We’re nearing the end of the festival, with only two days of incredible films left to check out. With several categories on the docket for today, including Animation, Documentaries, Rom-Coms, films that focus on social justice and the environment, and the wide world of fantasy, there should be something for everyone today. Not only that, the wonderful Bill Bradley joins us for an interview for the newest documentary chronicling his extreme endurance challenges, It’s Not The Critic Who Counts! So let’s get going on the penultimate day of the festival.
The Sistine – This is a beautiful animated film that uses mixed media to tell the story of Vincho, a person living on the streets, using discarded items to create their great works. He toils on his art from under a bridge, building his masterpiece. It’s a gorgeous film, and director Juan Camilo Fonnegra delivers on an entertaining and delightful piece of art of their own.
The Hidden Dimension – Directed by Ben Galster and starring photographer Leo Maki, it focuses on Leo’s journey of expression, acceptance and struggle as an openly gay man and photographer living in Poland. The film is an incredible mix of Leo’s photos, renditions of his process and stunning visuals that bring it all together to really make this a unique and powerful piece of work.
It’s Not The Critic Who Counts – This Bill Bradley documentary focuses on his trials of doing another extreme race, this time the Arrowhead 135, one of the most brutal races in the world, conducted in the frozen tundras of Minnesota in January. Bradley, an extreme endurance athlete, is at it again with another punishing event that will take him to his limits and beyond. Directed by Ridgley Curry and Nick Brumfield, this is a can’t miss documentary featuring some of the most impressive athletics out there.
Untitled Movie – Annie Brennen’s meta film about a film writer that is writing a film that she will star in (her character is of course, a film writer) is a delightful film about a person wanting to explore themselves in a way that feels safe, allowing them to use the mask of a character to get there. It’s beautiful in that way, and also wonderfully directed with the perfect use of cuts that stitch scenes together in an entertaining and creative way. Brennen is terrific in it, and her supporting cast does a great job of playing the people in her life that are supportive, if not maybe a bit confused as to why she’s making this film.
Earth Girl – Earth Girl is an absurdist TV pilot that focuses on the titular Earth Girl (Caitlyn Knisley) who is a bubbly young woman who winds up eating a magic mushroom, which gives her the ability to hear what the world has to say, literally. During the variety of forms and misadventures she goes on, Earth Girl (and the audience themselves) gets informed about the dangers of climate change, what can be done to help curb its devastating effects, and what some of the causes are that are having an impact right now. It’s a fun way to talk about an important but complicated subject, and execute very well in the style of a variety public access show. Directed by Adren Grier and Kirsten Knisley.
What inspired you to start making films?
My mom LOVED movies and she and I used to go to the movies by ourselves, a lot. At least once or twice per month. And she loved the Academy Awards and we would watch them every year, in fact we loved watching the Academy Awards so much my mom created an Academy Awards contest in the family and then I used the same idea when I had my chain of video stores.
Were there any challenges in making this project?
The challenges are the extreme cold and the freezing of the cameras.
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film? To follow your dreams and never quit! No Matter What! No matter how many times you may have failed, you don’t give up, no matter what!
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts?
It’s awesome! I absolutely love the Hollyshorts Film Festival. It was the first film festival I’ve been to and we’ve been to many others but Hollyshorts is my favorite! This is the third film of ours getting selected at Hollyshorts FIlm Festival!
What’s on the horizon for you?
We are doing a LIVE STREAM and filming for another possible documentary of my 3rd attempt of the Solo Self-Contained Badwater 146, where I have to pull a 200lb cart unsupported across Death Valley in the summer with temperatures up to 120 degrees or more, and then up to the top of Mt. Whitney.
Big thanks to Bill for talking to us once again! You can see their film and many others at the HollyShorts Film Festival, which runs from August 10th-19th in Los Angeles at the TCL Chinese Theater. Tickets for the festival, as well as the screening schedule, can be found here. They can also be viewed digitally, with tickets available on BitPix.
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