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Schedule
Sunday, May 12, 2024
11:45am Doors Open
12:00pm, Block 1
June, Director Lauren Stevens, Comedy/Drama, United States, 13:16 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
The Explorer, Directors Ken Honjo, Kentaro Yoshimura, Documentary, United States, 5:51
Hijinks, Director Armando Xavier Peniche, Comedy, United States, 05:39 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
LEVITATE, Directors Tim Sessler, Ben Franke, Experimental, United States, 2:54
One Is Too Many, Director Jason Stack, Documentary, United States, 43:55 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
1:20pm Q&A with Filmmakers
1:50pm Break
2:00pm, Block 2
Tree, Director Jeongmin Koo, Animation, United States, 4:53
Changing Strides, Director Madeline Tremblay, Sport, United States, 7:58
Ready, Director Kirby, Comedy, United States, 15:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Double Bounce, Director Christina Lao, Documentary, Spain, 6:10
Dragon Gate, Director Wenkai Duan, Animation, China, 3:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Reinventing Recycling, Director Jay Windland, Documentary, United States, 39:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
3:20pm Q&A with Filmmakers
3:50pm Break
4:00pm, Block 3
Amelia (the Twin), Directors Luke & Ethan Montgomery, Family, United States, 13:03 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
HAV (The Sea), Director Claes Cem Constantine, Drama, Denmark, 26:10 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
King of the Nil, Directors Huanran Mao, Havana Harrow, Andreal Villarreal, Xiao Chen, Animation, United States, 3:30 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
What matters most?, Director Ceridwen Hughes, Documentary, United Kingdom, 39:55
5:30pm Q&A with Filmmakers
5:50pm Break
6:00pm Awards Ceremony
6:15pm Awards Ceremony Ends
7:00pm End of the Festival
Festival Hosts
The festival is hosted by Mark Mos- festival founder and Kristen Lundberg- Comedian, actress, producer
Tickets
Venue Address
Parking
Sunset Merch
1% of all merchandise, ticket, and VIP ALL FILMS pass sales go to FREE ARTS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN (www.freearts.org).
Sunset Official Selection Merch
1% of all merchandise, ticket, and VIP ALL FILMS pass sales go to FREE ARTS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN (www.freearts.org).
Films we selected in the past
Films we selected this year
12:00pm, Block 1
June, Director Lauren Stevens, Comedy/Drama, United States, 13:16 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
June is a gas-station attendant, withered by the mundaneness of her central-valley life. She has recently come out as bisexual, much to the confusion of her manager Claudia who wants the best for her favorite (and only) employee. When June’s childhood best friend, Nia, wanders into the gas station unexpectedly, they recall a memory of a moment that changed the course of their lives – for better and for worse. Through reconnecting with Nia, June realizes that her actions, words, and emotions do have an impact. This discovery hurdles June into a long awaited late-bloomed coming of age. |
The Explorer, Directors Ken Honjo, Kentaro Yoshimura, Documentary, United States, 5:51
As the first Asian American astronaut, Ellison Onizuka ventured from his humble beginnings on the coffee field of Kona, Hawaii and dared to journey into the unknown. With the unveiling of two new murals in Little Tokyo, the film explores Onizuka's enduring impact as he continues to inspire exploration and the boundless potential of human aspiration. |
Hijinks, Director Armando Xavier Peniche, Comedy, United States, 05:39 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
A home invasion goes awry when a pair of amateur thieves come across a sinister discovery. |
LEVITATE, Directors Tim Sessler, Ben Franke, Experimental, United States, 2:54
LEVITATE is a visual exploration and juxtaposition of parkour athlete Sha Mualimm-Ak floating through a crowded NYC. |
One Is Too Many, Director Jason Stack, Documentary, United States, 43:55 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Robert Hamilton Owens isn’t your average 72 year old. He’s a minister, motivational speaker, author, a father of five, and one of the world’s elite senior endurance athletes. Perhaps most importantly, Robert is a military veteran, and is no stranger to the psychological effects of combat. So when his friend and fellow veteran Mark Crampton died of suicide in April of 2022, he felt called to raise awareness and funds to fight this nationwide problem that’s killing more than 17 people a day. His mission - a grueling 3,000 mile, 40-day journey in a rowboat across the Atlantic Ocean with 11 other people onboard. Three hours rowing, three hours resting, and only the power of their oars to propel them through whatever lies ahead. Facing constantly changing weather conditions, days-long storms, sleep deprivation, and near-cosmic isolation out at sea, Robert lays it all bare in this humbling story of human perseverance, and reminds us that you are never too old to pursue your dreams. But when the skies turned gray and the ocean tested his resolve, he never lost sight of the real heroes - our nation’s veterans - and what they go through every day. One Is Too Many shines a spotlight on the sacrifices made by those in uniform and the urgent need for resources to help veterans suffering from PTSD. One veteran dying of suicide is too many. We can do more. |
1:20pm Q&A with Filmmakers
1:50pm Break
1:50pm Break
2:00pm, Block 2
Tree, Director Jeongmin Koo, Animation, United States, 4:53
