Getting Naked: A Burlesque Story | 86 min | Directed by James Lester, USA

“Getting Naked: A Burlesque Story” peels back the curtain to reveal the sexy sub-culture of the neo-burlesque scene in New York City. This verité documentary intimately follows four performers, each of whom has discovered a newfound identity and belonging in a world of bawdy comedy and striptease. “Getting Naked” explores what it means to be an artist, an entertainer, and a woman in the toughest city on Earth. 

Bully | 58 min | Directed by Aaron Alon, USA

BULLY is a new dramatic musical about Sam Bradley, a young man who commits suicide after being repeatedly bullied in school. The story follows Sam and the lives of those around him in the days leading up to and following his suicide.

All Quiet on the HomeFront | 25 min | Directed by Harjus Singh, USA

Based on the true story of Bhagat Singh Thind, one of the first Asian-Americans from India, who fought in the US Army during WW1. He comes back from the war and is discharged because a new law revokes the citizenship of Non-Caucasians. 

The Tyranny of Distance | 9 min | Directed by Gabriel Diamond and Matthew Beighley, Liberia

Fifteen years of civil war in Liberia has resulted in one of the world’s worst doctor shortages and cut off the country’s rural poor from basic healthcare. Community health workers trained and equipped by the non-profit Last Mile Health are working to deliver lifesaving health services to the 1.2 million Liberians living in the most remote reaches of the country.

Little Rebel  | 10 min | Directed by Aimie Vallat, USA

Little Rebel follows the extraordinary story of Isatou Jallow — a remarkable West African woman from The Gambia, and now Seattle resident. Since seeking asylum in the USA (2012), Isatou has pursued graduate degrees at the University Washington/UW Law School while she continuously advocates for women, asylees/refugees and people with disabilities.

Trump's America | 24 min | Directed by Peter Iliff, USA

When Frank, 40, a wise-cracking panhandler, is thrown out of affluent Royal Oaks, and dumped by police on L.A.’s Skid Row, a zealous reporter convinces Frank to return to Royal Oaks, provoke these cops to beat him up again, and this time get it on tape. But the plan goes horribly wrong, making this a provocative look at the growing homeless epidemic in Trump’s America. 

Earth Seasoned #GapYear | 75 min | Directed by Molly Kreuzman, USA

Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia, and short-term memory problems, Tori finds her greatest teacher in nature, spending a “gap year” living semi-primitively with four other young women in the Oregon Cascade Mountains.

The Secret Life of Muslims | 75 min | Directed by Joshua Seftel, USA

Featuring a diverse set of American Muslims from a wide range of ethnic and national origins speaking directly to their own respective experiences, THE SECRET LIFE OF MUSLIMS illuminates the existing complexity and diversity of America’s 3.3 million Muslims, while pointing to a common shared humanity. The first season has been viewed more than 35 million times in our effort to contribute to a dialogue of tolerance and peace in contentious times.

Poisoning Paradise | 77 min | Directed by Keely Shaye Brosnan and Teresa Tico, USA

Journey to the seemingly idyllic world of Native Hawaiians, where communities are surrounded by experimental test sites and pesticides sprayed upwind of their neighborhoods. Poisoning Paradise details the ongoing struggle to advance bold new legislation governing the fate of their island home.

Refuge | 6 min | Directed by Katie Falkenberg, USA

Decades ago, poachers would set off explosives in the cool waters of this pool on a North Umpqua River tributary, killing steelhead by the dozens. That was before Lee Spencer, and his beloved dog, settled in to watch over the wild steelhead.

Hotel Room | 11 min | Directed by Calla Videt, USA

A woman arrives at a hotel room contemplating an irreversible act. In the hotel room, the parallel paths of strangers begin to collide.

The Undertaker's Son | 14 min | Directed by The Affolter Bros, USA

Despite his desire to do anything but, Christopher Redding is attending work with his father for the first time to learn the macabre family business. When the duo is faced with a tragic death, Christopher is pushed to his breaking point revealing a deeper conflict that simmers just below the surface.

The Last Interview  | 12 min | Directed by Jamie Wang, USA

A man sits for what he thinks is a normal job interview for a mysterious company he didn't apply for, only to realize the stakes couldn't be any higher.

Lovers  | 10 min | Directed by Nell Teare, USA

LOVERS is a fictional short film which could just as well be fact. It is a dramatic love story and a mystery set in the City of Angels (Los Angeles). Will a serial killer strike again? Will law enforcement arrest the killer in time... ?

Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey | 95 min | Directed by Dave O’Leske, USA

Fred Beckey is the original American “Dirtbag” climber whose name has evoked mystery, adulation and vitriol since the 1940s. The groundbreaking life story of this rebel athlete, who inspired generations with his monumental first ascents, eloquent books and the lifestyle he fearlessly pioneered, is told for the  first time in this exclusive documentary film. 

Georgia O'Keefe and Me | 6 min | Directed by Robert Belinoff, USA

Love and art in the age of Trump. 
Chaos and order compete as a married man falls for an artist ingenue. Art prevails.

Do No Harm | 8 min | Directed by Marielle Woods, USA

A short film about a combat medic attempting to hold on to humanity in the midst of a war much bigger than himself. A medic's job is to fix people up, but how does that obligation reconcile with someone who is trained to fight and may be asked to kill? 

(Out)caste | 21 min | Directed by Shilpi Shikha Agrawal, USA

When a manual scavenger cannot continue her work, her 11-year-old daughter picks up where the mother left off.

Don't Be Afraid | 20 min | Directed by Lakshmi Devy, India

Daro Mat revolves around the less spoken about Indian Girl. The indian girl who is smart and yet devoid of opinions as ' having an opinion' was never an option. The movie depicts her strength portrayed by simple thoughts.

MADE IN WASHINGTON

Empty Platform - Lose You | 4 min | Directed by Mackenzie Glisson, USA

Lose You is an electronic/ambient song off of Nathaniel Closen's electronic name, Empty Platform. The music video will be a story of a young man who gets high, and through a series of flashbacks and some foreshadowing, the story is revealed of how he wreaks havoc and causes pain in the lives of those he loves.

Mixed Blood | 23 min | Directed by Roy Arwas

Alexia and Matt are hosting their very first Thanksgiving dinner. Both of their parents will be attending this years festivities. As if that wasn't stressful enough, Alexia's parents are vampires. Matt must do everything in his power to protect himself and his parents from Alexia's blood-sucking family

Brothers | 6 min | Directed by Randy Kerr, USA

Set in the Pacific Northwest, three brothers find refuge and redemption from a troubled home through their love of fly fishing for steelhead and the enduring relationships they forge on the river.

Underneath the Sound | 13 min | Directed by Olga Nikulina, USA

"Underneath the sound" is a narrative short film about hearing loss told through perception of music. We follow the journey of a musician as his hearing deteriorates and hear music from his point of view. We also meet a child whose mom is not aware that her small son has a hearing problem and is about to miss the critical moment for his speech development.

TMSR ENCORE

The Devil Needs a Fix | 10 min | Directed by Ian Ebright, USA

An ambivalent reporter will get a big break if his interview with the Devil goes as planned. Blending the genres of dark comedy, drama, and fantasy, THE DEVIL NEEDS A FIX explores disconnectedness, longing, and the nature of fear.

The Hatred | 60 min | Directed by John Law, aka John Adams, USA

The Adams Family is back!, and this time with a horror piece in which an orphaned young girl conjures an executed soldier back from the dead, and together they deliver hell in the Blackfoot territory of the late 1800’s.

Little Pink House | 99 min |  Directed by Courtney Moorehead Balaker, USA

Based on a true story, a small-town paramedic named Susette Kelo leaves a bad marriage, and starts over in a new town. She buys a rundown cottage with a gorgeous water view. She fixes it up and paints it pink. Then she discovers powerful politicians want to bulldoze her blue-collar neighborhood for the benefit of a multi-billion dollar corporation. ..

Minimoto | 5:06 min | Directed by Zach Bainter, USA

Stoney Landers brings a new sport to the United States with hopes of putting the US on the map in the world class of motorcycle racing. Beginning with his son Rocco, he puts children on motorcycles and sends them out on the track to learn about life, love, and friendly competitiveness

Supermoto | 90 min | Directed by Joe Maggio, USA

A young woman wakes up alone in a motel room. Her boyfriend has ditched her, leaving her with a few dollars, a toothbrush, racing leathers, and a supermoto motorcycle. She's just learned that she's pregnant. Thus begins the wild and strange adventure of Ruby Pink, queen badass and heroine of SUPERMOTO.

AU NATUREL

The beauty of the world around us as celebrated by those who love it and live it, from social climbers to active listeners to unabashed slackers.

Films screening include: 

AT WHAT PRICE (10:46) d. Tommy Day, USA

QUATTRO 2 (4:28) d. Candide Thovex, USA

BEING HEAR (9:44) d. Palmer Morse & Matthew Mikkelsen, USA

BALANCE (10:50) d. Mark Ram, USA

CHINA DOLL (19:51) d. Jon Glassberg, USA

SLACKER (9:11) d. Max Lowe, USA

 MM4MM: KILIMANJARO (10:43) d. John Waller, USA

Good Karma | 64 min | Directed by Kevin and Brian Flint, Nepal

Inspired into action after a deadly earthquake devastates his native Nepal, a successful Wall Street analyst living the American dream returns home to help rebuild his ravaged country and create social change.

