Program Guide 10TH ANNUAL NEW HOPE FILM FESTIVAL
JULY 19-28, 2019
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! New Hope Film Festival, Ltd., 6542-A Lower York Rd., #219, New Hope, PA 18938
June 8, 2019 Welcome to the 10th Annual New Hope Film Festival! This year, we are proudly presenting 89 independent films from 17 countries as we celebrate our watermark 10th year. We are also showcasing 27 original scripts. Although we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished as a festival so far, we’re also grateful for the relentless support of so many people who make this annual event possible. We must thank Mayor Larry Keller, who serves on the board of our venue the New Hope Arts Center, as he has immeasurably assisted us throughout our history. We also ardently thank our sponsors, a group of community leaders who value the arts and want the community to benefit from a high quality of life. We hope you will take a moment to thank them for helping this festival not only survive but thrive. We thank our new venue, Phillips Mill Community Association, as we look forward to our opening night there. And we are thankful for DeeterUSA, the marketing and communications firm we retained this year to advise us on all matters related to messaging and press. We also thank our local and regional media for providing outstanding coverage even when our festival was new and unproven. We also thank our many patrons, whose presence in our theaters inspires filmmakers and us alike. Finally, we need to thank our artists. An eclectic, talented and worldly group, the New Hope Film Festival’s filmmakers keep us on the edge of our seats as we wonder what stories will cross our threshold each season. All the best, D. F. Whipple President New Hope Film Festival
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190 witherspoon street princeton, nj 08542 609 688 9999 studiohillier.com
Barbara A. Hillier, AIA J. Robert Hillier, Lh.D., FAIA
Contents Schedule.....5
Film Lineup…..13 Ticket Prices…..20 Members and Visitors Guide.....29 Script Lineup…..37
Follow Us on Social Media! Facebook: facebook.com/newhopefilmfestival
Twitter: @newhopefilmfest
Instagram: newhopefilm
Blogger: newhopefilmfest.blogspot.com
Cover Photo: Signs of Aging Directed by: Tara Gadomski
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2019 Schedule TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
6:00 - 7:15 PM
Animal Kingdom
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Charlie Bee Company
Voice for the Wild
7:30 - 10:15 PM
World at War
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Their War
Union
12:00 - 1:30 PM
The Human Form
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Can Dolls Be My Neighbor
Anthonisen Sculptor
1:45 - 5:15 PM
Sex Trafficking in America
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
From Liberty to Captivity
Shattered Dreams
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Biographical Films
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Redemption
Beautiful Lie
7:45 - 9:15 PM
Beneath the Surface
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
What’s Gone
The Coward
12:00 - 1:45 PM
Age Is Only a Number
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Signs of Aging
Beyond Sixty Project
2:00 - 3:45 PM
The Stateless Diplomat
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
The Stateless Diplomat
4:00 - 6:45 PM
Shadow Lands
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
The Busker Kid
Shadow Lands
7:00 - 8:45 PM
Family Relationship Shorts
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Someone Good Will Find You
Mi Amor
Sif
My Million Dollar Mom
Friday, July 19
Saturday, July 20
Sunday, July 21
Festival Tip: The official venues in 2019:
New Hope Arts Center (2 Stockton Ave. New Hope)
Phillips Mill Community Association (2619 River Rd. New Hope)
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Discover the Difference
Global Influence Listings presented globally through exclusive channels, such as our alliance with the Sotheby’s auction house. 990 SIR offices in 72 countries and $112B in sales. Coveted Media Partnerships Media powerhouse partners like The New York Times and Mansion Global allow us access to strategic positioning to connect with global consumers. Prestigious Brand Heritage With recognition worldwide, the prestigious Sotheby’s brand dates to 1744 and offers unrivaled real-estate services for clients who expect the very best from the very best.
Artfully Uniting Extraordinary Homes With Extraordinary Lives Kurfiss.com 215.794.3227 New Hope Rittenhouse Square Chestnut Hill Bryn Mawr Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc.
Congratulations to the New Hope Film Festival on 10 Years of Bringing Independent and Creative Filmmakers to Bucks County
Nancy Bousum 215.378.0410 nbousum@kurfiss.com
Cary Simons 484.431.9019 cary@kurfiss.com
Hellen Cannon 215.779.6151 hellen@kurfiss.com
Chris Preston 215.262.9609 chris@kurfiss.com
Beth Danese 215.208.6549 beth@kurfiss.com
Michael J. Strickland 610.324.1457 strickland@kurfiss.com
Lisa Frushone 908.413.0156 lfrushone@kurfiss.com
Mary Walrond 215.350.3212 mary@kurfiss.com
Tom Hora 215.287.7070 thora@kurfiss.com
Katie Werner 215.802.1933 kwerner@kurfiss.com
Artfully Uniting Extraordinary Homes With Extraordinary Lives Kurfiss.com 215.794.3227 New Hope Rittenhouse Square Chestnut Hill Bryn Mawr Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc.
