OFF Alumni Filmmakers Return in Droves

HottyToddy.com’s 2016 Oxford Film Festival (OFF) coverage continues today, picking up where we left off on Monday by featuring OFF veterans and their return to the popular festival. These filmmakers have graced the screen at one or more festivals over the years and I think we can speak for all concerned that we welcome them back with open arms and popcorn boxes.

Fitting the Description in North Portland is directed by Jarratt Taylor (THE NEW DEBUTANTES/2012) and is a 26-minute short film concentrating on the students of Roosevelt High School who received a wakeup call after a fellow student was tased by the police in the St. John’s neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Now, the stories they had been hearing about police violence weren’t just news stories from another town about people they didn’t know. These events were now happening in their backyard.

Director Coop Cooper (who was featured on Monday as well) presents another music video titled The Happy Song by Blackwater Trio. The video tells (and shows) the tale of three lonely people who are having a bad day, and then receive a mysterious invitation to an event that will change their lives.

Director Nicholas Coles (TOWN PLANNER/2005) returns to OFF this year with his new film The House is Innocent. Meet Tom and Barbara, the proud new owners of a serial killer’s house — the most infamous residence in Sacramento, California. The middle-age couple soon realizes it’s going to take more than a fresh coat of paint to whitewash their home’s macabre history.

Intersection director Brendan Beachman (STASIS/2009) brings his new 20-minute film to Oxford this year. The feature is about two road construction workers who flag for non-existent vehicles on a remote intersection. The monotony of their day is smashed by the violent arrival of an object from the sky.

The new 15-minute film Life is Super GR8 is directed by Wade Vanover (REPEATER/2015) and will also be shown at this year’s festival. The film provides a glimpse into the history and workings of the Super Gr8 Film Festival in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The first festival of its kind, each year Super Gr8 gives over 40 local filmmakers the rare opportunity to shoot either a color or black/white super 8mm film using vintages cameras. Features interviews with festival founders and a diverse cast of filmmakers, including Elwood “Trip” Madison, the poster designer for the 2016 Oxford Film Festival.

And… onward we roll as OFF steadily creeps closer and closer. HottyToddy.com will continue our alumni coverage later this week and then, keep digging and through the plethora of OFF films that will be screened this year with focus on the amazing filmmakers who will soon be headed to town.

The 2016 Oxford Film Festival will take place February 17-21 and will be held predominantly at Malco Oxford Commons. Leading to the festival’s kickoff on February 17, check HottyToddy.com for other features and what to expect at the popular festival.

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Jeff McVay is a staff writer and graphic designer for Hottytoddy.com. He can be reached at jeff.mcvay@hottytoddy.com.

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