TAKE 3: OFF Alumni Filmmakers Eyeing Oxford Film Festival

Faith Evans Ruch
Photo courtesy of OFF

As HottyToddy.com gets closer to winding down its pre-Oxford Film Festival (OFF) coverage, the films keep rolling as we inch closer to kickoff on February 17.

The films below feature filmmaking alumni that have previous screening experience at the popular festival:

‘Living with HIV’ is directed by Kathryn A. Rodenmeyer

Kathryn A. Rodenmeyer

Living with H.I.V. director Kathryn A. Rodenmeyer (UPROOTED/2005) returns to OFF this year with a film that concentrates on Mississippi, the ‘buckle’ of the Bible Belt, ranking seventh in the U.S. for prevalence of HIV infection. Young African American men are the fastest growing group to become infected with HIV. In “Living with HIV,” those infected with HIV share their stories and how they are living with this incurable condition.

Nirvana: A Short Film About Lung Cancer is directed by J. Michael Hicks

Nirvana: A Short Film About Lung Cancer is directed by J. Michael Hicks

Nirvana: A Short Film About Lung Cancer director J. Michael Hicks (PICTURE SHOW/2014) returns with a film inspired by the his own personal journey. After running away from her home, a young cancer patient meets a grieving widower in a dilapidated cemetery. Lost in their own tragedies, the two converse about life, death and the spiritual self.

‘River Moon Black Birds’ is directed by Gloria Chung

River Moon Black Birds and Take The Bus on a Hot Summer Day director Gloria Chung (TAKE 5 WITH MEMORY V/2015) returns to OFF this year with two films in tow. The first, River Moon Black Birds, is an experimental documentary on recent hurricane landfalls (2009-2014), eastern seaboard of the United States – An alarm sounds over a quiet river. Supermoons are burning. Blackouts across the city. Storm winds carry tropical birds.

‘Take the Bus on a Hot Summer Day’ is directed by Gloria Chung

Take The Bus on a Hot Summer Day is a short film about a bus ride through Midtown. The film features a reverie of blurred colors, kaleidoscopic movements and muffled sounds on a hot summer day in the city.

‘Rock me Slow’ is directed by Edward Valibus

Rock Me Slow director Edward Valibus (SONGS IN THE KEY OF DEATH/2014) returns featuring a music video about a musician (Faith Evans Ruch) who is alone with her just her thoughts, a bottle of bourbon and her music and she dwells on heartbreak and sorrow.

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 Feb. 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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