YOUR AD HERE »

Thrillers, comedy and more coming to Vail Film Festival

Roll out the red carpet
Special to the Weekly |

VAIL — The 12th annual Vail Film Festival takes place March 26-29 in Vail, and organizers have announced the complete lineup for the festival. The festival will showcase 74 films from across the globe, including 25 feature-length narrative and documentary films and 49 other films, including shorts, animated and student films. The films will screen at the Vail Cascade, Vail Mountain School and Vail Marriott, which will serve as the host hotel for the festival.

“This marks the 12th year of the Vail Film Festival, and we’re looking forward to continuing our tradition of showcasing some of the year’s most accomplished filmmakers and their incredible work,” said festival co-director Sean Cross.

Vail Film Festival highlight films include the world premiere of “Queen Mimi,” the world premiere of “Nerdgasm,” screenings of the Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prize-winning “Slow West,” the romantic comedy “Manhattan Romance,” the murder-thriller “Cut Bank” and a special Hong Kong film showcase.



A peek at the films

“Cut Bank”: Directed by Matt Shakman, “Cut Bank” features an all-star cast, including Teresa Palmer, Liam Hemsworth, Billy Bob Thornton, John Malkovich and Bruce Dern. It is the tale of a young man’s life as it unravels after witnessing a murder that he filmed in his rural town of Cut Bank.

Support Local Journalism



“Manhattan Romance”: Written and directed by Tom O’Brien and starring Gabby Hoffman, Katherine Waterston, Tom O’Brien and Caitlin FitzGerald, “Manhattan Romance” is a New York romantic drama-comedy in the style of Woody Allen. The film is a subtle voyeuristic look into the lives of a New York documentary filmmaker as he tries to finish his documentary on relationships in New York and navigate his own.

“Nerdgasm”: Directed by Andrew Putschoegl. Actor-comedian Tom Lenk has been a nerd all his life; on stage, on screen and in reality. Known for his comedic roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Cabin in the Woods,” “Transformers” and “Much Ado About Nothing,” Lenk attempts to fulfill a lifelong “drama geek” dream to perform his live solo comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, the largest and most famous theater festival in the world.

“Queen Mimi”: Directed by Yaniv Rokah. Forced onto the streets in her 50s, Marie “Mimi” Haist found “home” between two rows of washers at a Santa Monica laundromat. After taking shelter there for more than 20 years, 88-year-old Mimi gets her own apartment. A documentary featuring Mimi, Zach Galifianakis and friends.

“Slow West”: Winner of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Grand Jury Prize. Written and directed by John Maclean and starring Michael Fassbender, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Rory McCann, “Slow West” follows a 16-year-old boy on a journey across 19th century frontier America in search of the woman he loves, while accompanied by mysterious traveler Silas.

Hong Kong Film Showcase: Presented by the Hong Kong Trade Office and featuring cutting-edge work from some of Hong Kong’s finest filmmakers. The showcase films include “Overheard 3,” directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, “That Demon Within,” directed by Dante Lam, “Rigor Mortis,” directed by Juno Mak, and “My Voice, My Life,” directed by Ruby Lang.

Throughout the duration of the festival, pass holders will be able to enjoy numerous film screenings, parties, events and a hospitality lounge. Additionally, pass holders will be invited to attend the red carpet Awards Ceremony, being held on March 28, and honoring some of the best and brightest creative talents working in the film industry today.

Screenplay competition

As part of the festival’s mission to promote independent film and connect aspiring screenwriters with entertainment industry insiders, the Vail Film Festival once again hosted the Vail Film Festival Screenplay Competition. This year’s winners include:

Features

First Place – “Tater Tot & Patton” – Andrew Kightlinger. There will be a screenplay reading on March 28, at 12:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Lounge.

Second Place – “The Third Bomb” – Phillip Parker

Third Place – “Reckless Hearts” – Corey Bodoh-Creed

Shorts

First Place – “Rule of Law” – Stan Rodman. There will be a screenplay reading on March 28 at noon in the Hospitality Lounge

Second Place – “Something To Regret In The Morning” – Philip T. Brewster

Third Place – “All Things Chicken” – Jules Galacki

For more information about the Vail Film Festival, or to purchase passes, visit http://www.vailfilmfestival.com.


Support Local Journalism