A man finds a broken tree, reminiscing about the past. Dad and son live under a giant tree. One day, the son follows his dad up the tree. When evening falls and darkness sets in, numerous magical acorns on the tree emit a bright light. They pluck one and use it as a light to guard them for the night. Under the glow of the acorn lantern, the two happy men face an unexpected danger. |
Changing Strides, Director Madeline Tremblay, Sport, United States, 7:58
Professional horseback riding is a dangerous sport. Six three-day-event athletes reflect on the risks and rewards. |
Ready, Director Kirby, Comedy, United States, 15:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
A millennial couple faces a pregnancy scare and reality of what possibly having a child means, whilst simultaneously preparing for a co-worker's baby shower that they agreed to host weeks before. |
Double Bounce, Director Christina Lao, Documentary, Spain, 6:10
Mario Roque Garcia's current reality is markedly different from his past experiences. Overcoming his darkest moments, he now faces the daunting task of relearning the world around him. Despite these challenges, he remains unwavering in his determination to succeed. Though he has never held a racquet before, he has turned to tennis, determined to become a champion, no matter what obstacles he may face. |
Dragon Gate, Director Wenkai Duan, Animation, China, 3:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
"Dragon Gate" is the first-ever ink-wash style short animation created by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The film draws inspiration from the historical event during the Ming Dynasty, where the powerful eunuch Cao Jixiang framed the Minister of War Yu Qian. Xiao Shaozi, a chivalrous warrior, safeguards Yu Qian's young son as they venture into the vast deserts of Dragon Gate Pass. However, Cao Jixiang's spies are hot on their trail. The film emphasizes the portrayal of Xiao Shaozi's unwavering sense of chivalry as he risks his life to protect the innocent. |
Reinventing Recycling, Director Jay Windland, Documentary, United States, 39:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
With the US recycling system teetering on the point of collapse, and a global plastic pollution crisis on the horizon, a group of determined scientists and engineers engage in a race to rescue recycling. |
3:20pm Q&A with Filmmakers
3:50pm Break
3:50pm Break
4:00pm, Block 3
Amelia (the Twin), Directors Luke & Ethan Montgomery, Family, United States, 13:03 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
When 5th-grader Amelia gets an assignment to write one thing unique about her, she sets out to make herself different from her identical twin sister, Jane. |
HAV (The Sea), Director Claes Cem Constantine, Drama, Denmark, 26:10 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
The Sea (HAV) is a short film based in a small fishing village in northern Denmark. The story is written by Henrik Sand and is based on stories from his hometown and his own experiences working in the fishing industry. We follow the fisherman Svend and his family, struggling to keep his fishing boat financially afloat in the wake of his mother's passing. Like many Danes before him, he finds it easier to find resolution in the local bar, than to work on himself. It becomes increasingly unbearable for his wife, Ulla, brother Ole, and his father. Like a fish at the end of a fishing line, "It's only a matter of time before Svend has to give up.") |
King of the Nil, Directors Huanran Mao, Havana Harrow, Andreal Villarreal, Xiao Chen, Animation, United States, 3:30 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
A clever dove and a tough blue-jay join forces to start a peasant revolt to oust the King Pigeon who hoards all the bird seed for himself. |
What matters most?, Director Ceridwen Hughes, Documentary, United Kingdom, 39:55
A film inspired by photographer and director, Ceridwen Hughes’ own experience of end-of-life care, when her mother died in 2020. An honest, raw and inspiring account of ‘what matters most?’ in life and in death from families who have cared for loved ones and people living with a terminal diagnosis. |
5:30pm Q&A with Filmmakers
5:50pm Break
6:00pm Awards Ceremony
6:15pm Awards Ceremony Ends
7:00pm End of the Festival
5:50pm Break
6:00pm Awards Ceremony
6:15pm Awards Ceremony Ends
7:00pm End of the Festival
Screenplays we selected this year
Please note that there will be no screenplays read at the event.
Read some screenplays now, here online. Just click the READ HERE button (where available). If you are a director or producer looking for a new screenplay and want to produce any of those listed works, contact Festival, and we'll contact you with a screenwriter. Some of the writers will be present at the event. It's another opportunity to talk to them about potential collaboration.
Read some screenplays now, here online. Just click the READ HERE button (where available). If you are a director or producer looking for a new screenplay and want to produce any of those listed works, contact Festival, and we'll contact you with a screenwriter. Some of the writers will be present at the event. It's another opportunity to talk to them about potential collaboration.
The Good Twin
Writer Zach Bliss
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” meets "We Own The Night" as identical twins Matt and Clay wind up on opposite ends of the life success spectrum, Matt longs to walk in his brother’s shoes. In fact, Matt has a natural ability to convincingly masquerade as Clay. One day, when a tragic boating accident takes Clay’s life, Matt makes a seminal decision to bury his brother's body and begin his own life anew, as Clay.