Babs | 12 min | Directed by Celine Held, Logan George, USA

An estranged son discovers an alarming purchase made by his late father.

Cups & Robbers | 5 min | Directed by Jim Simone, USA

A restaurant robbery goes awry when they forget to lock the door.

North & Nowhere | 12 min | Directed by Scott Ballard, USA

A girl, a gun and a last chance.

Lovely Legs | 10 min | Directed by Abby Thompson, USA

In a desperate attempt to start anew, a man living in the not-so-distant future transports his secret sex robot companion to a secluded forest for disposal.

Kinderchomper | 17 min | Directed by Mike Scholtz, Japan/USA

A mild-mannered artist from Minnesota leads a double life as a baby-eating professional wrestler in Japan

BREAKING UP. BREAKING DOWN

There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but almost all of them suck. Still, so are enlightening, some are necessary and some are just plain silly. Parting is such sweet sorrow and such good cinema.

Films screening include: 

SAD STEVE (10:30) d. Eric Shanks, USA

IT’S ME (3:31) d. Vance Malone, USA

HOUSE OF TEETH (26:00) d. Susanna Styron, USA

3 (4:00) d. Giovanni Porta, USA

SEVEN BLUE 365 (11:37) d. Joe Rechtman, USA

SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL (3:35) d. Keith Rivers, USA

THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING  (15:40) d. Geoff Marslett, USA

STORYFINDING®: Mining Narrative Gold for the Screen

If you wish to tell a great story, you must first understand what it is or, more precisely, why it is. 

Storyfinding® is a unique process that enables you to tap into your greatest resource: you. Storyfinding harnesses your curiosity and compassion to create game-changing narratives that provoke, persuade and empower. Storyfinding helps you craft character-based tales, for any endeavor, that are deeply personal and, almost magically, universal.

Now in year two - twenty-four teams of students from the Eatonville, Morton, Mineral, Orting, Yelm and Bethel school districts signed up and submitted films. We will screen the top ten films,  announce the top three films and the top film which will receive $1,441.10 in production services - a numerical tribute to Mt. Rainier's elevation.

Meet and greet with film directors. 

Soggy Flakes | 5 min | Directed by The Affolter Bros., Canada

In a low-carb, sugar-free, gluten-intolerant world, a group of out-of-work breakfast cereal mascots form a support group to lament the golden ages of yesteryear and figure out how to swallow the bitter taste of reality.

Shut Up Anthony | 93 min | Directed by Kyle Eaton, USA  (Filmmaker in Attendance)

Anthony talks too much. A neurotic creative grinding out a living at a Portland ad firm, he loses his girlfriend, job and dignity over the course of a few days. With nothing else to do, Anthony flees to his family’s timeshare where he encounters Tim, an estranged family friend who is also an alcoholic theology professor.  

Light Sight | 8 min |  Directed by Seyed M. Tabatabaei, Iran

M.E., the imprisoned character in a room is attracted to a hanging light and tries to catch it. But the room itself becomes an obstacle on his way. 

The Dunning Man | 90 min | Directed by Michael Clayton, USA (Filmmaker in Attendance)

Connor Ryan, out of a job and dumped by his girlfriend, returns to Atlantic City to try to rebuild his life with the last source of income that he has -- a few apartments in a low-rise condo complex that sits in the shadows of AC's newest and most expensive casino. Unfortunately, Connor's tenants don't want to pay him. 

Award Ceremony/Closing Night Pary

Two Bellman Two | 19 min | Directed by Daniel Malakai Cabrera, USA

Marriott’s two bellmen Christian & Gage embark on their next adventure, set in Dubai.  When Laila loses a valuable flash drive essential to her business presentation, Christian and Gage go to amazing lengths to retrieve it.

Filling In | 22 min | Directed by Bradley Hawkins, USA

A gentle giant of man, down on his luck, considers a risky and covert career path. To help him learn the ropes, a grizzled vet in the field takes him under his wing.

Diane from the Moon  | 11 min | Directed by Marco La Via and Hanna Ladoul, USA

Shortly after a hurtful breakup, Diane, a transgender pagan priestess, finds refuge in Palm Springs. While engaged with her own inner demons, an enigmatic sociopath starts to stalk her.

