political and social weapon.

In 1968, after the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the nation was in turmoil, caught up in the throes of the greatest wave of social unrest since the Civil War. In response to the heightened tensions, WGBH decided to produce a series made for, by, and about African Americans. Stan was hired and served as a director/producer on the weekly magazine-format show called, Say Brother. It covered politics, black arts, culture and music and it was the first of its kind.

Eventually that success led Stan to New York, where he worked on two landmark nationally televised shows for WNET. He served as a producer/director on Black Journal, which was a news magazine-format show that covered important social and political issues relevant to a black audience. He also directed SOUL!, produced by the legendary Ellis Haizlip, a progressive variety show that featured an array of musicians, artists and activists, including Amiri Baraka, Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Stokeley Carmichael, Toni Morrison, Tito Puente, Sidney Poitier, Al Green and many more.

Stan’s public television credentials include such prestigious projects as the film adaptation of James Baldwin’s classic novel Go Tell It On The Mountain for American Playhouse and the dance special Alvin Ailey: Memories And Visions for PBS’s Great Performances series. He was also one of the first directors on Sesame Street.

Stan was one of the first black directors hired to direct a primetime network show when Redd Foxx demanded a black director for his hit series, Sanford & Sons. At that time, the hiring of an African American to direct a network program was groundbreaking. He then went on to direct many mainstream shows such as Hill Street Blues, Eight is Enough, Remington Steele, Falcon Crest, The Waltons and many others.

Stan was steadfast in his determination to develop and produce quality African American content. His co-creation of many iconic Black shows like Martin, Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, South Central, and Amen! helped usher in a new age of diverse comedy sitcoms that were relatable to a long-underserved population.

At Harry Belefonte’s request, Stan directed the classic hip hop film Beat Street. Soon after, he partnered with hip hop mogul, Russell Simmons, to create Def Comedy Jam, an iconic series that literally changed the face of comedy and helped launch the likes of Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, Dave Chapelle, Steve Harvey, Chris Tucker, and Adele Givens. Stan and Russell also created Def Poetry for HBO in 2002. The show featured emerging spoken word artists of color and won a 2002 Peabody award. Their joint production, Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, which was directed by Stan, won a TONY award.

Stan has also won three Emmys, two Grammys, and six NAACP Image awards through the course of his career. In 2013, The Caucus for Producers, Writers, and Directors presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2004 he was given the Diversity Award for developing and creating employment opportunities for minorities.

Stan lives in Los Angeles with Marguerite, his wife of 37 years. He is the proud father of five productive African American adults.

Stan Lathan and wife, Marguerite at the 2020 Emmy Awards.

Director Stan Latham stands with the cameraman. Ellis Haizlip and filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, in the scene. Photo by Chester Higgins, Courtesy of Shoes in the Bed Productions.

Toni Morrison reads on SOUL! (photo: Chester Higgins, Jr.)

Tom & Kari Whitehead Chandler Living Legacy Award

Named for Curt and Stacie Chandler, the Chandler Living Legacy Award honors an exemplary Pennsylvania native or Pennsylvania State University alumnus who has made distinguished contributions to the film, television, and media arts and to social justice movements. The fact that the Whiteheads and the Chandlers, for whom the award is named, both have ties to Philipsburg makes this award especially poignant.

The Whiteheads’ deeply-felt commitment over the course of many years to document Emily’s story of survival and their own resilience on difficult emotional terrain, foregrounds the roles of cinematographer as witness, advocate, and healer. Their multiple positions in front of and behind the camera, demonstrate an inherent understanding of the power of the moving image as a catalyst for social change. They have used the “humble” medium of home video as an instrument of storytelling that affirms human connection and documents the epic struggle to insist on living. Through their eyes, the particularity of their parental love allows for others more broadly to find hope as they, too, grapple with cancer themselves or with supporting loved ones.

“One of the reasons we made the film, is that the footage is so striking,” said Academy Awardwinning director Ross Kauffman. “For me, the footage captures a form of faith, to have the belief that this is the right thing to do, and this is the right direction to go. In the midst of all the pain, they both picked up a camera. When we watched it, it felt so visceral, it felt like love. In a way, it is an archive of footage celebrating joy in the face of such difficulty.”

If they hadn’t thought to document their journey, there would be no film to chart the movement that resulted in ground-breaking cancer research, and their establishment of the Emily Whitehead Foundation that funds innovative childhood cancer treatments. The footage provides the anchor for making Of Medicine and Miraclessuch a powerful tool for social change.

Kari Whitehead, MS, RDN, is a registered dietician/nutritionist, and a research project coordinator at Penn State University. Tom Whitehead is a keynote speaker, author, and journeyman lineman for Penelec, a FirstEnergy Company. They are the proud parents of Emily and co-founders of the Emily Whitehead Foundation in honor of their daughter Emily who was diagnosed at age five with an aggressive form of leukemia that failed to respond to chemotherapy. As a last hope, Emily was enrolled in a clinical trial and became the first pediatric patient in the world to receive CAR T-cell therapy. The therapy worked and Emily is now 10 years cancer free and considered cured.

Indigenous people’s heritage month

November is Indigenous People’s Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native people.

Centre Film Festival presents three films to raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Acknowledgment of Land

The Centre Film Festival and its venues are located on the original homelands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora), Lenape (Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee), Shawnee (Absentee, Eastern, and Oklahoma), Susquehannock, and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations. As a land grant institution, we acknowledge and honor the traditional caretakers of these lands and strive to understand and model their responsible stewardship. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.

In collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples Student Association (IPSA) and the Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance (IFSA)

award

Jury awards for FIlms in competition

Lifetime Achievement Award

LATHAN

Chandler Living Legacy Award

KARI AND TOM WHITEHEAD

Live music with Open Music

music of josh ABRams & Pauline Oliveros

WORD with Penn State University’s W.O.R.D.S.

