The 2023 Festival Schedule
Opening Night Reception
Waverly Community House Auditorium
Friday April 14th, 2023
Cocktail Reception 6-7PM
Program 7:00PM
An evening with Emmy-award winning writer and director Josh Fox
Featuring a secret screening of Josh’s latest work-in-progress feature film (95 mins)
Q&A to Follow, moderated by Julie Sidoni, WVIA
Cocktails and H’ordeuvres courtesy of Maiolatesi Wine Cellars and Constantino’s
Saturday Feature Films
Opening at 11:00 AMYour content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
11:00 - Everybody Wants to Be Loved (1hr 20mins)
Director: Katharina Woll
In this tragicomedy film, psychotherapist Ina navigates the intricacies of her life, work, and relationships despite noticing something wrong within herself.
1:00 - Out and About (1hr 23mins)
Director: Peter Callahan
This drama/comedy film looks inside the mind of a middle aged man as he tries to come to terms with his life over the course of an afternoon walk through his hometown.
3:00 - Oh Crappy Day (1hr 23mins)
Director: Jon Lance Bacon
A tribute to his own experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD), Bacon tells the story of a filmmaker with OCD trying to find love through online dating.
5:00 - Scranton's Championship Season (1hr 7mins)
Director: Luz Cabrales
This documentary explores the impact of Jason Miller’s 1982 film “That Championship Season” on Scranton, PA and its community members.
Derail the Rail (2mins)
Director Desiree Zielinski
John Phoenix wants to dismantle the rail system spike by spike and sell the trains for scrap as your new city council candidate. Because diesel equals more better.
I Guess That's It (10mins)
Director Michael A. Perrella
When Phoenix, a local gun for hire, finds his friend and associate Ducky floating in a creek, he has questions. Using the only method he knows how, he finds out just who put Ducky there.
D. U. C. K. Y. (9.5mins)
Directed by Anarose Davidson and Kris Russin
A reckless radio DJ does not listen to the odd warning of his boss and enters a bizarre race for his life.
Almost... (5mins)
Director Anthony Cutro
A man on a hunt.
Why do we do these things? (7.5mins)
Directed by Carla Hadley and Dawn Daignault
Two filmmakers share their creative process.
Syzygy (9mins)
Director Ron Williams
A skeptical reporter investigates a mysterious videotape, the dark secret of which will alter their view of reality.
For Quack Sakes (9mins)
Director Vinnie Langdon III
A newlywed couple discovers new things about each other that could alter their relationship.
The organized thoughts of a misdirected genius hellbent on fixing the world from his mother's basement (8.5mins)
Director Michael Buttino
Saturday Short Films
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Block One - Drama
Begins 11:00 AMYour content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Tito (24mins)
*Mature Audiences: Swearing
Director(s): Anthony Notarile, Andy Tworischuk
A worn-out delivery driver for New York City’s seedy underworld is desperate to change his ways, taking comfort in his dog and only friend, Tito.
The Gift (16mins)
Director: Matthew Mayer
A woman with dementia is visited by her late sister, who helps to unlock a memory of their troubled relationship.
Hedgehog (17mins)
Director: D. Mitry
While living in a remote village with her grandmother after the start of the war in Ukraine, six year old Nina discovers a wounded Russian soldier in the shack outside.
The Shortest Night of Summer (10 mins)
Director: Benjamin Carlucci
A lonely radio host and a distant listener connect through sad summer songs and the vast night sky on the shortest night of the year.
Breakpoint (17mins)
*Mature Audiences: Suicide Mention
Director: Nicolas Panay
Textile worker Odile is asked to evaluate a group of Tunisian girls looking to join the field. Conflict ensues as her coworkers are uneasy about being replaced by the younger women.
YORA (1 min)
Director: Matvii Kishak
In an eternal search for her nature, Yora hears the call of a giant.
12:30 – WVIA WORKSHOP- Feature Documentary Production with Alexander Monelli
*Saturday 12:30 PM
Producing a feature-length documentary can be an overwhelming process. Learn tricks and tips so you can go out and shoot your own feature with or without a budget – and with or without a crew. Award-winning filmmaker Alexander Monelli has shot, edited, and directed four feature-length documentaries and will provide practical examples of shooting, editing, and what goes into producing a feature film.
Block Two - Regional
Begins at 2:00PMYour content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
They Met Themselves (35mins)
Director: Mark Beckler
In this regional documentary the Veterans Archaeology Program investigates a battlefield where George Washington was involved in a “friendly fire incident”, gaining new skills and connections along the way.
Eight Years with Gilda (14mins)
Director: Natasha Bogutzki
*Mature Audiences: Swearing
A couple meets to discuss whether they should save their marriage or sign divorce papers.
STOP (13.5mins)
Director: John Piazza
A woman petitions for a stop sign at an intersection where tragedy struck, and faces pushback from her already contentious neighborhood.
Ask for Help (11mins)
Director: Gina DeAngelis
An assertive woman explores an eerie antiques barn and follows the rules set by the chatty owner; but when she rejects his proposition, he lets a sinister presence punish her.
