Earlybird Film Festival Passes Now Available:
Full, Weekend and Day Packages
Friday, March 1 – at The Miracle Theater
Ordinary Gods
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
The Miracle Theater
Highlighting human resilience and the primacy of intimate relationships ORDINARY GODS examines what it takes to thrive not just in the world’s most beloved sport, but in life itself. Shot in eight different countries over the course of three years, first time feature director Pascui Rivas offers a compassionate observation of the lives of six young professional soccer players, as they struggle with injury, homesickness, and the pressure of being a young talent on the international stage. Starring Oliver Burke, Gastón Guruceaga, Emanuel Mammana, Alhassane Sylla, Corentin Tolisso, Roman Zobnin. Director Pascui Rivas attending.
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Phillip Noyce Retrospective: Dead Calm
9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Miracle Theater
Starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, Billy Zane. After a tragedy, John Ingram and his wife Rae are spending some time isolated at sea, when they come across a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship. Director Phillip Noyce attending.
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Saturday, March 2 – at The Miracle Theater
Penguin Highway
10:45 am – 1:30 pm
The Miracle Theater
Japanese with English Subtitles.Budding genius Aoyama is only in the 4th grade, but already lives his life like a scientist. When penguins start appearing in his sleepy suburb hundreds of miles from the sea, Aoyama vows to solve the mystery. When he finds the source of the penguins is a woman from his dentist’s office, they team up for an unforgettable summer adventure! An anime breakfast experience.
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50 Years of Filmmaking: Tricks I’ve Learnt
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Australian Embassy
Join Australian Filmmaker Phillip Noyce for a Masterclass and Conversation on the art and craft of film-making as he traces his enormously successful career spanning over fifty years and gives you some insider tips about the film industry. Advance registration required.
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Phillip Noyce Retrospective: Newsfront
7:30 pm – 9:50 pm
The Miracle Theater
Starring Bill Hunter, Gerard Kennedy, Wendy Hughes. In post war Australia the men and women of Cinetone struggle to produce the weekly news reels for the movie going public. Director Phillip Noyce attending.
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Phillip Noyce Retrospective: The Quiet American
9:50 pm – 11:50 pm
The Miracle Theater
Starring Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Thi Hai Yen Do. An older British reporter vies with a young U.S. doctor for the affections of a beautiful Vietnamese woman. Director Phillip Noyce attending.
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Sunday, March 3 – at The Miracle Theater
Series Pilot/Episodes: Comic Drama
3:00 pm – 4:50 pm
The Miracle Theater
Chronicles Of A Bleep Year Old Woman (USA/2018/9:32mins) directed by Angela Atwood
Rock and Bowl Express: Episode 1 (USA/2018/9mins) directed by Ray Mallick
Too Faded (USA/2018/17:20mins) directed by John R. Powell
Vows (USA/2018/9:21mins) directed by Ginny Leise
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The Five Dollar Movie with In Between Words
4:50 pm – 6:40 pm
The Miracle Theater
The Five Dollar Movie
The Five Dollar Movie takes you on a journey to one of the most innovative and oddest versions of the gig economy: Fiverr.com. But it is also a meta-documentary that uses its subject to create the film—a documentary made about Fiverr, with Fiverr. Director Stephen Wright attending.
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In Between Words
35 people were asked Paul Gauguin’s title questions, ‘Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?’ The resulting interviews were examined for visual cues and pragmatic markers. This data was then interpreted into an experimental film/animation. Director Andrew Knox attending.
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Datsche
6:40 pm – 8:40 pm
The Miracle Theater
Starring Zack Segel, Christian Harting, Juan Carlos Lo Sasso, Luis Lüps, Kunle Kuforiji, Celine Yildirim. A group of unlikely strangers spend the summer in a garden cottage in Germany. A story of finding friendship and acceptance in a place that’s almost home. Director Lara Hewitt and cast attending.
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Touched
8:40 pm – 10:30 pm
The Miracle Theater
Starring Mina Walker, Joan Glackin, Jordan Lage. Blind and deaf sisters, Anna and Beth, live happily in a secluded small town with Father. However, when a neighbor stops by, Anna and Beth begin to realize their loving father’s mental health has been deteriorating their entire lives. Director Barak Barkan attending.
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Wednesday, March 6 – at The Human Rights Campaign
Transformistas
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The Human Rights Campaign
The original group of Cuban drag queens stuff, pad and perform their way into our hearts. But behind the make-up and beneath the wigs, we meet the Cubans who have sacrificed everything for their art, defying the status quo and rewriting LGBT history in the process. Director Chad Hahne attending with post-screening reception in partnership with Human Rights Campaign.
