Friday, June 17


Friday, June 17
Welcome to Friday night of the Johnstown Film Festival! Among the entries we show tonight are films made by filmmakers 18 years and under (marked with an asterisk), including this year's Youth Award Winner. This evening will take place at the Johnstown Flood Museum at 7:00 pm; tickets are $5 at the door.
Last Dog* (4:57) -- by Nicholas John Lansberry of Patton, PA. Push comes to shove as two men battle to the death for the final taste of beefy hot dog goodness. Student filmmaker Nicholas John Lansberry (whose "Meet Johnathan" also screens tonight) has attended Pennsyvlania Highlands Community College in order to save money and put his time into filmmaking. He was selected to be a filmmaker in Dreaming Tree Films' "Fresh Films" program, and with his team won the competition with the film "Ringing of the Bells."
One More Day (9:00) -- by David Over of Kent, Washington. What if you had one more day with someone you lost? A little girl uses her imagination to spend one more day with her dead father. Filmmaker David Over has written and directed over 40 short films, including "Like Pink Milk," which screened at the 2008 festival.
Funny Money (7:00) by Chris Saulnier. produced by Nancy Golio of Pittsburgh. Joe is obsessed with winning $5,000 in "Funny Money," a local radio contest, and takes this obsession to an unhealthy level by causing harm to his roommate, his girlfriend, and the local mailman. This film was create and shot by Frames Per Second, an Emerson College film organization, and shot on location in Boston.
VOZ -- (11:00) by Nick LaMantia of Harrison City, PA. Somewhere Michael Winfield, a 23-year-old disturbed man, evolved, but was it because of his poor upbringing or the scientific study he was enrolled in at birth? The balance of reality and morality are taken into account when the voices in his head overtake his thoughts.
Custer's Final Countdown* (6:05) -- by Ellory Dabbs and Lisa Vatavuk of Johnstown. A comedic re-enactment of the Battle of Little Bighorn, otherwise known as "Custer's Last Stand."
A.L.I.C.E. (15:00) - by Dawn Westlake of Los Angeles. Trying to forget someone only makes you think of nothing else. Filmmaker Dawn Westlake has participated in our festival for many years, screening "The Catalyst" (2010), "Project Ion" (2009), "68 Degrees and Clear" (2008) and "A Life of Death" (2007).
Meet Johnathan* (4:58) by Nicholas John Lansberry of Patton, PA. After a single incident of brutality leads to a downward spiral, Johnathan contempates suicide while reflecting on his life. Student filmmaker Nicholas John Lansberry (whose "Last Dog" also screens tonight) has attended Pennsyvlania Highlands Community College in order to save money and put his time into filmmaking. He was selected to be a filmmaker in Dreaming Tree Films' "Fresh Films" program, and with his team won the competition with the film "Ringing of the Bells."
Act of Man: After the Cataclysm (12:55) -- by Michael T. Snyder of Indiana. The world has been destroyed by a failed weather control experiment. Will Erika survive? Filmmaker Michael T. Snyder is a graduate of Westmoreland County Community College. This is his first work submitted to a film festival.
A Dance In Time* (8:45) -- by Chad King of Johnstown. James is mourning his wife's unexpected death. On the night of the couple's anniversary, he drives to the courtyard where the two met. Here, he's given the chance of a lifetime -- the chance to let go. Student filmmaker Chad King is a senior at Bishop McCort High School and plans to major in film in college.
Roll The Dice (22:00) -- by Hustlebot of Pittsburgh. Hustlebot, Pittsburgh's best comedy troupe (and tallest and sexiest) wins a scriptwriting contest with a script about a comedy troupe entering a scriptwriting contest. After winning, they struggle with the idea of raising the stakes of their story by betting the prize money, just like in the script.
Vinny Vino (9:51) -- by Bill Sorice of New York. Bordering on the absurd, this trailer-style dark comedy spoof takes a look at a trigger-happy New York mob boss who needs to decide between blood.... and wine. Filmmaker Bill Sorice is a produced playwright who has acted on stage, feature films and national commercials. He holds a BFA in communication arts from NYIT and currently works in the visual & performing arts department for CUNY in the South Bronx.
Left 2 Die* -- Youth Award Winner (5:25) - by Dan Frantz of Downington, PA. An unlikely band of amigos fend off a relentless horde of zombies. Filmmaker Dan Frantz attends Downington West High and works for a local production company. This film was produced in two days, with a brief interruption due to police interference.
* indicates a film made by a filmmaker 18 years old or younger.