2019 Schedule (Continued) TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
1:00 - 2:30 PM
Six Days of Sistine
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Six Days of Sistine
2:45 - 4:15 PM
Think Back
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Think Back
4:30 - 7:15 PM
Freshman Year
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Break
Journey-Man
Freshman Year
7:30 - 9:30 PM
Clean Hands
Phillips Mill Theater
2619 River Road
Clean Hands
4:00 - 5:15 PM
Madness and Mayhem
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Refrigerator Animation
A Blood Throne
5:30 - 7:15 PM
Musical Cinema
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Love Her Better
Tether
Never Been to War
Shut Up, I’m on a Roll
Let It Go: The Cat Thief
Dreams and Dust
Pretty Pretty Prison
Everything’s Fine
John Hemmer & the Showgirls
7:30 - 9:15 PM
Sandpaper
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Devil’s Food Cake
Sandpaper
11:30 AM - 1:45 PM
Australian Conscience Films
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Christine
Ek Aasha
2:00 - 3:45 PM
Blind March
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Blind March
4:00 - 6:30 PM
Southern Justice
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Minor Injustice
Community First
6:45 - 9:00 PM
Tarab
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
From Emily
Tarab
Monday, July 22
Tuesday, July 23
Wednesday, July 24
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2019 Schedule (Continued) TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
1:45 - 3:00 PM
Student Film Matinee
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
The Shrinking Sky
Run in Circles
Anyone Like Me
Moon River
Night Light
3:15 - 5:15 PM
Another Yesterday
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
A Cold Spring
Another Yesterday
5:30 - 7:45 PM
Traumatic Experiences New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Vietnam Aftermath
The Time We Have
8:00 - 10:00 PM
LGBTQ Showcase
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Foreign
Hiding in Daylight
Australia Says Yes
1:00 - 2:30 PM
Eagle Feather
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
A Song for Luise
Eagle Feather
2:45 - 4:00 PM
China and Japan
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Against the Wall
Day of the Western Sunrise
4:15 - 6:15 PM
Where There Is Darkness
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Where there is Darkness
6:30 - 8:15 PM
A Better World
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Song of the Open Road
Doctor C
8:30 - 10:15 PM
Wheels
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Right Where You Left Me
Wheels
12:00 - 2:00 PM
Second Samuel
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Second Samuel
2:15 - 3:15 PM
Saturday Afternoon Matinee
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
From the Afghan People for Americans
Thursday, July 25
Friday, July 26
Saturday, July 27
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Congratulations to the
New Hope Film Festival On 10 Years of Bringing Original Filmmakers From Around the World to Bucks County
Join Us as We Celebrate 90 Years of Community Art and History www.phillipsmill.org 2619 River Road New Hope, Pennsylvania 18938 215.862.0582
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2019 Schedule (Continued) TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
Saturday, July 27 (Cont.) 3:30 - 5:30 PM
The Last Witness
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Too Many Bodies
The Last Witness
5:45 - 8:15 PM
Nathan’s Kingdom
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
The Magic Lantern
Epic Quest
Nathan’s Kingdom
8:30 - 11:45 PM
Short Film Program
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Gloria
Extra/Ordinary
Lost and Found
Shortcut
Scarborough
Son of Blackbeard
Happy Birthday Rachel Confrancisco
Follow the Leader
Only a Movie
They Fall Fast
Doorstep
Virtually
The Reckoning of Darkness
11:30 - 1:30 PM
Just Between Us
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Just Between Us
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Awards Ceremony (Filmmakers and/or By Invitation Only)
New Hope Arts Center
2 Stockton Ave
Sunday, July 28
Festival Insight: New Hope Film Festival’s Director of Submissions Thom Michael Mulligan is a seasoned actor and producer with long ties to New Hope and the Mid-Atlantic region. He now resides in southern California, where he oversees the selection of films and jury awards. Thom walked the celebrity red carpet for the first time in his career at the 2019 Academy Awards.
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Flemington and Yardley ShopRites are Proud to Support The New Hope Film Festival
Flemington,NJ
Clinton, NJ Phillipsburg, NJ Yardley, PA
Bethlehem, PA
Owned and Operated by the Colalillo Family, Caring for our communities since 1958.
www.shoprite.com Festival Tip: Metered parking is available on most streets in New Hope. Additional parking is available at five pay and display lots. The closest one to New Hope Arts Center is Union Square— located just across W. Bridge Street and the railroad tracks. Phillips Mills theater has its own parking lot just o Rt. 32 (River Road).
Smart phone payment is available at various locations by downloading the www.parkmobile.com app.
A complete parking guide is available at www.newhopeborough.org
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Film Lineup
A BLOOD THRONE
Directed by Xavier Garcia Short, USA
40 Minutes
An intimate portrayal of the dysfunctional relationship between father and son, Herod the Great and Antipas, at the height of King Herod’s delusion.
A COLD SPRING
Directed by Max Quill Student, USA
A little girl stuck in an unhappy home takes matters into her own hands.
6 Minutes
A SONG FOR LUISE
Directed by Boris Laible Short, Sweden
13 Minutes
Luise, a dreamy girl, lives alone with her quirky grandma. She wishes for nothing more than a normal life, but her special knowledge makes life far from normal.
