Mason Film Festival Spring 2024

2024

FILM.GMU.EDU

Mason

Film Festival

APRIL 22, 23, 24, 27

JOHNSON CENTER CINEMA SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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THANK YOU TO FILM AT MASON SUPPORTERS PRODUCER CAF American Donor Fund GMU Alumnus Willy Meaux

DIRECTOR Andrew D. Reaser

LEADING ROLE L. Whitman Brown

Maryam and Hamid Kasmai

Cynthia and Thomas Judge Mack and Paulette Miller

Mr. Rick Davis and Ms. Julie Thompson

Melissa J. Houghton

John Kelly

Michael J. Howard

SUPPORTING ROLE Colleen K. Arthur

Michael and Amanda Snellings

Emily and Bill Rusch

Ronald J. Sanchez

Julia Decker

Samantha Beach Sinagra

Kiley M. Kraskouskas

Johnna Johnson

Lewis and Anne Wright 2

The annual Mason Film Festival at George Mason University features the work of our students in Film and Video Studies, including beginning video production students, intermediate directing students, documentary filmmakers, and graduating seniors. This year, the festival spans four days, April 22, 23, 24, and 27, 2024. We hope you enjoy the show! *All blocks include films that may contain mature themes and content not suitable for all audiences.

MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024 FAVS 496 STAGED READINGS 12:00pm, JC Gold Room Professor Peter Kimball Fractured Bonds, Ashley Esty A mother and daughter whose relationship is strained but they try and figure out their relationship.

FAVS 255 VIDEO PRODUCTION 1:00pm, JC Cinema Professors Justin Plakas, Ben Steger, and Lenny Collins Professor Justin Plakas – Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Kitty Cat, Gabriel Stone | 4:00 Greg must find his cat before his roommate gets home!!!

Looking Back, Marlysse I Calling | 3:48 An interview with my father on the life that he’s led in the United States and the country he came from.

Mortal Beings, Kimmy Fisher | 6:11 An immortal woman named Ambrosine, who has lived for over six centuries, finds all mortals predictable and death-fearing. But her principles are suddenly shattered by an 18-year college student who is not like anyone she has met before.

Find The Fire, Chrys Sotos | 1:22

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I’ve Reached My Limit, Molly M O’Shea | 3:38 Watch as I lose my mind as my friend Mar and I play Switch Sports Gold.

No Face, Aidan Tyler Morris | 1:45 As a college student struggles to stay focused on her homework, her roommate invites noisy guests over who are hard set on causing havoc.

The Calamitous Conundrum of Dr. Camtastrophe, John Creed | 2:47 The titular Dr. Camtastrophe and his friend Walter must race against time to stop one of the mad doctor’s latest inventions from activating before it’s too late.

I Only Have Eyes for You, Sydney Henry | 5:44 A girl is trying online dating for the first time and begins feeling anxious about meeting her date.

What if?, Jennifer Kelly Rodriguez | 2:31 Business as Usual, Mark Ball, William Gonzalez, Dorian Howard, Yohance Kennedy, Chris Mcclendon, DC Sridurongrit, Alejandro Touset | 3:01 A mockumentary about a group of incompetent film students trying to shoot a slasher film.

Professors Ben Steger and Lenny Collins - Fall 2023 Cardioversion, Isabella Koontz | 2:24 Follow a heartbeat through the highs and lows of a relationship until it is content in itself again.

TICK, Cole Rawson | 3:13 Baker Street, Branden Lee | 8:17 A delivery driver completes his last order for the night. Upon delivery, he visits a strange apartment with a shady tenant. When the driver makes a mistake during the delivery, he finds out that the shady tenant is part of a conspiracy.

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FAVS 399 MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION 3:00pm, JC Cinema Professor Russell Santos Always Forever, Anya Aftab | 3:49 The Show, James Bah | 4:00 Cigarettes, Maria Anna Chudy | 3:39 This music video tells a story about grieving, losing somebody and recalling memories of them, even if it hurts. Late at night a man lights a cigarette that evokes memories of him and his loved one.

She’s A Gun – The Greeting Committee, Olivia Cunningham | 3:32 Two girls break into the home of a wealthy individual. As they explore the home, the shyer of the two girls begins to fall for her more outgoing and reckless friend even though she knows that she is a bad influence.

Dr. Whoever, Dominique Dargan | 4:35 Aminé battles with ignoring his depressed feelings with addictive subtances and embracing them to try and overcome them.

No Chances, Nathaniel G Henry | 3:46 A boys unrealistic obsession with UFO’s might not be as unrealistic as he might think.