3:15 – Shorts Filmmaker Q&A
3:30 – WVIA WORKSHOP – Telling the Story with Kelly Dessoye and Kris Hendrickson
*Saturday 3:30PM
The tools available to today’s visual storytellers are many, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed before you even click “record.” It all comes down to the story and how you want to tell it. What do you need (and what do you really need) to begin the journey, and how does the story inform your approach, your choice of gear, and your message?
Sunday Feature Films
Opening at 11:00AMYour content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
11:00- Side Road
Director: Katherine Dibble
Escaping from an abusive marriage with her son, protagonist Kate attempts to find safety with relatives in her hometown. This leads to a dramatic custody battle, dealing with family dysfunction, and a choice that requires her to know herself better than ever before.
1:30 – WVIA WORKSHOP –Enhancing Productions with Animation & Graphics with Neil Prisco
*Sunday 1:30PM
Think quality animation and graphics are unattainable for the independent filmmaker? Think again as we show you how to enhance your story with special effects on any budget. Whether you are shooting a piece on your phone, or have a crew of 20 people, there are opportunities and options for you. In this workshop we will provide attendees with the resources and information you need to create and help you put your imagination on the screen.
2:30 – WVIA STUDENT SHOWCASE
*Sunday 2:30PM
WVIA Education is proud to announce the first Student Showcase. This film competition allows students from 40 area school districts to submit their short film for the grand prize of having their piece screened at the 2023 Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival.
3:15 – The Island Rover (Harold’s Boat Problem)
Director: Jordan M. Meeder
This documentary explores the life of self-proclaimed eccentric Harold Arndt, and his impact on the coasts of Maine through his tumultuous building of his educational schooner the Island Rover.
Sunday Short Films
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Block One - Drama
Begins at 11:00AMYour content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Bouchaib (13mins)
Director: Ali Boudra
*Mature Audiences: Mild Violence
Young Bouchaib experiences identity alienation from his Moroccan heritage as he leaves the traditional Quranic school for the promise of new knowledge in European schooling.
A Mother's Love (19mins)
Director: Darrin J. Friedman
*Mature Audiences: Swearing, Suicide Mention
A woman with bipolar disorder is released from a psychiatric hospital after an acute episode into the care of her mother, the very woman responsible for much of her emotional trauma.
Friendship (19mins)
Director: Monalisa Dasgupta
Two teenage girls living in a remote village in India find their deeply affectionate friendship disrupted by the pandemic. An arranged marriage for one of the friends then devastates the other.
The Breaking (12mins)
Director: Turlough Ó Cinnéide
A man struggles to defeat his own demons, discovering the infinite loneliness of addiction.
Block Two - Regional
Begins at 12:30Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
The Call (13mins)
Director: Ryan Jafri
A small man in a big world works hard to close a deal, doing everything he can to please his boss. But the clock is ticking, and someone is out to get him.
They Come Back (9mins)
Director: Zack Wilcox
Two long-time friends head into the woods in hopes that a lost loved one will return.
To Be Like You (24mins)
Director: Meredith Esquivel
An eccentric indie filmmaker and a discontent actor bond over their mutual childhood love of a martial arts movie star, and set out to create a truly meaningful project.
Total Disaster (11mins)
Director(s): Keil Orion Troisi, Molly Gore
Environmental activists armed with realistic bird puppets use humor and mischief to expose a deadly ecological disaster.
1:30 – Shorts Filmmaker Q&A
Block Three - Feel Good
Begins at 1:45Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
11:07 (12mins)
Director: Christopher Romano
*Mature Audiences: Mild Sexual References
A couple learns the meaning of love as they grow old together.
Devil on My Shoulder (10mins)
Director: Morgan Simonson
*Mature Audiences: Swearing
A young man goes out on a date with the best wing-woman, Satan.
Independence Day (6.5mins)
Director: Jeremie Musyt
A man goes about his monotonous daily life after losing a loved one, all while dodging a nosy neighbor.
Let Me Ride (7.5mins)
Director: Juliette Joy Anquetil
*Mature Audiences: Swearing
A young boy fixes a broken family bond by accepting the help of his estranged grandfather when learning to ride his bike.
Imaginary Friends (21mins)
Director: Rich West
Mediocre How-To author Daniel Whittaker is quite content with his modest life until one day, he begins receiving text messages from a mysterious stranger.
Dream Cycle (8mins)
Director: Don Sano
Two young lovers try to remember their dreams, and discover they are sometimes more than just amusing stories.
3:45-4:00 – Shorts Filmmaker Q&A
The Burden of Beauty (13.5mins)
Director: Rory Michael Colarossi
A young woman’s feeling of isolation is deepened after she takes part in a high-profile photoshoot and learns the destructive power of self-image.
Xpendable (30mins)
Director: Walter Ernest Haussner
1957. Two crime organizations. Two people sent in to avert a war. Who will walk away?