HosTED By JaSON BROwNE aND elaine meder-wILGUS

meet our

FILMMAKERS & guests

Meet the FIlmmakers & guests

OCTOBER 31, 6:00PM

Azizi is the author of The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the US and Iran’s Global Ambitions. His writings on cinema, politics, and history have appeared in outlets including the New York Times. He has written and produced movies and covered every Cannes Film Festival since 2016.

Arash Azizi | HOLY SPIDER

NOVEMBER 1, 6:00PM

Byron Hurt is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer, lecturer, activist, Emmy-nominated TV show host, and an adjunct professor at Columbia University. Hurt is also a short video content creator for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Forward Promise program.

Byron Hurt | HAZING

NOVEMBER 2, 6:00PM

An educator, filmmaker, and founding member/ co-executive director of Youth FX, a media arts organization focused on empowering young people of color in Albany, NY and around the world by teaching them creative and technical skills in film and digital media .

Bhawin Suchak | OUTTA THE MUCK

Fritz Bitsoie is a Diné Director from Gallup, New Mexico and a graduate of the film program at the University of New Mexico. In his first short film, The Trails Before Us, Bitsoie aims to reclaim the Western film genre as a way to share contemporary stories about the Native American experience.

Fritz Bitsoie | THE TRAILS BEFORE US

Sachs is an American experimental filmmaker and poet based in Brooklyn, New York. Strongly committed to a dialogue between cinematic theory and practice, she searches for a rigorous play between image and sound, pushing the visual and aural textures in each new project.

Lynne Sachs | SWERVE

NOVEMBER 3, 6:00PM | PRIDE ON SCREEN

They are civil rights leaders whose life and love is a force behind LGBTQ+ equality in the heart of the country. Their iconic gay bar, Sidetrack, has helped fuel movements and create community for decades in Chicago. But, behind the business and their historic activism exists a love unlike any other.

Mercedes Kane is forever fascinated by the human experience and the many ways to explore and express that experience. She most recently directed What Remains: The Burning Down Of Black Wall Street (2021) about the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.

Mercedes Kane | ART AND PEP

Martine is a nonfiction filmmaker, producer, video journalist, and an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Connecticut. She has worked as a documentarian, producer, editor, video journalist, and educator.

Martine N. Granby | NO SIREN LEFT BEHIND

Art Johnston and Pep Peña | ART AND PEP

Meet the FIlmmakers & guests

Shirin Barghi is an Iranian journalist, audio producer and documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. She currently works as a Senior Producer for BRIC TV, where she covers issues of social justice, immigration, inequality and more.

NOVEMBER 4, 6:00PM

He worked in the cultural industries, from GogolFest Contemporary Art Festival to Molodist Kyiv IFF, Odesa IFF and Toronto IFF. He started working as 1st Assistant Director in commercials, TV series and films. In 2021, he started his career as a producer focusing on creative documentaries.

NOVEMBER 4, 8:00PM

Ido Glass is a graduate of the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem (1994). He has been creating, editing, writing scripts and working as a freelance director. He specializes in documentaries dealing with social, human and historical issues surrounding Israeli society.

Ido Glass | DEAD SEA GUARDIANS

Shaina Feinberg is a filmmaker from New York City. She specializes in micro-budget filmmaking. Her first film, The Babymooners, blends documentary and narrative fiction and was picked up for distribution by Screen Media.

Shaina Feinberg | MY MOM’S EGGPLANT SAUCE

Shirin Barghi | NO SIREN LEFT BEHIND

Mykyta Kozlov | KLONDIKE

NOVEMBER 5, 1:30PM

Arno was a leader of a worldwide racist skinhead group and a lead singer of the hate-metal band Centurion, which is still popular with hate groups today. Single parenthood, love for his daughter, and the forgiveness shown by people he once hated all helped to turn Arno’s life around.

Arno Michaelis | REFUGE

Mubin Shaikh is a deradicalized former extremist turned undercover human source for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and police agent with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET - Toronto).

NOVEMBER 5, 3:30PM

Kristal is a young, ambitious Philadelphian driven to keep families connected to their incarcerated loved ones. But when her father and brother return from prison, she confronts the ultimate question: can she reunite her own family?

Award-winning reporter and independent filmmaker whose stories explore how money, power and policy shapes the lives of everyday people. Her investigative and enterprise work has appeared across NBC News platforms, on BuzzFeed News, The Guardian U.S., Lifetime/A+E Networks and WNYC Radio.

Mubin Shaikh | REFUGE

Lisa Riordan Seville | A WOMAN ON THE OUTSIDE

Kristal Bush | A WOMAN ON THE OUTSIDE

Meet the FIlmmakers & guests

NOVEMBER 5, 6:00PM

Tom Whitehead, Kari Whitehead, and their daughter Emily are founders of the Emily Whitehead Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for pediatric cancer immunotherapy research.

For twenty years Keith Wasserman has made and delivered elaborate art mail packages-all in the hopes of befriending his muse. Dear Ani explores what can happen when you present your truest self, and risk total failure. It is an intimate account of psychotic mania, personal mastery, and creative triumph.

In 2006, Micah founded the creative content studio, Movie Magic Media, where he and Keith have collaborated on dozens of short films, music videos and feature films. Together they made their Tribeca Film Festival debut in 2015 with the climate themed sci-fi short film, Grow.

Micah Levin | DEAR ANI

NOVEMBER 5, 8:00PM

MFA in Film, is a nationally recognized writer, director and professor. His narrative and documentary work has appeared in almost 200 film festivals across the globe and has been broadcast on national public television, where he won two international television awards.

Justin Zimmerman | SOLDIER

Emily, Tom, Kari Whitehead | OF MEDICINE AND MIRACLES

Keith Wasserman | DEAR ANI

NOVEMBER 6, 11:00AM

An experimental filmmaker living and working in Columbia, SC where she teaches at the University of South Carolina. Her work focuses on hybrid methods of both film and video that examine the intersections between gender, sexuality and camouflage.