READ HERE
Leaving Vacaville
Writer Wendy Bain
As childhood friends, from poor and struggling backgrounds, Cassie and Lia were always planning to leave Vacaville and move to Los Angeles. Lia moves first to LA and thinks she’s got herself the ‘dream’ boyfriend, who has more money than she’s ever seen, but he’s asking her to do things she doesn’t think a girlfriend should do. She goes back to Vacaville to get Cassie to come and ‘help’ out. Cassie says she can’t leave Vacaville because she cares for her depressed, alcoholic mother but after a bad fight with her joins Lia in LA. Cassie quickly realises Lia’s boyfriend and his friends are a far worst situation than she was at home but she can’t go back! Cassie, always the smarter one, tries to turn it to her advantage and tries the beat them at their own game.
READ HERE
SACRED SUN
Writer Michael Louis Gould
‘Out of horror, belief.’ A horrific animal experiment carried out by the military at a solar energy plant in the southern deserts of North America sets off a series of strange, ominous events. A mysterious ‘other’ sun appears in rearview mirrors of plant employees’ cars as they drive away.
100 Days a Tutsi
Writer Micharn Pollock
It is 1994 and the political situation in Rwanda is heating up. Keza, a Hutu, is married to Patrick, a Tutsi. They have a daughter Mutoni, who is blind. When the radio starts broadcasting news of violent outbreaks against Tutsi's and new road blocks being set up, Patrick decides to burn his papers and leaves on foot for Uganda. He hopes this will keep his family safe. Tutsi's hide in the church and in friends' homes, while the aggression escalates. Soon sympathisers are also being murdered and mass killings are taking place. Many, including Keza and Mutoni, are forced to flee. They follow Patrick's route towards Uganda and after days of treacherous trekking through the jungle and avoiding road blocks, they are rescued by a United Nations camp where they reunite with Patrick.
READ HERE
Banished: The Story of a Great Injustice
Writer Cody McDevitt
The story recounts the Rosedale Banishment, a racial cleansing that happened in 1923. The mayor of the city ordered 2,000 Black and Latino people out of the city after a racially charged police shooting. They were forced out at gunpoint and with threat of imprisonment. It became a national scandal. The author of the screenplay spent 10 years researching it and commemorated the 100-year anniversary with a proclamation from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and a historical marker.
Writer Zach Bliss
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” meets "We Own The Night" as identical twins Matt and Clay wind up on opposite ends of the life success spectrum, Matt longs to walk in his brother’s shoes. In fact, Matt has a natural ability to convincingly masquerade as Clay. One day, when a tragic boating accident takes Clay’s life, Matt makes a seminal decision to bury his brother's body and begin his own life anew, as Clay.
READ HERE
Leaving Vacaville
Writer Wendy Bain
As childhood friends, from poor and struggling backgrounds, Cassie and Lia were always planning to leave Vacaville and move to Los Angeles. Lia moves first to LA and thinks she’s got herself the ‘dream’ boyfriend, who has more money than she’s ever seen, but he’s asking her to do things she doesn’t think a girlfriend should do. She goes back to Vacaville to get Cassie to come and ‘help’ out. Cassie says she can’t leave Vacaville because she cares for her depressed, alcoholic mother but after a bad fight with her joins Lia in LA. Cassie quickly realises Lia’s boyfriend and his friends are a far worst situation than she was at home but she can’t go back! Cassie, always the smarter one, tries to turn it to her advantage and tries the beat them at their own game.
READ HERE
SACRED SUN
Writer Michael Louis Gould
‘Out of horror, belief.’ A horrific animal experiment carried out by the military at a solar energy plant in the southern deserts of North America sets off a series of strange, ominous events. A mysterious ‘other’ sun appears in rearview mirrors of plant employees’ cars as they drive away.
100 Days a Tutsi
Writer Micharn Pollock
It is 1994 and the political situation in Rwanda is heating up. Keza, a Hutu, is married to Patrick, a Tutsi. They have a daughter Mutoni, who is blind. When the radio starts broadcasting news of violent outbreaks against Tutsi's and new road blocks being set up, Patrick decides to burn his papers and leaves on foot for Uganda. He hopes this will keep his family safe. Tutsi's hide in the church and in friends' homes, while the aggression escalates. Soon sympathisers are also being murdered and mass killings are taking place. Many, including Keza and Mutoni, are forced to flee. They follow Patrick's route towards Uganda and after days of treacherous trekking through the jungle and avoiding road blocks, they are rescued by a United Nations camp where they reunite with Patrick.
READ HERE
Banished: The Story of a Great Injustice
Writer Cody McDevitt
The story recounts the Rosedale Banishment, a racial cleansing that happened in 1923. The mayor of the city ordered 2,000 Black and Latino people out of the city after a racially charged police shooting. They were forced out at gunpoint and with threat of imprisonment. It became a national scandal. The author of the screenplay spent 10 years researching it and commemorated the 100-year anniversary with a proclamation from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and a historical marker.