5th Annual Topanga Film Festival

AUGUST 6-9 2009

5TopangaAnnual

Film Festival

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topangafilmfestival.com

3TOPANGA FILM FESTIVAL

To do a film festival in the face of these difficult times may be foolish but it has been extremely gratifying, despite the obvious obstacles. The record number of submissions, the enthusiasm in the community and the willingness of friends and volunteers to get behind the cause, have helped us persevere and believe. In fact, you showed us that in the end it’s all quite simple: That if you create the space, and light a fire, the storytellers will follow—and so will those who like to listen, and those who like to share.

Welcome to the 5th Annual Topanga Film Festival.

– Sara & Urs Baur

Welcome to Topanga Film Festival ‘09

WELCOME

Photo by Bill Bowling

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E L I X I R S •

H E R B S •

S U P E R F O O D S

Celebrating 20 Years WiTh a FoCus on Full DeveloPmenT

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A night of harrowing action, not for the faint of heart.

7:00pm - Reception

8:30pm - Screening (approx. 120 minutes) with MC Billy Portman

10:30pm - People’s Choice Award for Best Film (approx. 15 minutes)

10:45pm - Underworld Cinema: Life and Work of J.X. Williams (approx. 30 minutes)

august 6

opening night Party / action sports + other high impact shorts at Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant

ThURSdAy

On the run (2:00)directed by Stefan G. Bucher Music by Simone GiulianiA daily Monster salute to the Topanga Film Festival.

rOland SuMIle (4:01)directed & Produced by Bart Saric A Smell The ’Crete ProductionA 44 year old legend explains why he still charges on his skateboard at 50+ MPh.

cut cheMISt (5:15)directed by Kyle Ruddick Produced by Kyle Ruddick & Cari Ann Shim Sham An Eyestorm ProductionA tripped out, 360 degree panoramic journey into the track ‘My 1st Big Break’ by renowned dJ, Cut Chemist.

retrOSpectIve (Infinite)directed & Produced by Bart Saric A Smell The ’Crete ProductionAn inside look at the history of skateboarding.


grOund preSSure (9:04)directed by Andrew Loos Produced by Michael ShawKelly Gneiting, a 430lb. rig- driving ‘Gentle Giant’ becomes the most respected heavy weight Sumo wrestler and takes on the LA Marathon.

aeSthetIca (5:00)directed by Travis Robb Produced by Waide hoyt / Standard FilmsMark Landvik meets up with some friends on the mountain.

KlunKerZ On repacK (13:00)directed & Produced by Billy SavageA documentary on the first off-road downhill time trial bicycle race.

wIndOwS vISta: predatOr edItIOn (4:00)Written & directed by Paul Kamuf Produced by Michael hastings Blackdial tones, war zones, and predator drones...

InterMISSIOn (15:00)

aeSthetIca (3:00)directed by Travis Robb Produced by Waide hoyt / Standard FilmsFor Xavier delerue, what happens on the mountain doesn’t always stay on the mountain…

KIller (9:30)directed by Adam Leon & Jack Pettibone Riccobono Produced by Kai Regan & Jack Pettibone Riccobono

This short documentary set in 1989 NyC captures an urban rite of passage defined by all-night stakeouts, the rush of adrenaline, and the recklessness of adolescence.

‘MarK MahOneY’ (3:20)directed & Produced by Bart Saric A Skinned Alive ProductionThe definition of ‘old school tatooing’, and a master of single needle art, this man and his art have become symbiotic with skateboard culture.

Stand (1:56)directed & Produced by Chris davisonA woman takes a stand.

the nIght lIfe (5:00)directed by Lee ArterAfter a one night stand a young man discovers he’s been transformed.

aeSthetIca (5:00)directed by Travis Robb Produced by Waide hoyt / Standard FilmsTorston horgmo makes a scene.

peOple’S chOIce award (15:00)

underwOrld cIneMa: lIfe and wOrK Of J.X. wIllIaMS (30:00)J.X. Williams was a legendary bottom-of-the-barrel director in the fifties and sixties. Tonight, film curator and archivist Noel Lawrence will share a few of the surviving artifacts of Williams’ tawdry career.