Carleen Maur | TRACES

Matt Whitman is an artist and filmmaker working primarily with 16mm and Super8 motion picture film. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York and has taught at Parsons School of Design since 2014.

A 2021 Guggenheim Fellow in Fine Arts, is a multidisciplinary artist, experimental filmmaker, and writer of Black, Filipinx, and Chinese descents. Campbell finds complexity in public secrets— fragments of information known by many but undertold or unspoken.

Crystal Z Campbell | FLIGHT

NOVEMBER 6, 1:00PM

Emmy Award winning film, television and commercial director. Mader co-directed a television series for Discovery+ based on his film, Booger Red. In 2022, the comedy documentary he co-directed, Chop & Steele, premiered at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival. Cofounder of a production company, The Bear.

Berndt Mader | CHOP & STEELE

Matt Whitman | THAT WAS WHEN I THOUGHT I COULD HEAR YOU

Meet the FIlmmakers & guests

Chauncey’s career in the arts has spanned more than 20 years. He works as a writer, director, producer, actor, singer & dancer. No matter his role, Xander is a passionate storyteller and approaches the material from the inside out; connecting the emotional truth of the piece to his audience in every moment.

Xander Chauncey | THE MOLOK

NOVEMBER 6, 3:00PM

Jorge Antonio Guerrero (born June 28 1993) is a Mexican actor. He is most noted for his performance as Fermín in the 2018 film Roma, for which he was an Ariel Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor at the 61st Ariel Awards in 2019.

A filmmaker based in New York.Films he produced have screened at festivals around the world including official selection at Cannes, SXSW, Deauville and Toronto IFF. He and his work have received fellowships from Producers Guild of America, EAVE, and IFP. Currently, he’s in production on Pet Shop Boys and developing feature film projects.

Andrew K. Li | WE ARE LIVING THINGS

Professional filmmaker with over a decade of handson experience across multiple industries. He currently teaches in the Department of Cinema & Television at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. His debut short documentary film, The Tides That Bind, screened at over 25 festivals and won numerous awards.

Nick Natalicchio | WATCHING THE WILDS

Jorge Antonio Guerrero | WE ARE LIVING THINGS

high school master classes

The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 5, 10:30AM-12PM | Totally Free

COLLAGING AND ART BOXES

KEITH WASSERMAN (DEAR ANI)

Want to tell a story through collaging and old cigar boxes? Join Keith for a hands-on workshop playing with different collage techniques that get your conscious and unconscious imagination going! Create an original piece of art to start your journey through the wild world of collage.

PERFECTING POETRY& PERFORMANCE TIERRA WILLIAMS (ASK THE ACTORVIST)

Are you unsure on how to grab your audience’s attention with your poetry? You’re in luck! Tierra Williams, writer, performer, and poet has some tools that will make your performance spectacular! If you can, bring a couple of poems (but, it is not necessary). One of the poems my be an original piece. This class will be very interactive so wear comfortable shoes.

HOST YOUR OWN SHOW

MATT MARIS (LOCAL HISTORIA)

Is it time to host a walking tour of your town? Matt Maris is a public historian, educator, and founder of Local Historia. Learn to capture and share video content on a local historical tour Philipsburg. Students will be invited to help create, produce, and participate in the content.

HOW TO INTERVIEW TO GET A GOOD STORY ASHLEY SEERING (POSTCARDS)

Ever wonder what’s the right question to ask to get the best story in an interview? Join documentary filmmaker Ashley Seering for a workshop on identifying subjects who are right for your project. Learn to find the story and conduct interviews that are natural and pack a punch!

MIXING AND DJ’ING COREY ELBIN (DJ ELBOW KNEE KNEE)

Learn the fundamentals of both vinyl and digital DJ platforms. Corey Elbin has been collecting vinyl records since his early teens, whether at the Goodwill or from his friends’ parents’ dusty basements. “DJ Elbow Knee Knee” has spun countless events, from raves to rock climbing gyms… meet Corey and learn the basics.

HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE WORKSHOP ARNO MICHAELIS (PARENTS 4 PEACE)

Arno Michaelis was a leader of a worldwide racist skinhead group and a lead singer of the hate-metal band Centurion, which is still popular with hate groups today. Single parenthood, love for his daughter, and the forgiveness shown by people he once hated all helped to turn Arno’s life around, bringing him to embrace compassion and practice gratitude for all life. How do we process our anger and suffering? Hang out with Arno and talk about his “Life After Hate”

Meet our TEAM

Yoav Friedman Fulbright Fellow

Denise Sullivan Programming Committee

Pearl Gluck Co-Founder / Artistic Director

Catharine Axley Programming Committee

Kevin Hagopian Programming Committee

Aaron Taub Creative Consulting

Lior Sternfeld Programming Committee

Gabby Sumney Programming Committee

Adrienne Waterston Ad Hoc Web Guru

Haley Singer Art and Design

Murtaza Jalali PR Associate Ivy Nguyen Event Management Intern

Kevin Harrison Social Media

Katie Miller Event Planning and Hospitality

Celesta Powell Operations and Outreach

Tasha Bourjaily Operations

Meet our TEAM

Check our website for more team members

YOUR TURN TO VOTE!

Cast your ballot for AUDIENCE AWARD at the end of each screening, in person or online.

The winners will be announced at the closing night Award Ceremony.

