Grand Mesa Short Film Festival

Evening Showings - 15 different films each evening!

Friday, April 14th 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 15th 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Parents, please be advised, many films contain adult content.

Matinee - Child appropriate films only:

Saturday, April 15th 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Weekend Pass

Get the weekend pass and see ALL films - Friday Evening, Saturday Evening, and Matinee

FRIDAY EVENING FILMS:

Kino Gold - Drama, 6:53

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A photo developer who works at a developments shop has a regular customer that sends wholesome and lovely photographs of herself and her husband, until one evening, the developer discovers that the woman sent in a new reel with only herself. Her husband has passed. Feeling moved and motivated to see the woman, the developer decides to pay it forward and offers her a sense of solidarity.

Ping Pong - Comedy, 3:08

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

When a girl challenges two friends for a date, they face off in an epic ping pong match spanning centuries.

Perspectives - Documentary, 17:46

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Perspectives features the Pastor and members of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, a congregation in Louisville, Colorado in which over 12 families’ homes were completely destroyed and numerous others damaged. Perspectives helps those of us who were not in the fire zone appreciate the impact of the fire.

Sensory Overload - Drama, 2:10

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

As a college student with autism, I chose to make a mini movie about what it feels like to be on my campus, and sensory overload.

I Can’t Tell My Story - Drama, 5:42

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A young writer experiences writers block stunted by his relationships with others.

Boom Walks Into a Bar - Musical, 5:23

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A symbolic and comedic representation of a man's humble journey, step by step, toward his shining moment on the stage of life. The film showcases Ben Boom's self-produced music and original jewelry and inspires us all to shine in any and every way imaginable.

Spectral - Drama, 4:00

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

We follow the autistic Keaton Walker, after moving to a new town with his autistic girlfriend Dolly, meeting the new neighbors and discovering something strange afoot.

LeFay - Drama, 16:40

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

LeFay is a story based on the Arthur legend. We take a look at a what if. What if Arthur was not this amazing king that history tells, but instead he was this cold-hearted warlord that got his hands on a magic sword?

INTERMISSION

First Date - Drama/Comedy, 7:55

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Will Taylor has never been able to have a girlfriend, but he has a crush. In an attempt to learn how to date, he goes on a "practice date" with social media influencer Lara Quinn. After experiences with Lara, friends, and peers, Will is ready to ask out Sarah.

Hello My Name Is - Documentary, 13:51

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A conversation with international college students with multiple names, and how deciding between them affects their personalities, identities, and self-perceptions.

Clink. Shoot. - Drama, 5:29.

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Flint, the local bar owner, waits for his younger brother to arrive with the money he owes him. Once, a very late, Oscar finally arrives at the bar, Flint learns this won't be as easy a transaction as he expected.

Loose Change: A Memoir of Childhood - Drama, 8:11

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A man-child sets off to buy a new cage for his beloved hamster but is enticed into a world of hedonism. He must become resourceful to make ends meet.

Cremains Unknown - Documentary, 10:33. .

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Danielle McCarthy, a Gold Star wife, unexpectedly lost her husband, David, a U.S. Veteran, in 2017. His body was brought to Sunset Mesa in Montrose, Colorado to be cremated. One day, she received a call from the FBI informing her that the cremains she had may not be her husband after all. As a result of the FBI investigation, Danielle learned David's body had been sold without her consent and later learned it's not considered illegal in the state of Colorado. This is Danielle's story.

Soon - Drama,  2:12

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A boy from war.

Common Thread - Documentary, 14:16.

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

The Common Thread documentary short joins us with global filmmakers speaking with children worldwide about the planet and their concerns for their generation's future... These children and filmmakers are not celebrities or activists ...But the children have a Common Thread ... They all want a sustainable and livable world and future for their generation.

Thanks to contributing global filmmakers and their commitment and passion to this film and journey.

My sincere gratitude to everyone involved!

SATURDAY EVENING FILMS:

The Wood Thrush - Drama, 15:00

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

An elusive bird's song draws the daughter of a strict pastor into

the forest, where an epiphany inspires her to seek a new life-a life at odds with her father's own plans for her future.

Guardian - Musical/Drama, 3:41

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Guardian portrays encountering Jesus for the first time and a representation of what life is like without Jesus. Is God real? Find out! Writing, filming, directing and editing done by Josh North. All songwriting, arrangement, music, instrumentation, vocals, mixing and mastering done.

Brightside - Drama, 2:45

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

In a futuristic dystopia, Brightside Academy seems to be the safest and best school for a child. The images of lockdown and safety precautions become increasingly more haunting as we realize the tragic future as school shootings become more prevalent.

Soap - Comedy, 1:52

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM

An experimental film of a family dinner. Only the main course, soap.

The Call of Water - Drama, 19:12

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Post adolescent Nadia must face ancient forces in order to realize her responsibility to her homeland.

Scarlet Cabaret - Animation, 3:13

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM

A 1920's burlesque performer arrives backstage to don her makeup for her final performance.

Judd Omans Hart, A Memorial... Episode I: Judd Spud, Stuck in the Mud - 20:12, Documentary

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

First episode of multipart memorial to director's father. It covers father's birth and early youth while delving into family history revealing gripping accounts of parents' and grandparents' settlement in Surface Creek Valley. It depicts both idyllic life and hardscrabble struggles setting the stage for episode II: Depression - Not So Great!

INTERMISSION

Onism- Documentary, 3:27,

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A film portraying the feeling of wanting to be in more than one place at a time to experience it all.

