Dates/times:
2 dates from Saturday, January 18 2014 to Sunday, January 19 2014 (Get Tickets)
Location:
Ritz Theatre
263 West Central Ave.
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Event Description:
The 1st Annual Ritz Theatre Film Festival takes place January 18-19, 2014.
For more than 50 years, the Ritz Theatre on West Central Avenue provided entertainment and a sense of community for residents of Winter Haven and surrounding areas.
Saturday January 18, 2014
La Gran Falacia Documentary Feature
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Spanish, subtitled in English)
The Great Fallacy (La Gran Falacia) is a documentary which explores the current social, political and economic situation of Puerto Rico and proposed solutions that forced change within the people, not the government.
Warped Tales Horror Short Film Block
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Infinite Nightmare Domonic Smith
Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.
Waking Eloise Bobby Marinelli
Lost without his dearly departed Eloise, a hopeless romantic named Travis seeks the help of a local Voodoo priest to resurrect his love. Armed with a magic candle, Travis raises Eloise from the dead...only to find that he has awoken a rotting corpse. The couple returns to the Voodoo priest, who restores Eloise's beauty and cautions Travis: kiss Eloise before the candle burns out and he'll never lose her again.As the candle melts away and the night wears on, Travis begins to suspect that Eloise isn't the perfect person he remembered. Travis must examine his relationship with the girl he once mourned and ask himself if beauty is truly only skin deep.
Mr Bear ANDRÉS ROSENDE
Its Christmas again: family, presents, parties... the worst time of the year for Steve. Driving through New York City for Christmas Eve dinner, his car brakes down and he accidentally stumbles upon a crime scene. Mistaken for the notorious cleaner, Mr Bear, Steve has to face a difficult choice: dismember and get rid of some bodies or become a corpse himself.
2 Hours Michael Ballif
A nameless survivor is ambushed and infected with the virus. A beautiful gift to the world.
Acid Theatre Justin Heyl
In this alternate reality we follow a little girl 'Iza' (Lisa Eernisse) who after a horrifying incident with her father, wakes up in the afterlife.Here she meets strange creatures of the night, who take her to a party of darkness hosted by
'Rinse'
Do you believe in the Devil Alex Grybauskas
On the floor of a bar restroom, a man on his deathbed is met by Danny Pickler: an elementary school classmate of his ... who died twentysix years ago. On the brink of damnation, he is offered a deal that could save his life but in the process may destroy his humanity. What transpires shed's new light on the question: do you believe in the devil?
Celluloid Dreams SciFi / Fantasy Short Film Block
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Color Me Invisible Directed by Nasya Kastelik
Jared lives in a world where, at the age of 13, students go before a high council to be marked and placed into one of three groups, the reds, yellows, or greens. Once placed, students abandon their previous identity, including former interests and friends. Although everyone around him is excited about the placing ceremony, Jared has serious doubts about letting the high council decide who he will become. Will he choose to blend into his assigned group, or risk alienation to stand up for what he believes in? This short was created by 32 elementary, middle, and high school students and deals with the pressure students feel to change who they are to fit in.
The Messup Room A Guzzo Brother Film
A sibling rivalry takes a dark turn when a mysterious stranger teaches the sisters that unfortunately sometimes wishes do come true.
Dance Before Sunset Patricia DiSalvo Viayra
An elderly, crippled, and dying homeless woman is seduced by Death and is given a chance to be young again.
Petulia's Elsewhere Zachary Johnson
A young girl struggling for her father's attention disappears into a world of her deepest fears when she dives to the bottom of the pool.
The Mood Child Matthew Glover
As his daughter lie sick in a hospital bed, a father tells her the story of a young warrior girl who is commissioned to bring a rare creature to the King's court.
Making Waste: How one man made a film and ruined his life Documentary
5:15 PM - 5:45 PM
Directed by Scott Reus & Stan Arthur
Making Waste' is a funny, touching, enlightening, and even inspirational look at one man’s seven year journey to complete his first feature film. Tom Thompson started with a dream and has since endured a myriad of personal hardships and financial disaster. Through it all he has never quit even though it seems he'll never accomplish his dream.
Confine Feature Film
6:30 PM 8:00 PM
Directed by Tobias Tobbell
Staring Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy from HOB's hit series Game of Thrones) and Eliza Bennett (Nanny McPhee, The Prince and Me, Inkheart) Having been facially disfigured, Pippa lives a sheltered life alone in her home which, though attractive, is unmistakably representative of her isolation and solitude. Routine however, soon gives way to uncertain chaos with the arrival of confident crook Kayleigh. (Eliza Bennett). As Kayleigh casually roams the flat we are left to speculate who is at the other end of her phone, and whether this sweetvoiced intruder is willing to make use of the gun that she carries in order to get what she wants. Confine is shot entirely inside the victim’s flat with a small principal cast (which also includes Alfie Allen). Two volatile central characters brings a level of insecurity and suspense throughout and the film finds an unpredictable rhythm of calm and frenzy. This is a slick, innovative take on the hostage thriller and serves as an unforgettable reminder to take your burglar alarm more seriously.