Kevin Conklin Rowland Theatre

Rebecca Inlow Rowland Theatre

Cynthia Qinci Zhang Poster Artist

Farshid Ahrestani Photographer

Meet our Student TEAM

Lucy Schilling

Ned Groome

Anabelle Preciado Higgins

Alicia Chiang

Nadya Solometo

Jack Brumagin

Andin O’Brien

Connor Maloney

Kate Delmonico

Lulu Douglas

Dylan Molis

Maeve Brown

Milan Amit Varia

Mia Huang

Alexandra Scaggs

Catherine Boyle

HOW TO FEST

This year, we are showcasing 80+ projects both streaming online and inperson in Philipsburg and State College. Our lineup includes Made in PA, Pride on Screen, Indigenous People’s Heritage Month, Global Cinema, Sports, Comedy, and more… We also expanded our world-wide selection of high school and college student shorts.

Our films screen in blocks of two or more. Browse the film guide to discover where our films are playing and when.

In-Person

Watch films in person with visiting filmmakers from Oct 31 - Nov 6 in State College and Philipsburg, PA. Check out the venues page and look for this icon on the films that screen in person.

Watch Anytime

For the fourth year running we are pleased to be able to offer a virtual edition of our festival for Pennsylvania audiences. Films to “watch anytime” will be released live from Oct 28 - Nov 7. Individual tickets and Festival passes are available on our digital platform, Eventive, accessed through centrefilm.org

FILM GUIDE IN-PERSON

opening night

HOLY SPIDER

Ali Abbasi 2022, Iran

The State Theatre | Oct. 31, 6:00 PM

NALUJUK NIGHT

117 min

A journalist descends into the dark underbelly of the Iranian holy city of Mashhad as she investigates the serial killings of sex workers by the so called “Spider Killer”, who believes he is cleansing the streets of sinners.

Jennie Williams 2021, Canada

min

Nalujuk Night is an up close look at an exhilarating, and sometimes terrifying, Labrador Inuit tradition. Every January 6th from the dark of the Nunatsiavut night, the Nalujuit appear on the sea ice.

Tuesday | The State Theatre | Nov. 1, 6:00 PM

HAZING

Byron Hurt 2022, USA

min

Byron’s introspective journey to understand hazing culture through the lens of his own fraternity pledge experience reveals a world of toxic masculinity, violence, humiliation, binge drinking, denial, and institutional coverups.

NUISANCE BEAR

Jack Weisman + Gabriela Osio Vanden, 2021, Canada

min

All eyes are on the polar bear as it lumbers past paparazzi, evading conservation trucks that intercept its path. As a helicopter pursues from above, in an effort to thwart the bear’s scavenging food from town.

Arash Azizi & panel of local activists in attendance

Byron Hurt in attendance

OUTTA THE MUCK

The State Theatre

Nov. 2, 6:00 PM

Ira McKinley + Bhawin Suchak 2022, USA

SWERVE

Five NYC performers speak while walking through food stalls in search of a new sensation.

Family, football and history come to life in an intimate portrait of the Dean family of Pahokee, Florida. We take a journey back home, with filmmaker Ira McKinley, to the land of sugarcane, as he reconnects with his niece Bridget and nephew Alvin and explores their shared family history that spans seven generations.

THE TRAILS BEFORE US

ART AND PEP

The State Theatre

Nov. 3, 6:00 PM

NO SIREN LEFT BEHIND

Mercedes Kane 2022, USA

min

Their iconic gay bar, Sidetrack, has helped fuel movements and create community for decades in Chicago’s queer enclave.

Barghi 2022, USA

min

A fascinating chronicle of the pioneering Sirens motorcycle club; the oldest and largest women-run motorcycle club in New York City.

Lynne Sachs | 2022, USA

Nigel James and his friends prepare to host the first Enduro bike race in the Navajo Nation.

min 8 min Fritz Bitsoie | 2022, USA 12 min

Bhawin Suchak, Fritz Bitzoie, & Lynn Sachs in attendance

Art Johnston, Pepe Peña, Mercedes Kane, Martine Granby, & Shirin Barghi in attendance

Friday | The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 4, 6:00 PM

KLONDIKE

HOLY HOLOCAUST

MARYNA ER GORBACH 2022, Ukraine, Turkey

July 2014. Expectant parents Irka and Tolik live in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine near the Russian border, disputed territory in the early days of the Donbas war.

Noa Berman-Herzberg + Osi Wald | 2021

DEAD SEA GUARDIANS

Ido Glass + Yoav Kleinman 2022, Israel

100 min 78 min

Over the past two years directors, Kleinman and Glass have documented the lives of three men and their mission to save the Dead Sea from drying up.

A close friendship is tested when a German woman discovers she is the granddaughter of notorious Nazi commander Amon Goeth and her Israeli friend realizes her grandmother was the sole survivor of a Nazi execution in Poland.

Friday | The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 4, 8:00 PM

MY MOM’S EGGPLANT SAUCE

Shaina Feinberg 2022, USA

17 min 10 min

As Mary revisits the deeply troubling start to her first marriage, her ragout simmers and bubbles—much like her on- and off-camera interactions with her daughter.

Mykyta Kozlov in attendance

Ido Glass & Shaina Feinberg in attendance

Saturday | The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 5, 1:30 PM

REFUGE

Din Blankenship + Erin Bernhardt 2021, USA

LETTER TO A PIG

74 min 17 min

A film about love and fear in the American South. Chris Buckley is a husband, father, veteran, and until recently, a leader in the KKK.

Tal Kantor 2022, Israel

A Holocaust survivor writes, after the war, a thank-you letter to a pig that saved his life. After his testimony in a classroom, a young student dreams a tragic version of his story.

Saturday | The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 5, 3:30 PM

A WOMAN ON THE OUTSIDE

BLUE ROOM

Lisa Riordan Seville + Zara Katz 2022, USA

87 min Merete Mueller 2022, USA 11 min

Kristal is a young, ambitious Philadelphian driven to keep families connected to their incarcerated loved ones. But when her father and brother return from prison, she confronts the ultimate question: can she reunite her own family?

Incarcerated participants in a mental health experiment watch videos of sunset-soaked beaches, wildflowers and forests on loop, prompting them to reflect on isolation and wilderness.