AGAINST THE WALL
Directed by Kyle Saylors Short Documentary, USA
39 Minutes
A biopic of Kevin Foster, the only person ever allowed by the Chinese government to ride a bicycle atop the length of the Great Wall. He accomplished this incredible feat despite being told by doctors he would never walk or talk again.
ANOTHER YESTERDAY
Directed by Steven Heil Art House Feature, USA
98 Minutes
Three high school friends find common ground, including their rebellion against schoolyard bullies.
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ANTHONISEN SCULPTOR
Directed by Tom Spain Documentary, USA
64 Minutes
In this intimate biopic, Bucks County sculptor George Anthonisen creates classic figurative art thanks to the support of his wife and business partner, Ellen.
ANYONE LIKE ME
Directed by Mimi d’Autremont Student, USA
An inspiring story about finding yourself on a deaf football team.
26 Minutes
AUSTRALIA SAYS YES
Directed by Kirk Marcolina Documentary, Australia
53 Minutes
The story of the battle for marriage equality in Australia—told by those on the front lines.
BEAUTIFUL LIE
Directed by Joe Loverro Documentary, USA
78 Minutes
Multi-millionaire Anthony risks everything in his CEO life to reveal that she is also Michele.
Festival Tip: If you’re looking for a bargain, consider our value-priced matinees or patronize a Member (they are listed on page 29) and ask for their 10% member discount code. Another great value is the All-Festival Standby Pass—quantities are limited. Even if you want free entertainment, we have something for you. The Google blog, where we post previews and trailers, is found by clicking on the Blogger icon found on the upper-right corner of our homepage at www.newhopefilmfestival.com.
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BEYOND SIXTY PROJECT
Directed by Melissa Davey Documentary, USA
75 Minutes
The original voice of Siri, the Madam CJ Walker biographer and the sculptor of Lady Gaga’s Fame perfume carriage are among the inspirational stories revealed in this compelling documentary.
BLIND MARCH
Directed by Gabriel Di Giacomo Documentary, Brazil
79 Minutes
Violence by police against protestors in SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil, leaves people blind, injured and imprisoned, and this provocative documentary dares to ask why.
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Festival Insight: Filmmakers are easy to spot in the cafes, shops, hotels and B&Bs of New Hope and Lambertville during the 10-day event because they love wearing their official NHFF lanyards.
BREAK
Directed by Richard and Lucie Amberg Student, USA
25 Minutes
Everything’s golden for Mike and Hannah, college sweethearts fast-tracking their way to “happily ever after.” But with graduation on the horizon life suddenly gets real.
CAN DOLLS BE MY NEIGHBOR
Directed by Claire He Student, USA
4 Minutes
Ayano Tsukimi moved back to her childhood home, Nagoro, Shikoku, to find that only 40 people were left in the once vibrant village of 350. To fill in the emptiness, she brought her neighbors back to town as dolls.
CHARLIE BEE COMPANY
Directed by Ashley Scott Davison TV Piilot, USA
22 Minutes
A fun, character-driven TV series about a wild bunch of crazy Texas beekeepers who rescue Africanized honeybees from desperate and dangerous situations. 16
CHRISTINE
Directed by Myles Pollard Short, Australia
A small town girl reflects back on the event that shattered her life irrevocably.
3 Minutes
CLEAN HANDS
Directed by Michael Dominic Documentary, USA
98 Minutes
A feature-length fly-on-the-wall cinéma vérité that tells the remarkable, true story of how the Lopez family survives amidst Central America’s largest garbage dump.
COMMUNITY FIRST, A HOME FOR THE HOMELESS
Directed by Layton Blaylock Documentary, USA
65 Minutes
A feature documentary about a unique community that transforms the lives of homeless people.
Festival Insight: Audience Choice Awards are directly chosen by audience ballots. Have your voice heard and make a difference in film culture by coming to shows, voting, and leaving comments.
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DAY OF THE WESTERN SUNRISE
Directed by Keith Reimink Documentary, USA
75 Minutes
An animated, Japanese language documentary that follows three survivors from the Lucky Dragon, a tuna trawler that haplessly encountered an American hydrogen bomb test.
DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE
Directed by Andrew Pritzker Short, USA
23 Minutes
On a cold Ozark night, a roadside waitress thinks her last customer of the night is Satan, and she may be right.
DOCTOR C.
Directed by Stanley Preston Documentary, USA
66 Minutes
In the 1970s, a predominately African-American population of nearly 400,000 living near Washington, DC didn’t have access to a community hospital. Dr. Francis Chiaramonte founded Southern Maryland Hospital, changing their lives. This is his story.
DOORSTEP
Directed by Michael Capone Short, USA
10 Minutes
As a couple searches a remote corner of Pennsylvania for their missing daughter, family secrets spill out into the open, fracturing everyone’s sense of reality.
DREAMS AND DUST
Directed by Marc Reed Short, USA
3 Minutes
A New Jersey artist uses time lapse photography to explore abandoned neighborhoods.