Sunday January 19, 2014
New Paths Documentary Short Block
12:00 PM 1:30 PM
I need a Hero W.H. Bourne
A brief look at the evolution of LGBT representation in comic books over the past 30 years.
Death by Chinese Junk Peter Navarro
Death By Chinese Junk highlights the product safety, human rights, economic, and national security consequences of buying cheap, illegally subsidized products 'Made in China.' Through compelling interviews, viewers will see that products from China are not only often very hazardous to one's health. There is a very good chance that the product was made by prison labor while our as our debt to China rapidly grows, we are beginning to sell off pieces of America. Ultimately, the greatest threat may be to the U.S. economy when we buy products Made in China, it's like a down payment on our own unemployment. As cast member Gordon Chang says: 'Yea, things are cheap at Walmart but we have to consider the consequences.
Into Tanzania Myles Shank
Nine students experience life with the Wataturu Tribe, one of the last remaining tribal groups in Tanzania.
Fading the Gain Sasha Copic, Mary Cox & Leana Danesh
A former Michigan State football player finds his life turned upside down after a neck injury ends his football career. In spit of it all, Steve Moore has shown positivity and strength in the silver lining that helps make room for a new passion....
The One Who Builds Hillary Pierce, Peter Carolla, Nick Gooler.
The One Who Builds is the story of the life and work of Dr. Omer Omer, once a Sudanese refugee, now an American citizen, who is giving back as the director of a refugee resettlement organization in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Misguided Encounters Comedic Short Film Block
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Stuck Mitch Glass
A young lady's misfortune in a parking lot makes a memorable night for a group of strangers.
Beyond Belief William Stribling
It will take more than magic to make this magician's troubles disappear.
Fine Justin Heyl
The talented Heyl Brothers take you on a romantic journey of hope and love. The life of the happy and positive official Dickie (Corstiaan Smorenburg) suddenly changes when he meets a local traffic warden (Babette
Holtmann) and falls in love. Unfortunately she is not that charmed, leaving Dickie desperate for her attention. Many lives are affected on Dickie's quest for love...but will he finally conquer her heart?
Sophie Hates Me Trishul Thejasvi
She'd be such a dream... if she wasn't such a nightmare
Shoot for the Moon Casandra Macías Gago
On July 21st 1969 the whole world watched in astonishment via their TV sets how Man first walked on the Moon, but the reality is somewhat different. One week before, the shoot for the landing took place in a hangar in Area 51.
Irrational Holly Pearson
Robin has a fear of mascots, which normally isn't a problem. But she was forced to tell her boyfriend, David, who now can't stop teasing her. Robin has tried to make him understand, but David continues to joke at her expense. In this mockumentarystyle comedy, Robin attempts to get over her phobia once and for all by enrolling herself in an experimental therapy where she will be faced with her biggest fear.
Crushed Paola Andrea Ariza Vargas
Following her slutty older sister's example, a persistent sevenyearold devises misguided plans to attract her teacher, failing miserably each time.
My Father’s Mistress (Japanese) Short Feature
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Directed By Kousuke Sakoda
Her parents have been quarreling ever since she was a little child. When one day her father falls ill, his mistress comes to the house, asking the name of the hospital to which he was taken.Her mother refuses to tell, but she, defiant towards her mother who took her troubles out on her instead of getting a divorce, runs after the lover . But when she confronts the mistress, the mistress who has caused so much pain, her expression betrays her
feelings. Seeing this, the mistress invites she to her house, saying that she would like to talk some more. Just by looking at the apartment she can tell her father stayed there often.
Legend of the Red Reaper
4:45 PM - 6:45 PM
Filmed in FL, Director coming in from LA will do Q&A, expect a good crowd.
Written, Directed by and Starring Tara Cardinal
For a thousand years, the Reapers guarded mankind from the demons that wait in the dark. Now, at the beginning of a new age, the Reapers are betrayed and slaughtered. Only one Reaper remains - Red, and she's out to exact revenge.
Frost Bite Feature Film
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Filmed in FL, Director coming in will do Q&A, expect a good crowd.
Directed by Joe Davison
Several months after a zombie outbreak Frost Bite is the last town in Alaska. For John Bannister and his team of survivors it's what they call home, and it's all they got. Now, an unforeseen evil has risen, and his name is Regis, and he wants everything they have. Zombies are one thing, but Raiders are something else entirely.
Q&A With Cast and Crew Following