DANCES WITH FILMS “LOVES THE JOURNEY” OF THEIR 100+ INDEPENDENT FILMS AT 17TH ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL; Festival Winners To Receive Theatrical Distribution Commitment and AMPAS Qualifying Run, Oscar Winning Producer Steve Tisch Joins Advisory Board

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DANCES WITH FILMS
“LOVES THE JOURNEY” OF THEIR  100+ INDEPENDENT FILMS
AT 17TH ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL
—Festival Winners To Receive Theatrical Distribution Commitment and AMPAS Qualifying Run—
—Oscar Winning Producer Steve Tisch Joins Advisory Board —
 
DANCES WITH FILMS (DWF), LA’s largest discovery film festival of emerging talent, announced its 2014 lineup today as the festival celebrates 100+ independent films over 11 days from May 29th – June 8th at Hollywood’s famed Chinese Theaters.  DWF is proud to announce sponsoring partnerships with long time indie film champion Laemmle Theaters and new indie exhibitor, Hollywood’s Arena Cinema.  With this year’s motto “Love Your Journey”, for the first time ever, DWF’s competition feature Audience Award winner will “love their journey” with the prize of a Los Angeles theatrical distribution commitment of one week at the Arena Cinema, as the Grand Jury Award winner will receive a VOD distribution deal with Gravitas Ventures;  and the short Grand Jury Award and Audience Award winners will both receive Academy® Qualifying theatrical runs from Laemmle Theaters.  
 
DWF is honored to have legendary producer Steve Tisch as the newest member of its esteemed Advisory Board.  A partner at Escape Artists Productions and the Chairman and Executive Vice President of the New York Giants, Steve is the only person with both an Academy Award and a Super Bowl ring.  Steve won a Best Picture Oscar as a producer of Forrest Gump in 1994, and has received two Super Bowl rings as Chairman of the Giants, who won Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.  One of the most successful producers in the motion picture industry, Steve has produced such films as Risky BusinessThe Pursuit of HappynessThe Weather ManSeven PoundsKnowingThe Taking of Pelham 123The Back-Up Plan, and Hope Springs.   A pantheon of industry heavyweights, DWF’s Advisory Board also includes:  Cindy Cowan, Jonathan Dana, Steve Elzer, Kevin Kasha, Eriq La Salle, Michael Lehmann, Mike Macari, Valerie McCaffrey, Mark V. Olsen, Joel Ordesky, Mark Ordesky, Melissa Orlen, Will Scheffer, Hilton Smith, David Spiegelman and Steve Wegner.
 
Starting humbly in 1998, DWF was designed as a film festival dedicated to finding tomorrow’s talent today.  With mostly World and West Coast Premieres, DWF provides a coveted first stop on the festival circuit.  Choosing films based solely on merit and discoverability, DWF remains the most devoted champion of fresh and creative voices, mandating that all competitive films have no known actors, writers, directors or producers.   For the past 17 years, DWF has proudly provided access and opportunity to hundreds, if not thousands, of films and filmmakers – from Hoboken, NJ to Xiang, China – that fight year after year to see their dreams realized.  Co-Founder Leslee Scallon says, “Giving these warriors the exposure that their talent, drive, and sacrifice deserve is what DWF has always been about and our belief in our filmmakers is rewarded year after year.  Just last year, 8 features were picked up for distribution at the fest!”  Now, with over 12,000+ festival attendees plus 2.5 million impressions per month on www.danceswithfilms.comDWF remains the indie heartbeat of Hollywood.
 
Amongst their newest prize awarding sponsors, DWF appreciates the loyalty for independent filmmakers from its sponsors Movietickets.com, Gravitas Ventures, Escape Artists, Ease Entertainment Services, CAA, The Lot, SagIndie, Final Draft, Movie Magic, VER, KPFK, OHM Night Club, Cabotella Beer, Demidoff Vodka, Lucky Strike, Southern Wine & Spirits, Audio Rents, as well as the Loews Hollywood Hotel. 
 
