Festival Schedule

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024

8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. — MORNING COFFEE — Hosted at the Block Island Maritime Institute by Kristin Carey, Kim Estes and Henry LeBlanc discuss the day’s programming and introduce the first film.

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM BLOCK:

8:30 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — “Eye of the Beholder” — 9 mins. — Drama — An ordinary English class is learning about the morbid stories of Edgar Allan Poe, when a national alert changes everything, testing their trust in each other. Written, Directed and Produced by Aronas Zajan.

8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — “The Deep End” — 17 mins. — Drama, Coming of Age — Filmed in Rhode Island, the film tells the story of a young man, who suffers a rare lung injury, and develops a relationship with the girl who saw him nearly drown. Directed by Andrew Gerstenblatt, Written by Andrew Gerstenblatt and Arthur Goldbart, Starring Cady Mariano, Christian Olson, and Nate Dirksen.

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. — BREAK

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK:

10 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “How to Clean: An ADHD Story” — 14 mins. — Drama — Messy Mia, a talented college student with ADHD, goes through great lengths to save her friendship with her roommate. As she seeks help from a psychiatry receptionist, wellness influencer, and well meaning drug dealer, she wrestles with whether ADHD is a blessing or a curse. Written, Directed, Edited and Produced by Lauren Leger. Cinematographer, John John Little. Composer, Maddie Stephenson. Production Designer, Kristen Falso-Capaldi. Sound Designer, Dylan Castora. Starring Lauren Leger, Victoria Omeregie, Debbe Lewis, Alex Bensley and Halle Curley.

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Unraveling” — 12 mins. — Drama — When Zoe is faced with caring for her abusive mother, who is diagnosed with dementia, she discovers a chance to redefine their relationship. Directed by Rich Devaney, Written and Produced by Rich Devaney and Mary Mobley, Starring Kit Flanagan and Lauren Sharpe.

10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. — BREAK

11:30 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Flush” — 24 mins. — Drama — It is the mid-fifties, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. Amid these racial tensions, five men, three white two black, sit down in a diner for their weekly poker game. The diner owner finds out someone at the table is having an affair with his wife, but which guy is it? When one of the men ends up killed, it’s every man for himself. Written & Directed by Dawn Natalia, Produced by Dawn Natalia & Lawrence Natalia, Starring Shawn Fitzgibbon, Lawrence Natalia, Kevin Peterson, James Hayward, Ron Murphy and Bryce Breen.

11:55 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. — LUNCH BREAK

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. — SCREENWRITING FORUM — The 2024 Screenwriting Finalists discuss their scripts and their writing process. This is an educational forum that encourages public participation. Hosted by Henry LeBlanc and Kristin Carey. [Note: This forum will be held at Café Boutique at Champlin’s Marina & Resort]

2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. — BREAK

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK:

2:30 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “No More Flip Phone” — 8 mins. — Drama/Comedy — An old timer gets into trouble while getting used to his new smart phone. Directed by Tom DeNucci, Written & Produced by Claudio Orifice, Starring Claudio Orefice, Eric Lutes, Fred Sullivan, Amy Wade, and Ari Brisbon.

2:40 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “A Bad Day” — 8 mins. — Drama/Comedy — Two equally irate men in a parking lot become engaged in a heated argument that escalates, evolving into a comedic battle of insults. Directed & Produced by Mo Faisal, Written and Produced by Mo Faisal & Christopher Mikael, Starring Ajay Jain, Christopher Mikael, Tracy Bowermaster and Christian Cibotti.

2:50 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. — Q&A with the filmmakers.

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. — BREAK

4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM BLOCK:

4 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — ”Garden State” — 12 mins. — Filmed in various locations throughout New Jersey, Garden State explores the diverse landscapes in which wildlife, development, farming, and industry coexist in the most densely packed state in the union. Directed by Julie Langsam, Cinematography by Mariangela Ciccarello & Emily Girgis, Edited by Mariangela Ciccarello, Color by Emily Girgis, and Sound by Kevin T. Allen.

4:15 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — ”City of Generals - Quincy's Modern Day Patriots” — 35 mins. — The film captures the City of Quincy, Massachusetts, and its patriotic traditions and dedication of the Generals Bridge and Park in Quincy Center in September of 2021 featuring seven of the Generals, all of whom can be referred to as modern-day patriots. Directed & Produced by Lisa Aimola and Mark Carey, Produced by Lisa Aimola, Mark Carey and Kristen Powers.

