2019 UMFF Youth Made & Student Films

Youth Made           Black Water India|6min Short|Youth-Made Film|Documentary Director/ Writer/ Producer: Tanmay Srivastava Synopsis: A documentary about The Cellular Jail, situated 630 miles away from mainland India in The Andaman and Nicobar Islands. During the rule of the British Empire in India in the early 19th century, the Indian nationalists and freedom fighters were brought there and tortured through various forms of maltreatment and punishments.   Dog Tag USA|14min Short|Youth-Made Film|Drama|History |War Directors: Diana Zhang, Eason Wang Writer: Diana Zhang Producers: Miao Tian, Wei Wang Cast: Ruixuan Zhao, John Carney Synopsis: The short film “Dog Tag” was adapted by Diana Zhang’s original short story “the Monument”. The film tells the story of a little girl who experienced her father died in a war and how well she understood when she saw some old soldiers were suffered mentally and physically. Please give peace a chance!                 NicoTeen USA|7min Short|Youth-Made Film|Youth Drama Director/ Writer: Ethan J. Lee Producer: Charles Son, Shanah Park Cast: Ryan Doane, Kia Matpour Synopsis: As seen through the eyes of high school students Ryan and Kia, NicoTeen gives an unbiased and raw perspective on their experiences vaping. Deep insights begin to emerge through their eyes such as the complexities of vape culture, trends, fads, flavors and the social bonds that form.     Rondo: Beyond the Pavement USA|34min Short|Youth-Made Film|Documentary Directors: Bianca Rhodes, Katharine DeCelle, Jevrye Morris, Angelo Bush,  Producers: Kimberly Nightingale, Bianca Rhodes Cast: Melvin Emanuel, Miss Margaret Lovejoy Synopsis: In the 1920s, Rondo, Saint Paul’s largest African American neighborhood was flourishing with music, theater and writing. Businesses were booming and the community was thriving, until September of 1956 when construction of Interstate 94 tore through the Rondo community. Interstate 94 shattered homes, businesses and families but it did not shatter Rondo’s spirit.                 Scepter USA/UK|18min Short|Youth-Made Film|Adventure Director: Ben Keeline Synopsis: Two schools across the globe create a film together. One school is in Fareham, England. The other is in Cottonwood, California.     The Complex USA|2min Short|Youth-Made Film Director/ Writer/ Producer: Riley Thomas Stewart Cast: Jason Curran, Sophie Ann McCoy Synopsis: A test subject is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime.                 The Story of Turban India|6min Short|Youth-Made Film|Documentary Director/ Writer/ Producer: Tanmay Srivastava Synopsis: A documentary on the history of different styles of turbans in India from the North to the South.      .                  Student            Expend USA|4 min Short| Student Film| Stop Motion Director/ Writer/Producer: Bismark Fernandes Co- Producer: Jahnvi Shah Synopsis: A stop-motion film about a man’s endless hunt for elusive energy sources in a decaying world.    In His Place Isreal|24 min Short| Student Film| Family| Drama Director/ Producer/ Writer: Ofir Feldman Producer: Ilana Gold Cast: Doraid Liddawi Synopsis: Omar arrives to his parents’ house with the baby girl of her beloved woman, Ma’ayan, who had passed away. The unexpected visit opens Omar’s wounds and brings up the old tension between him and his parents.                 Lakeshore Blues USA|6 min Short| Student Film| Drama Director: Vivian Ip Synopsis: Stranded in the wilderness during a road trip, two friends are forced to confront their past feelings and salvage what remains of their friendship.   Marching Forward USA|61 min Feature| Student Film| History| African American| Civil Rights Director/ Producer: Oswmer Louis Co- Directors: Dr. Lisa Mills, Dr. Robert Cassanello Synopsis: This film is the history of two dedicated high school band directors – one black, one white – inspired by music to cross color lines in the Deep South and work together for the sake of their students. Resulting in a once in a lifetime experience for Orlando’s black and white students.                 Xrayspex USA|3 min Short| Student Film| Crime| Mystery Director/Writer/Producer: Lovage Sharrock Synopsis: In this little vignette, teenage Lily sometimes sees thing not meant for her eyes when entrusted with running her family’s vacation rental.