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Tochka Animated Light Magic Workshop
5:45pm
The Velo Cafe
The animation duo TOCHKA who create animated films with the audience will present a workshop.
Thursday, March 7 – at The Carnegie Institution for Science
Film Financing Workshop
4:00 pm – 6:20 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
WBCN and The American Revolution
6:20 pm – 8:50 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
“WBCN and The American Revolution” tells the previously unknown story of the early days of the legendary, radical underground radio station WBCN-FM, set against the profound social, political and cultural changes that took place during the late-1960s and early-1970s in Boston and nationally. It’s “the story of how a radio station, politics and rock and roll changed everything.” Sneak Preview Screening.
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Cut Off
8:50 pm – 11:00 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Starring Brad Dourif, William Baldwin, Laura Cayouette, Lew Temple John Robinson, Jean-Marc Barr. Struggling with his new life in New Orleans, Clive follows Trevor, a former professor to his country home on the bayou to gain a new perspective. While Trevor helps Clive deal with his demons, Clive is sucked into a mission to kill. Producer Carol Bidault de L’Isle attending
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Friday, March 8 – at The Carnegie Institution for Science
The FEMINIST – a Swedish Inspiration with The Battle for Ranked Choice Voting
4:50 pm – 6:40 pm
The Miracle Theater
The FEMINIST – a Swedish Inspiration
Swedish with English Subtitles. In her native Sweden, everybody has an opinion about feminist trailblazer Gudrun Schyman: superhero or villain. She has been through all the ups and downs of political life: a social worker rising to lead the Leftist party to record breaking election results; publicly shamed for her struggles with addiction; overcoming her demons, and founding Europe’s first feminist party. Through it all, Schyman has remained fiercely, unapologetically feminist, constantly working to raise the bar for equality in Sweden and in Europe. The FEMINIST follows Schyman through daily life and political breakthroughs.
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The Battle for Ranked Choice Voting
From Maine to New Mexico, citizens across America are clamoring for free and fair elections through Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Our story unfolds as voters organizing to enact the reform face fierce pushback from establishment politicians. The film looks at the historical rise, fall, and rebirth of RCV in the United States and abroad, and embed viewers in the front line of the battle raging over voters’ rights.
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Celebrating Women in Film Happy Hour at the DCIFF Bar in partnership with Women in Film and Video
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
The DCIFF Bar
With music by Emma G.
Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
The remarkable life and legacy of science fiction and fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin, who passed away in 2018. Produced with Le Guin’s participation over the course of a decade, the film is a journey through the writer’s inimitable career and her worlds, both real and fantastic. Featuring David Mitchell, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon, and more. Director Arwen Curry attending and discussion to follow.
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Tochka Animated Light Magic Workshop
8:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
The animation duo TOCHKA who create animated films with the audience will present a workshop.
Late Night Chills and Thrills: Short Fiction Films
9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Focus (Australia/2018/3:39mins) Radheya Jegatheva
Roadside Assistance (USA/2018/20mins) directed by Ali Matlock
The Scorpion’s Tale (USA/2018/22:18mins) directed by Jhosimar Vasquez
Unknown Contact (France/2018/15:19mins) directed by Silk Bistinl
The Desecrated (USA/2018/7:48 mins) directed by John Gray
Tomorrow Might Be the Day (UK-Scotland/2018/20mins) directed by Joséfa Celestin
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Saturday, March 9 – at The Carnegie Institution for Science
High School Competition
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Seminar Room
DCIFF is proud to host its 6th annual presentation of high school films. Free admission.
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Facing the Dragon
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi follows two Afghan women, a member of Parliament and a journalist, as the international community withdraws from Afghanistan, threatening its fragile democracy. Followed by a panel discussion with director Sedika Mojadidi.
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Pilot/Series Episode: Dramatic Action
4:00 pm – 5:20 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
A Billion to One (USA/2018/15mins) directed by CollabFeature Filmmakers
On (USA/2018/18:30mins) directed by Jamie Effros
The Cottages (USA/2018/30mins) directed by John Darbonne
Unspeakable (USA/2018/15:21mins) directed by Milena Govich
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Rag Doll
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Starring Shannon Murray, Roxana Sanchez, Dot-Marie Jones, Dante Basco, Stephanie Erb. Nora is that girl: the one who works overtime, helps out her family by all means, and leaves little for herself. She can’t even fathom a love interest. With her one free hour a day, she takes out life’s hardships at the local mixed martial arts gym, but what happens when that comfort in violence extends outside of the gym? Director Bailey Kobe attending.
