LTUE 42

International Film Festival Selections

Canyon Ballroom

The film festival (short films) starts at 7:00 PM on February 16th, 2024 and runs until approximately 9:45 PM.

Immediately after the shorts, filmmaker Blake Casselman will be screening his new Horror film – Limbo. Some of the team that worked with Blake, and some of the actors may be joining him for a discussion. 

The list is subject to change. 

Artificial Intelligence Award

Hamelin 77 16:46

Spain – with English subtitles.

As AI becomes more prevalent the roll of Prompt Engineers will become more important. What could possibly go wrong during an AI interview for a Prompt Engineering position?

Lara, a school teacher, is interviewed at the Nawu corporation for the position of prompt engineer, which consists of using language to guide artificial intelligence systems. A catastrophic power failure during the interview will trigger an unexpected discovery that will reveal the delicate balance between humans and artificial intelligence systems.

 

About the Artificial Intelligence (AI Integration) Award

So much has been said about AI and how it will change things in the future. So many people are worried about losing their jobs because of it. Others are looking forward to it and embracing it. We selected this film because of its heart, spirit and insight. The unexpected twist of the interviewer actually needing to have a prompt engineer help with his reboot was powerful. Even more powerful was when Lara was first told that she wasn’t right for the job, then we got to see her in action, masterfully doing what needed to be done. The emotional connection of seeing her reaction when the AI interviewer played the melodic memories from her childhood was deeply engaging. It is a thought provoking and inspiring story. If you care about AI at all, this is a “must watch.”

Reality

Guru the Teacher 15:00
India – with English subtitles.
Guru is a story of divine relationship between students and a teacher. It’s a journey of students to pursue education through hardships. Guru means a teacher who tries to bring the deprived people in the mainstream. He wants to train the people who are struggling for their bread and butter for the competition. He wants to give the competency based education in adversities. While enlightening their lives he himself is a poor guy with drags. He builds the affection and respect. The journey is sketched in Guru film

Horror Teaser for Limbo

We will show the producers’ video logos and a 30 second “hook” clip as a teaser to come join us at 10:00 PM for the full movie.

Ads or Shorts with Live Action

Darcy Love – Toronto Film School video 2:45

Animated Student Submissions

Fresh Face 36 seconds
UVU
Breana Conover
Eat More Brain Food 16 seconds
UVU
Morgan Boyd
Wee Problems 14 seconds
UVU
Jaiden Moffitt
Crypic Adventures: The Mothman 30 seconds
UVU
Brianna Lambert
Zelie and the Snap Dragon 45 seconds
UVU
Cordelia Evans
Dragon Fries 32 seconds
UVU
Caleb Terrasas

Animated Very Short

Rocket Journey 1:17 
Argentina
Great – about being creative – and connects with LTUE Rocket
Working on this passion project was an absolute blast! Recently, we created this animation piece in our free time. This was a fun way for us to break away from our everyday work and flex our creative muscles. We combined a variety of different design and animation techniques, from 2D to 3D, to make something truly unique. Our team is really proud since it was a rewarding experience and we learned a lot in the process as well! So, sit back, relax and enjoy the Rocket Journey!
Living RAM 35 seconds
Argentina
We are proud to share this Passion project we developed during the last months. Some of our preferred top talents joined to participate in the creation of this piece mixing diverse animation techniques, characters and styles. Come in to Hippie House living room, walk, dance, dream, explore yourself and feel as comfortable as if you were at home. Thanks to all who participated putting hard work and love into this piece.

Animated

Twinkle 6:07 
Canada
Stars, light and imagination
Inspiring & Cute
A young lion is entranced by the beauty of the glow-in-the-dark stars decorating his bedroom. Determined to keep his room dark and the stars glowing brightly, he begins a mission to cover up his window. Amidst his setbacks, he discovers beauty beyond the glowing stars, and embarks on a journey into his imagination.
Whiskered Away 5:05 
US

When a stray cat sets out on a quest for a home, she encounters a witch who seems to be the perfect owner… maybe too perfect. She must decide whether to turn a blind eye for the sake of her newfound family.