Benny Lake – The Void (Official Video), Douglas Xavier Jimenez | 3:49 Say When, Sujay D Khona | 2:22 A music video about a zombie waiting for their lover to rise from the dead. grendel, Sid Mullins | 2:24

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TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024 FAVS 300 GLOBAL HORROR 11:45am, JC Cinema Professors Samirah Alkassim and May Santiago Professor Samirah Alkassim - Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Evil Empire, Noah Schieber | 4:32 Evil Empire is a bold and chilling exploration that seamlessly merges audio and visual media to create a propagandistic soundscape.

The Void Inside, Mel Moya-Jaldin, Anyris Colon-Castillo, Carleigh Williams | 9:00 Julio, a 1st gen Latino, struggles with fitting into both his Latino and American identities whilst people around him die mysterious deaths.

Human Evolution, Kajwan Alavi | 4:53 Dangers of the uncontrolled power of technology when released into the world.

Cerberus, Matthew Baltar | 9:00 A young woman is haunted by a mysterious entity after taking a job as a dog-sitter.

Vanity, Vanity, Chrys Sotos | 6:26 The Closing Shift, Jaiden Hubbard | 5:43 One night, Matt experiences some unusual and otherworldly incidents while closing at his job; he tries to ignore the sounds and unnatural occurrences until it becomes clear that something wants him out and wants him out now.

Maybe This Time, Carlea Jo Maben | 7:04 A story told through a series of daymares that lead to a horrific reality—a woman’s most extreme response created by the society she lives in.

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Professor May Santiago - Spring 2024 GOING UP?, Kailie Moyers | 3:01 Bambi is trapped on an elevator with a stranger; is her paranoia unwarranted or are there true dangers that lie with the solo presence of an unknown man?

FAVS 375 FICTION FILM DIRECTING 1:30pm, JC Cinema Professors Ben Steger, Lenny Collins, and Nikyatu Jusu Professors Ben Steger and Lenny Collins – Fall 2023 My Hijab, Selma Veli | 3:13 Sight, Andrew Shaffer | 8:00 A man realizes there is more ways to see than with sight How to Business, Emma Davenport | 6:55 A company full of animal employees are looking to sell product X but it won’t be as easy as they think.

Professors Nikyatu Jusu and Lenny Collins - Spring 2024 Muse, Bodhi E. Bryan-Roig | 6:59 A closed-off photographer, uncomfortable with his LGBTQ+ identity, develops feelings for an outgoing and free-spirited actor as they go on an adventure to snap the perfect portrait.

FL!P, Kajwan Alavi | 4:32 Dave, an average lanky white man dealing with trauma caused by his father tries to get through his day, but hallucinations and therapy that aren’t helping, makes him further miserable. When Dave goes to pick up more meds he blacks out and wakes back up in his bed with his hands covered in blood, being the start of a mental breakdown where his visions come to fruition and the continuation of the never-ending cycle of violence.

How to Feel Fulfilled At Work, Nathaniel G Henry | 5:46 Unhappy with his relationship and his new job working at a tech startup, Brian is at the end of his rope. It only takes a little push from his boss for him to finally snap.

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The Audition, Riley Ater | 5:53 The Gallery, Martin Trompeta | 7:42 A depressed security guard at an art gallery struggles to find meaning in his monotonous life, but a meeting with an artist soon brings color into both of their lives.

FAVS 475 ADVANCED FICTION DIRECTING 3:00m, JC Cinema Professors Ben Steger and Lenny Collins Spring 2024 Reverie, Emilee Hayward | 7:12 Charlotte, adorned with anticipation, readies herself for a date with Lucas, believing it holds the prospect of a life-altering proposal.

Suspicion, Jonah Manibusan | 11:36 Cain, a retired hitman, is visited by a former associate Gabriel. As the night progresses, Cain starts to suspect that Gabriel is there to kill him.

Year 2 Thousand, Daniel Zaitoun | 8:30 New Years Eve 1999 takes a wild turn when Avery must investigate the mysterious disappearances of his beloved friends, while immensely inebriated.

Ghost Hunters, Bailey Kearns | 8:00 A down on his luck minimum wage employee creates a fake business to gaslight a couple into believing their house is haunted. As he puts the poorly thought out scam into practice with his reluctant partner, a shocking realization is discovered.

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FAVS 498 PITCH COMPETITION 4:45pm, JC Cinema Professors Ben Steger and Lenny Collins Select finalists in FAVS 498 Development for Senior Project will pitch their senior thesis film ideas. Winners receive a pitch scholarship to be used to cover production costs on their films made next semester.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024 FAVS 366 VIDEO PRODUCTION FOR SOCIAL CHANGE 12:00pm, JC Cinema Professor Rebekah Wingert-Jabi Building a Better Tomorrow: How CORE Foundation Ignites Positive Community Impact by Fostering Emerging Nonprofits, Jonah Manibusan | 4:50 A brief overview on the CORE Foundation and how it helps its community.

