BY STEPHEN VRATTOS
When Marilyn Chris moved
into North Shore Towers
with husband Lee Wallace
in 2013, she was far from ready
to “go gentle into that good night.”
After more than half a century as a
successful actor, appearing on stage
and both the big and small screen,
the seasoned thespian was ready for
a new challenge. But what was she
to do? The idea to launch a small
film festival struck Chris while she
was strolling through the Arcade
one day with Wallace.
“What do you know about short
film festivals,” responded Wallace,
a longtime, equally accomplished
actor in his own right
“Nothing, but I’ve been in a few
short films,” Chris replied. “It’s not
exactly skydiving.”
Five years later and SFF@NST is
still going strong.
This year, Chris and her board
of judges—husband Lee, Fred
Chernow, Dr. Robert Eagle and wife
Marilyn—have selected a dozen of
the best short films from around the
world, culled from more than 700
entries.
As in the past, the festival runs
two evenings, this year on Tuesday,
October 3, and Thursday, October
19, at 7:30 p.m. in Towers Cinema.
Always a hot ticket, residents are
advised to get to the theater early
for a seat.
Herewith are this year’s entries,
along with a short interview with
some of their creators.
PART I: OCTOBER 3
2017
October ¢COURIER A WHOLE WORLD
important component of your
FOR A LITTLE WORLD
films. Why?
(twice returning filmmaker from
Working with children is both
2015 and 2016: “Time2Split” and
a happiness and a nightmare. A
TOWERS “Dad in Mum”)
nightmare because you never really
A mother tells her baby daughter
know what they will give. We hope
a tale of prince and princesses as a
for things, but the result will depend
means of preparing her for growing
on so much: the environment, the
SHORE up.
character of the child, his/her
mood, etc. And it is also a happiness
QA with Filmmaker Fabrice
because when everything goes
NORTH Bracq
well, the result can be magic… And
QA with Director/Producer/
It is said in the entertainment
unique! With a child, there are never
Editor Rosalie Devereaux Gaffney
world never to work with animals
two such holds. A child does not
What led you to become a
12 or children. Yet, children are an
cheat and therefore their emotion
filmmaker? is just, their repartee is right, their
tone is right. I also think when a
scene is right with a child, it goes
directly to the viewer’s heart.
Your films are always among the
favorites at SFF@NST. Why do you
think that is and how do you feel
about it?
I am truly flattered my films
appeal to your festival. I can’t say
why it is like that. Maybe we have
the same sensitivity? The same
sense of humor? Anyway, I’m
delighted to come back every time
with a new film at your festival. I
am very grateful to you.
GOOD SON
Written and Directed by Tomisin
Adepeju
A young, Nigerian man is forced
to address a secret he has harbored
from his parents during a traditional,
family gathering.
EN POINTE
Sophie is a young girl who
dreams about becoming a ballerina.
When she finds a
flyer for auditions, she puts her
passion to the test.