Starry Eyed Duck 3:11
Canada

When a starry-eyed duckling stumbles upon a strange portal, he journeys into unfamiliar worlds, not knowing if he’ll make it back home.

UnFamiliar 4:10
US

A young witch looking wants to take a witch test and win the witch race. She must have a familiar. She finds an unlikely ally in a trash-loving possum in this lighthearted romp about growth, friendship, love, and garbage.

Audience Selection – Mythomania 8:59
US
In this short comedy a pathelogical liar goes into a church for a group therapy session. He looks at the sign and says, “But it’s all true!” Convinced that he doesn’t need that kind of therapy, he then he looks across the hall and sees the sign for a group therapy session for people with chronic gullability. What could possibly go wrong when a pathelogical liar joins up with a gathering of people with chronic gullibility? This is a must see.
Audience Selection – Sudden Death 20:00
US
In this short comedy musical a love drug is stolen and modified by the US Coast Guard (it’s all part of the humor). The only known symptoms of the disease are that people spontaneously break into song and dance just before dying suddenly. A love story is mixed in and overall it is a brilliantly done short but complete musical. Hint – it all ends well.
My friend in the Jingle Truck 5:12 (Not Screened because of time constraints)
Canada – in Arabic

Set in Karachi Pakistan, a little girl meets a magical bird in a traditionally painted truck. She embarks on a captivating adventure by entering the painted world, immersing herself in Pakistani culture and heritage while learning valuable lessons about friendship and letting go. Utilizing a combination of stop motion and 2D animation techniques, the film captures the essence of being immersed in the intricate details of handcrafted Pakistani artwork.

This film, a celebration of the traditional South Asian art form of “truck art” was directed and animated by Sima Naseem. It received recognition by winning the award for Best Animation at the Muslim International Film Festival.

On the road 4:40 (Not Screened because of time constraints)
China
(Tao and Motorcycle grips)
About finding the balance between freedom and control
On the Road (Tao and Motorcycle grips) is inspired by an experience of encountering a mudslide when traveling through Nepal by motorcycle in 2017. This experience was imaged and adapted to the script of this short movie. It is a fusion of the explanation of freedom in Taoism. The motorcycle is the methodology that is adopted to pursue the law of freedom. The three images in the movie–motorcycle grips, a train and a gun respectively represent the determination of controlling my own life track, the life going by the book and the metaphor of making choices. These three images help me explore the law of freedom. Life is wilderness, rather than tracks. There are numerous choices ahead of us. To follow the rules and arrangements on settled tracks or to rise to a challenge of the unknown and follow my heart? I have determined to mount a motorcycle and pursue my law of freedom. Even if the future is unclear, I will still move forward without turning back because that’s my own wilderness.

Horror or Scary – Darker

Boxhead 1:53
Boxhead awakes every day with a decision to make – whether to face the world as his true, genuine self, or to hide behind the safety of the box. But today feels different. Today Boxhead makes his way to the basement, to where his parents first made the decision for him. Today he may finally have the courage to make a new choice. What will he decide?
Kinda trippy
Mind over Machine 3:22
US
When an evil computer kidnaps Sarah, she has to answer riddles to survive and escape its torment.
(maybe) (not animated)
Rainy Season 13:48
A Stephen King adaptation – James Dashner (screenwriter)
Note from the creator of the film –
This festival looks fabulous and we love supporting events that support writers.
A young couple on vacation rent a house in a small town only to receive repeated warnings from locals to leave before rainy season begins. When the couple ignores the vague warnings, they find out the precipitation has nothing to do with the weather.
 
“Rainy Season” © (October 1993) Stephen King
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Setup Break

Approximately 9:45 PM – There will be a 15 minute break (or a little longer) between the last short film and Blake Casselman’s Limbo for some minor setup changes.

Limbo

Limbo 81 minutes. Starts at approximately 10:oo PM
Blake Casselman
A newlywed couple who believe they are moving onto their happily ever after, get abducted and taken – somewhere – where possible lies and their sins are revealed.

Additional Selections will be added or changes for the LTUE 42 Film Festival may be made as needed.