EAGLE FEATHER
Directed by Steve Encell Student, Thailand, USA
66 Minutes
An animated, family friendly story about Elizabeth, a young American Indian girl and her single father as they journey into the wilderness to search for her first ceremonial eagle feather. 18
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EK AASHA
Directed by Mayur Katariya Art House Feature, Australia, India
123 Minutes
The quest of a transgender girl to become a teacher in India against all the odds.
EPIC QUEST
Directed by Chelsea Goodman Short, Canada
12 Minutes
A fantasy game-themed, wryly comedic world where Alys, a headstrong bar maiden, lives a dull life working at the Cranky Raven Tavern with her bubbly younger sister, Thea. Dull, that is, until the King’s Men kidnap Thea during a bar fight.
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EVERYTHING’S FINE: A PANIC ATTACK IN D MAJOR
Directed by Zack Morrison Student, USA
14 Minutes
A musical comedy about a woman at the onset of her quarter-life crisis, revealing her existential journey through the various stages of anxiety.
EXTRA/ORDINARY
Directed by Benjamin Long Webisode, USA
11 Minutes
Three ordinary roommates with extraordinary abilities: a struggling actress who can’t be lied to, a British barista who can read minds and a couch potato who knows the future. None are bothered with saving the world; they just want to make it through the day.
FOLLOW THE LEADER
Directed by Ryan Lewis Merritt Short, USA
6 Minutes
A merciless CEO unleashes her wrath on her slacker sales force, but this is not your ordinary company.
Festival Tip: Ticket Prices at the Door Patron $14.00
Student/Senior (65+) $12.50
Matinee $10.00
Awards Ceremony (Filmmakers and invited guests only) $20.00
Standby Pass $35
Ticket Prices in Advance Patron $12.50
Student/Senior (65+) $11.00
Matinee $8.50
Awards Ceremony (Filmmakers and invited guests only) $20.00
Standby Pass $33.50
Note: Our ticketing vendor adds a processing fee to all advance ticket purchases.
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FOREIGN
Directed by Mark Pinkosh Short, UK
A standup comedian navigates the streets of London, a first date, a secret struggle and the challenge of being a single, thirtysomething lesbian.
28 Minutes
FRESHMAN YEAR
Directed by Jude Okwudiafor Johnson Art House Feature, USA
105 Minutes
A Christian high school graduate is challenged by social and peer pressure during his freshman year in a state university.
FROM EMILY
Directed by Amanda Raymond Short, USA
16 Minutes
A man is haunted by an ex-girlfriend after he hears her plane has gone down in a crash.
FROM LIBERTY TO CAPTIVITY
Directed by Debbie Wright Documentary, USA
132 Minutes
A tough examination of sex traďŹƒcking in the state of Pennsylvania, complete with the stories of unsung heroes (abolitionist citizens, front line workers, educators, law enforcement personnel, etc.) who are on the battlefield fighting for freedom.
FROM THE AFGHAN PEOPLE FOR AMERICANS
Directed by Esther Hyneman Documentary, USA, Afghanistan
42 Minutes
A revealing documentary about the progress the people of Afghanistan have made in overcoming the social ills that have impeded their country’s development, especially the oppression of women and the denial of education to girls.
Festival Tip: An archive of past issues of this Program Guide can be found in the About section of https://www.newhopefilmfestival.com. 21
Addison Wolfe Real Estate A BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE FIRM WITH GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
“Give them pleasure - the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare.” - Alfred Hitchcock Main Office: 550 Union Square, New Hope, PA 18938 Addison Wolfe by the Canal: 30 West Bridge Street, New Hope, PA 18938 www.AddisonWolfe.com • 215.862.5500
GLORIA
Directed by Joelle Arseneau Short, Canada
Four friends swear a solemn oath to give up the opposite sex forever.
6 Minutes
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL CONFRANCISCO
Directed by Rachel Confrancisco Student, USA
9 Minutes
Rachel Confrancisco has always been self-conscious, but on her 18th birthday and her first day of college she radically demands to exist. Rachel is unruly as she tries to control her roller coaster of a day.
HIDING IN DAYLIGHT
Directed by Cheryl Allison Short, USA
15 Minutes
After a tyrannical gay purge, four best friends survive by living in fake marriages. 22
JOHN HEMMER & THE SHOWGIRLS
Directed by Kirsten Larvick Short Documentary, USA
35 Minutes
A behind-the-scenes peek inside Lou Walters’ famed Latin Quarter nightclub in New York City.
JOURNEY-MAN
Directed by Joseph Bologna Student, USA
19 Minutes
A boxer struggles with bipolar disorder in and outside of the ring. When his methods of controlling his emotions comes into question he’s forced to choose between his favorite means of escape and the risks inherent
in finding a better path.
JUST BETWEEN US
Directed by Christopher Kay Art House Feature, Australia
106 Minutes
An unadventurous people pleaser and her childhood friend set off on a road trip—along with the ghost of her late sister.
LET IT GO: THE CAT THIEF
Directed by Jonathan Raines Music Video, USA
Office worker by day and diamond burglar at night; she is the Cat Thief.