DWF’s fiercely independent attitude and sensibility has earned the attention and respect of media.
“The defiant fest of raw talent.” — The Hollywood Reporter
 
“One of Top 25 Coolest Film Fests in the World!”  — MovieMaker Magazine
 
“Here you will find more genuinely encouraging vital signs from the American independent film movement than could be detected in all of Park City.” — LA Weekly

 
“One of the most engaging, forward-thinking festivals in the country.” — Yahoo.com
 
“An innovator and leader in positioning raw and new talented directors.”  — CNN

 
2014 FILM LINEUP
COMPETITION FEATURES
A NEW YORK LOVE STORY – WRITER/DIR: Apolla Echino; PRODS: Justin Ruane, Lara Myrene, Apolla Echino
BEING AWESOME – WRITER/DIR: Allen C. Gardner; PRODS: Gabe Arredondo, Allen C. Gardner, Matthew Stiller, Drew Smith, Lou Griffith
THE BULLY CHRONICLES – WRITER/DIR: Amy S. Weber; PRODS: Amy S. Weber, Jeffrey D. Spilman, Danny Roth
DRUID PEAK – WRITER/DIR: Marni Zelnick; PRODS: Julie Buck, Dana Morgan, Jeff Petriello, Maureen Mayer
FRANK VS. GOD – WRITER/DIR: Stewart Schill; PRODS: Scott Schill, Alan Pruzan
HARD SUN – DIRECTOR: Canyon Prince; WRITER: Canyon Prince (story by Canyon Prince and J Michael Briggs); PRODS: James Thomas, J Michael Briggs
THE HISTORIAN – WRITER/DIR: Miles Doleac; PRODS: Miles Doleac, Mackenzie Westmoreland, Ryan H. Jackson, John Lawrence Doleac and Nate Meyer
THE JAZZ FUNERAL -WRITER/DIR: Jesse Rosen; PRODS: Laurence Ducceschi, Cindy Peters
LAYOVER – WRITER/DIR: Joshua Caldwell; PRODS: Travis Oberlander, Vertel Scott, Joshua Caldwell, Jatin Das Gupta
THE MOURNING – DIRECTOR: Marc Clebanoff; WRITER: Marc Clebanoff, Michael Walton; PRODS: Joseph Wolf, Marc Clebanoff, Michael Walton
POPOVICH AND THE VOICE OF THE FABLED AMERICAN WEST – WRITER/DIR: Mike & Jerry Thompson; PRODS: Gregory Popovich, May May Luong, Todd Hailstone
THE SUICIDE THEORY – DIRECTOR: Dru Brown; WRITER: Michael J Kospiah; PRODS: Dru Brown, Christian McCarty, Jake McCarty
TARGETING – DIRECTOR: Tarique Qayumi; WRITER: Joey Patterson, Alan de la Rosa & Tarique Qayumi; PRODS: Alan de la Rosa, Carlos Osorio, Tarique Qayumi
THE WORST YEAR OF MY LIFE – WRITER/Dir: Jonathan Smith; PRODS: Jonathan Smith, Nicole Day, Amy Vorpahl, Bernie Stern

FUSION FEATURES
A LEADING MAN – WRITER/DIR: Steven J. Kung; PRODS: Justin Bell, Jon Michael Kondrath
BLOOD PUNCH – DIRECTOR: Maddellaine Paxson; WRITER: Eddie Guzelian; PRODS: Fred Schaefer, Fleur Saville, Eddie Guzelian, Madellaine Paxson
THE CABINING – WRITER/DIR: Steve Kopera; PRODS: Mike Kopera, Ian Michaels
EFFICIENCY – DIRECTOR: Kate Enge; WRITER: Steven Molony; PRODS: Steven Molony, Janek Ambros, Nick Collins
GONE DOGGIE GONE – WRITER/DIR: Kasi Brown & Brandon Walter; PRODS: Rebecca Hu and Adriane Zaudke
INK & STEEL – DIRECTORS: Jonathan Ehlers & Patrick Ward-Perkins; WRITER: Jonathan Ehlers, Patrick Ward-Perkins, Jason Radspiner; PRODS: Jonathan Ehlers, Patrick Ward-Perkins, Jason Radspiner
KING OF HERRINGS – WRITER: Eddie Jemison; DIRECTORS: Eddie Jemison & Sean Richardson
PRODS: Eddie Jemison, Sean Richardson, Seth William Meir, John Mese, David Jensen
LOVE IN THE TIME OF MONSTERS – DIRECTOR: Matt Jackson; WRITER: Mike Skvarla
PRODS: Andy Gunn
MISSING CHILD – DIRECTOR: Luke Sabis; WRITERS: Luke Sabis, Michael Barbuto; PRODS: Luke Sabis, Charles Gorgano; Michael Michael Barbuto
ODD BRODSKY; DIRECTOR: Cindy Baer; WRITERS: Matthew Irving & Cindy Baer; PRODS: Cindy Baer & Thomai Hatsios
SAND CASTLES – DIRECTOR: Clenét Verdi-Rose; WRITER: Jordon Hodges; PRODS: Jordon Hodges, Christopher Nickin
SEAHORSES – WRITER/DIR: Jason Kartalian; PRODS: Jason Kartalian, Roxy Shih
STOMPING GROUND – DIRECTOR: Dan Riesser; WRITERS: Dan Riesser & Andrew Genser; PRODS: Brad Lavery & Mike De Trana

