CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — The 501(c)(3) nonprofit Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah has announced official selections, the schedule and ticket info for the 2023 Desertscape International Film Festival.
This year’s Desertscape International Film Festival will take place in beautiful St. George from Wednesday, June 21, through Saturday, June 24, at the historic Electric Theater. This celebration of independent cinema will feature over 40 films – shorts and features – from all around the world. Several countries and genres will be represented throughout Desertscape. Included in the festivities are Drama, After Dark, International, Animated, Made-In-Utah, Documentaries, Student Films and much more.
“We’re thrilled that Desertscape is about to embark on its fifth year, and we couldn’t be any more excited about the lineup!” Desertscape director and FMASU president Adam Mast said. “There will be absolutely no shortage of amazing films and incredible alternative programming for storytellers and filmgoers to take in come June 21. And we can’t speak any more highly of Southern Utah. A stunning locale filled with wonderful people, it’s the perfect area for this outstanding festival.”
The powerful French import “Revoir Paris” will serve as Desertscape’s opening night feature. This emotionally charged drama tells the story of a woman (played by a stellar Virginie Efira) who attempts to pick up the pieces after surviving a terrorist attack. A thought-provoking and hopeful story that not only delves into the navigating of PTSD but also shows the very best of humanity.
Desertscape will close out on Saturday, June 24, with the world premiere of the hilarious superhero/supervillain send-up “Villains Inc” from director Jeremy Warner. This good-natured, high-energy laugh-fest features members of the famed Studio C comedy troupe as well as beloved “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” cast member Colin Mochrie.
With tips of the hat to the likes of “Despicable Me” and “Megamind,” this infectiously likable comedy puts an immensely entertaining spin on the superhero genre. Members of the cast and crew are expected to be on hand for a Q&A.
“Villains Inc” will be preceded by the homegrown kid-centric, superhero-inspired short, “Scorpiation.” This out-of-competition project was produced by the Figmendation Foundation, a vital nonprofit dedicated to aiding children afflicted with various forms of trauma through the power of storytelling. “Scorpiation” is Figmentation’s very first production, and it will serve as a fitting primer for “Villains Inc”
Other notable highlights from this year’s festival will include David Liban’s darkly hilarious “Publish or Perish,” Luke Higginon’s creatively zany time travel romp “Relax, I’m From the Future,” Evan Marlowe’s innovative lifelike puppet-headlined After Dark entry “Abruptio,” the poignant life-on-a-res doc “Scenes From the Glittering World,” Jerusha and Jared Hess’s poetic animated offering “Ninety-five Senses,” Aemilia Scott’s thoughtful dramedy “Help Me Understand,” Sébastien Pin’s picturesque “When the Swallows Fly Away” and Luis Fernando Puente’s much-buzzed-about immigration drama “I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry.”
Also featured are Masashi Kawamura’s breathtaking stop-motion animated opus “Hidari,” Ben Brewer’s insanely creative body horror offering “A Folded Ocean,” Liz Sargent’s moving estranged sisters-centric drama “Take Me Home,” Douwe Dijkstra’s stunning mini-doc “Neighbour Abdi,” Hisonni Mustafa’s thought-provoking drama “Triggered,” Vasco Sá’s and David Doutel’s gorgeously animated Sundance entry “Garrano,” Olivier Labonté LeMoyne’s trippy midnight movie offering “Nude” and Alain Fournier’s visually sumptuous (and unforgettable) animated adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Temple.”
Of course, these titles – which will include premieres and films that have played the likes of Sundance, Tribeca and the Cannes Film Festival – only scratch the surface. Check out the full list of 2023 Desertscape International Film Festival official selections here.
Additionally, Desertscape received dozens of screenplay submissions. After weeks of combing through the best of the best, the Desertscape 2023 Screenplay Committee, headed by Jason and Lara Jackson of Red Carpet Cinema, has selected finalists in both feature and short screenplay categories. Winners will be revealed in early June.
“I had the great privilege and pleasure of heading this year’s script submission team. I really enjoyed entering new worlds from these diverse storytellers, and I couldn’t be more excited about each entry,” Jason Jackson said. “What a great festival to offer a platform for such a wide range of talented writers. This has truly been a choice experience, and I can’t wait to see what else Desertscape has in store for attendees this June!”
While the fifth annual Desertscape International Film Festival will pride itself on a wonderfully diverse slate of films of multiple genres, programmers promise a variety of several other noteworthy film-centric activities and events as well. Highlights include filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, special guests, a Steadicam master class with industry pro Rey Reyes (in conjunction with ARRI), a live script read, a 16mm film print screening hosted by Big Screen 16 curator Josh Hafen, live music, food, an opening night party, an awards ceremony, a closing night party and more.
Awards in multiple categories will be handed out on the final night of the festival, including Best Feature, Best International, Best Made-In-Utah, Best After Dark, Best Documentary, Best of Fest and more. Additionally, Desertscape has teamed with Mark Bracich and Burning Lines Entertainment for the Rising Star Award, which celebrates and honors a student film or first-time feature screenwriter.
“Desertscape is back, and it’s celebrating its momentous fifth year with a lineup that promises to be the strongest yet. We carefully curated a selection of films, engaging workshops and enlightening filmmaker panels,” Desertscape director and FMASU vice president John Pugh said. “Year five promises to be an unforgettable experience for all who love the art of filmmaking and film enthusiasts. Join us for year five and quench your thirst for movies!”
All-access VIP badges are only $125 (includes a swag bag, food and parties), with $10 single film block tickets, special $25 single-day passes and $75 four-day screening passes (screenings only) also available. For all ticket sales, click here.
About the Desertscape International Film Festival
Since 2019, the Desertscape International Film Festival has served as a platform for filmmakers from all over the world to share their work in a theatrical setting. Additionally, Desertscape prides itself on creating a source of grand entertainment and enlightenment for its many attendees. The goal is to see Desertscape evolve and emerge as a Southern Utah staple for years to come.
About the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah
Formed in 2017, FMASU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to encourage, inspire, nurture and educate filmmaking talent and to preserve film history and the theatrical experience.
FMASU does this by way of several film-related events throughout the year, including the Desertscape International Film Festival, HorrorFest International, The Electric Film Series, A Merry Movie Christmas and the Guerilla Filmmaking Challenges, quick-turnaround filmmaking competitions that take place three times per year.
While FMASU prides itself on its Southern Utah roots, it is equally interested in championing storytellers from all around the world. Of course, the primary goal is to engage everyone through the culturally expansive nature of the world’s greatest art form: cinema! To learn all about FMASU and/or to donate, log on to fmasu.com.
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