3 Minutes
LOST AND FOUND
Directed by Zilong Wang Short, USA
22 Minutes
In a sleepy hotel, a mysterious Asian woman is noticed by staff member Louis, who soon realizes she might be a Hong Kong movie star who died years ago.
Festival Tip: This Program Guide can be downloaded and shared by clicking on the download icon and Share link. 23
LOVE HER BETTER
Directed by Jim Ervin Music Video, USA
3 Minutes
Music video from Jessica Meuse's "Halfhearted" album release, a Top 10 iTunes Country Album.
MI AMOR
Directed by Yeniffer Behrens Short, USA
22 Minutes
A young couple deals with parents whose past could come back to haunt everyone.
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MINOR INJUSTICE
Directed by Emily de Santos Documentary, USA
69 Minutes
This documentary asks whether Texas can morally continue to send its youth to adult prisons.
MOON RIVER
Directed by Cody Noble Student, France
8 Minutes
Mathieu is a young man who only feels included via his ability to sing. When he loses his voice on his way to a date, Mathieu discovers that selfconfidence should not stem from other people.
MY MILLION DOLLAR MOM
Directed by Kevin Hackenberg Short, USA
When an aging mother’s health starts to fail from Alzheimer’s, her son must decide between becoming a Congressman and honoring his mother’s wish for him to remain in her home.
33 Minutes
NATHAN’S KINGDOM
Directed by Olicer Munoz Art House Feature, USA
98 Minutes
A sci-fi, coming-of-age drama about Nathan, a young autistic man who struggles to connect with his teenage opiate-addicted sister, Laura.
NEVER BEEN TO WAR
Directed by Derek Selinger Music Video, Canada
4 Minutes
This heartfelt music video communicates a sense of gratitude towards the sacrifices of Armed Forces Service Members.
Festival Insight: New Hope Film Festival’s website is Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). 25
Festival Tip: The Festival publishes this Program Guide digitally, an environmentally friendly approach that helps us better manage the planet’s and our own resources.For those who want a printed copy, we gladly oer them for sale at our venues throughout our annual event.
Additionally, copies are on sale prior to and during the Festival at our printing company, New Hope Photo, 358 W. Bridge St. on the outskirts of New Hope.
July 10 - August 4 Season Sponsor: Valerie Moritz Smith Production Sponsor: Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects
The Professional Theatre at DeSales University 610.282.WILL
A free, read-only copy is available several weeks before the Festival at The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury, 93 W. Ferry Street, New Hope.
PaShakespeare.org
NIGHT LIGHT
Directed by Yamiset Trujillo Student, USA
8 Minutes
On his way from nest to sea, a newborn sea turtle must choose his guiding light wisely on the bright beaches of Miami.
ONLY A MOVIE!
Directed by Teddy Cecil Short, USA
17 Minutes
Guy realizes that life is a terrible movie as he searches for a way to rewrite his own ending.
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PRETTY PRETTY PRISON
Directed by Amanda Spencer Short, USA
In preparation for her daughter's 10th birthday, an Orange County housewife confronts her dreams and disappointments—and discovers that she's not alone—in a mini-musical set in suburban purgatory.
19 Minutes
REDEMPTION - THE JOHN PERKINS STORY
Directed by Greg Fromholz Documentary, Ireland
21 Minutes
Civil rights pioneer John Perkins was born a sharecropper’s son in a family of bootleggers. Repeatedly harassed, imprisoned, and beaten by white police officers, he chose to forgive and fight for justice all the way from community development to the White House.
REFRIGERATOR ANIMATION
Directed by Christian Kalczewski Short, USA
A man finds his new refrigerator to be very problematic. VERY problematic.
18 Minutes
Festival Tip: To keep abreast of the latest news from the Festival, follow us on Twitter @newhopefilmfest and search our official hashtag #newhopefilmfest
Festival Tip: The New Hope Film Festival has retained DeeterUSA, a mid-sized marketing and communications boutique with offices in Pennsylvania and Colorado, to assist us in all aspects of marketing and media relations.
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RIGHT WHERE YOU LEFT ME
Directed by Merced Elizondo Short, USA
14 Minutes
A few days before their one-year anniversary, Damien is suddenly dealing with a mountain of unanswered questions after his girlfriend, Olivia, ghosts him.
RUN IN CIRCLES
Directed by Marion Reymond Student, Switzerland
4 Minutes
In this experimental and abstract film, a young man ponders to himself: �Where is she? There must be a woman who likes me? That would love me and that I would love. I do want some love, too. I want to love and feel loved."
SANDPAPER
Directed by Jarett Bellucci Art House Feature, USA
72 Minutes
Eager to add value to her property before selling it, newly divorced Kate Hunt hires an amiable but eccentric local carpenter named Howard to build her a new deck. Initially the perfect craftsman, HowardĘźs behavior grows ever more edgy as work progresses. Inspired by a true story.
SCARBOROUGH
Directed by Walker Sayen Short, USA
14 Minutes
When his father leaves after a heated argument, a young boy named David has to come to terms with the fact that his parents' relationship is coming to a close.