Stand Up - Comedy/Drama,  26:20,

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Sal Colton’s future was stripped away in a devastating accident, and she relies on her witty sense of humor to keep the depression at bay - and the world at arm’s length. Her gift of humor is put to the ultimate test when tragedy threatens to strike a second time, pushing her to rise up to find new meaning - and true healing - for herself and those she loves.

Shooting Black People to the Moon - 7:58, Animation

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Chris and Ryan Tripp, along with their cousins Ashlie andErin Tripp like to cause trouble with each other and constantly bother Ashlie and Erin's father, Dad Inpp. They hear a Billionaire is running a competition to select the best and strongest black man to join the space team. They have hesitations but seem to be willing to take a chance by trying out. The whole family signs up!  They figure that it will help them create memories with their uncle while helping USA. For a successful takeoff they are able to take home Planet Rocket sweatshirts as an award for their service. Ashlie and Erin eventually learned that the takeoff was a bad idea because they could have been involved with the spacecraft explosion failure... at least they get to keep their new planet rocket sweatshirts.

The Night of the Many Jaxes - Drama, 6:55,

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

On a game night just like any other, Ned and his friends are invaded by shape-shifting aliens taking the form of their friend Jax. In their desperate fight for survival, however, Ned sees that his friends value themselves more than anything.

Whitelines - Musical/Animation, 4:07

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Skeleton joy ride. [WARNING: Contains bright flashing lights]

One Scholar's Factual Anecdote of Befriending a Ghost - Drama, 4:45

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A Student working on capturing evidence of paranormal activity and believes they have it until it turns out to be an elaborate prank organized by The Friend. So, they leave empty-handed, or do they?

Unfiltered Through Their Eyes - 14:24, Documentary

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

I wrote, directed, and produced Unfiltered Through Their Eves documentary short during the pandemic lockdown with global filmmaker children ... It was something relevant that touched my heart and still resonates today ... Everyone was talking about the seniors, healthcare workers, doctors, families, and businesses ... No one was talking about the children and how this impacted their world ... I was curious what children did or did not know about the Pandemic in other parts of the world.

We believe the film has brought a new perspective that hadn't been heard or seen before to so many worldwide.

Thanks to contributing global filmmakers and their commitment, we learned just a little more about the children knew and how they feel. This film was a collaboration of passion, love, and commitment from everyone involved.

My sincere gratitude to All Involved!

SATURDAY MATINEE: CHILD APPROPRIATE FILMS

Love Hope Trust - Musical/Animation, 4:35,

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

"Love Hope Trust" is an official music video directed by Ciro Ayala for American artist Roger Street Friedman, featuring legendary musician Larry Campbell.

Horsing Around: Caring for Lucy & Reba - Documentary, 2:02

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

"Horsing Around: Caring for Lucy and Reba" is a short documentary about Kendra Yund, a student at Colorado Mesa University who is on the rodeo team and how she cares for her horses.

Summer Nights - Musical,  4:07,

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

This music video/film is about summer nights, friendship and how fun it is to have a breeze rush through your hair or slide down on a playground or run with your friends in the rain. It's about a feeling one has when looking at a bee furiously collecting nectar or raindrop hitting ground. Be still, listen and watch all the wonders of summer nights.

Lullaby - Animation, 6:15,

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Lullaby is an illustration to children's song created and performed by Leonard Manevich in two languages - English and Russian in order to promote intercultural exchange. Lullaby is a traditional 3-D animation. The author alone accomplished entire creative and technical work, including creation of verses, composing music, singing, recording, mixing, making sets and puppets, filming and editing.

This film was awarded First Prizes at two film festivals - «Magic of Cinema» (WA) and «Conestoga International Film Festival» (OK).

Baby-mouse is traveling on the ship at night with his mother to his grandmother's house. He is dreaming of his favorite treat - cheese and crackers. New moon is singing lullaby to the baby, and stars dance for him in the sky.

Even though Lullaby runs only six minutes, it is full of charming tranquility, it is very soothing and thus suitable for every child, especially before bedtime.

Axel - Animation,  00.47

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A little alien has a big dream!

Password - Comedy, 2:05

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Have you ever played the "Password Game" where you try to pass a friend or family member, but they require a password from you to do so? Well, join "sister" and "brother" as they play that game all while sister tries to make it downstairs to pour herself a bowl of her beloved Honey Nut Cheerios.

The Trobie - Drama, 5:00

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

One summers day, two children make a discovery of which they could have never dreamed - one that poses to be thwarted by their little brother... who can't keep a secret.

INTERMISSION

Sweet and Salty - Animation, 5:00

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A mermaid's biases jeopardize her relationships and bakery.

The Search for Fingledoofer - Animation, 4:11

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A young boy looses his imaginary friend and finds a real friend while searching for him.

Crocodile and Plover Bird - Clay Animation, 2:53

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A story about unique symbiotic relationship between plover bird and crocodile. But it all started with crocodile's toothache one day as he was not able to use dental floss, or toothbrush as his arms are too short to get food stuck in his teeth.

Happy Statue - Animation, 3:49

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

The story of a bronze statue with a strong pose that inspires many on a daily basis. One day, a little girl notices that the statue is hiding how it truly feels and she decides to do something to help him out. After a while, a construction crew brings a new item to the park, but what is it?

Invisible Manners - Animation, 5:32

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

A short animated poem which hopes to inspire and motivate a change in perception to those affected by invisible conditions...as not all that you see, is everything that's there.

The Secret Quest - Action/Adventure, 4:56,

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

Starring and entirely written by 7 year olds Karter and Karson; two girls leave the house to embark on a quest to find gold.