Opening Night Film
The Regional Premiere of "Ride, Rise, Roar"
Directed by David Hillman Curtis

A David Byrne concert film that blends riveting onstage performances with intimate details of the creative collaborations that make the music and performance happen.  

Centerpiece Film
The Arizona Premiere of “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone”
Directed by Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler

The story of Fishbone, California's legendary group of black punk-funk rockers, who, despite monumental career highs and lows are still funking on the one.  Narrated by Laurence Fishburne.

Closing Night Film
The Tucson Premiere of “MARS”
Directed by Geoff Marslett

Animated sci-fi romantic comedy about the first manned mission to Mars. With a soundtrack written by Howe Gelb and including performances by Howe Gelb, Giant Sand, Neko Case, Victoria Williams, Jason Lytle, Kristen Hersh, John Convertino, Bill Elm and more.

Ride, Rise, Roar
(Regional Premiere)
Dir. David Hillman Curtis
Ravel Films
USA/2010/87 min.
www.rideriseroar.com

A David Byrne concert film that blends riveting onstage performances with intimate details of the creative collaborations that make the music and performance happen.  Shot with multiple cameras over several concerts during the 08/09 tour, the film combines the energy and charisma of classic Talking Heads with the heartfelt pathos of David Byrne and Brian Eno's most recent collaboration.  Between the songs, the film achieves an unprecedented intimacy with David Byrne and the band, documenting behind-the-scenes auditions, rehearsals, and interviews with key players while revealing the creative process that led to the show's unique fusion of pop music and modern dance.

Friday, October 8th
7:30pm

MARS
(Tucson Premiere)
Dir. Geoff Marslett
Swerve Pictures
USA/2010/82 min.
www.swervepictures.com

A new space race is born between NASA and the ESA when Charlie Brownsville, Hank Morrison, and Dr. Casey Cook compete against an artificially intelligent robot to find out what's up there on the red planet. MARS follows these three astronauts on the first manned mission to our galactic neighbor. On the way they experience life-threatening accidents, self-doubts, obnoxious reporters, and the boredom of extended space travel. This romantic comedy is told in the playful style of a graphic novel, using a unique animation process that director Geoff Marslett developed specifically for the film.

Sunday, October 10th
7:00pm

Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
(Arizona Premiere)
Dir. Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler
Pale Griot Films
USA/2010/107 min.
www.fishbonedocumentary.com

From the shifting fault lines of Hollywood fantasies and the economic and racial tensions of Reagan's America, Fishbone rose to become one of the most original bands of the last 25 years.  With a blistering combination of punk and funk they demolished the walls of genre and challenged the racial stereotypes and political order of the music industry and the nation.  Telling it like it is, the iconic Laurence Fishburne narrates EVERYDAY SUNSHINE, a story about music, history, fear, courage and funking on the one.

Saturday, October 9th
9:00pm

Rock 'n' Roll High School
Dir. Allan Arkush
New World Pictures
USA/1979/93 min.

Vince Lombardi High School is the wildest, most rockin' high school around! That is, until a thug of a principal, Miss Togar, comes along and tries to make the school a totalitarian state. With the help of The Ramones, the students battle Miss Togar's iron-fisted rule and take their battle to a truly rockin' conclusion in this 1979 cult classic!

The Mine With The Iron Door
Dir. Sam Wood
Sol Lesser Productions
USA/1924/B&W/80 min.

Filmed in Canada del Oro in the Santa Catalina Mountains northwest of Tucson, The Mine With The Iron Door is a classic silent Western that tells the story of two old prospectors, a young girl, a fugitive, and a Native American who become embroiled in a fight for gold. Performed with a live music score conducted and composed by native Tucsonan Brian Holman, this film is presented in conjunction with Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation as part of the Rialto Theatre's 90th Anniversary Celebration.

This rare copy of the film has been digitally restored and loaned by the "CNC - Archives françaises du film." The film is based on the novel by renowned Tucson author Harold Bell Wright. In a original review of the film upon it's release in 1924, Variety proclaimed, "...the plot has dignity, drama, romantic interest and a definite appeal. There is much skill of direction and artistry."

