2009 Short Film Festival/ Contest

The following short films were selected as this year's winners by the Jury Committee and by the Audience, respectively.

Jury Prize: Narrative - The Girl Who Could Run 600 Miles Per Hour (Mark Thimijan)

Jury Prize: Documentary - Golden Harvest: North Lansing Against the World (Peter Johnston)

Jury Prize: Experimental - Truth Soup (Mare Costello)

Audience Prize: Narrative - Fatima's Ghosts (Joseph Johnston)

Audience Prize: Documentary - Golden Harvest: North Lansing Against the World (Peter Johnston)

Audience Prize: Experimental - Broken Fidelity (Robert Joseph Butler)

Special Recognition: Best-In-State Short - Raised Alone (Sam Kadi)

Special Recognition: Best Dramatic Screenplay - Raised Alone (Sam Kadi, Jazmen Brown)

Truth Soup
Experimental, 2009, 8:11 minutes

Directed by Mare Costello. An experimental comedy improv photo montage parody of a radio talk show with hosts Helen & Marvin.

Fatima’s Ghosts
Narrative, 2008, 7:08 minutes.

Directed by Joseph Johnston. The police discover something out of this world when they bring a suspected terrorist in for questioning.

The Girl Who Could Run 600 Miles Per Hour
Narrative, 2006, 20:00 minutes.

Directed by Mark Thimijan. An average office worker becomes trapped in a meaningless routine. Dismayed, he heads out of town for the weekend. A chance encounter with a girl who can run 600 miles per hour changes his outlook.

The Date
Narrative, 2009, 3:29 minutes.

Directed by Melody C. Miller. A young man is trying to keep a date with his love.

The Many Faces of Islam in the U.S.A.
Documentary, 2009, 5:26 minutes.

Directed by Faiza Ali with Melody C. Miller. Muslim people who live in the United States share their stories.

The Eyes of Beauty
Narrative, 2009, 27:03 minutes.

Directed by Victor Sabadus. A bashful, innocent girl has an awakening as she tries to attract the attention of a handsome co-worker.

Lullabye
Narrative, 2008, 19:00 minutes.

Directed by Travis David Suhr. A young couple in love face challenges when one of them comes off their schizophrenia medication.

The Delivery
Narrative, 2008, 29:54 minutes.

Directed by Gabrielle de Cuir. A reluctant reader encounters temperament, talent and a glimpse of the supernatural as she wends her way through a series of audiobook recording studios on her way to deliver a package.

Got Music?
Narrative, 2009, 2:48 minutes.

Directed by Jeremy Salo. An office worker imagines radical solutions to silence his nagging boss.

Broken Fidelity
Experimental, 2008, 11:45 minutes.

Directed by Robert Joseph Butler. A wife receives a mysterious videotape.

Knock
Narrative, 2009, 2:57 minutes.

Directed by Tim Rooney. A private moment is interrupted by an unexpected visitor. Stars Saginaw actress Joanna LaRose.

Gentel’s Wings
Narrative, 2009, 10:44 minutes.

Directed by Iyabo Kwayana. A young girl copes with her demanding aunt’s constant orders by escaping into magical dreams of the past and future. (photo not available)

Golden Harvest: North Lansing Against the World
Documentary, 2009, 6:52 minutes.

Directed by Peter Johnston. A look inside the diner Golden Harvest, one of North Lansing’s best-kept secrets. Note: Contains profanity.

Calculated
Narrative, 2009, 10:00 minutes.

Directed by Gabe Kuchar. A student breaks down after learning her research results do not match her predictions.
- International Affair
  Narrative, 2009, 6:06 minutes.
  
  Directed by Sarah DeBoer. A desperate student copies from the exam of the smartest student in class - an international student. Note: Contains profanity.
- Willow
  Experimental, 2007, 2:20 minutes.
  
  Directed by Kate Balsley.
- One of Those Kids
  Narrative, 2009, 23:48 minutes.
  
  Directed by Alex Grossfeld. A 22-year old, living at home, undergoes the trials of his parents’ faltering marriage, and meets someone who makes an impact on his dark outlook on the future.
- First Time...Last Time
  Narrative, 2009, 4:33 minutes.
  
  Directed by Harry C. Arnold. Two lovers discover the limits of their relationship. Note: Violent content. (Director shown in pic)
- Samanjas (Ultimate Solution)
  Experimental, 2008, 30:00 minutes. India.
  
  Directed by Samir Jagot. Three deaf students contemplate suicide after their roommate is killed, until a new roommate - one who is blind - teaches them that life is always beautiful. The roles of the students are played by actors with the disabilities they are portraying.