CONNECTIONS

Old, new, broken, complete, and always in process

Sunday, October 13, 2024 10:00 am

PROGRAM

Le Charade, Erika Totoro (Animation, 3:20) The final performance of a lonely mime and the psychotic episode that ensues after his imaginary friend breaks up with him. Trailer

On Paper, Arthur Helterbran, Jr. (Narrative, 16:00) When Barbara, a recent retiree, receives an unexpected gift from a past lover, it not only threatens her marriage, but could change her life forever.

Cake, Alrik Bursell (Tiny Movie, 1:51) A couple shares some cake on their anniversary.

The Letter, Sepe Rafiei (Narrative 5:29) Maria can’t stop processing a rejection letter.

The Magic Ticket, Yelena V. Krivosheyeva (Narrative, 15:17) A homeless female veteran is camping outside of a fancy restaurant on Christmas Eve when a kind stranger donates her a gift card to go inside and get a hot meal. Trailer

Edson’s Gravy, Ryan George Kittleman (Tiny Movie, 2:22) This animation, based on Russell Edson's classic poem, "Gravy," is a whimsical ode to a timeless condiment.

Copy/Cataclysm, Joe Rechtman (Narrative, 7:29) Things quickly get out of hand when two women begin to show symptoms of a mysterious disease.

Missed Connection, Alex Zitomer (Animation, 3:00) Maxx needs to catch this flight in order to get to a job interview on time, but what happens when she picks a fight in the airport?

Guiding Light, India Anne Mitchell (Documentary, Youth 13-17, 5:00) Through interviews with the lead prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the police chief, this film tells the story of the kidnapping of Polly Klaas. Mitchell, a teen growing up in the same town thirty years later, highlights the importance of the legacy of this case to the continuing endeavor to keep children safe.

Judging Juries, Abby Ginzberg (Documentary, 24:00) Many criminal defendants are forced to stand trial without a true cross section of the community on a jury. In Oakland, CA this means there are often no Black people in the jury pool. In California, jurors are only paid $15 per day, making jury service financially impossible for many working and low-income members of the community. The film follows and spotlights the work of Brendon Woods, the Alameda County Public Defender, as he teaches, speaks and advocates for more inclusive juries

Q&A with selected filmmakers follows this screening.

Many thanks to Alan Kaplan and Albany Rotary Club for supporting this screening.

Albany FilmFest is fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media, a 501(c)(3) corporation, Federal Tax ID# 94-3355076. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. We welcome your tax-deductible donation of any amount and offer our thanks for your continued support.