4:50 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. — BREAK

6 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT — [SPOTLIGHT FILM] [SPONSORED BY BIMI] — “Deep Ambition” — 20 mins. — The film is about Karen van den Oever, who attempts to break the women's world record for the deepest scuba dive. Written & Directed by Shareen Anderson, Edited by Jillian Noyes. Executive Producers are Alec Asten, Nuno Gomes and Shareen Anderson.

6:20 p.m. - 7 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

7 p.m. - 8 p.m. — DINNER BREAK

[*Night programming at Champlin’s Marina & Resort begins.]

8 p.m. - 9 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK:

8 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Locals” — 12 mins. — Action Drama — Tensions rise and conflict ignites as a band of locals attempt to stop a mysterious militant organization from dumping toxic waste on contested land. Written & Directed by Matthew Macomber & Scott Brawn, Starring Joe Kiklis, Steve Anthony and Brandon Johnson. [Note: This screening will be held under the tent at Champlin’s Marina & Resort]

8:15 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. — Narrative Short Film — “Oklahoma!” — 4 mins. — Comedy — A  struggling young musical theatre actor and an acerbic loud mouth neighbor unexpectedly find support and appreciation in each other. Director, Cinematographer and Editor, Evan Schneider, Written and Starring Roe Pacheco and Justin Schaffner.

8:20 p.m. - 8:25 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Bombmaker” — 5 mins. — Drama Thriller — In the depths of isolation, a solitary man triggers the countdown of a bomb while recording demo tutorials for the dark web. Written & Directed by Michael James Hull, Starring Joe Coffey and Loree Gold. [Note: This screening will be held under the tent at Champlin’s Marina & Resort]

8:25 p.m. - 9 p.m. — Q&A with the filmmakers.

9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. — BREAK

9:30 p.m. - 9:50 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — [FEATURED SPOTLIGHT FILM] — “Damn Handy” — 18 mins. — Dramedy/Thriller — When Plumber Roger Clark visits the remote farmhouse of two murderous sisters, he'll need a trick up his sleeve to survive. Written & Directed by Peter Filardi, Produced by Alec Asten, Tiffany Lively, Doug Lively, and Roger Clark, Starring Roger Clark, Kaili Vernoff, Kelari Crispin and Elliot Evans. [Note: This screening will be held under the tent at Champlin’s Marina & Resort]

9:50 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

10:00 p.m. - 1 p.m. — Opening Night Cocktail Party/Networking/Mixer at Champlin’s Marina & Resort, New Harbor (The Top Dock Bar on the pier)

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024

8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. — MORNING COFFEE — Hosted at the Block Island Maritime Institute by Kristin Carey, Kim Estes and Henry LeBlanc discuss the day’s programming and introduce the first film.

8:45 a.m. - 9:07 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — “The Lost Weekend” — 22 mins. — Drama — In the Summer of 2004, James, a teenage boy grappling with his masculinity, embarks on a weekend trip to Cape Cod. As he confronts toxic expectations about what it means to be a man, James must make a life-changing decision that will shape his future. Written & Directed by Charlie Norton, Starring Brendan Egan, Chloe Lang, Henry Lynch, Matthew Ray, Olivia Donnelly, and Elise Ramaekers.

9:07 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

9:40 a.m. - 10 a.m. — BREAK

10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK:

10 a.m. - 10:26 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Bus Stops” — 26 mins. — Drama — A dying man, petrified of going to Hell, summons spiritual leaders from all major religions to guide him. Written & Directed by David Alan Goudge, Produced by Inda Reid, Starring P.J. Ochlan, Stuart Pankin, Sierra Silbor, Henry LeBlanc, Nate Beals, Justin Beals, Greg Benson, Eric Deskin, Holly Riddle, Angie DeGrazia, Michael Higgenbottom, Rae Latt, Shay Dixon, Morgan Page, Enrique Morlett—Diaz, Roma Fleisher. Scott Silbor, Jennifer Kornswiet, and Karter Williams.

10:26 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Bravo America” — 17 mins. — Drama — Interrelated characters with decisions to make upon the arrival of Miss Corona, all of whom are connected with the local Greek pizzeria. Written, Produced & Directed by Pete Stamatelatos.

10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. — Q&A with the filmmakers.

11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. — BREAK

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM BLOCK:

11:45 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Mainspring Harbor: the Oyster Farmers of Block Island Sound” — 8 mins. — The film offers a glimpse into the world of oyster farming as documentary filmmaker Jesse F. Pearlmutter captures the beauty of harvesting oysters at the Fishers Island Oyster Farm in the nutrient-rich waters of Block Island Sound, New York. Directed by Jesse F. Pearlmutter, Produced by Anthony J. Aquino, with Cinematography by Jay Murray.