 
COMPETITION SHORTS
9 – WRITER/DIR: Kimberly Warner; PRODS: Kimberly Warner
A MAN ON THE EDGE – WRITER/DIR: Edward Lyons; PRODS: Nicole Adams
A NEW LEAF – DIRECTOR: Clinton CornwellWRITER: L.M. Goodman; PRODS: Seth Epstein
ANOTHER LIFE – DIRECTOR: Mark Lammerding; WRITERS: Mark Lammerding, Eric Lammerding; PRODS: Aliyssa Forstmann
THE BALLAD OF SNAKE OIL SAM – DIRECTOR: Arlene Bogna; WRITER: Anthony Ferranti & Arlene Bogna; PRODS: Romell Foster-Owens, Anthony Ferranti
CASEY – DIRECTOR: Miguel Duran; WRITER: Violeta Reina; PRODS: Miguel Duran, Violeta Reina
CELLULOID DREAMS – WRITER/DIR: Jonathan Dillon; PRODS: Brian Kong, Jonathan Dillon
CHECK OUT – DIRECTOR: Ty Strickler; WRITER: Tim Estep & Ty Strickler; PRODS: Palmer Brown, Lije Sarki, Carl Bressler, Jonah Weinstein
THE CURSE OF THE UNKISSABLE KID – DIRECTOR: Mark Marchillo; WRITER: Mark Marchillo; Story by Matt Marr, Mark Marchillo;PRODS: Matt Marr
THE DENTIST – WRITER/DIR: Jonathon M.B. Hunter; PRODS: Isil Gilderdale
DRINK – DIRECTOR: Emily Moss Wilson; WRITER: Emily Moss Wilson & Larry Soileau;  PRODS: Benjamin Grayson, Greg Wilson
ENTANGLEMENT – WRITER/DIR: Douglas Wood; PRODS: Craig Wyrick-Solari
FIRST PRIZE  WRITER/DIR: Kevin McMullin; PRODS: Kevin McMullin
FOR SPACIOUS SKY -DIRECTOR: Coy Middlebrook; WRITER: Kevin Allen Jackson; PRODS: Rowan Brooks, Andres Faucher, Coy Middlebrook
THE JANE – WRITER/DIR: Trevor Williams; PRODS: Trevor Williams, Ed Mundy, Matthew Hobby
KARAGANDA – WRITER/DIR: Max Weissberg; PRODS: Shira Aharony
LIFE IS SWEET – WRITER/DIR: Chris Valenziano; PRODS: Chris Valenziano
LIFE ON THE LINE – DIRECTOR: Aurora Fearnley, Matt Maude, Jamie Donoughue; WRITER: Matt Maude; PRODS: Aurora Fearnley, Matt Maude, Jamie Donoughue
THE LORD OF CATAN – WRITER/DIR: Stuart C. Paul; PRODS: Lisa Barrett McGuire, Jason Dolan
MEET MY RAPIST – WRITER/DIR: Jessie Kahnweiler; PRODS: Jessie Kahnweiler, Jacob Gilbert, Ryan Lacen
MISS MIAO – WRITER/DIR: Kayla Morrisey; PRODS: Kayla Morrisey, Breeda Wool, Celeste Den, Joe LaRue, Derrick Sims
NO LOVE LOST – DIRECTOR: Shekhar Bassi; WRITER: Shekhar Bassi & Shalinder Bassi;PRODS: Shekhar Bassi & Shalinder Bassi, Gemma Lloyd, Helen Silver
ROCKETSHIP – WRITER/DIR: Alfred Thomas Catalfo; PRODS: Glenn Gardner, Alfred Thomas Catalfo, Peter Giagni
SWALLOW – DIRECTOR: Ric Serena;WRITER: Dan Greenberger;PRODS: Dan Greenberger
TEASERS – WRITER/DIR: Rafael De Leon Jr.;PRODS: Rafael De Leon Jr., Anthony Sylvester
TRIBUTE – DIRECTOR: John Salcido;WRITER: Michael Nathanson & John Salcido;PRODS: Neil Evans, Lillian LaSalle, Michael Nathanson, John Salcid
TUESDAY MORNING – DIRECTOR: Chad Kukahiko; WRITER: Darrow Carson; PRODS: Kendall Kanoa Hawley
WHITE TRASH – WRITER/DIR: Chris von Hoffmann; PRODS: Chris von Hoffmann