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PRouDlY suPPoRTinG ouR FRienDs aT The ToPanGa Film FesTival

august 7

Feature showcase “What about me?” Presented in conjunction with Project Butterfly

at Trust Ranch on the Mesa

FRIdAy

6:30pm - Live Ambient Soundscapes by deprogramming division Spoken Word by Rich Ferguson Bollywood dance Performance by Jaya Vaswani dJ Jun spinning an eclectic mix of funky worldly sounds Vegan Soul Food / drinks available for purchase

8:30pm - Screening of LX Forty – a short film by Marc Forster (2:27)

8:35pm - Screening of What About Me? (approx. 90 minutes)

thIS IS a nOn-SMOKIng / nO fIre event – StrIctlY enfOrced


From the Creators of the Grammy-nominated film and album 1 Giant Leap, this visionary project took Jamie Catto and duncan Bridgeman to over 50 locations. Through music, they explore the complexities of human nature on a global scale, and reveal how we are all connected through our creativity and beliefs, but most of all through our collective insanity. Featuring, Eckhart Tolle, Lila downs, Michael Stipe, Carlos Santana, Kd Lang, Baba Maal and so many more.

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yoga is a catalyst for positive

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hMThINKLATINO!

Congratulates

The Topanga Film Festival

for its 5th Anniversary.

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(818) 888-4001

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DaRRinFilm, inC.\ Camera logistics /

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A selection of groundbreaking short films that explore the possibilities of storytelling at all levels—documentaries, animation, drama, comedy and experimental.

5:00pm - Gates Open

5:30pm - dJ Glenn Red (Afro Funke) / Food / Bar

8:30pm - Screening (approx. 120 minutes) with MC Billy Portman

wrIterS MInI BOOtcaMp wOrKShOp 5:30-6:30pm at the Topanga Community house (Main Location)hosted by Writers Bootcamp founder Jeffrey Gordon. Free career counseling with a WBC Coordinator is offered both before and after the event. Participants walk away from a Mini-Camp with tools they can immediately apply to their writing process.

readIng: fInd YOur StOrY 6:45-7:45pm at the Topanga Community house (Main Location)The culmination of the two day workshop by Wendy hammers where participants met to “steal from their life” and find a story. Tonight they’re ready to share.

SATURdAyaugust 8

The Big night– international short Film Competition at the Topanga Community house Ball Field


lX fOrtY (2:27)A short film by Marc Forster presented by Swiss International Air Lines, an official sponsor of The Topanga Film Festival ‘09.

the MaKIng Of the cOveted cOYOte award (5:00)A Farm Lab Collaboration by artist Zoe hay, Lauren Bon, Lisa Marr, Paolo davanzo & the Silver Flying Monkey Committee.

gateS, dOOrS (3:00)directed & Produced by Christopher CaporlinguaA nice opening…and closing.

dOwn In nuMBer 5 (17:45)directed by Kim Spurlock Written by Mai Spurlock & Kim Spurlock Produced by dave ChanBased on a true story of a coal miner in Appalachia.

Baggage (14:49)directed by Charlie hofheimer Produced by Chris Beetem, Charlie hofheimer & Shannon LucioWhen dog sitting in New york, Gwendolyn attempts to hide her problems in a duffle bag.

SeBaStIan’S vOOdOO (5:00)directed & Produced by Joaquin Baldwin Music by Nick FevolaA voodoo doll must find the courage to save his friends.

theSe BOOtS are Made fOr walKen (24:00)directed by Jeremy Pack Produced by Christopher Gourlay Written by Jude BassJilted by love, Ronnie commits himself to a mental institution believing he is Christopher Walken.


The Big night–Program Part 1

SATURdAy


IMMInent (10:00)directed by Randall Good Produced by Randall Good & Nathan Nadell Written by Randall GoodTwo friends shop. One stares at the other.

rYan SteInBerg (2:37)Created by Ryan SteinbergPost dustin hoffman (The Graduate), post Tom Cruise (Risky Business), Ryan Steinberg posts a video on Facebook for a friend.

the BalatOn MOnKS (13:00)directed by Mark Edington Produced by Emöke SzalaiOn a summer day by the lake, in hungary, three teen boys make a vow to abstain from girls.

the Strange reBIrth Of andre weIl (16:00)directed & Written by Joel Garber Produced by Joel Garber, Milenkeo Skoknic & Summre GastonInspired by a true story of an average guy who meets the girl of his dreams but finds God.

theY caMe tO attacK uS (4:00)directed & Written by Kyle Rankin & Efram PotelleeThis could really happen folks!

vaudvIllIan (16:00)directed by Bryan Nest Produced by Amanda EllisA performer’s conscience is tested by his own hunger during the depression Era.