11:55 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Tuckerman’s Rock” — 8 mins. — Tuckerman’s Rock: the practice of letting go — After a tragic drowning accident, surfer and meditation teacher Damian J. Ewens seeks to reconnect with the ocean and his own breath by setting out to walk a rock across the bottom of Easton's Bay. A summer spent being in and listening to the ocean guides him through grief as new possibilities emerge one breath at a time. Directed by Kelly L. Riley, Produced by Damian J. Ewens.

12:05 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. — Q&A with the filmmakers.

12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. — LUNCH BREAK

1:15 p.m. - 3 p.m. — NARRATIVE DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM BLOCK:

1:15 p.m. - 1:35 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Our Kids” — 20 mins. — The film follows the “Lost Voices” of Fentanyl as they March to the White House in September of 2023. The “Lost Voices” who lost family and friends to the drug share their heartbreaking stories. Directed by Nick Rapuano. Produced by Lisa Deane.

1:35 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Video Art” — 14 mins. — Nurtured by the Rhode Island School of Design and inspired by a lively art scene, Rhode Island was home to some of the pioneers of video art, who created exuberant works that explored the new medium. Directed by Katherine Diane Reaves, and Written and Starring by Duff Schweninger.

1:50 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers

2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. — BREAK

3 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Men’s Room” — 17 mins. — Drama — A former Hollywood star, who is up for a role that could revive her career, learns a dark secret during a meeting with the powerhouse producer that could destroy her family and change her fate forever. Written, Directed, Produced by Tina Alexis Allen, Starring Tina Alexis Allen, Barry Papick, Kim Estes, and Elijah Olachea.

3:20 p.m. - 4 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. — BREAK

4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. — [SPECIAL MARY D FUND SPOTLIGHT FILM] — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Demons & Dragans. Mark Patinkin's Cancer Journey” — 26 mins. — Pulitzer Prize finalist, journalist Mark Patinkin (Providence Journal columnist) was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Suddenly, the story became about him. And his life became a series of cliffs. Written & Directed by Dante Bellini, Produced by Dante Bellini & Tom Hudsom, Featuring Mark Patinkin, Dr. Dragan Golijanin, and Dr. Anthony Mega.

5 p.m. - 6 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

6 p.m. - 7 p.m. — DINNER BREAK

7 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK:

7 p.m. - 7:11 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Don’t Fall From Grace” — 11 mins. — Drama — When Grace's body is puppeteered by a mysterious entity, her Mother is desperate to break her from the trance. Written, Directed & Produced by Carley Byers, Produced by Chuck Vuolo, Starring Ariana Pérez and Carol Cadby.

7:11 p.m. - 7:23 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “This Way to the Egress” — 12 mins. — Drama/Comedy —Steve wakes up in a waiting room in the afterlife, and a paperwork snafu keeps him from continuing to his final reward. Written & Directed by Rich Drees, Produced by Natasha Bogutzki and Zack Wilcox, Starring Josh Bidwell, Michael Du Vide and Vita Varino.

7:23 p.m. - 7:28 p.m. — — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Kyle vs. Karen” — 5 mins. — Comedy — Kyle, a social media clout seeker is caught as he snaps a picture of an unsuspecting patron in a coffee shop. Highly offended, she immediately calls him out on this violation of her personal space. Written & Directed by Jim Morrison, Cinematography by Matt Stevens, Starring Katie Schrader and Kyle Mitidieri.

7:28 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. — Q&A with the filmmakers.

8:15 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. — BREAK

8:45 p.m. - 10:20 p.m. — NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM — [SPONSORED by the NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS—BLOCK ISLAND] — “Good Side of Bad” — 1 hour 36 mins — Drama — When a young photographer has a severe mental breakdown, her siblings come together to help her heal. Directed by Alethea Root, Written by Alethea Root, Ciera Danielle & Jules Bruff, Starring, Jules Bruff, Lexi Simonsen, Alex Quijano, Tess Harper, Myles Grier, and Kim Estes.

10:20 p.m. - 11:15 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2024

8:45 a.m. - 9 a.m. — MORNING COFFEE — Hosted at the Block Island Maritime Institute by Kristin Carey, Kim Estes and Henry LeBlanc discuss the day’s programming and introduce the first film.

9 a.m. - 10:05 a.m. — STUDENT SHORT FILM BLOCK:

9 a.m. - 9:16 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — “Blue Hour” — 16 mins. — Drama — Two personal journeys intersect when a struggling young photographer is hired for a cheap last minute portrait gig. The unfolding photo session, while transient, leaves an indelible mark on both women. Written & Directed by J.D. Shields, Produced by Maya Korn, Diana Ward, and Lauren Avinoam, Starring Doyin Domingo and Diamond Taylor.

