Southern Winds Film Festival 2008

When two cops, Agent McCall and Agent Dexter, get an inside tip from an undercover officer about a major drug exchange about to take place by the most dangerous drug lord in the city, Ricky Rodriguez, better known to his enemies as The Mexecutioner, they resort to recruiting Black Lightning, the baddest brother in town, to infiltrate Rodriguez. The rules are simple; take the $50,000 being offered by the cops and find out where the drug deal is going down and walk, but Black has his own plans when he begins taking money to do work for Rodriguez as well as helping out the cops. Meanwhile, a past enemy of Black's, Twist Jackson, a psychopathic killer with a cowboy hat and yellow Hawaiian shirt, has his own agenda as he begins tracking Black and trekking across the state, leading to an enormous climax, all made with a budget of less than $400. Nominated as A Ridiculously Good Movie!

'Breakup of a Happy Marriage' is a retelling of my experiences with testicular cancer through visual metaphor. Completed on the two-year anniversary of my diagnosis, this film is representative of my letting go of that burden and moving on. When I was still being treated, and even still today, my friends and I would often lighten the mood by making jokes about me having lost one of my 'balls.' This film tries to maintain some of that brevity while still treating a subject like cancer appropriately. It was a fine line to walk, but in the end I think we were successful. Also, in case you were wondering, I am all better now and yes, that is my real urologist in the film.

An excerpt from Plato's Republic, the 'Allegory of the Cave' is a classic commentary on the human condition. We have adapted and brought it to life by shooting over 4,000 still photographs of John Grigsby's wonderful claymation. The look was achieved by use of candlelight in a real fire that burned at the back of the set. Nominated for Best Animation!

Guilt, passion and self-sacrifice converge in this supernatural thriller about a young man willing to do anything to find his girlfriend. They have just leased an apartment together, and Simon has done everything he can to prepare for her moving in. There?s only one problem: she never arrives. In her stead is a stranger who claims to know everything about him. If Simon is to find her, he must put his own life on the line and defy the stranger?s harrowing accusations.

Every so often, a film is overlooked in its initial release. And every so often, that film builds word-of-mouth, is rediscovered and is beloved by millions.That film is Children of Scum.Now, in a Special Edition DVD release, the original stars of the film have come back to reminisce about the making of what has become a much-loved classic.Star Garrett Garson comments: 'I love the ambiguosity and versimility of this film ... it's truly a socio-agronomic commentary on the plight of our times.'Star MeShelle: 'I learned so much making this film. For example, did you know that a two person scene is called a dialogue, and a one person scene is called a oneologue?'Star Erick Von Vandenburgh: 'Dunno why it's taken so long to reach DVD ... something to do with fiduciary or ancillary ... some kind of an ary, anyway.'Fight Choreographer Johnny 'Blood on the Asphalt' Starr: 'I've been advised by my lawyer not to comment.'Join them and many more as they remember the magic, the mystery and the wonder of Children of Scum.

Cole "China" Johnston is a hard-worn anachronism of a man. It is present day and he's still roping runaway steers for the local cattle baron to keep beer money in his pocket. When China fails to track down an aging prize bull that has escaped, his boss fires him and puts a bounty on the animal's head,dead or alive. With nothing left, China sets out on his own reckless mission to prove there is something left in the old cowboy yet. Nominated as A Seriously Good Movie (Short)!

Chris Hansen is a filmmaker, but he's also a neurotic clean freak. Here, he turns the camera on himself, first to see how his family sees him, then to explore the roots of his issues, and finally to seek treatment. Clean Freak is a comedic documentary that straddles the line between fact and fiction. Nominated for Best Short Documentary! Nominated as A Ridiculously Good Movie!

An American Indian youth returns home, from schooling in a larger urban space, to find he's unable to relate to those in the Native community with whom he once had close relationships. His inability to communicate ends in aggressive and physical outburst. Nominated for Best Short Narrative! Nominated for Native Spirit!