Independent Filmmaking1

ABOUT
Halcyon Daze: The Final Voyage of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser follows one passenger’s journey from casual interest to full on obsession with Disney’s one of a kind, award winning, yet short-lived interactive theater experience, immersing viewers in a universe of live-action adventure and colorful characters, as well as the profound feelings shared by dedicated cast members and fixated fans. As the Starcruiser potentially docks forever, what will become of this innovative playground that brought superfans together?

First announced in 2017, the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, dubbed the “Halcyon,” opened after multiple delays in 2022. While critics balked at the high sticker price, tepid marketing campaign, and hectic sample schedules, reviews from the fake spaceship’s first media voyage called it “like living inside a video game” and praised its “immersion to the extreme.” As passengers found themselves swept up in the immersive two day, two night attraction, a fan base grew, creating a fervent community of repeat cruisers, character fan clubs, and Facebook voyage groups. Whether or not the Starcruiser worked as a business, it transformed casual Star Wars fans like Carrie into superfans of the Halcyon.

ABOUT THE FILM
All Illusions Must Be Broken weaves a compelling tale inspired by the insights of cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Denial of Death. Through Becker’s discerning lens, the film addresses the profound shifts occurring as children’s formative years are increasingly dominated by digital and artificial realms, a departure from the natural world’s authentic beauty. This exploration highlights our growing tendencies towards self-deception.

Intertwining Becker’s profound thoughts, modern views on screen’s pervasive influence, and vignettes of a boy’s life from infancy to teen years, this narrative serves as both an insightful essay and an intimate verité study.

A collaboration by acclaimed filmmakers Laura Dunn & Jef Sewell and backed by Executive Producers Terrence Malick and Robert Redford, All Illusions Must Be Broken is the finale of a trilogy that delves into the tension between nature and our evolving culture, following The Unforeseen (2007) and Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry (2017).

ABOUT
“499 Days” chronicles the poignant journey of Kyler, a spirited young boy from Louisville, KY, diagnosed with DIPG – an aggressive and rare pediatric brainstem cancer with no known survivors. The film captures the essence of Kyler’s resilience, vitality, and spirit in the 499 days from his initial diagnosis until just days shy of his 10th birthday, when he tragically passed away.

Through intimate glimpses into Kyler’s life, from his vibrant early days to his courageous battle with DIPG, the documentary explores the profound legacy he left and the deep impact he made on those fortunate enough to know him. We travel with Kyler, from the heart of Louisville to the scenic hills of San Francisco, the sun-kissed beaches of Florida, and along the shores of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, witnessing moments of immense hope, love, fear, confusion, and ultimately, strength.

ABOUT
If The Trees Heard Us, written and directed by Noah Griffin.

Lost within a vast, barren landscape, an estranged brother and sister embark on a journey searching for their childhood home.

As the follow-up to The Silence Between, our small, talented crew is so excited to work together again. This time, we traveled from the dense forests of Tennessee to the boundless plains of North Dakota to capture this stunningly picturesque narrative on film.

To directly support our team, contribute on this page for a tax-deductible donation or visit our GoFundMe page! All donations go towards festival fees and distribution materials so we can share If the Trees Heard Us with everyone. For more info on the project, check out our website and sign up for our email updates list!

ABOUT
When a bounty hunter moves into an aging apartment complex, she finds herself forced to protect an orphaned boy from the vampire landlord.

Mixing filmmaking styles from neo-realist dramas like Fish Tank and horror staples like The Thing, Land Lord is a feature length film with a new take on the vampire and relevant social commentary bite.

THE TEAM
Remington Smith – Director, Producer, Writer
Ryan Darbonne – Associate Producer
Abi Van Andel – Associate Producer
Geoff Storts – Cinematographer

ABOUT
John Y Brown Jr. – Businessman, Celebrity Governor, Professional basketball owner, Gambler, Father – had it all.

He turned Kentucky Fried Chicken into the hottest fast food franchise in the world, became a multimillionaire, married Miss America, and was elected the Governor of Kentucky. He owned three pro basketball teams, saved the Democratic Party, and started numerous chain restaurant businesses, including Ollie’s Trolley and Kenny Rogers Roasters. He owned a tennis club in Miami with Warren Beatty, and his best friend was Muhammad Ali.

He advised Donald Trump to run for president. He lost $1.3 million in one night of gambling. His friend and business associate was arrested and convicted of drug trafficking after an ex-cop parachuted to his death with $75,000,000 strapped to his body. He divorced three times, invested with Bernie Madoff, gambled away his fortune, and now shares a condo in Lexington with his former masseuse.

He has no regrets.

ABOUT
Still Perfect is a compelling story about the tragedy that befalls a young, single mother and forces her to make a terrible choice – should she allow her dying baby’s organs to save the life of another child?

Inspired by real events covered in the 2012 short documentary Grief and a Giving Heart, Still Perfect tells the story of Bethan Parry, the devastating murder of her 9-month-old daughter, and the family’s attempts to heal through the selfless gift of organ donation.

The screenplay for Still Perfect won awards for dramatic writing at both the Cannes Screenplay Competition and the American Movie Awards, proving this project’s worth in the creative marketplace. The story is bold, the characters will force viewers to rethink stereotypes, and the message is one that will linger long after you leave the theater or turn off your television.

ABOUT
The Butterfly Trees is a documentary feature filmed over the course of 8 years with footage shot across Canada, the United States and Mexico. This film has been made possible with the generous support of over one hundred people from across the continent.

Monarch butterflies – their beauty captivates us. We watch them fly from flower to flower, and our hearts flutter with them. They are symbols of strength, courage, and hope. Aside from being wonders in and of themselves, monarch butterflies remind us that everything in life is a miracle, and that we are all strands in the web.

The Butterfly Trees is a documentary feature film that captures the transcontinental journey of the eastern monarch butterflies on their epic migration from the forested shores of Southern Canada to the rare and ancient oyamel fir trees of Central Mexico.

Part science, part adventure, and part love story, the film is a captivating reflection on the profound mysteries of the natural world and the ties that irrevocably connect us all. The story weaves together a wondrous tapestry of stunning visuals, passion for discovery, and the eclectic mix of the people for whom these butterflies have become a life-long obsession.

Plants, trees, landforms, water, celestial bodies, weather, and even the seasons all become supporting characters that echo the planet’s ancient rhythms and remind us of the larger and mysterious world of which we are a part.

Filled with allegory and poetic contemplations, The Butterfly Trees brings to the screen a universal story of life and the search for legacy and meaning by using the monarch migration as a poignant metaphor that embodies hope, transformation and connections that transcend borders.

The monarch butterfly is emblematic of our fragile and complex ecology. But the monarch is also a potent symbol for our individual life’s journey, intergenerational connection, and the quest for finding our place in this world.

BEAUTY MARK is a feature film by award-winning filmmaker Harris Doran which tells the story of Angie, a young mother living in a poverty-stricken area of Louisville, when she finds out the house her family is living in is condemned. Out of options, she must get the money from the only person she knows with any — the man who abused her as a child.

The film is inspired by some true events and a portion of the proceeds will go to FAMILY & CHILDREN’S PLACE, a Louisville based organization working to stop and prevent child abuse.

Starring ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Catherine Curtin, Daytime Emmy award winner Eric Nelsen, SAVED BY THE BELL’s Dennis Haskins (Mr. Belding), and rising starlet Auden Thornton.