2018, 51st annual humboldt int’l film festival
Since its inception in 1967, Humboldt Int’l Film Fest has earned a reputation for supporting and celebrating student and independent filmmakers working in experimental and non-traditional ways. Now, in our 51st year, we continue to promote the art of film, not only as a means of entertainment, but as a tool for inspiring dialogue and facilitating change. For us, personal self-expression and exploration of the medium are just as important (if not more) as high production values and wide market distribution. Our fundamental goal over the years has been to support and acknowledge developing filmmakers, while bringing international cinema to Humboldt County.
Humboldt Int’l Film Fest has the proud distinction of being the oldest student-run film festival in the world. The festival is organized by students from a wide range of academic interests, who share a genuine respect for the art of film. This year over 180 entries were pre-screened by HSU students, 32 were chosen for you to see this week. Awards are given for Best of the Festival and Best of Category, as well as locally sponsored awards: Pablo Koontz Award for Best Experimental Technique, Ledo and Vittoria Matteoli Award for Best Film with an Immigration Theme or Pioneering Spirit, and Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission Award for Best Use of Location.
This year we are honored to have Udi Aloni, Patricia Cardos, and Hal Masonberg as our panel of judges. One of the festival’s greatest rewards is the chance for student filmmakers and festival audiences to meet and speak with these visiting professionals. The survival of the festival depends upon the consistent support and appreciation we receive from the residents of Humboldt County. Thank You. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
history of the festival
The first Humboldt Film Festival was organized by Professor George Goodrich who was instrumental in making film a part of the curricular offerings at Humboldt. The next year, because of his encouragement, two students, David Phillips and Don McKenzie took over the responsibility of organizing and supervising the annual film festival.
As the film program grew, it quickly became an experimental hub where all forms of film were encouraged and accepted. Early classes centered around production and editing, but students soon realized they had no platform to showcase their films, and that Humboldt wasn’t the only campus having difficulty showing their works.
Students used their own money and supplies to ensure the festival would go on. “We used typewriters in the department office, copy machines for free, shot an intro on 16mm, booked what was then Sequoia Theater…and eventually were reimbursed about $50,” says Phillips. They made brochures and sent them to various campuses across the country, receiving about 20 submissions the first year.
Several of the entries came to be recognized as classics. One of the submissions in the second year of the festival later received an Oscar for best live-action short film.
Over the past 51 years, the Humboldt Int’l Film Fest has grown into the success it is today. Films make their way to HSU from around the world as filmmakers of all ages are drawn to the Humboldt spotlight. Through endless hours of hard work and years of practice, it has become the oldest student-run film festival in the world.
We look forward to bringing you independent films from around the world for another 50 years!
film festival winners
Best of Fest Awards
Animation: Two Balloons by Mark Smith
Experimental: Pussy Willows by Chris Tcholakian
Documentary: Doreen Garner Sculpts Our Trauma by Brian Redondo
Narrative: “Look at Me” by Andres Gil
Best of Fest: Doreen Garner Sculpts Our Trauma by Brian Redondo
People’s Choice Award
Animation: Two Balloons by Mark Smith
Experimental: Pussy Willows by Chris Tcholakian
Documentary: Doreen Garner Sculpts Our Trauma by Brian Redondo
Narrative: “Look at Me” by Andres Gil
Honorable Mention
Animation: Akiby Taylor Reynolds
Special Awards
Pablo Koontz Award for Best Experimental Technique: iRony by Radheya Jegatheva
Ledo and Vittoria Matteoli Award for Best Film with an Immigration Theme or Pioneering Spirit: Dancing in Limbo by Amanda Larsh
Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission Award for Best Film Celebrating Local or Environmental Sustainability: Bananafest by Almond Dodge
film festival finalist
Experimental
The Icons by Mitchell Rose (USA)
Pussy Willows by Tommy Regan (USA)
below the neck, above the knees by Desiree Dawn Kapler (USA)
Inactivity by Ryan Wicks (USA)
Werifesteria by Jennifer Hardacker (USA)
Lessons from Exes by Misti Boland, Lyn Elliot, Caitlin Horsmon, Meg Jamieson, Mary C. Taylor
Animation
Nobody by Elham Toroghi (Iran)
Fishy by Joe Sulsenti (USA)
Two Balloons by Mark C. Smith (USA)
iRony by Radheya Jegatheva (Australia)
KCLOC by Ninaad Kulkarni (India, USA)
AKI by Taylor Reynolds (USA)
Lilly and the Baby by The Bum Family (Canada)
Polybius by Brad Pattullo (USA)
Documentary
Doreen Garner Sculpts our Trauma by Brian Redondo
Arrested Again by Dan Goldes
Bananafest by Almond Dodge
Beginning of the Road by Jeremiah Jake Thompson
Black Sheep by Rachel Lattin
Dancing in Limbo by Hannah Bradford, Amanda Larsh, Nick McDonald, and Caroline Roffey
Here Still by Alyssa Michener
Narrative
Why are the Trees Pink – Trystan Millet
Othello-San by Theodore Adams
Night Call by Amanda Renee Knox
“Look at Me” by Andres Gil
Pickle by Grant Moore
Gloria Talks Funny by Kendall Goldberg
film festival co-directors
Helen molina
Entries
“It is such a pleasure to be one of three co-directors of the 51st Humboldt International Film Festival. I am privileged to be able to host this event and cannot wait to expose and showcase all the extraordinary talent located all over the world.” A senior attending Humboldt State majoring in Film and minoring in Theatre Arts. Growing up in the city she was exposed to many different cultures and events. She was raised in the city of South Gate located southeast of Los Angeles. She experienced both good and bad aspects of a large town. She was lucky enough to find my calling at a very young age. Deeply interested in the arts, she never knew how she would be able to get involved. She didn’t know how to sing, act, or draw, until one day she stumbled across film and fell in love.
peter blickens
Budget and On-Campus Connection
From Fairfax, CA. A junior now at Humboldt State. Peter has been involved with film since high school. Being part of a program called Comacad, he made shorts and screened them for the community with his class. He likes his films like he likes his books, short. He is curious to see how film is changing as a medium and appreciates the diversity and uniqueness of films that the HIFF showcases. Peter is looking forward to seeing the new techniques that filmmakers across the world are finding to get their stories told.
Maddy harvey
Promotions and Historian
Maddy Harvey is working on her senior year here at HSU as a film major and journalism minor with a focus on media studies. She’s been involved with the fest for the past three years and now has taken on a role as co-director in her fourth in final year.
film festival faculty advisor
susan abbey
This is Susan’s seventh year as a faculty adviser for the HIFF. Originally from the intermountain west, she has been an educator, director, and actress in theatre for over 40 years. Her bridge to film began as a graduate assistant, teaching several Introduction to Film courses, while earning her MFA in Directing at Brigham Young University. Susan’s work in film continued when she took her performance skills to the acting side of the camera: while living in Salt Lake City, she began working in films, television, commercials, print ads, and voiceover projects. She continues to act and direct locally when time and opportunity come together. Susan has been a lecturer in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Dance at HSU since 2007.