August 24
August 24, 10:45 am – Orinda Theatre #2
CAIFF Film Score Competition
Over 150 composers from around the world received the same episode of the action superhero series “Chronicles of Jessica Wu” with the original score removed. Instrumentation and placement of the music was solely up to each composer. Hear the compositions from the top five finalists and meet the winner of this year’s CAIFF Film Score Competition.
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August 24, 10:45 am – Orinda Theatre #3
Kids’ Program
The kids’ program is not just for little ones but also for the young at heart. This program includes a great selection of four (4) short films for your children or grandchildren to experience. It’s never too early to educate the next generation about the importance of film festivals!
A Big Mission
Directors: Longyin Zhou and Yulie Chin
Student Animated Film, New York, NY
5 mins
A Big Mission is a 3D animated comedy about a baby devil who was recently promoted at work after killing all the dinosaurs and who must now destroy humankind. He moves into a bigger house, but the furniture in his new house prevents him from leaving to go to work. Will the baby devil complete his big mission?
The Most Magnificent Thing
Director: Arna Selznick
Animation, Toronto, Canada
22 mins
The Most Magnificent Thing is an inspirational story about a little girl with a creative spirit who is determined to make great things. Joined by her best friend (her pet dog), the two happily explore the world, doing absolutely everything together. When she receives her very own tool kit, the little girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing for her best friend–but it’s not as easy as she thinks! The Most Magnificent Thing is a timeless tale about learning through perseverance and hard work, the power of love, and selflessness.
Treasure Nest
Directors: Joy (Meng-Chwen), Allison Botkin and Mike Bourbeau
Student Animated Film, Jersey City, NJ
5 mins
Treasure Nest is a 3D animated short following the adventures of Blue, a cat-like creature in search of hidden riches. Along the way Blue discovers a bird-like creature named Peanut who he reluctantly brings along in hopes that she will be the key to unlocking the treasure. Through the use of programs such as Maya ZBrush Photoshop, Houdini Nuke, and After Effects, the Treasure Nest thesis group presents a beautifully hand-painted world in which Blue’s resolve is tested throughout his journey...eventually leading him to a prize he never expected.
Miikshi the Meek Sheep in The Cosmic Potato
Director: Justin T. Lee
Adventure, Fantasy, Toronto, Canada
14 mins
Shy sheep scientist Miikshi has just launched a potato into orbit and her best friend, journalist Chickelyna, begs for the first radio interview. Miikshi's fear of public speaking soon takes a back seat when her science experiment is on a collision course with Mibukiville!
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August 24, 11 am – Orinda Theatre #1
Screenplay Finalist Readings and Discussion
CAIFF receives hundreds of screenplay submissions each year. Meet the finalists, listen to portions of their scripts read live, and participate in the discussions about writing their screenplays. This is a FREE CAIFF event.
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August 24, noon – Orinda Theatre #3
General Magic
Director and Producers: Sarah Kerruish & Matt Maude
Documentary, United Kingdom
92 mins
The side of Silicon Valley you never see. General Magic, the multi-award-winning documentary, is a tale of how a great vision, a grave betrayal and an epic failure changed the world. Spun out from Apple in 1990 to create the ‘next big thing,’ General Magic shipped the first handheld wireless personal communicator in 1994. From the first smartphones to social media, e-commerce and even emoji, the ideas that now dominate the tech industry and our day-to-day lives were born at General Magic.
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August 24, 12:30 pm – Orinda Theatre #2
Iron Filmmaker Contest
The filmmakers were given a theme, a dialogue, a secret ingredient and 24 hours to make their 3-minute short film. Who will be crowned the 2019 CAIFF Iron Filmmaker? Come cast your vote!
August 24, 2 pm – Orinda Theatre #2
The Wake of Light
Writer, Director and Producer: Renji Philip
Romantic Drama, Studio City, CA
84 mins
The Wake of Light is a romantic drama about a young woman slowly losing hope while caring for her aging father and their broken-down farm. One day she meets a charismatic young man who is on a cross country road trip. When he falls for her and asks her to come with him, she has an impossible choice to make.