Coals to Newcastle: The New Mastersounds from Leeds to New Orleans
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Aaron Dunsay & Marca Hagenstad
Colfax Productions
USA/2010/79 min.
www.coalstonewcastlefilm.com

Soul quartet The New Mastersounds bring their brand of UK-tinged R&B to a post-Katrina New Orleans during Jazzfest 2007.

Coming Back For More
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Willem Alkema
Dwars Productions
Netherlands/2010/74 min.
www.slystonedocumentary.com

Sly Stone, innovative founder of the seminal funk band Sly and the Family Stone, disappeared from the limelight in the '80s and became virtually untraceable.  In 2002, director, musician and fan Willem Alkema began his hunt for Stone.  Part exploration of the band's history and part search for its legendary frontman, “Coming Back for More” is an intriguing look at one of the most influential musicians of the last 50 years.

La faccia della terra (The Face of the Earth)
(US Premiere)
Dir. Gianfranco Firriolo
La Cupa
ITALY/2009/55 min.
www.viniciocapossela.it

A unique “film-story,” The Face of the Earth takes viewers on a physical and interior journey via the music of eccentric Italian musician Vinicio Capossela, and Tucson’s own Calexico.

Miracle In A Box: A Piano Reborn
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. John Korty
Bridge Pin Productions / Korty Films
USA/2009/56 min.
www.miracleinabox.com

This fascinating documentary tracks the restoration of a classic instrument via the hands of talented craftsmen and woman who restore a prized piano to its former glory.  Directed by Academy Award-winning documentarian John Korty and narrated by John Lithgow.

No Fun City
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Melissa James
Make Believe Films
CANADA/2010/80 min.
www.nofuncity.org

Is live music being silenced? In many cities around the world, independent music clubs are being shut down ¾ a by-product of condo developments in low-income artists communities, the commercialization of music venues and a rise in strict city zoning and liquor laws.  “No Fun City” (aka Vancouver BC) examines a creative community where DIY culture, loud music and illegal venues reign, despite (or maybe as a result of) conflicting business interests and city regulations.

On A Carousel Of Sound, We Go Round
(Regional Premiere)
Dir. Nicholas Kleczewski
Techtronic Rocket Society
USA/2009/75 min.
www.snakecrosscrown.com

The Snake The Cross The Crown is one of a host of unknown bands who tour the country, play for a small group of followers, and finally ask themselves the question every musician is eventually faced with: is this worth it? Combining performance footage, behind the scenes moments and animation, this moving road-trip diary allows the viewer to experience the struggles of a band on the road, with a future unclear.

SING
(World Premiere)
Dir. Laura Crosta
Mashed Potatoes / Roadside Pictures Inc.
USA/2010/77 min.
  
SING celebrates the musicians of Los Angeles’ famed Hotel Café, their friendships and music, and explores how the venue and its eponymous tour have impacted the careers and lives of the artists.  Featuring Gary Jules, Cary Brothers, Imogen Heap, Jim Bianco, Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Joshua Radin and William Fitzsimmons. 

Sounds Like A Revolution
(West Coast Premiere)
Dir. Summer Love & Jane Michener
Deltatime Productions
CANADA/2010/76 min.
www.soundslikearevolution.com

A new generation of activist musicians - including the Dixie Chicks, Rage Against the Machine, Michael Franti, NOFX, Anti-Flag, Paris and Steve Earle - recount their motivations and struggles in a post-9/11 environment.

Two Spirits
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Lydia Nibley
Riding The Tiger Productions
USA/2009/62 min.
www.twospirits.org

Fred Martinez was a Navajo boy who was also a girl. In an earlier era he would have been revered. Instead, he was murdered.

Unbroken: The Pearl Bluegrass Circle
(Regional Premiere)
Dir. Winston Hall; Exec. Prod. Donna Chance
Mystic Films, LLC
USA/2010/75 min.
www.unbrokendocumentary.com

Welcome to Pearl, Texas - a town so small it was once taken off the map. Join the colorful townspeople who gather monthly in the old schoolhouse for an impromptu bluegrass jam, where everyone is accepted. ‘Unbroken’ offers a glimpse into the humble, down-to-earth spirit and unique authenticity of this under-the-radar bluegrass mecca.

