The 2014 Whites Sand International Film Festival is set for September 3-7, 2014.


In its 10th year, the festival is growing in popularity each year and in addition to a great selection of independent films, this year the festival is highlighted by a workshop series featuring some of the most innovative professionals in the industry.
The premiere kicks-off a week-long list of films on the big screen, showcasing 7 feature films, 35 short narratives, 16 documentaries and 16 student productions all of which can be seen on the big screen at the Cineport 10 in Theatre 1 at the Mesilla Valley Mall, located at 700 S. Telshor Boulevard in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
This year's film festival offers its strongest lineup of workshops to date including an award-winning screenwriter, a legendary EFX puppeteer, an up-and-coming gore specialist, culminating with a special presentation from "American Horror Story," cinematographer Michael Goi.
In addition to the film screenings, workshops and VIP parties, this year's festivities will kick off with a 48-hour filmmaker's competition with grand prizes of $300 each.
The festival is hosting an opening night party for filmmakers on Wednesday evening at La Posta Restaurant, 2410 Calle de San Albino, in Mesilla, NM. The festival's Award Gala is set for Friday, September 5th at 7:30 p.m. in the Rio Grande Theater, located at 211 N. Main Street in downtown Las Cruces. Following the award ceremony is the Enchantment Award VIP Party, 9 p.m. at the St. Clair Winery and Bistro located at 1720 Avenida de Mesilla in Las Cruces, NM.

Find the complete film festival schedule or call Helping Hands Event Planning at (575) 522-1232 for more information.

Feature Films

Broken Hallelujah
Brooklyn Unemployed
GASP
Lies I Told My Little Sister
Zombie Dream
The Wingman
Yes, AND...

Student Shorts

113 Degrees
A Silent Waltz
Call It Blue
Chaisson: Quest For Oriud
Color of War
Ghost Light
Green Acres
I M Possible
Knick Knacks
LA Donna
Life on the line
Life Under The Bridge
Posthumous
Sheltered Love
The Wig People
You and Me
Film Documentaries

Adelante
Agave is Life
Blanco
Chew On This Dangers of the American Diet Exposed
Coney Island Dreams for Sale
Extending the Play
Fire In The Blood
Journey to the 100 Man Fight: The Judd Reid Story
Not Anymore A Story of Revolution
Quiet Elegance: The Architecture of Hugh M. Kapt
Refuge Caring for Survivors of Torture
Silent Epidemic The Untold Story of Vaccines
The Tinaja Trail
Wanda the Wonderful
What Ate My Mum? And Will IT Eat Me Secrecy Country

Short Films

19465 Ways 2 Die
A Night Like These
Aviva's Winter
Bless Me
Blind
Box of Sound
Butterfly Fluttering
Cough
Dandelion Dreams
Directors on Directing
Dogonauts: Enemy Line
Dollar Night
Downton By Lamplight
Franky and The Ant
Gift of Gab
Independent Film Maker
It Don't Mean Nothing
Kosmikophobia
Life In Darkness
Molly
Moses on the Mesa
No Love Lost
One Armed Man
Our Urban Wilderness
Psyche Ascending
Rabda Vaasta short
Taco Valley
The Fantasy
The Heebie Jeebies
The Interview
The Mary Contest
Under Cover
Universal Language
What A Gun

  • All workshops and seminars take place at the East Mesa campus of Dona Ana Community College.
  • All VIP Platinum pass-holders to the White Sands International Film Festival have free admission to all workshops.
  • A workshop pass is $20, which entitles the holder to one or all of the workshops.
  • Tickets and more information including campus map and bios are available online.

WORKSHOPS:
"TELLING A GOOD SCREEN STORY, IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK"

Presented by Kirk Ellis
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Classroom location TBA
Emmy-winning producer/writer Kirk Ellis ("John Adams" "Into The West") will lead an interactive discussion of the fundamentals of screen storytelling, utilizing clips from both feature films and television programs to illustrate the art of structure and character building.

"SPECIAL MAKEUP FX AND GORE"

Presented by Timothy Sedillo
10 a.m. to noon - CMT Studio
Join Timothy Sedillo a CMI graduate for a bloody good time as he discusses and demonstrates the art of special makeup FX and how you can make and use them on any budget. This class will include practical makeup FX, blood recipes, gore, and gag FX.
"VISUAL EFFECTS AS SEEN IN LABYRINTH AND DARK CRYSTAL"

Presented by Mike McCormick
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Classroom location TBA
Special effects wizard and puppeteer Mike McCormick talks about his work in such seminal films as "Labyrinth," "Dark Crystal," "Return of the Jedi" and the television series "Breaking Bad," revealing the secrets of radio control vs. wire control puppetry, creature fabrication, costuming and much more.
"CREATING THE LOOK OF 'AMERICAN HORROR STORY'"

Presented by Michael Goi, ASC
2 to 4 p.m. - Auditorium
Join world-renowned cinematographer Michael Goi, ASC ("American Horror Story," "Glee," "My Name Is Earl") as he discusses and demonstrates the artistic concept behind the approach to American Horror Story visuals and how he uses simple lights to bring about that concept.  He will also share general information on being a cinematographer in movies and television today, how to build a career and how to get started.

SEMINARS
"CREATING THE RIGHT KIND OF FILMMAKING WORKFORCE"
Presented by IATSE 480
Noon to 1 p.m. - Auditorium
Members of IATSE 480, including Jon Hendry, will discuss set readiness and the importance of union presence in all craft areas - catering, drivers, props, hair, wardrobe, construction, etc. - to fulfill the needs of visiting productions.

"CHILEWOOD:  WHY THE FILM INDUSTRY IS PROFITABLE FOR ALL"
Presented by RFDAC
1 to 2 p.m. Auditorium
Come meet select members of the Regional Film Development Advisory Council - State Rep. Jeff Steinborn, CMI professor/filmmaker Rajeev Nirmalakhandan, CMI professor/documentarian Phil Lewis, industry veteran/former film liaison Bill McCamey and actor/educator Mark Vasconcellos - to discuss and learn why the film industry is and can be a powerful economic stimulator for Doña Ana County, surrounding areas and what that means for local businesses and inhabitants.

For more information contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at 575-541-2444 or cvb@lascrucescvb.org  

 

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