Counter Act  | 15 min | Directed by Heath Affolter, Jon Affolter, Nathan Affolter and Thomas Affolter, Canada (Filmmaker in Attendance)

When Alice, a naive young woman having lunch in a diner circa 1960, joins Mary and Ray in their sit-in protest, the ire of the racist patrons boils over and Alice learns what it truly takes to stand up for what you believe in.

My Irnik | 14 min | Directed by Matthew Hood and Francois Lebeau, Canada

"My Irnik" is a short documentary film about a father and son’s relationship and the passion of shared adventure. Set in Arctic Canada, Conor, a young father and a native of Montreal fell in love with the northern way of life and with a woman from there. 

Circus City, USA | 30 min | Directed by Adam Michael Wright, USA

Since the early 1940s, more than 20 circus companies have made their home in Hugo, Oklahoma. It's unique history has earned the town the nickname Circus City, USA, and this film spends time with both the eccentric circus characters of the road and the people back in Hugo who keep it all going.

Dog Power | 33 min | Directed by Kale Casey, USA

An introduction to the world's fastest sprint sled dogs, their human teammates, and the incredible variety of dog-powered sports they are involved in.

Time is the Longest Distance | 15 min | Directed by Bryan Powers, USA (Filmmaker in Attendance)

A bittersweet tale of an estranged son's journey to reconnect with his Alzheimer's-stricken father, and an unexpected meeting with a teenaged boy along the way.

The Autumn Waltz | 14 min | Directed by David Golden, USA (Filmmaker in Attendance)

It was fifty years ago that Woody and Carol Ann went on their first date. They fell in love on the dance floor that night, the beginning of a lifetime of memories that they’ve shared together. But all that changes when Woody realizes that the woman he’s loved for all these years doesn’t remember him anymore...

The Lavender Scare | 78 min | Directed by Josh Howard, USA

With the United States gripped in the panic of the Cold War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower deems homosexuals to be “security risks” and orders the immediate firing of any government employee discovered to be gay or lesbian. It triggers a vicious witch hunt that lasts for forty years and ruins thousands of lives, while thrusting an unlikely hero into the forefront of what would become the modern LGBT rights movement.

Wars don’t end when the soldiers come home. Their lives, their stories continue. The most resilient veterans reach new heights and distances in coping with their experiences, some — like Super Bowl champs — even wind up going to Disneyland. These shorts have been… VETTED, for your benefit.

Films screening include: 

WELCOME HOME (7:45) d. Luke Broyles,

A WAR WITHIN (19:26) d. Jarrad Henderson,

GHOSTLY ASSEMBLAGE (4:58) d. Austin LaChance, 

COCKED AND LOCKED  (7:30) d. May Elbaz Belschner, 

KEEP MOVING FORWARD (25:22) d. Brent Bandemer, 

MILE 19  (10:10) d. Vincent DeLuca, 

PLACES LIKE THIS (9:30) d. Nick McNaughton

Nathan East: For the Record | 85 min | Directed by Chris Gero, USA

For the past five decades, Nathan East has come up through the ranks and shared the stage and studio with Eric Clapton, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston, Kenny Loggins, Phil Collins, Bob James, Stevie Wonder, and more. This film showcases not only East's legendary history, but it also captures the magic in the studio during the making of his first solo album

I'm in Here | 12 min | Directed by Willy Berliner, USA

When a man finds a family of strangers in his house who claim to have bought the place, he agrees to let them stay until they can get to the bottom of the mix-up. They never leave.

One Penny | 90 min | Directed by Michael Devita, USA

A young boy - tragically abandoned - gets taken in and raised by a homeless man known as 'Professor.' Dylan, now a street-smart maverick yearns for a better future, but a dark secret could shatter his world forever.

Felled | 55 min | Directed by David Hildreth and Silas Kyler, USA (Filmmaker in Attendance)

Felled is a story about finding worth and beauty in something most consider to be trash. The film chronicles the journey of an urban pine tree downed by a summer storm and saved from the landfill by two woodworkers who give the tree new meaning as a family dinner table.

The Endless River | 3 min | Directed by Mohammad Mohammadian, Iran

A young boy is sitting next to a droughty river, watching the barren land while fantasizing about fishing. Drown in his daydreaming, he coughs and comes back to his senses, gets up and walks along the river.

In the Hills and Hollows | 76 min | Directed by Keely Kernan, USA

“In the Hills and Hollows” investigates the boom and bust impacts that mono-economies based on fossil fuel extraction have on local communities. It provides an intimate look inside the lives of several West Virginia residents living in the middle of the boom and how their quality and way of life is forever changed by this industry.