Wheedle's Groove
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Jennifer Maas
Evil Bunny Films
USA/2010/95 min.
wheedlesgroovemovie.com

Black on White Affair, The Soul Swingers, Cold, Bold & Together, Cookin’ Bag – these are just a few of the bands that were a huge part of the Seattle soul scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s.  Via interviews with original band members, current and former Seattle residents such as Quincy Jones, Ben Gibbard, Mark Arm and narrator Sir Mix-A-Lot, director Jennifer Maas and Seattle soul specialist DJ Mr. Supreme present an amazing collection of archival audio and video that bring this forgotten soul scene to life.

Dead West
(World Premiere)
Dir. Douglas S. Myers
Duck Soup Productions
USA/2010/94 min.
www.deadwestaz.com

Johnny Dust will not let the Western die.  Even if he has to kill some vampires to save it.

From Wood to Singing Guitar
(West Coast Premiere)
Dir. Shawn Lind
Appalshop, Inc.
USA/2009/32 min.
www.appalshop.org

Master musician and craftsman Wayne Henderson has spent his lifetime hand making one-of-a-kind guitars for notable musicians including Doc Watson and Eric Clapton. Now, in his small workshop in Rugby, Virginia, Wayne endeavors to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of guitar builders.

Irma
(US Premiere)
Dir. Charles Fairbanks
USA/2010/13 min.

Irma is an intimate musical portrait of Irma Gonzalez, the former world champion of women’s professional wrestling. Featuring original music written and performed by Ms. Gonzalez, Irma’s story surges with love and deceit, masculine strength, feminine charms, and an extraordinary sense of humor.

On The Line
(West Coast Premiere)
Dir. Cathy Lee Crane
polyvinyl films
USA/2010/4 min.
www.cathyleecrane.com

This experimental-documentary charts a trip around Baja California to a monument on the Tropic of Cancer line. With an original score by Beth Custer and sound design by Jeremiah Moore.

Save the Tiki
(US Premiere)
Dir. By Josh Dragotta
Hound Dog, Inc
USA/2010/7 min.
www.joshuadragotta.com

How hard can it be to move a 40,000 pound tiki? Fini, manager of the Tucson, AZ bar The Hut, is on a mission to save a three-story high Moai tiki head from being destroyed by giving it a new home.

Stewart Summer
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Thomas Britt
USA/2010/15 min.
http://stewartsummermovie.wordpress.com/

During the summer in Stewart, Ohio, the band Southeast Engine moves into an abandoned schoolhouse and records an ambitious album.

Weightloss.
(Tucson Premiere)
Dir. Roman Arriola
University of Arizona
USA/2010/20 min.

A documentary about losing weight the hard way.

God Of Love
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Luke Matheny
New York University
USA/2010/18 min.
www.lukemathenyfilms.com

A love struck, lounge-singing darts champion finds his prayers are answered -- literally -- when he mysteriously receives a box of love-inducing darts.

mixtape
(Arizona Premiere)
Dir. T.S. Pfeffer & Peter Corina
Pier-Pictures
USA/2009/20 min.
www.pier-pictures.com

The story of a boy and his tape recorder.

My Father's Son
(Tucson Premiere)
Dir. JorDan Fuller
Open Road Pictures
USA/2009/25 min.
www.myfatherssonmovie.com

A father travels to Mexico in hopes of establishing a relationship with the son he has never met.

Soul Flowers
(US Premiere)
Dir. Tor Kristoffersen
Shoot Productions
UK/2009/14 min.
torkristoffersen.com

Andy Butters throws aside the dependable potato and risks the future of his farm and daughter on magical Soul Flowers.

The Cordial Dead
(US Film Festival Premiere)
Dir. Jonathan Zieglar
Cozy Seal Productions
USA/2010/3 min.
www.cozyseal.com

Zombies in a storage facility ¾ this can't be good…can it?

The Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger
(Tucson Premiere)
Dir. Bill Plympton
Plymptoons
USA/2010/6 min.
www.plymptoons.com

A tragic story of a bovine seduced by advertising and led down the path of butchers and carnivores.

The Uninvited Ghost
(World Premiere)
Dir. Heather Schmidt
Echo North Productions
USA-CANADA/2010/18 min.
echonorthproductions.com

A reclusive concert pianist confronts his self-induced exile when a beautiful but unwelcome female ghost suddenly appears in his home.

Weekend
(Tucson Premiere)
Dir. Josh Kasselman
Limitrophe Films
USA/2010/25 min.