9:16 a.m. - 9:36 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — “A Texas Mermaid Movie” — 20 mins. — Drama/Fantasy — Eleven-year-old Katie and her dad reconnect after many years apart, with the help of a mermaid they meet in the San Marcos River. A Texas Mermaid Movie is a look at processing loss and change through creative play. Written & Directed by John David De Virgiliis, Produced by Dana Reilly, Maggie Bailey, Tori McCarthy, Matt Sherwood, and Mary Falls, Cinematography by Emily Grooms, Underwater Footage by Joshua Daughtry, Production Design by Taylor Mansmann, Starring Cassidy Butler, Lenisa Careaga, and Tony Kamel.

9:36 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. — Q&A with the Filmmaker.

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. — BREAK

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK:

10:30 a.m. - 10:42 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Perception” — 12 mins. — Drama — A seemingly perfect family has a secret that they aren't willing to share or discuss, despite the fact that it is negatively impacting them in similar and extremely emotional ways. Directed by Erik Bloomquist, Written by Robyn Babina, Starring Robyn Babina, Ryan Farrell, James Cribbins, Blanche Baker, and Alessandra Rosenfeld.

10:42 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. — — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Piece” — 8 mins. — Drama — In her last rehearsal, a pianist fights to perfect her piece before fear manifests into an apparition beyond her control. Written & Directed by Emma Young, Produced by Bob Klein, Director of Photography Bodhi Ouellette, and Edited by Meredith Miller.

10:50 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. — Q&A with the filmmakers.

11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. — BREAK

12 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — [SPOTLIGHT FILM] — “The Independent Man Restoration Project” — 15 mins. — Filmmaker Robert Beadle chronicles the removal of the Independent Man, a 14-foot tall gold sculpted statue, designed at the turn of the century, from its perch atop the Rhode Island State House to be refurbished in the Cranston Street Armory. Directed & Produced by Robert Beadle.

12:15 p.m. - 1 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmaker.

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. — LUNCH BREAK

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. — SCREENWRITING FORUM — The 2024 Screenwriting Finalists discuss their scripts and their writing process. This is an educational forum that encourages public participation. Hosted by Henry LeBlanc and Kristin Carey.

2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. — BREAK

3 p.m. - 4 p.m. — NARARATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK:

3 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. — NARARATIVE SHORT FILM — “Smile” — 20 mins. — Drama — Coffee. Cream and… sugar? Directed by Mike Sills, Written & Produced by Ethan Fulton, Cinematography by Marco Tulio, Edited by Benjamin Algar, Starring Corrie Legge, and Dustin Teuber.

3:20 p.m. - 3:25 p.m. — NARARATIVE SHORT FILM — “Music in the Air” — 5 mins. — Experimental — A painter trying to illicit someone to buy her painting of a man leaping in the air with a guitar discovers an unlikely buyer in the most unexpected Asbury Park, New Jersey resident. Directed by A.J. Ciccotelli, Written & Produced by Tom Cavanaugh.

3:25 p.m. - 4 p.m. — Q&A with the filmmaker.

4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. — BREAK

4:30 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. — NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM — “Movie With All My Friends” — 1 hour 9 mins. — Drama/Comedy — The story revolves around Deena, who keeps getting rejected from film school, and it’s driving her (and her 8 best friends) bananas. So, after getting her admissions decision from her very last school, she realizes there’s only one thing left to do: make her own movie. Written, Directed, Produced and Starring Ayden Skye, Michael Louis Curcio, Mike Cefalo, Cory Censprano, Joe Zarowin, Peter Zachwieja, Chase Peacock, Steve Babino, Robert Bailey and Paul Borghese.

5:40 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. — Audience Q&A with hosts.

6:15 p.m. - 7 p.m. — DINNER BREAK

7 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. — NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM — “Pop the Pickel” — 1 hour 20 mins. — Comedy/Crime — The story of a mild-mannered accountant and a failed actor who plot the perfect murder of their archenemy, named Pickel. Written & Directed by Mo Faisal, Produced by Tracy Faisal and Mo Faisal, Starring Christian Cibotti, Christopher Mikael, Ajay Jain, Laura Corda, and Tracy Bowermaster.

8:20 p.m. - 9 p.m. — Q&A with the filmmakers.

9 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. — BREAK

9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. — BIFF 2024 AWARD CEREMONY

10 p.m. - 1 p.m. — Closing Night “Martini Shot” Wrap Party at Champlin’s Marina & Resort, New Harbor, at the Top Dock Bar.

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