Arno Michaelis & Mubin Shaikh in attendance

Kristal Bush & Lisa Riordan Seville in attendance

saturday

The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 5, 6:00 PM

OF MEDICINE AND MIRACLES

DEAR ANI

Ross Kauffman 2022, USA

95 min

This riveting documentary chronicles the monumental task of curing cancer, as seen through the harrowing experiences of one young girl, her family, and a doctor on a mission.

Micah Levin 2022, USA 38:27 min

In 1995, an aspiring artist and college sophomore, took a semester off to live in a cabin in Northern Maine. He sat by the edge of a lake and asked the universe to send him a “story worth telling”.

saturday | The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 5, 8:00 PM

THE INSPECTION

Elegance Bratton 2022, USA

95 min

Ellis French is a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines, doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside.

SOLDIER

Justin Zimmerman 2022, USA 22 min

Daniel Krug: a heroic firefighter, father of five, SWAT trainer and armored combat enthusiast. Daniel is also a former sniper, with ten years of combat, security, rescue and recovery experience in Iraq.

Justin Zimmerman in attendance

Emily, Tom, Kari Whitehead, Micah Levin, & Keith Wasserman in attendance

Sunday | EXPERIMENTAL

PIGMENT-DISPERSION SYNDROME

| The State Theatre | Nov. 6, 11:00 PM

BUILDING AN EDGE

Jennifer Reeves 2022, USA

A diagnosis of an eye disorder incited this meditation on fear and beauty.

ALL YOU WANT IS GREECE

Alex Morelli 2021, Greece

6 min 4 min

Greece’s COVID-19 tourism ads offer glimpses of anti-migrant measures and reveal the contradictions of travel.

KICKING THE CLOUDS

Sky Hopinka 2022, USA

Britany Gunderson 2022, USA

4 min

Seeking out the edges of a landscape you’ve never been to.

TO LIVE AND DIE IN THE SHADOWS: FERNS, SURVIVAL AND HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER

Shannon Silva 2021, USA

6 min

Through a chance horizontal gene transfer, ferns acquired a much needed light sensor.

DOUBLE WHAMMY!

15 min 4 min

Centered on a 50-year-old cassette tape of a Pechanga language lesson between the director’s grandmother and great-grandmother

Tristen Ives 2021, USA

Explore mental illness and identity through diaristic form.

EXPERIMENTAL shorts (cont.)

TRACES

Carleen Maur 2022, USA

Retracing the space between human movements and climaxes through electric bills and coastal walks.

THAT WAS WHEN I THOUGHT I COULD HEAR YOU

Matt Whitman 2021, USA

That was when I thought I could hear you on petals, on fire, and on the edge of the bridge.

THIS IS HOW I FELT

Josh Weissbach 2022, USA

PURGATORY IS THE SIDE OF THE ROAD 4 min 9 min

1:30 min

A twenty-four period while the filmmaker was wearing a heart monitor

1 min

Imagining of the liminal space between being and non-being.

SPECTRUM SPREAD

Mireya Martinez 2021, USA Sara Sowell 2022, USA

An experiment in graphic relationships, superimposing 1940’s Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr

FLIGHT

Crystal Z Campbell 2021, USA

min 23:54 min

Flourishing Black townships of Oklahoma in the 1920’s––an archival record of communities in exile, awash in colors deemed “impossible.”

Carleen Mauer, Matt Whitman & Crystal Z Campbell in attendance

State

CHOP & STEELE

Ben Steinbauer + Berndt Mader 2022, USA

THE ERRAND

min

Nov. 6, 1:00 PM

From the award-winning filmmakers behind Winnebago Man, Chop and Steele is a feature length comedy documentary about childhood friends turned professional comedians, Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, the founders of the Found Footage Festival. When Nick and Joe book their gag strongman routine on unsuspecting morning news shows, their pranks go viral and land them in federal court with a vengeful media conglomerate.

THE MOLOK

Amanda Renee Knox 2022, USA

11:22 min Sam T. Wilson 2022, USA

When a young girl hitchhiking is picked up by a stranger, who ends up taking whom for a ride?

WE ARE LIVING THINGS

Antonio Tibaldi 2021, USA

15:42 min

The Molok follows Micah, a young boy forced to deal with life’s harsh realities too quickly, too soon.

WATCHING THE WILDS

96 min

Two immigrants living on the fringes of American society hit the road in search of the truth about a shared UFO abduction.

Nick Natalicchio 2022, USA

A short documentary film about lookout towers used to spot and report wildfires in the Moshannon Forest District of Pennsylvania.

| The Rowland Theatre | Nov. 6, 3:00 PM

21 min

Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Andrew K. Li, Nick Natalicchio in attendance

Berndt Mader & Xander Chauncey in attendance

FILM GUIDE WATCH ANYTIME

Documentary Features

BACK TO THE DRIVE-IN

Ainara Aparici 2021, Chile

In Costa Rica, the family of Melba (65) and Víctor (70) has sheltered over 130 children in the last 40 years.

BATTLEGROUND

Cynthia Lowen 2022, USA

Three women who lead formidable antiabortion organizations, tracking them through the most crucial turning point in the history of abortion in 50 years.

FIGHTING INDIANS

Derek Ellis, Mark Cooley 2022, USA

74 min 105 min

April Wright 2022, USA

When the pandemic hit, drive-ins were suddenly the only safe venue in town.

CLARISSA’S BATTLE

On May 16th, 2019, the State of Maine made history by passing LD 944 An Act to Ban Native American Mascots in All Public Schools.

Tamara Perkins 2022, USA

min

Single mother and activist Clarissa Doutherd is working tirelessly to build a powerful coalition.

DIDN’T SEE YOU THERE

11:24 min 72 min116 min

Reid Davenport 2022, USA

As a visibly disabled person, Reid Davenport is often either the subject of an unwanted gaze or paradoxically rendered invisible by society.