FISH Bargain Loft Video, Bodhi Bryan-Roig | 2:11 FISH Emergency Assistance Video, Bodhi Bryan-Roig | 2:08

FAVS 497 SENIOR FILM PRACTICUM PRODUCING Q&A 12:45pm, JC Cinema Professor Lisa Thrasher Ryan Foster-Baird Kayla Gutierrez Ashlyn King Iana Lee

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FAVS 365 DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING 1:30pm, JC Cinema Professors Maura Ugarte and Rebekah Wingert-Jabi Professor Maura Ugarte – Fall 2023 My Melee, Bailey Kearns | 6:45 Ahmed Saeed is your average college student, juggling the stress of school, family, friends and self-doubt. When he has free time however, he enters a world of competition, determination and unbreakable bonds.

A Monumental Misfit, Casey Ruken | 6:40 In the Mind of Lamont Wallace, Paolo Antonio Rivas | 7:18 Lamont Wallace, affectionately known as “Mr. Lamont”, works daily to meet the needs of his students and their families, so they can thrive.

Indomitable, Megan Keough | 8:54 Retail worker during the week, lightweight champion by the weekend; he balances family, work, and personal struggles to pursue his passion for his lifelong hobby.

Play Now, Kayla Gutierrez | 5:43 Danny’s family discuss what it is like to raise a kid that likes toy guns.

The Angst of Art, Iana Lee | 6:57 A film student struggles to create a final project for their class.

The American Nightmare, Nathaniel G Henry | 9:03 Professional Strongman, Bobby Thompson is one of the strongest men on the planet, but it’s not without hard work and sacrifice.

AI Documentary, Benjamin Donnelly | 8:05 Gateway: A small business in transition, Vasile Rogojan | 8:32 The owner of a comic book store reflects back on his time in the business amid his retirement and transfer of the business to his daughter.

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We Are Here, Nikolai Bonshire | 8:07 Travel through space and our home in the Solar System, exploring the discoveries of astral phenomena that we can only dream of one day seeing face-to-face. On this journey, ponder the existence of the human race, the idea of societal & self-improvement, and our own purpose in the infinite universe.

Professor Rebekah Wingert-Jabi – Spring 2024 In Drag we Trust, Roberto Ferrara | 12:38 Drag Queen Charlemagne Chateau talks about her experiences performing in the city, Drag bans, Queer rights, and the violent Proud Boys protest during Story Hour while she was reading children’s books in a local bookstore.

My Laxmi, Sujay Khona | 4:57 Silver Wings: A Green Beret’s Story, E.J. Chicky Lieutenant Colonel, Bruce Warner (Ret) a Green Beret veteran, recounts to his grandson his experiences in the Vietnam War and sheds light on what it was like being in the special forces during that time period. The grandson sets out to memorialize these memories before they are lost forever.

Hanna, Cecilia Ohanian | 7:28 Born in Palestine, having escaped to America due to the 1967 War, George recounts layers of his identity like his mixed ethnicity, disability, and religion in the context of forced assimilation and the greater vilification of Arab-Americans.

Melody’s Nails, Naomi Ho | 8:34 Melody tells us about her life as a nail technician: how she got into doing nails, her day-to-day duties as a nail technician, interacting with clients from different backgrounds, and what her job means to her.

Portrait of an Artist, Andrew Shaffer | 7:44 Brothers In Power, James Bah | 2:34

FAVS 497 SENIOR FILM PRACTICUM 11

CINEMATOGRAPHY, EDITING, AND SOUND, Q&A 5:00pm, JC Cinema Professors Hans Charles, Amanda Kraus and Maura Ugarte *Reels are playing in the JC Cinema Lobby

Cinematography, Professor Hans Charles - Fall 2023 Joshua Biedrycki James Fredrickson Carl Julin Olivia Williams Cinematography, Professor Hans Charles – Spring 2024 Matthew Baltar Editing, Professor Amanda Kraus – Fall 2023 Christopher Garcia-Martinez Alexander Ianson Editing, Professor Maura Ugarte – Spring 2024 Alec Charlton Rachel Depratti Alexzander Fullerton Sydnee Jiggetts Talynn Leach Carson Morency Sound, Professor Amanda Kraus – Spring 2024 Justin Tyler Bowers Alexander Salmeron

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SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024 FAVS 499 SENIOR SHOWCASE 3:00pm, JC Cinema Professors Amanda Kraus and Tommy Britt *Both blocks include films that may contain mature themes and content not suitable for all audiences.

BLOCK 1 Professor Amanda Kraus – Senior Film – Fall 2023 UFO Super PAC , Evan Williams | 9:51 A lobbyist attempts to exploit UFO disclosure to get rich.

Glow Up, Jessilee Pollet | 11:35 After the loss of her father, Wendy’s wishes to see him again magically seem to come true with a cost.