A troubled modern dancer tries to gain her estranged daughter's love over a weekend at an upscale hotel.

MUSIC VIDEOS:

"Blue-Eyed Universe" by Fictionist
(Arizona Premiere)
Dir. Eric Power
Red Owl Records/Clear Productions
USA/2010/4 min.
www.fictionist.com

A team of explorers embark on a mission in deep space traveling through areas no man has been before in this animated music video.

"Classico" by Howe Gelb & Vic Chesnutt
(World Premiere)
Dir. Bill Carter
OWOM Records
USA/2010/4 min.
www.billcarter.cc

A music video for the song entitled "Classico" with Howe Gelb and Vic Chesnutt. Shot on location in Aarhus, Denmark and Tucson, Arizona.

"Guitar Hero Gone" by Loren Dircks
(US Film Festival Premiere)
Dir. Jon Fedkiw
Orangutwang Records
USA/2009/4 min.
www.lorendircks.com

A gloves off commentary on the mainstream and the war waged against real art. Featuring Tucson’s own country metal “Tour-de-Force” Loren Dircks.

“Les Sortileges" by Naim Amor
(World Premiere)
Dir. Ego Sensation
Chris Carlone Creation
USA/2010/4 min.
www.chriscarlonecreation.com

A lonely man becomes captivated by a beautiful woman when he discovers she is photographing him. His obsession goes too far in this film noir tribute.

"Let Me In" by Kelly Dalton
(Arizona Premiere)
Dir. Matthew Schutt
Wayside Entertainment
USA/2010/3 min.
www.wayside.tv/letmein

After returning home from a tour, a man finds that he's a stranger in his own town, and the only things that are familiar are the memories that haunt him.

"Man In The Moose Suit" by Andrew Collberg
(US Film Festival Premiere)
Dir. Ryan Glenn
le pop musik
USA/2010/4 min.
www.ryanglenn.org

A paranoid man is pushed over the edge by what he thinks he sees on the afternoon news.

"My Southern Can Is Mine" by Madame Pamita
(Regional Premiere)
Dir. James Gerrity
UDFMV Films
USA/2009/3 min.
www.madamepamita.com

A 1930s-style experimental film using old vintage cameras, set against Madame Pamita's song "My Southern Can Is Mine." Madame Pamita's music was recorded live directly onto vintage plastic cylinders using one of two working recording devices in the world.

"My Hiroshima" by Where's Jerome
(North American Premiere)
Dir. Todd Cetin, Jeremy Smith, Alexandra Sebastian
AUSTRALIA/2009/2 min
www.myspace.com/wheresjerome

A stop-motion battle between two rival gangs: the aggressive IT mob vs. the timid Whitegoods. But don't push them too far... a toaster or a vacuum can only take so much from a printer or a monitor. This is war.

"Now & Forever" by David Goldstein
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. David Goldstein & Jeff Keith
Still Standing Productions
USA/2010/6 min
stillstandingproductions.com

An artist, a painting, and two hearts that become one.

"Old Dreams" by Kid Trails
(Arizona Premiere)
Dir. Jason Shea
Three Guys and a Camera Production
USA/2010/3 min.
vimeo.com/user3539903

Shot on Kodak Super 8, Columbia, SC band Kid Trails walks the fields of desolation and despair in the music video for their song "Old Dreams".

"Same Scar" by John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. A.C. Lloyd
Archway Films
USA/2010/5 min.
www.johncommon.com

The relationship between a voluptuous Burlesque dancer and the MC of the carnival show is on display in this music video from Denver, CO’s John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light.

"Til My Voice Is Gone" by The Old Ceremony
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Sam Griffith
Western Skies Productions
USA/2009/4 min.
www.theoldceremony.com

Love is timeless, and can happen when you least expect it as shown in this touching portrait of a man (Ed Asner) and woman who fall in love at a nursing home.

"Where I Want To Be" by My New TV Set 
(Southwest Premiere)
Dir. Josh McKamie
USA/2010/4 min.
www.mntvs.com

The song "Where I Want To Be" was selected by the director of Universal Pictures’ Scott Pilgrim vs. the World as a finalist in the Sonicbids’ Battle Royale of the Bands contest. The video was created for the contest, using film footage from the movie, and the song is now available on iTunes.