“The Wake of Light is a film from the heart. Beautifully told and beautifully acted, this is a touching rite of passage.” –Thom Noble, Academy and BAFTA Award-Winning Editor for Thelma and Louise
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August 24, 4 pm – Orinda Theatre #2
Short Film Showcase of Female Directors
This program includes five (5) short films that showcase the talents of female directors from around the globe.
First Disco
Writer, Director: Helen Reilly
Producers: Helen Reilly, David C. Lynch and Jim Sheridan
Drama, Dublin, Ireland
18 mins
It’s 1983. Culture Club are No. 1, everyone’s glued to “Knight Rider,” and Kelly Harrison is not only experiencing her first crush, she’s going to her first disco. The only problem is that she’s getting braces on her teeth before her big night. With the help of her best friend, however, Kelly realizes what’s really important in her life.
Yellow Arrows
Writer and Director: Yana Sar
Producers: Ryan Alan Dearth and Javier Gonzalez
Drama, New York, NY
15 mins
After receiving messages from a stranger, Jack follows a path into a hidden world. As he gets trapped in the maze of the unknown, answers he was looking for begin to be revealed to him.
He Wants To Know My Number
Writer, Director and Producer: Sakinah Iman
Producers: Brilliant Champions and Joe Lumbroso
Comedy, Brooklyn, NY
4 mins
Science has proven that, due to dopamine and serotonin levels in the male and female brain, women actually need to have twice as much sex as men. Yet in 2019, there is still a huge double-standard regarding male and female sexuality. Women are still being slut-shamed and ridiculed for being absolutely normal human beings. Sakinah Iman created this powerful and provocative piece to express her take on the issue of Sex and Promiscuity in the 21st Century.
America
Director: Mary Lou Belli
Writer: Jana Sue Memel
Producers: Mary Lou Belli, Charles Dougherty and Grant Kretchik
Drama, Los Angeles, CA
10 mins
In a tribute to his brother's military service in Iraq, Tim takes his brother's ashes to NYC to the 9/11 Memorial. The journey ends with a lesson in racial profiling when he shares his evening with his Middle Eastern Airbnb host, Abdul.
Table Stakes
Director and Producer: Khai Thu Nguyen
Producer: Arthur Yee
Documentary, San Francisco, CA
16 mins
African American writers Joe Thompson and Chris Adams pursue their dreams in a comic book industry accustomed to white and Asian artists.
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August 24, 6 pm – Orinda Theatre #2
No Date, No Signature
Director: Vahid Jalilvand
Writer: Vahid Jalilvand and Ali Zarnegar
Producers: Ehsan Alikhani and Ali Jalilvand
Mystery, Thriller, Iran
104 mins
Forensic pathologist Dr. Nariman has a car accident with a motorcyclist and injures the cyclist’s eight-year-old son. The doctor offers to take the child to a clinic nearby, but the father refuses both help and money. The next morning in the hospital where he works, Dr. Nariman finds out that the little boy was brought in for an autopsy after a suspicious death. Dr. Nariman is facing a dilemma: is he responsible for the child's death, or did the child die of food poisoning according to another doctor’s diagnosis?
August 24, 8:15 pm – Orinda Theatre #2
Making a Deal with the Devil
Writer, Director and Producer: Frank D’Angelo
Crime Drama, Toronto, Canada
75 mins
A fascinating and dramatic tale of a behind-the-scenes plot developed by the FBI as they work secretly with the mob to eradicate corruption and crime in the USA. Starring Danny Aiello, John Ashton, Tom Bower, Daniel Baldwin and Michael Pare.
August 24, 10 pm – Cine Cuvee
Saturday Night Film Festival Reception
Mingle with and meet filmmakers from around the world. Film festivals are all about the movies and the not-to-be-missed parties. Come join the fun! A FREE CAIFF event.