Monday, October 08, 2012YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The 2012 inaugural Youngstown Film Festival will take place Oct. 12-14. The inaugural festival contains films from experienced filmmakers to local residents to students; each film was judged by a panel and selected for its ability to stand on its own artistically and to convey its message, whether as a short or a feature.
A pass for all films is $70; opening night VIP, $50; opening night general admission, $25; and any single screening, $10. The Children's Animation section is $4 plus admission to Oh Wow! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science & Technology. Tickets can be ordered at this website and also are available at the door a half-hour prior to screenings.
The schedule is as follows:
Born Into Brothels
Directors: Zana Briski, Ross Kauffmann
Screening: Stambaugh Auditorium, 7 p.m., Oct. 12
In Calcutta's red light district appear a group of unforgettable children. Feisty, resilient and wickedly funny, they are the children of prostitutes. Trying to evade a doomed future, they embark on a transformational journey with New York-based photographer Zana Briski, who teaches them photography. This humorous and heartfelt story portrays the power of art and the courage of those willing to change their own lives.
Round on Both Sides
Director: Marquette Jones
2010, 16:40 min. USA Short
Screening: Stambaugh Auditorium, 7 p.m., Oct. 12
Shot on location in Youngstown, Ohio, Round on Both Sides follows Niecy Bridges (Tami Jordan) as she struggles to get her life together. After several years of absentee parenting while pursuing her modeling career in New York City, Niecy returns to her hometown in search of her daughter, Quinn. Unfortunately, time is running out on her dreams for a perfect life.
Dark Little Secret
Director: Derrick Jones
2011, USA Documentary
Screening: Butler Institute of American Art, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14
Dark Little Secret examines the U.S. prison system and its unprecedented explosion in population, an exploitation of dark, poor faces intentionally relegated to second-class citizenship otherwise known as continued, legalized slavery.
The Hellsworth Haunting
Director: Justin Ciminero
2010, USA Horror
Screening: Oakland Center for the Arts, 10 p.m. Oct. 13
Laurie Hill gets a chance at a reporting job and takes on a murder case. She goes undercover at the mysterious Hillsworth Hall hoping to learn why suspect Steven Zabar killed two people and then himself. With help from paparazzo Jack Carter, she discovers the truth behind the killings and inadvertently unleashes a horrific curse. Laurie finds herself in a terrifying struggle against a foe neither living nor dead.
Youngstown: Still Standing
Director: John Chechitelli
2010, USA Documentary
Screening: Oakland Center for the Arts, 4 p.m., Oct. 13
Youngstown, Ohio, is a city with a negative reputation. It has been called Steel Town, Crime Town USA and Murder Town Ohio; but these days, residents just call it Y-town. This documentary gives the people of Y-town a chance to tell their stories of survival and talk about issues such as the fall of the steel industry, the influence of the Italian mafia, corruption, assassinations, an inordinate output of successful professional athletes and everyday life in a blue collar town.
Ringers/Washers: A Youngstown Game
Director: Ben Lariccia
2010, USA, Documentary
Screening: Butler Institute of American Art, 1:30 p.m., Oct. 14
Using pieces from local mills, railyards and foundries, Youngstowners created a game all their own.
General Education
Director: Tom Morris
2012, USA Comedy
Screening: Oakland Center for the Arts, 7 p.m., Oct. 13
Levi Collins is set to go to the local university on a tennis scholarship, but he forgot to tell his parents one thing -- he didn’t graduate from high school. As a result, he must take summer school before his mom and dad discover he’s failed senior science. General Education is a quirky comedy about a family learning to grow together.
631
Director: Derrick Jones
2008, USA Short
Screening: Stambaugh Auditorium, 7 p.m., Oct. 12
631 explores four generations of family members as they lived in one house in Youngstown, Ohio.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.