Documentary Features (cont.)

MAMA BEARS

POWERLANDS

Daresha Kyi 2022, USA

min

An intimate exploration of two “mama bears”— conservative, Christian mothers who have become fierce advocates for LGBTQ+ people.

QUEER GENIUS

Chet Pancake 2021, USA

min

Exploration of four visionary queer artists breaking down barriers in their creative fields as they confront fame, failure, censorship, family, gender, and sexuality.

Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso 2022, USA

min

On this personal and political journey, a young Navajo filmmaker learns from Indigenous activists across three continents.

WHAT WILL BECOME OF US

Can Armenian Americans create a new future – honoring their past, while unshackling themselves from its trauma? The Genocide casts a long shadow.

Narrative Features

PERSON WOMAN MAN CAMERA TV

Niav Conty | 2022, USA

min

Barack Obama was starting his second term, hope was more than just a hashtag, and Sam met Samantha.

VULVEETA

Maria Breaux | 2022, USA

min

Does the band have enough of a following anymore to pull off a reunion show in a city that’s changed so much since the 1990s?

Stephanie Ayanian, Joseph Myers 2022, USA

min

Narrative Features (cont.)

WAKE UP, LEONARD

Kat Mills Martin 2022, USA

min

WE ARE STILL HERE

Mario Gaoa, Beck Cole, Renae Maihi, Tracey Rigney, Dena Curtis, Tim Worrall, Chantelle Burgoyne, Danielle MacLean, Richard Curtis, Miki Magasiva 2022, Australia, New Zealand

90 min

Leonard is a young gay man with a patchy beard and clip in his hair. It’s the eve of his birthday, and he’s moving into a new place and getting some advice along the way. This landmark collection traces the collective histories of Indigenous peoples across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Thrills & Chills

HOW SHE DIDN’T DIE

Antonio Tibaldi | 2022, Switzerland

THE LION AND THE FIREBIRD

26 min 22:30 minDaniel Byers | 2022, USA

A mysterious European woman has set a lifechanging plan in motion – but she needs a stranger’s help to pull it off.

SIREN

Jeremiah Kipp | 2022, Switzerland

RISING FIRE, an early human, flees with her small daughter KONA pursued by a violent warband - the LION MEN.

TER CHONO, A MONGOLIAN STORY

12:40 min 22:01 minGeorge Dogaru | 2022, Romania

Upon the untimely death of their father, two siblings return to their family home and find a mysterious young woman living there.

The thirteenth century finds more than half of the world known under the rule of the Mongol hordes.

Lost and Found

WHAT YOU’LL REMEMBER

Erika Cohn 2022, USA

Through a raw love letter to their children, two young parents reframe their experience of homelessness.

SILT

Emilie Upczak 2022, USA

min 9:52 min

A Native botanist, grieving the death of a beloved aunt, travels alone to northern Mexico.

Lawrence Lerew, Derek Knowles 2022, USA

With the continual threat of logging in the timber tract, Lupine leads a small group on a night mission to raise more tree-sitting platforms

SOLDIER 21 DAYS

Justin Zimmerman 2022, USA Yong Mun Chee 2022, Singapore

min 17 min

Daniel Krug: a heroic firefighter, father of five, SWAT trainer and armored combat enthusiast.

21 days after the death of his mother, Jin and his father navigate loss, grief, and their new lives without her.

LETTER TO A PIG

25 min Tal Kantor 2022 17 min

A Holocaust survivor writes, after the war, a thank-you letter to a pig that saved his life.

SENTINELS

Improbable Connections

KEEP/DELETE

DEAR MAMA...

Kryzz Gautier 2022, USA

19 min Winter Dunn 2022, USA

Two lovers decide to undergo a procedure and have their entire relationship wiped from their brains.

BLUE ROOM

Merete Mueller 2022, USA 11 min

Incarcerated participants in a mental health experiment watch videos, prompting them to reflect on isolation and wilderness.

DEAR ANI

Micah Levin 2022, USA

min

A family grieving the loss of their beloved mother and wife pack up their home in hopes of putting the past behind them.

THE TRAILS BEFORE US

Fritz Bitsoie 2022, USA

13 min 12 min

17-yr-old Nigel James and his friends prepare to host the first Enduro bike race in the Navajo Nation.

An aspiring artist and college sophomore, took a semester off to live in a cabin in Northern Maine. Two month later, he was admitted to Bellevue Hospital, while searching for Ani DiFranco. Was this a vision quest? A mental health issue? Was this all an elaborate art project?

we are...

Adham Elnashai 2021, USA

min

After adopting Los Angeles as her new home, an Egyptian woman struggles with the facade of the lifestyles her conservative father dictates.

RAHMA PLAYER PIANO

Theodore Rosenblum 2022, USA

min

Seemingly hunted by the mob and the police alike, his life begins to crumble under a web of paranoia.

OVERLOOK

Jacob Lazarow, Greta Guthrie 2022, USA

TEMECULA

min

CJ Colando 2022, USA

min

When Serena invites her friends to her countryside villa, questions are raised regarding how she acquired her newfound lifestyle.

COMING TO BERLIN

Zeke Winitzky 2022, Germany

min

Being the descendant of a Holocaust survivor, spending time in Germany was complicated.

Listless teen, Tyler, spends his days clocking into work and waiting for purpose to find him in his small town.

high school Shorts i

(GIRL) CRUELTY

MY HOUSE IS MINE

Kaiya Jordan 2022, USA

A teenage girl, subject to bullying at school, now resides elsewhere, but her tormenters won’t leave her alone.

THE WELL FED HEART

Audrey Todd 2022, USA

Who do YOU want to be?

Kelly G Kuang 2022, USA

A young girl reflects on her past while looking into a dollhouse.

EXPIRATION DATE

3:41 min 4:28 min 4:39 min

Kaiya Jordan 2022, USA Izzy Buhler 2022, Canada 3:23 min

Teenage girl Iris considers herself very average, except one thing - she has thirty days to live.