The Big night–Program Part 2


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baurhouseOfficial Home of the Topanga Film Festival

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tel: 310 455 4700baurhouse.net


Best of Topanga at Froggy’s Fishmarket

An eclectic evening of great short films by local Topanga talent. dinner and short movies in a spectacular setting. (Free - RSVP)

8:00pm - Screening with MC Adam Silbar (Approx. 120 minutes)

awards Ceremony at Froggy’s Fishmarket

Jury awards the Coveted Coyote Award handcrafted by local artist Zoe hay. Presentation of $15,000 camera rental package donated by darrinfilm, Inc. to the Grand Prize Winner, along with 2nd and 3rd place prizes. (Free - RSVP)

7:00pm - Awards Ceremony with MC Susan McMatus (Approx. 30 minutes)

august 9

Youth salon at yoga desa /Pine Tree Circle

Budding filmmakers under the age of 17 screen their films. (Free - RSVP)

12:00pm - Screening (Approx. 90 minutes)

SUNdAy


the laSt dragOn KIngdOM (6:53)directed by Aine Carey & david Emery Produced by Aine Carey & david EmeryA visual journey through the ancient Kingdom of Bhutan.

neIl heddIngS ‘SK8 JunKee’ (6:07)directed by Bart Saric A Skinned Alive ProductionNeil sheds light on the stigma of being a tattooed skateboarder and of the cross-over lifestyle, two days before going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

hacK ‘n SlaSh (1:20)Created by Brendon O’halloran & Cameron Walser A Furious 455 ProductionTopanga builders, Billy & Billy advertise their services.

a pIg’S ear (9:30)directed by Grant Barbeito Produced by Connie SiuA social worker and her intern go on a house call in 1940’s Appalachia.

1000 wOrdS (Or leSS) (5:00)directed by Jesse Gordon Produced by Jesse Gordon, Cinemax/hBOA conversation with Brandon Johnson.

august 9 (continued)

Best of Topanga line-up at Froggy’s Fishmarket


SUNdAyhacK ‘n SlaSh: BIllYS get BuSted (2:20)Created by Brendon O’halloran & Cameron Walser A Furious 455 Production

daSvedanYa (9:00)directed by Anastasia FiteThe filmmaker observes her grandparents, Russian immigrants in their nineties, as they reflect on their 70 years together.

hacK ‘n SlaSh: BIllYS ShOwdOwn (2:43)Created by Brendon O’halloran & Cameron Walser Starring Billy Portman A Furious 455 Production


the garden rOSe (5:04)directed by Maximilla Lukacs Produced by Becky Stark, Maximilla Lukacs & Alia Pener Cinematography by Max PennerBecky and the Garden Rose dancers gather in the woods of Topanga. An excerpt from the forthcoming movie “Imagine our Love.”

IndIa: chIldren Of lIght (3:00)directed by Julianne ReynoldsThe filmmaker travels through the holy city of Rishikesh searching for the meaning of yoga and spirituality.

turBO dateS (2:00)directed by Jocelyn Stamat Produced by Frank Chindamo“Orange”

the KISS Of the larK (11:00)directed by Ishan Shapiro Produced by Mette Lilleby & Ishan ShapiroA boy is torn between following his father’s hare Krishna practice and his mother’s Catholicism. In French with English subtitles.

turBO dateS (2:00)directed by Jocelyn Stamat Produced by Frank Chindamo“Potion”

Bare feet (8:00)directed & Produced by Jesse Johnson“drummer,” a musician in Topanga takes off his shoes.

turBO dateS (2:00)directed by Jocelyn Stamat Produced by Frank Chindamo“Mars”

the wInner Of the cOveted cOYOte award (TBd)Special screening of the Big Night Short Film Competition winning film

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JURyhawK KOchhawk comes to the Topanga Film Festival with over four decades of professional experience. Some of his producer credits include Losing Isaiah, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Gorky Park, Wayne’s World, Primal Fear and Heaven Can Wait, for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Picture. When he’s not producing or accepting awards he’s probably relaxing at his beautiful home in Topanga.