SECOND SAMUEL
Directed by J. Wayne Patterson Jr. Art House Feature, USA
99 Minutes
In 1949 B-Flat, an autistic young man from the southern town of Second Samuel, Georgia begins a pen-pal relationship with Harry Truman while racial tensions impact the community.
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Members and Visitors Guide Families and Individuals Bradley and Patricia Cannon
Mayor Laurence D. Keller Lodging 1870 Wedgwood Bed & Breakfast (Charter Member)
Black Bass Hotel (Charter Member)
HollyHedge Estate (Charter Member)
Inn at Lambertville Station (Charter Member)
Porches on the Towpath Bed & Breakfast (Charter
Member)
The Mayor of New Hope supports
NEW HOPE FILM FESTIVAL
Restaurants, Things to Do & Food Anton’s at the Swan Restaurant
Bucks Happening, Local Events
Ghost Tours of New Hope
Havana New Hope (Charter Member)
New Hope Arts, Inc.
Nina’s Waffles
Phillips Mill Community Association
River Cat Cafe Boutiques and Shops Artisans Gallery, American Crafts
Jos Finkle & Son, Inc., The World’s Most Unusual
Hardware Store
Liberty Village Premium Outlets (Charter Member)
New Hope Auto Sales (Charter Member)
Rice’s Market Professional Services Addison Wolfe Real Estate
Cannon, Hellen I. - Kurfiss Sotheby’s International
Realty (Charter Member)
Comcast Corporation (Charter Member)
IP Works Law, Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights
J. Robert Hillier and Barbara Hillier Architects, Studio
Hillier (Charter Member)
Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty
Penn Color, Inc. (Charter Member)
Mayor Laurence D. Keller is a lifetime supporter of the arts in the New Hope community. Professional Services (Continued) Penn Community Bank
Silverman Family Partnerships (Charter Member)
The First National Bank and Trust Company of Newtown
(Charter Member)
Times Publishing (Charter Member)
Univest - Banking, Insurance, Investments (Charter Member)
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SHADOW LANDS
Directed by Dennis Polanco Art House Feature, USA
123 Minutes
A street-entrenched 12-year-old New Yorker struggles to learn that there is more to life beyond the streets as her down-and-out uncle introduces her to the alternatives of music and running.
SHATTERED DREAMS: SEX TRAFFICKING IN AMERICA
Directed by Bill Wisneski Documentary, USA
55 Minutes
A comprehensive documentary that examines the pervasive, dark underworld of sex traďŹƒcking in America. Personal stories from survivors of the illicit sex trade and leading experts reveal how vastly misunderstood and disregarded this important human rights issue has been.
SHORTCUT
Directed by Pete Safran Short, USA
When two girls take a shortcut they make an unexpected discovery.
6 Minutes
SHUT UP, I’M ON A ROLL
Directed by Oscar Martin Music Video, Spain
4 Minutes
In this elegant music video, a nice but somewhat naive girl walks into a casino, then with all hope and illusion she kisses her only token and makes her bet at the roulette wheel.
Festival Insight: The New Hope Film Festival sends audience ballot reports to filmmakers on request and keeps the ballots in storage indefinitely. Filmmakers love learning about audience comments!
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Festival Tip: For a quick refreshment or meal or for late night hunger cravings, visitors to New Hope should check out the 24-hour Wawa convenience store at 341 W. Bridge Street.
© 2016 Wawa, Inc.
SIF
Directed by Arnar Freyr Tomasson and Stefan Mekkinosson Short, Iceland
28 Minutes
Sif, a young girl living with her father and younger brother in the Viking era, witnesses a mysterious, flaming object crashing down from the sky. Her adventurous nature compels her to investigate.
SIGNS OF AGING
Directed by Tara Gadomski Short, USA
10 Minutes
A mysterious young woman confronts a pushy skin cream salesperson who is selling anti-aging potions.
SIX DAYS OF SISTINE
Directed by Richard Perry Art House Feature, UK
86 Minutes
Two young people from different races fall in love in London. Two souls lost in a world of modernization, they find each other in a moment’s need for clarity and appreciation. 31
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SOMEONE GOOD WILL FIND YOU
Directed by Leelila Strogov Short, USA
9 Minutes
A well-intentioned Chinese immigrant father tries to teach his son, David, how to make it in America. When the boy becomes enamored by a Superman costume in a store window, his father sees an opportunity to teach him the importance of hard work, thrift, and delayed gratification.
SON OF BLACKBEARD
Directed by Thomas Verdi Short, USA
15 Minutes
Somehow the notorious pirate Blackbeard exists in the modern world, but much to his chagrin his twentysomething son doesn’t want to learn the piracy trade and only wants to party.
SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD: THE STORY OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUTH CHORALE
Directed by Melissa Dowler Short Documentary, USA
27 Minutes
K. Gene Simmonds, a high school music teacher in the 1960s and 70s, had a hard time trying to make his students care about the rest of the world, preferring to stay snug in their own little corner of the state. Determined he could make a dierence in their lives if he could open their minds to the wonders of travel, he founded an international sensation youth chorale. 32
TARAB
Directed by Jennifer Hanley Art House Feature, USA
88 Minutes
Mena Isaac is a single, successful Lebanese-American lawyer who is married to her career. Sarah, her mother, desperately wants grandchildren and even arranges some dates including, unwittingly, one with a gay Lebanese man. But Mena is getting older and Sarah is losing hope.