AND THE BREAK OF INNOCENCE DECOMPOSITION

min Cam Topping 2022, USA 3:10 min

A short experimental story about children becoming Adults and the difficulties a child experiences.

An experimental mixed-media tone-poem.

High School Shorts I (Cont.)

TRIP SWITCH

This film is representing what I feel during a panic attack, as expressed through a glitchy 80s video game.

Sophie Virio 2022, USA

High School Shorts II

SHOWTIME

DAY CRIMES

Kaia Chambers 2022, USA

Follows Leon, a magician on the run from the Mob after stealing their beloved bird.

SUCCESSION

2022, USA

The perfect crime goes hilariously wrong.

HOLDING HANDS WITH THE MOON

James Peng 2022, USA

7:12 min 4:44 minSarah Blake 2022, USA

Xiao is a surly Chinese teenage boy who believes that he does not need a college education to achieve his dreams in life.

Sometimes when you talk to the moon, the moon talks back.

High School Shorts Ii (cont.)

THE COMING THING

A HYMN TO LOVE

Buğra Aslanyürek 2022, Turkey

4 min Eli Berliner 2022, USA 3 min

A grandfather, living with his grandchild, is desperately waiting for the “Coming Thing”

Student Shorts i

CAN I GET A JOB

Eli Berliner is a 18-year-old filmmaker who attends Saint Ann’s School in New York City.

OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY

DT Taylor 2022, USA

Daniel Karan, Emma Macklin 2022, Canada

A prank in the form of a job interview. Bailey, a mentally ill undergrad at Pennbrook University, does her best to navigate her school’s underfunded mental health network.

REFLECTION

Alyssa N Myers 2022, USA

In her visions, she is a golden-age starlet living a glamorous life of fortune and fame in 1930s Hollywood.

UNKNOWN CALLER

4 min 11 min 3:13 min

Funmi Adetola 2022, Canada 11:24 min

Keon is a bright young black man whose anger has slowly grown due to microaggressions.

Student Shorts i (cont.)

EXPAT: MORE THAN A TOURIST FRAME FUMBLE

Anna Rodman 2022, USA

7:20 min Alexander Griffin 2022, USA 3:34 min

Three couples navigate the challenges and benefits of living in a foreign country.

TWO SOLES

André Guima 2022, USA

6:25 min

What if the video frame fought back?

In a world of pairs, Lenny, the left sneaker, discovers individuality in a world where individuality doesn’t exist.

Student Shorts ii

IDENTIBYE

PAPER CHASERS

Sajjad Shahhatami 2022

15 min 14:59 minCollin Woolford 2022, USA

The protagonist of the story faces a dilemma of choosing between sense and sensibility regarding one’s innermost feelings.

After a practical joke goes wrong, a group of friends must go on a journey to right their wrongs.

Student Shorts ii (cont.)

VECTOR

WEDNESDAY

Alexander Griffin 2020, USA

7 min Sadık Tevfik Kayrakçı 2022, Turkey, Cyprus 14:23 min

A daring dreamlike mission goes awry when an unexpected hero encounters a dangerous adversary.

ORNITHOLOGY (AND OTHER HOBBIES YOU CAN TAKE TOO FAR)

Tevfik, who lacks confidence and has trouble expressing himself, lives a lonely, monotonous life.

ETERNITY CONTINUES

Benjamin Swift, Bergen Hoff 2022, USA

min

As their avian lifestyle spirals out of control, feathers ruffle, petty squabbles turn to squawks, and mastication leads to mating rituals.

NI AQUI / NI ALLA

Ley Comas 2022, USA

min

Ania Johnston 2022, USA

min

“Eternity Continues” explores themes of crossculturalism, cooking ritual, and the duality of Polish-Americanism.

Ni Aquí/Ni Allá is a personal documentary that centers a conversation between Ley Comas and their mother about their gender identity.

After Parties

9:00 PM

OPENING NIGHT MONDAY

Halloween with The Centre Film Festival! Meet us at The Phyrst (111 E Beaver Ave.) to enjoy a complimentary drink with your festival ticket! $2 cover.

Live music by CHRIS RATTIE and MA’AM will start at 9pm

DEAD CANARY & BROWN DOG | NOVEMBER 4

CENTRAL PA TASTING TRAIL AT THE STATE THEATRE | NOVEMBER 6,

The CENTRE FILM FESTIVAL is supporting the YMCA of Centre County’s Anti-Hunger program.

Here’s how you can help:

Check their website for

items you can donate at our

Contact Mel Curtis for more ways to get involved at

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

She is a Blacktivist and an Actorvist and is unapologetic about both, and uses her talent to address local and national issues.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST INTERVIEWS WITH OUR DIRECTORS AND GUESTS ON CENTREFILM.ORG

Meet our sponsors & Partners

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

BELLISARIO COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Provides the opportunities and resources of a large university with the personalized feel and support of a small school. As one of the largest accredited programs of its kind in the nation, students can find a place where they can fit and succeed.

THE HAPPY VALLEY ADVENTURE BUREAU

The bureau’s mission is to develop, promote, and engage in travel related activities and coordinate visitor services designed to enhance the economic activity and quality of life within Centre County, Pennsylvania.

HYATT PLACE

Hyatt Place hotels understands that every trip has a purpose, and every stay should be an opportunity to recharge and make the next day more successful than the one before. After all, you never settle. So neither do we.

PSU STUDENT AFFAIRS

We support and challenge students as they expand learning beyond the classroom, develop personal and professional skills, and achieve the success they seek at Penn State and in their lives.

THE ROWLAND THEATRE

Historic single-screen movie theatre built in 1917 by Charles Hedding Rowland. The theatre is owned by the borough of Philipsburg. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

THE STATE THEATRE

The State Theatre is a community-owned theatre dedicated to serving the Centre County region. We’re a mainstay of the State College, PA community, a proud hub of local culture, featuring artists both homegrown and nationally renowned.

