A n Aotnhoetrh eOrp S’nhionw’, Photos by Stephen Vrattos by Stephen Vrattos A good measure of the popularity of an event is the length of time people are willing to wait in line in order to ensure getting a seat. On Tuesday, September 13, fans descended upon the Towers Cinema waiting area at 6 p.m. for the opening night of the 2016 SFF@NST (Short Film Festival at North Shore Towers), an hour and a half before the affair’s scheduled start time. 2016 marked the 4th year for the annual celebration of truncated cinema. Last year’s gala proved so popular, the cinema filled to capacity in no time and hopeful attendees had to be turned away at the door. NST cinephiles were not taking any chances this year. The crowd grew so quickly, SFF@NST Founder Marilyn Chris Wallace opened the doors earlier than anticipated to alleviate congestion and allow plenty of time for everyone to get seated calmly and safely. Certainly not a bad thing to have to fret over when presenting an event of such magnitude. Since its humble founding by professional actor Marilyn Chris Wallace four years ago, the SFF@NST has grown to be one of the most anticipated film festivals, not only in North Shore Towers, but also within the international independent moviemaking circuit. In Keeping with its growth, Chris has striven to build the brand. Last year, she introduced a SFF@NST website, which continues to evolve with enhanced features and more interactivity and integration every day. This year, she oversaw the creation of a title sequence, which played while the audience entered the theater and settled into their seats. Inspired by the early Pink Panther films of the 60s, Marty Ragusa of Towers Video Productions designed a dazzling retro presentation of vibrant colors, geometric shapes and whimsical hand icons, which scrolled across the screen from various angles, delivering the festival’s credits and featured movie titles. The 2016 SFF@NST was a global affair with many of the films that made the grade originating from other countries, such as Israel, Russia, France and Spain. Nearly 700 shorts were reviewed. Wallace and the SFF@NST Committee—Husband Lee Wallace, Fred Chernow, Dr. Robert Eagle and Wife Marilyn—then winnowed down the selections until they arrived at what they believed to be the best of the bunch, while also striking a balance between dramas and comedies. Audience members were greeted by Wallace and the Eagles, who handed out ballots and pencils as attendees entered the cinema. Though every film garnered votes the clear favorite and winner of the opening night’s Audience Appreciation Award was “Dad in Mum” by Fabrice Bracq, followed by “For Better, For Worse” by Tal Greenberg. Some may have remembered Bracq’s name from last year’s SFF@NST. Her innovative short film, “Time 2 Split,” which was produced with a bisected screen juxtaposing storylines, was one of the shorts presented on the second night of the 2015 affair. “Dad in Mum,” a comedy filmed more traditionally, featured two little girls questioning the strange noises emitting from their parents’ bedroom in the middle of the night. As the audience departed after the debut evening’s showing, the air was convivial and animated discussion filled the corridor; a good sign of attendees’ overall enjoyment. One audience member was so emotionally moved by “Stuck in Mute,” a short inspired by a little known medical condition, called “Selective Mutism,” she stopped Wallace as she exited. Almost in tears, the women revealed that she was a retired elementary school teacher, who at one time had a student who, unbeknownst to her, had selective mutism. The film so echoed her experience, was so truthful and empathetic, she wrote a note to Filmmaker Shane Meuwissen thanking him and asked Wallace to forward it him. Founder Marilyn Chris Wallace speaks to the audience Board and SFF@NST Committee Member Fred Chernow opens the show SFF@NST PACs ’em in! (l. to r.) Political Action Committee members Gloria Lewis and Susan Bartelstone, and Chair Felice Hannah New title sequence designed by Marty Ragusa of Towers Video Productions Board Member Phyllis Goldstein and Husband Mitch excited for the show to begin North Shore Towers Courier n October 2016 49
NST102016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above