TETHER
Directed by Natalie A. Chao, Kenzo K. Le Music VIdeo, USA
6 Minutes
Singer-songwriter Leo Xia wrote this tender song from his grandfather’s perspective after his maternal grandmother’s passing ended the elderly couple’s 50-year marriage.
THE BUSKER KID
Directed by Kevin Durr, Kristy Walsh Short, USA
27 Minutes
Arlo Abernathy attempts to follow in his late grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a marionette performer on the Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk.
THE COWARD
Directed by Ziyi Wang Short, China, Hong Kong
30 Minutes
A girl runs away from her life, only to find out there is nowhere to escape.
Festival Tip: Advance tickets are available through a third party vendor, Brown Paper Tickets. To get tickets, follow the Tickets link at www.newhopefilmfestival.com or call Brown Paper Tickets Customer Service at (800) 838-3006.
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THE LAST WITNESS
Directed by Piotr Szkopiak Art House Feature, UK
93 Minutes
A political thriller based on the harrowing true events of Joseph Stalin’s Katyn Massacre in Spring 1940.
THE MAGIC LANTERN
Directed by Thomas Queille Short, Switzerland
14 Minutes
Since his stroke, Paul, 85 years old, is unable to speak or move by himself. Deprived of its independence, he’s forced to move into a retirement home. While his family packs the last boxes, his granddaughter Sarah discovers an old magic lantern.
THE RECKONING OF DARKNESS
Directed by Christopher Kulikowski Short, USA
26 Minutes
The sole survivor of a shipwreck washes ashore on an island at the extreme north of the British Isles. The survivor, Victor, is restored to health by the local inhabitants but guarding the secrets of his haunted past.
THE SHRINKING SKY
Directed by Hannah Silverman Student, USA
14 Minutes
In the near future, Earth’s atmosphere is rapidly shrinking due to CO2 emissions and the planet will soon be uninhabitable. Amidst the doom, two children learn to appreciate the planet while they can.
THE STATELESS DIPLOMAT: DIANA APCAR’S HEROIC LIFE
Directed by Mimi Malayan Documentary, USA
79 Minutes
A 19th century Armenian writer living in Japan became the de facto ambassador of a lost nation.
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THE TIME WE HAVE
Directed by David Drewry Documentary, USA
80 Minutes
Life as a teenager is hard in the best of circumstances. But what if you are a teen facing terminal cancer? This documentary tells the story.
THEIR WAR
Directed by Max Mason Short, UK
22 Minutes
Two soldiers on opposite sides of World War I must do all they can to survive and get back to the families they left behind.
THEY FALL FAST
Directed by Ed McCarthy Short, USA
12 Minutes
Eileen and Carlos are two awkward strangers whose hike in the desert has a surprising destination that has the potential to either change or end their lives.
THINK BACK
Directed by Bumba Ibrahim Art House Feature, Ghana
80 Minutes
Prince Zoe returns from the United States of America after many years of studies and launches a crusade against foreign exploitation and African corruption.
TOO MANY BODIES
Directed by Reena Dutt Music Video, USA
6 Minutes
A music video for Alex Mackey's "Place Called Us� addressing the need for gun reform through dance, music and survivor support.
UNION
Directed by Whitney Hamilton Art House Feature, USA
120 Minutes
A woman disguises herself as her dead brother, Henry, in order to survive in the Confederate ranks during the Civil War. 35
VIETNAM AFTERMATH
Directed by Tom Phillips Short Documentary, USA
30 Minutes
More than 40 years have passed since the official end of the Vietnam War. For years, many veterans of this war refused to talk about their experience. Now, however, as many begin to die out, four Vets that belong to the New Jersey Vietnam Veteran's Memorial share their stories for the first time.
VIRTUALLY
Directed by P. Patrick Hogan Short, USA
20 Minutes
A woman struggling to survive alone in a post-apocalyptic wasteland discovers a virtual reality machine and escapes from her loneliness into a scenic virtual world.
VOICE FOR THE WILD
Directed by Brianna Dent Student, USA
39 Minutes
Voice for the Wild explores the positive side of zoos as public opinion becomes increasingly negative.
WHAT’S GONE
Directed by Santiago Luchini Short, Argentina
29 Minutes
Francisco and Mercedes, both 35 years old, are reunited in Mexico City after a few years without seeing each other, having ended a long engagement in Buenos Aires.
WHEELS
Directed by Paul Starkman Art House Feature, USA
80 Minutes
Wheels is a coming-of-age story about Max, a 19-year-old from Brooklyn who wants to be a well-known DJ.
WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS
Directed by Sean Bloomfield, Cimela Kidonakis Documentary, USA
103 Minutes
When Father Rene began helping ex-convicts get their lives back together after prison, the people closest to him worried that he was putting his life at risk—and he was. 36
Script Lineup TITLE
WRITER
SYNOPSIS
A Lonely Painter
Juan Faidley
An elderly woman uses her art to cope with a brutal attack she witnessed from her bedroom.
