15th Prescott Film Festival returns to YC’s Jim & Linda Lee PAC, July 16-20
Prescott, AZ It’s back! The little festival with the big appetite for all things cinematic is breaking the summer’s doldrums with a thriving celebration of independent films, classic movies, Hollywood history and distinctive live events. Share the artistry and excitement of the 15th Prescott Film Festival, celebrating the miracle of motion pictures, July 16 to 20, at Yavapai College’s Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center and select venues across the Prescott area.
“The Prescott Film Festival has been a labor of love for its founders and hundreds of dedicated volunteers since our beginning in 2009,” PFF Co-Founder & Director Helen Stephenson said. “We’re excited to present our 15th annual collection of fantastic independent films from around the world – and introduce audiences to these films and the imaginative individuals who bring them to the big screen.” This year’s theme – Creativity, Culture & Community – is the heartbeat of a lineup that promises powerful stories, world premieres, free workshops, community connection, and movie magic.
For more information on the PFF’s free workshops.
View the entire PFF Program Guide.
Wednesday, July 16
The festival kicks off at 1 p.m., with the Arizona Shorts & The Student Short Film Program at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center. These compelling short-subject offerings include filmmakers from YC’s Film & Media Arts Program as well as Prescott High School and the Prescott Youth Film Program.
At 4 p.m., the PFF rolls the projector on its first feature Never Alone; a gripping World War II story following Jewish refugees as they struggle to survive in Finland, and the Finnish businessman who risks everything to protect them.
At 7 p.m., the Prescott Film Festival’s Opening Night Film, Love Song from Hiroshima, will sweep you into a dreamlike SciFi/Drama/Romance unlike anything you have seen before. Stick around and sparkle after the movie, when chef Barry Barbe of El Gato Azul brings the Ruby Slippers 15th Anniversary After-Party on the stage! Ruby slippers encouraged!
Wednesday’s free workshops at the Hazeltine, 208 N. Marina Street: Elevated Improv – 9 a.m. Groundling veteran Matthew Conde leads Theatre games that unlock character secrets; How to Create Characters – and Make Them Believable – 10:30 a.m. Author Alan Dean foster teaches how to create characters that animate your story and move it forward.
Thursday, July 17
Thursday gets down-to-business early as the PFF screens four coveted independent features, preceded by clever shorts at the Jim & Linda Lee PAC. The intriguingly titled short Cowboys and Hindus – about a middle-aged Indian woman at a Texas cattle ranch – is followed by the powerful Paper Bag Plan (1 p.m.) where a father teaches his disabled son a painstaking lesson about independence.; at 4 p.m., Checkpoint Zoo chronicles a thrilling animal rescue from a Ukrainian zoo. It is preceded by About Damn Time, a short film about a crew of women on the Grand Canyon Rapids. Then, at 7 p.m., the serio-comic A World Apart portrays an urban teacher rediscovering herself among students in Italy’s Abruzzo National Park. The screening is opened by Elvira, a short-subject story about a chicken who solves crimes.
Thursday’s free workshops at YC’s Prescott Campus Community Room, 1100 E. Sheldon St., Bldg. 19, Room 147: Elevated Acting – 9 a.m. Matthew Conde shares secrets to make your on-screen performance more dynamic; Writing & Acting in Synergy – Building the Character from Both Sides of the Page – 10:30 a.m. Writer/Producer Derek Chase helps writers develop relatable characters, and actors to animate their work.
Friday, July 18
All screenings at the Jim & Linda Lee PAC. At 1 p.m., the short film Talking Rubbish – one man’s journey to get the garbage bins out in time – is followed by Rules of Living, an insightful English/Japanese drama, examining friendship across cultures through two reluctant roommates; it’s followed by The 4 p.m. Canadian feature, The Birds Who Fear Death where a father’s bequest leads two Native American brothers on a journey of discovery. Then, at 7 p.m., Feeling Blessed, a delightful short about a man trying to convince his browser he’s not a robot, precedes the feature Chasing Oslo an American comedy/drama about the world of influencers and social media.
Friday’s free workshops at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center: Sacred Ground: Documenting the Loss of a Community Treasure – 9 a.m. Producers Tiffany Antone and Charissa Menefee discuss evolution and change at The Hazeltine (formerly the Prescott Center for the Arts); Crafting Character – 10:30 a.m. Author Rachel Yoder holds a generative workshop on building strong story characters.
Saturday, July 19
At 10 a.m., The Silver Linings Shorts Program puts eight compelling short-subject pieces together for an eclectic, entertaining presentation. “We’re off to see the Wizard!” at 1 p.m. as PFF hosts The Wizard of Oz Interactive Singalong; in the 4 p.m. slot, the short Snapshots –
filmmaker Kate Hawks’ reflection on life in the saddle – is followed by A Horse Named Winx, an English documentary exploring a legendary horse, a 33-race winning streak and a $10 Million dollar sale. Then, at 7 p.m., PFF favorite Daniel Roebuck returns with a sneak peek at his hilarious redemption story The Hail Mary.
Sunday, July 20
The Prescott Film Festival moves to the Elks Theatre on Gurley Street, to cap The 15th Prescott Film Festival with a climatic closing event. The Silent Symphony (2 p.m.) brings the live artistry of the Mont Also Motion Picture Orchestra together with a remastered print of the 1922 Grand Canyon silent film Sky High. Don’t miss this World Premiere combo of historic celluloid, set to original music!
The Prescott Film Festival is thrilled to add Yavapai Landscaping and Murphy’s Restaurant to its list of sponsors this year. Yavapai Landscaping staffers will operate a table outside the theatre during all screenings on the YC campus, and Murphy’s will offer meal discounts to patrons who bring their ticket stubs to the restaurant.
Passes and single tickets are on sale now at ycpac.com or by calling the J&LLPAC Ticket Office at 928-776-2000. Student and OLLI discounts are available in person at the Ticket Office with ID. All-Access Platinum Pass Experience passes are $305 and include meals from Barry Barbe, SWAG bags and other surprises! All Film Passes are $155 and include the Silent Symphony screening at The Elks Theatre and Performing Arts Center on July 20.