Dust Bunny, Uris Delgado | 7:01 A young college girl plans to get rid of her plush toys, but a relative from the past will make her reflect on her decision.

Dirt, Panah Neshati | 5:54 The Spark, Archana Menawat | 6:37 Two people find out that they’re soulmates after getting zapped when they accidentally touch.

I Need Somebody, Parker Haller | 11:08 A successful comedian and influencer suffers his own depression that he struggles to hide from the rest of the world. Will he find the strength to seek help or collapse under the weight of his own pain?

Found and Lost, Spencer Phillips | 10:40 Alone in the mountains, a reunion becomes a nightmare.

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The Sea Before Us: An Anthology of Passion and Awe, Em Herman | 7:44 A collection of vignettes exploring the vast and varied experiences of those who study the ocean, its history, and how the planet and its seas have changed over thousands, millions, and billions of years. These scientists and educators not only bring their expertise in their fields, but also their immeasurable fascination and love for what they do.

BLOCK 2 Professor Tommy Britt – Senior Film – Fall 2023 What Makes You Tick?, Kyrec Day | 10:24 “What Makes You Tick?” is a documentary that explores an individual’s life to figure out what makes them, them.

Alcohology, Marco Arias-Anduze | 11:25 Greg is going through a tough time in his life and is spiraling until he meets a strangely helpful therapist.

Roaring Adolescence, Lily Damron | 11:00 A group of eccentric college friends anticipate the next stage of their adult lives, only to realize it is a series of never-ending obstacles and comically unexpected events.

Rules and Roses, Lance Maldonado | 9:49 Unexpectedly, Rose, a former lover of Casey’s, shows up at his apartment after disappearing for months.

Red-Handed , Brian Hearsey | 10:18 After misplacing his wallet, a man tries to shoplift a bottle of wine to impress his new girlfriend, but runs into trouble while trying to steal from the grocery store.

If You Hear The Bells, It’s Too Late!, Marko Djordjevic | 11:23 Ellison and his group of friends go to his estranged family’s farmhouse only to find it abandoned, with someone or something lurking in the woods.

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Memory, Vasile Rogojan | 9:35 A hired gun must come to terms with the consequences of his profession, avoiding the fallout from his latest job.

Vermilion Wildfire, Roberto Ferrara | 11:00 A queer college student struggles to balance his conscience after suffering a brutal attack, meanwhile, his best friend goes out on a rampage seeking revenge.

La Vida, Mauricio Alarcon | 11:58 Jorge, a son of Salvadoran immigrants, strives to make his high school soccer team but finds himself weighed down by the need to take care of his younger sister during his father’s unexpected absence.

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THANK YOU TO THE FILM AT MASON ADVISORY BOARD AND JURIES Vic Adebusola Theodore A. Adams III Meagan Arnold Leola Calzolai-Stewart Dean Rick Davis Zeyn Faddoul Jim Folliard Aaron Goodmiller Susan Graziano

Melissa Houghton Eric Hunsaker Wes Hunt Mel Jones Clara Kelly Kiley Kraskouskas Mary Lechter Mahrya MacIntire Willy Meaux

Christian Oh Chuck Peña Mohammed Saffouri Emily Schneider Rachell Shapiro Will Sidaros Russell Santos Rebekah Wingert-Jabi

WITH APPRECIATION TO THE FILM AT MASON STAFF Evan Bowen, Post-Production Coordinator Ronae Jones, Marketing & Office Coordinator Andrew Jorgensen, Technical Manager Maddie Portnoy, Academic Advisor Samantha Sinagra, Academic and Program Manager Anjuli Singh, Exhibitions and Office Coordinator

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FILM AT MASON FACULTY Cynthia Fuchs, Program Director and Associate Professor

Monica Lee Bellais, Adjunct Professor

Samirah Alkassim, Term Assistant Professor

Robert Farr, Adjunct Professor

Leonard Collins, Adjunct Professor Lucy Gebre-Egziabher, Adjunct Professor

Tommy Britt, Professor

Wesley Hunt, Adjunct Professor

Hans Charles, Associate Professor

Mel Jones, Adjunct Professor

G. Chesler, Professor

Susan Kehoe, Adjunct Professor

Nikyatu Jusu, Assistant Professor

Peter Kimball, Adjunct Professor

Amanda Kraus, Associate Professor

KJ Mohr, Adjunct Professor

Heather McDonald, Professor

Justin Reifert, Adjunct Professor

Justin Plakas, Assistant Professor

May Santiago, Adjunct Professor

Benjamin Steger, Associate Professor

Russell Santos, Adjunct Professor

Lisa Thrasher, Associate Professor

Rebekah Wingert-Jabi, Adjunct Professor

Maura Ugarte, Assistant Professor Meagan Arnold, Adjunct Professor 16