PRODUCERS

JOHN CURLEY CENTER FOR SPORTS JOURNALISM

Explores issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, outreach, programming and research. Emphasizes internships and hands-on experience with broadcast, multimedia and print outlets as well as with league, sport and team publicity operations.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA TASTING TRAIL

Here in happy valley we have created a group that is here solely to provide you the experience of quality hospitality, creative and breathtaking environments, & a comradery you see in few, if any places. Come on in and meet us - you will be glad you did.

BROWN DOG CATERING

A locally owned full-service catering company. As a husband and wife team, you can count on a personal experience and attention to your event’s needs when you choose Brown Dog for your services.

THE MCCOURTNEY INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY

Draws from the humanities and social sciences to examine democracy from multiple angles. This cross-discipline collaboration is evident in our research, education, and outreach efforts.

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

The mission of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) is to strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s communities through the arts.

SHINDIG ALLEY

A family-owned business on Front Street in Philipsburg. Finds unique, vintage items in a range of time periods and styles to fit every budget. We do what we do to see you happy and in possession of a piece of history.

CENTRE LGBTQA SUPPORT NETWORK

The mission of Centre LGBTQA Support Network is to bring the community together through LGBTQA education and activities in the Centre region.

JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM AT PENN STATE

The Jewish Studies program is an interdisciplinary program where students will learn about the history, cultures, literatures, and languages of the Jews.

CENTER FOR GLOBAL STUDIES

Works collaboratively with Penn State’s Sustainability Institute, the Humanities Institute, the Social Science Research Institute, the Rock Ethics Institute, and the Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research (also a Title VI Center) to support research, teaching, and programming that will advance Penn State’s expertise in global studies and international perspectives.

DON DAVIS PROGRAM IN ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

The mission of the Don Davis Program in Ethical Leadership is to promote professional, academic and personal integrity within the community of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.

Meet our sponsors & Partners

CO-PRODUCERS

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Founded in 1967 in an effort to bring the arts and commerce to the area, the CPFA is an independent, not-for-profit corporation.

DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE

We’re a constantly adapting, progressive community of people, with tradition blending harmoniously with trends in, food, entertainment and the arts.

IPHET

Dedicated to promoting education and the arts, the understanding and use of technology, job training, developing sustainable communities in underserved areas worldwide, healthy living, and preparing young people for the challenges of the future.

CHUMLEY’S COCKTAIL BAR

Welcoming and diverse, we’re famous for fabulous cocktails and a thoughtfully curated selection of beer, wine and spirits.

DEPARTMENT OF GERMANIC AND SLAVIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

Our award-winning faculty is committed to teaching and research in the areas of language, literature, and culture.

THE DEAD CANARY BREWING COMPANY

A community-focused brewery-in-planning, serving ales of all varieties in historic Philipsburg, PA.

AWESOME GRANT

Our mission is to inspire a more vibrant community by elevating the humanities, promoting local arts, cultivating innovative experiences and offering an inclusive public space for civic engagement.

PHILIPSBURG REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

A non-profit community-based organization dedicated to preserving the quality of life and peaceful small town heritage by promoting community and economic development.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Designed for students who want to study literature with an interdisciplinary and global perspective, the major in Comparative Literature crosses the boundaries of geography, time, nationalities, languages, and cultures.

HALEY SINGER GRAPHIC DESIGN

Full-time freelance graphic designer, local to the State College area. Providing creative solutions in print design, marketing and promotional collateral, logos, brand identity, and social media.

Centre Film Festival

Thanks Our Hotel Sponsor

Happy Valley, Pennsylvania is the greatest setting for making memories in the personal blockbuster of your life.

Dining destinations, interesting attractions, historic sites, tours, sports, gardens, boutique shops, caves, bed & breakfasts in small towns, inns and hotels are ready for your visit.

With six state parks & plenty of world-class trails, Happy Valley is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts -- fishing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, bird watching, geocaching and more.

You can easily plan multiple trips to explore the small towns of Happy Valley. Our blog has a local’s view and insider information to help you plan your itinerary. Look for our “Spend a Day” series at Dispatch.HappyValley.com.

Plan your getaway today and find lodging at HappyValley.com.

HAPPYVALLEY.COM

The Rowland Theatre Welcomes the Centre Film Festival

Together, we celebrate films and filmmakers! We love having you back!

Communities against violent extremism

US

Our mission is to Activate The Cure® for childhood cancer by raising awareness and funding for innovative childhood cancer treatments that are less toxic and more targeted, such as immunotherapy, and to support families fighting childhood cancer.

Learn more about Emily Whitehead’s story in the documentary “Of Medicine and Miracles”.

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Mark Your Calendars Now!

Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts

Downtown State College and the Penn State Campus

Children and Youth Day, July 12, 2023 Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition, July 13-16, 2023

300 artists from across the nation

performances on outdoor and indoor stages

full day of

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KELLY

A small batch winery located in the heart of Millheim, with a tasting room and outdoor seating available. The winery also offers local beer and craft cocktails, and live music.

Wednesday-Thursday: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Friday-Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Connect The Dots!

When you attend an event at 3 Dots, you enter into an environment that is warm, inclusive and uplifting. The variety of events are entertaining, educational, and leave you wanting to explore and experience more. We became supporters to ensure that this space can continue to enrich our community and surrounding areas.

-Steve & Sandy Elbin Monthly Sustaining Donors

Help us foster inclusive, transformative, community-driven arts experiences at 3 Dots Downtown.

Tuesdays - Saturdays, 12 - 5 p.m. Always open to the public 137 E Beaver Ave, State College, PA 16801

3dotsdowntown

Razom Emergency Response

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See YOU NEXT YEAR!