Aktion T-4
John Martins III
Lutheran bishop Friedrich Bodelschwingh and Catholic deacon Karl Leisner struggle to end the Third Reich's euthanasia program. Based on a true story.
Aliens from Inner Space
Ronnie Das
An exploration of the liveliest place in the Milky Way Galaxy via the rare and unique creatures of third rock from the Sun.
Behold
Tom Cavanaugh
When a family confronts the tragedy of a teenage son's violent death in a school shooting, it seems that nothing could be worse. But they are wrong.
Beneficiary
Frank Hughes
Struggling insurance agent Rick teams with Rufus DeWhit, the leader of a disreputable gang in Oakland, to write life insurance policies on members of vulnerable members of the gang.
Brock Wilbur: Adventure Pig
Lukas Ridge
A young reporter travels to the big city to interview a famous pig but winds up entangled in one of his adventures.
Brooklyn Beasts
Russell Pontone
A down and out family must procure the burial of a low level mobster’s wife in order to save their funeral home business.
Caught Between Two Worlds
Carlos Perez
A teenage girl of mixed race deals with not fitting in with Whites or Latinos while worrying that her mother with blonde hair and blue eyes may harbor prejudice towards her as well.
Forgiveness
Hal LaCroix
Set in the late 2040s, Forgiveness is the story of how the next generation of young people react after the battle against climate change is lost.
Have Mercy
Jason Ruscio
A parallel action story centering around two characters, a popular politician and a humble convenience store owner.
Invisible Prisons
Hoyt Richards, After a suicide attempt, a troubled teen finds himself in a mental health Lawrence Nelson facility where he rejects any help, but when a brazen young bulimic girl arrives he discovers the one thing he never considered—falling in love.
Little Things Mean a Lot
Michael Monteith The true story of Kitty Kallen amidst her rise to becoming the most popular U.S. singer.
Love in a Time of War
Francis Hamit
Six students from the University of Iowa in the 1960s experience the Civil Rights crusade, Sexual Revolution, anti-war movement and Vietnam.
Old Soul
Jon Emm
A desperate old woman makes a wish to unite with the family she never knew. Her wish is granted when she becomes the 12-year-old foster child of her own granddaughter.
Requite
James Castagno
The murder of an uncle turns a veteran’s thoughts to a quote by Alexander Pope.
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TITLE
WRITER
SYNOPSIS
Robert Smalls
John Harris
Robert Smalls leads a daring escape from Charleston Harbor during the American Civil War.
Rodeo
Ian Reichbach
The drama behind Rodeo Drive’s spectacular birth and reign, centering on the rise of a power couple like real life Fred and Gale Hayman.
Saraya Leaves Patrick
Ryan Thurston
A man imagines a conversation where he tries to convince his girlfriend to stay with him.
So
Michael Feder
After getting kicked out of her punk band for unexplained reasons, a young woman goes after the other band members to find an explanation for her removal.
The Coldest Horizon
Jeffrey Howe
Marooned at the South Pole, a scientist gladly accepts help from a longdeceased polar explorer—but the dead have their own agenda.
The Fourth Psalm
John Martins III
Dire consequences ensue when two Catholic priests clash during the 1980s Sanctuary Movement involving Central American refugees.
The Gael
Lucas Diercouff
A Celtic wife must fight to rescue her husband after he’s captured by the Romans.
The O’Malley
John F. Sarno
When England invades western Ireland, Grace O'Malley decides to confront the Crown in person.
The Vendor
Kim Viscio
A casual relationship between a coffee vendor and one of his customers becomes complicated.
Timber
Pat Stevens
A strained family relationship gets worse in Timber, Oregon (population 50), a place where treacherous mountain roads, logging accidents, and residents who stay put forever combine to make bouncing back difficult.
Utopia Planitia
George Reese
When a company executive dies of so-called natural causes under mysterious circumstances, three people begin separate investigations that expose secrets of an outwardly idyllic Martian colony.
Wheels
Micky Levy
When 15-year-old Alice's family falls apart at her brother's Bar Mitzvah, she must come to terms with her mom's illness.
Festival Tip: Unlike typical movie theater shows, New Hope Film Festival screenings are usually followed by filmmaker Q&A sessions, giving audience members an opportunity to ask questions and peek behind the scenes of a film.
In Memoriam New Hope Film Festival founding artist and Director of Communications Marianne Speiser passed away in December 2018 after a long health struggle. Born in New Jersey, Marianne moved to New Hope in 1964 and quickly became a vibrant member of the community. She served as Director of the New Hope Tourism and Information Center, bringing people to the artsy, bohemian town she loved. As a gifted musician and composer, she also had many artistic talents of her own. A dedicated mother and grandmother, Marianne was deeply devoted to her family, neighbors and friends. She cannot easily be replaced as the Festival’s press liaison and fundraiser, but her ever optimistic spirit is with us.
A warm thank you to our filmmakers, sponsors, venues, patrons, media partners and members of the community for our first 10 years of operation.
Together, we will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2034.