patrIcIa cardOSOTopangan Patricia Cardoso came to the US from Bogata, Columbia as a Fulbright Scholar. She has worked for the Sundance Institute and has developed features for Universal, disney, Ciby 2000 and Open City Films. She directed the hBO feature Real Women Have Curves, which won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and debuted America Ferrera. her award-winning films have shown at festivals all over the world.

dennIS haYSBertThis honorary Topangan is never afraid to take on a challenge. he showed his stuff as President david Palmer on 24, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination, and as the star in the hit show The Unit, which prepared him perfectly for his role as a judge tonight. Most recently he has been seen on the big screen in Breach opposite Ryan Phillppe, and in the Sam Mendes film Jarhead. his many film credits include, Far From Heaven, Love and Basketball, Waiting to Exhale and Suture.

Brendan O’BrIenBrendan is a screenwriter and producer and most recently co-produced Judd Apatow’s Funny People, starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jonah hill. his film American Storage won him the 2007 Coveted Coyote Award along with Andrew Jay Cohen. Brendan only comes to Topanga every other year. To judge, and be judged.

rOnnIe YeSKelAs a leading casting agent in hollywood, some of her favorite projects have included Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, L.A. Law and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She is currently working on Zen Dog with director Gillian Armstrong and W.h. Macy. Ronnie is a Topanga resident for all of a week.

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Phone: 800-BOB-SMITH24500 Calabasas Road, Calabasas

film festival final.indd 1 7/23/09 3:57:53 PM

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PROUd SUPPORTERS OF ThE TOPANGA FILM FESTIVAL


www.timetotime.us

PRoDuCTions

an early supporter of the Topanga Film Festival

BuIldIng MaterIalS fOr fIlM & televISIOn

www.topangalumber.com

Urs Baur, director & Co-Founder

Sara Baur-harding, Programming & Co-Founder

Karen Linderman, Executive Producer & Marketing director

Jennifer Gilbert, Producer

Carey Campbell, Producer

Bill Glasser, Volunteer Coordinator

Anastasja Fite, Programmer

Arin Bowling, VIP Liaison

Kim Franz, Producer

Brendan Flynn, Public Relations

Nira Lichten, Graphic designer

deanne Oi, Graphic designer

Nicole Einhorn, Enabler

Billy Portman

Adam Silbar

Susan Matus

Zoe hay

Jen Weinstein

Kim Fanz

Emily Portman

Shawna Callahan

d Miller

Glenn Red

Nikki Patterson

Narayan Palavur

Neil Shaw

Bill Bowling

Cynthia Scott

Tanya & Craig Farkas

And special thanks to Patricia & Tom harding

feStIval Staff

a BIg thanK YOu tO all Of Our vOlunteerS, eSpecIallY:

Poster and program cover art by Canyon design


ThANKSand thanKS fOr the generOuS SuppOrt frOM Our frIendS:

TOPANGA ChABMER OF COMMERCE

AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPhER

FROGGy’S TOPANGA FISh MARKET RESTAURANT

ABUELITA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

ThE ChEESE STORE OF BEVERLy hILLS

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BELVEdERE VOdKA

PRouD sPonsoR oF The 5Th annual

ToPanGa Film FesTival

venue addresses

abuelita’s mexican Restaurant137 s. Topanga Canyon Blvd.Topanga, Ca 90290

Trust Ranch1291 Will Geer Rd.Topanga, Ca 90290

Topanga Community house (Ball Field)1440 n. Topanga Canyon Blvd.Topanga, Ca 90290

Froggy’s Fish market Restaurant 1105 n. Topanga Canyon Blvd.Topanga, Ca 90290

Yoga Desa120 n. Topanga Canyon Blvd.Pine Tree CircleTopanga, Ca 90290

Topanga Film Festival hQ / baurhouse120 n. Topanga Canyon Blvd. #215Pine Tree CircleTopanga, Ca 90290ph. 310 455 4700f. 310 455 [email protected]


VENUES

Old Topanga Canyo

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Topanga School Rd

Circle Trail

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Canyon Trail

Abuelita’s

Entrada Rd

Cheny Dr

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lvdTheatricum Botanicum

Topan

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Yoga Desa

TFF HQ

Froggy’s

Trust Ranch

Topanga Community House (Ball Field)

Post Office

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To 101 Freeway/

The valley

To Pacific Coast highway/

The ocean

TFF Venue

P Parking

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5th Annual Topanga Film Festival

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