 
FUSION SHORTS
 
5 WAYS 2 DIE – DIRECTOR: Daina Papadaki; WRITER: Fanos Christophides; PRODS: Daina Papadaki,
9 TO 5 FEET UNDER – DIRECTOR: Terry Ziegelman; WRITER: Terry Ziegelman, Larry Ziegelman, Ramiro Castro Jr.; PRODS: Lia Abbate
BAKERMAN & THE BUNNYMEN – WRITER/DIR: Scout Raskin; PRODS: Scout Raskin
BELONG – DIRECTOR: Lije Sarki; WRITER: Lije Sarki, John Methvin; PRODS: Palmer Brown, Lije Sarki, Carl Bressler, Jonah Weinstein
BINKY – WRITER/DIR: Stephen David Brooks; PRODS: Stephen David Brooks, Brittany Mayti
CASSANDRA – WRITER/DIR: Guy-Roger Duvert; PRODS: Guy-Roger Duvert, Rudolph Falaise
THE DEAD COUPLE – WRITER/DIR: Justin Rausch; PRODS: Todd Eckert
DINNER PARTY – WRITER/DIR: Steve Yager; PRODS: Steve Yager
DOGCATCHERS – WRITER/DIR: Francis Stokes; PRODS: Stephanie Jane Markham
FLESH COMPUTER  WRITER/DIR: Ethan Shaftel; PRODS: Ethan Shaftel, Dain Ingebretson
HUM  WRITER/DIR: Iain Marks; PRODS: Iain Marks, Cassandra Burrows, Alex Kuciw
IT REMAINS – DIRECTOR: Andrew Morgan; WRITERS: Chrissie Fit, Cyrina Fiallo, Kent Boyd, Rose Marziale; PRODS: Kent Boyd, Rose Marziale, Michael Ross
THE KID – WRITER/DIR: Sean Brosnan; PRODS: Sanja Banic
THE LOOKING PLANET – WRITER/DIR: Eric Law Anderson; PRODS: Eric Law Anderson, Anne M. Uemura
MALORY & NICOLE – DIRECTOR: Adam Ward and Ronald Quigley; WRITER: Ronald Quigley; PRODS: Mete Sozer, Coco Cook, Edward Plumb
MEET ANNA – DIRECTOR: Robert L. Goodman; WRITER: Joel Perry; PRODS: Robert L. Goodman
PERSONAL DAY – WRITER/DIR: Philip Jessen; PRODS: Ashley Eberbach, Mark Mallorca, Phil Donohue
POKER DONKEY – WRITER/DIR: Roger & Laura Ranney; PRODS: Roger Ranney, Laura Ranney, Britt George
THE PROPOSAL –WRITER/DIR: Jason O. Silva; PRODS: A Annette Villarreal
SMALL TALK – DIRECTOR: Peter LeVake; WRITERS: Peter LeVake , Ira Brown; PROD: Curtis Adair
TEXAS – WRITER/DIR: Matt Johnson; PRODS: Matt Johnson and Robert Uncles
TOUCH – WRITER/DIR: Dawn Fields; PRODS: Dawn Fields, James Popiden
THERE IS NO GOD WE ALL DIE ALONE – DIRECTOR: Harrison Givens; WRITER: Harrison Givens, Ross Marian; PRODS: Diondra Meravi

 
 *** More Film Announcements to be Made***
 

For tickets and more info about all our scheduled films and panels, on Wednesday, May 7th, go to www.danceswithfilms.com 

 
Jonah Blechman
Director of Festival Publicity

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