Minnesota Shorts: Narrative
116 minutes
Ten short narratives from Minnesota filmmakers.
Kinetic
Director: D. R. Tibbits, 12 minutes
When a man has a recurring dream for over 200 days, he begins to think there’s something to it. So he tests it. First, he has to trust his frenetic notes to get him to the buried money. Then he has to trust that they don’t. Sneak Preview.
Director Bio:
A Michigan transplant via Chicago, Darren Robert Tibbits studied film production, theory and screenwriting at Michigan State University. He spent years developing his writing style, based on what he calls “absurdly plausible stories of mankind.” A few of his short stories have been published, and his first short film, Invention, received festival acclaim in 2006.
Thief
Director : Kevin Milloy, 3 minutes
Having taken the only available seat at a busy cafe, Nathaniel must decide whether or not to confront the woman across from him, who is casually stealing his malted milk balls.
Director Bio:
Kevin Milloy is entering his second year of the Cinema program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, where he will be specializing in Editing and Post Production.
Settinʼ In
Director: Victor Rukavina, 3 minutes
“Settinʼ In” follows two longtime friends as they take different paths in life. One follows his dream of being a musician, while the other lives his life according to the streets.
Director Bio:
Victor Rukavina is a filmmaker residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota who seeks to
educate and entertain through his art. His work has shown at national film festivals as well as on MTV and BET.
The Curse of Yig
Director: Paul von Stoetzel, 32 minutes
In this H.P. Lovecraft adaptation a young academic visits the Guthrie Asylum in Oklahoma to explore the legend of the snake god, Yig. There she is confronted by a bizarre creature and then learns the tragic tale of settlers Walker and Audrey Davis and the horrors that befell them.
Director Bio:
Paul von Stoetzel, the proprietor of Killing Joke Films, has directed and/or adapted numerous award winning plays and films in the Twin Cities including his feature documentaries, SNUFF: a documentary about killing on camera and Scrap which have both gained major distribution. He is recently completing the dark noir short “How to Jail” adapted from novelist Dennis Tafoya for their literary adaptation collective Brute Force Films while also finishing the dark comedy/drama feature Connected.
Good Morning Beautiful
Director: Todd Cobery, 19 minutes
After the death of his newborn daughter, Dave drifts through the world unable to see anything but ugliness. He struggles to keep his grip on reality as his very existence becomes a nightmarish world filled with surreal characters. He doesn’t know what to believe is real and what is in his mind.
Director Bio:
Todd Cobery has spent the past decade as a director and producer in Minneapolis. He has worked in narrative films, music videos, commercials, as well as in television, earning a reputation as a filmmaker with a unique perspective and sense of humor. His films and music videos have screened at such festivals as SXSW, Tribeca, and Fantasia. In the past year he has completed his most ambitious short film yet as a director “Good Morning, Beautiful” which premiered at SXSW in the
midnight shorts section, as well as producing “Stuck Between Stations” which made its’ world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Wood Jeux Merry Mi?
Director: Adam Zuehlke, 3 minutes
Sasha Andreev and Scott Jorgenson star in this comedic music video about two men that made a pact to get married at the same time. The only problem is that one of them cant seem to find love while the other is getting engaged.
Director Bio:
Adam is an award winning Director/Producer that has a Television Production degree from Brown College. He Wrote and Directed his first feature length film in 2004, “Stealing Summer”. Adam has worked on dozens of films, commercials and music videos with projects shown in numerous local and international festivals and broadcasted on VH1 and BET.
Last Kiss on a Sinking Ship
Director: Christopher Heubach, 4 minutes
Facing eminent death on a sinking cruise ship, two passengers take advantage of the situation to find love in this short film featuring the music of local band Sleeping in the Aviary. Last Kiss is part of the band’s Unusual Love Trilogy for their 3rd album, Great Vacation!, including two more videos by local director Sam Thompson.
Director Bio:
Christopher Heubach made his directorial debut at the age of 13 with a short animation about overpopulation. When he’s not at his “day job” of creating cocktails, he can be found pursuing still photography and independent films in the Twin Cities. He hopes one day to alter minds as much with his films as he does with his libations. Christopher has BFA in film from UW-Milwaukee.
The Good Friend
Director: James Snapko, 7 minutes
After his girlfriend dumps him, Robert attempts to win her back with the help of his Good Friend. Winner of 6 awards at The 2011 Mpls 48 Hour Film Project including BEST ACTOR (E.J. Subkoviak), BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST EDITING, and the AUDIENCE AWARD.
Director Bio:
A Twin Cities native, James has spent the last decade making television commercials, short films and two features. His award-winning films have screened internationally at numerous film festivals, including the Cinequest, Miami Int’l, Mpls/St. Paul Int’l and the Cannes Film Festival. When he’s not behind the camera you’ll find him at The University of St. Thomas where he teaches film.
Nova Roma
Director: Alexander Cooney, 22 minutes
A medical student is framed for cheating and cast out onto the unforgiving streets, in this alternate history where Rome never fell.
Director Bio:
Alexander Cooney is a Twin Cities native and recent graduate of Carleton College. He is currently pursuing a number of personal projects, including an independent video game and a feature length film adaptation of his short film Nova Roma.
Boyz Night
Director : Elliot David Graber, 4 minutes
Orgasmic. Rude. Controversial. Ridiculous. Sexy. Offensive. “Boyz Night” is an original music video, written, produced, and performed by Elliott Graber, Elliot Diviney, and Yong Hak Kim. “Boyz Night” was created to help promote Elliott Graber’s new Comedic TV Series Pilot, “The U-Brew” (Produced by Graber Productions & Diviney Pictures: To be released Fall 2011).
Director Bio:
Elliott David Graber studied Music Theory & Composition at The University of Sioux Falls, SD; he then transferred to The University of South Dakota and received a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance, Minor in Music. He is continuing his Acting & Composition Career in the Twin Cities. Currently, he is proud to be playing the role of Jason in the new full-length musical film, “Undone.” He is also a Composer, Songwriter, Musical Director, Actor, Singer, Dancer, Model, Playwright, and Performer. “The Music Box” (7 years in the making) is Graber’s first full-scale Contemporary American Musical (to be produced in Minneapolis -Fall 2011). He is currently working on a new Romantic Comedy entitled, “Darlin’ Baby.” He is also producing his first short film, entitled, “The U-Brew” premiering in Fall 2011. His favorite theatrical roles include (Tony) “West Side Story,” (Chad) “All Shook Up,” (Cinderella’s Prince) “Into the Woods,” and (Host) “Survivor Live.