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Dakota
7:10 pm – 9:30 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Starring Phoebe Ryan, Jake Etheridge, Holly Twyford. A week in the life of a talented but aimless singer, besieged by a failed relationship and struggling to make peace with her past. Desperate to prove that she isn’t a failure, she revisits her musical ambitions and embarks on a new path — albeit, not a straight one. Director Roberto Carmona and cast attending.
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Post-Screening Party for Dakota
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
The DCIFF Bar
FutureScapes : Short Fiction in a TechnoWorld
9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Annex (UK&USA/2018/12:48mins) directed by Tommy Nagle
The Funeral Dancer (Germany/2018/9mins) directed by Natalie McMahon
How to Live your life Correctly (USA/2018/20:35) directed by Xindi Lou
In Her Image (Georgia/2018/20mins) directed by Nikoloz Kevkhishvili
Regulation (USA/2018/10:53mins) directed by Ryan Patch
The Program (USA/2018/14mins) directed by Michael Elliott Dennis
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Sunday, March 10 – at The Carnegie Institution for Science
Animation is Art is Animation: Short Films
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Alef b’Tamuz (Israel/2018/5:58mins) directed by Yael Reisfeld
Bluebrain (France/2018/1:35mins) directed by Simon Duclos
Brainworm Billy (USA/2018/2:36mins) directed by Emily Hubley
did you know? (USA/2018/7:46mins) directed by Lynn Kim
Everyflower (China/2018/8:36mins) directed by Cai YUANQING
Evol (France/2018/1:22mins) directed by Kayu Leung
Khadija (Turkey, Syria/2018/2:55mins) directed by Beshr Idlbi
Little Skeleton (USA/2018/1:30mins) directed by Jennifer Levonian
Living Like Heta (Switzerland/2018/6:12mins) directed by Bianca Caderas, Isabella Luu, Kerstin Zemp
Morse (USA/2018/2:52mins) directed by Tom Bessoir
Natalie D (France/2018/5:26mins) directed by Angele Beraud
Panta Rhei (France/2018/10:1 mins) directed by Wouter Bongaerts
Random Thoughts (USA/2018/7:20mins) directed by Steven Vander Meer
The Stained Club (France/2018/6:39mins) directed by Mélanie Lopez, Simon Boucly, Marie Ciesielski, Alice Jaunet, Chan Stéphie Peang, Béatrice Viguier
You used to bring me flowers (Israel/2018/4:44mins) directed by Nofar Schweitzer
Where I was born (USA/2018/4:26mins) directed by Jungmin Cha
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Documentary Shorts Selection
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
33 (USA/2018/5:38mins) directed by David Ross, Lloyd Foster, Kavon Martez
Do We Belong? (USA/2018/14mins) directed by Sofian Khan
Feel of Vision (USA/2018/26 mins) directed by Tucker Gragg and Austin Gardner
Kwabena (USA/2018/9mins) directed by Déwun Owusu
Mum (UAE/2018/9:29mins) directed by Mariam Al Awadhi
Stripped (Canada/2018/16:45mins) directed by Jevon Boreland
The Swimmer (Ireland/2017/11:50mins) directed by Thomas Beug
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LifeScapes Shorts: Challenging Connections
5:00 pm – 7:10 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Commuter (USA/2018/8:48mins) directed by Sam Casscells
Jingle (USA/2018/9:13mins) directed by Eric Wang Schwager
Sorry for your Loss (USA/2018/8:38mins) directed by Lauren Bair
Synesthetic Symphony (Mexico/2018/24mins) directed by Jorge Rojas
The Very Beginning Mind (China/2018/17mins) directed by Guo Peng
Voice (Japan/2018/10mins) directed by Takeshi Kushida
What Here Needs Love? (USA/2018/12:35mins) directed by Daniel Antebi
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Curtiz
7:10 pm – 9:10 pm
The Carnegie Institution for Science
Starring Ferenc Lengyel, Evelin Dobos, Declan Hannigan, Yan Feldman. As America prepares to enter WW2, Hungarian film director Michael Curtiz grapples with political intervention and a dysfunctional relationship with his estranged daughter amid the troubled production of Casablanca in 1942. Director Tamas Yvan Topolánszky attending.
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Everybody Comes to Rick’s: Awards Night Party
9:15 pm – 10:30 pm
Music by String Theory with Lindsay Wieker.