FirstGlance Film Festival, Philadelphia’s Independent Film Festival since 1996, is holding its 22nd annual indie film fest, Friday, November 1st through Sunday, November 3rd at the Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Included in 2019’s selections are films with Philadelphia-area natives in-front-of and behind-the-cameras:
Bill Crossland – Catching Up – Bill Crossland is a writer, director, and actor. He studied film at Temple University, where he wrote and directed several short films and worked as an editor on independent productions including the Neil Patrick Harris comedy The Best and the Brightest. In 2013, he wrote, directed, and starred in Catching Up, a short film based on his semi-autobiographical screenplay about a physically disabled man who falls in love with an able-bodied woman. The short was a FirstGlance 17 selection and 2016 Sundance Film Festival selection. The feature-length version of Catching Up screens at FirstGlance 22.
Brooke Lewis – ½ New Year –Brooke Lewis is an award-winning actress who has appeared in many different genres, but is most known for the mystery, thriller iMurders, mobster movie Sinatra Club and her comedic mobster Vampire “alter-ego” character and passion project Ms. Vampy. She launched Philly Chick Pictures in 2002 to create more opportunities for herself as an actress. She stars as Pam DeLuca in ½ New Year, an ensemble dramedy, about a group of friends who celebrate 6 months into a year with a big party. The Writer/Producer/Lead Actor in the film is Drew McAnany, who is also a Philly native. He wrote the part specifically for Brooke Lewis, so that the two of them could play South Philly Italian siblings living in LA.
Phillip G. Carroll Jr. – The Honeymoon Phase – Phillip G. Carroll Jr. is a filmmaker from Southampton, PA and founding partner of Aspire Motion Pictures. He studied Film & Media Arts at Temple University where his short film, Words of Atonement, won Best Undergraduate Film during his freshman year. The pitch for his first feature film, The Honeymoon Phase, which is screening at FirstGlance, was a top five finalist in 2017’s Project Greenlight and Shudder TV REEL HORROR contest. As a result, Phillip was chosen to be a fellow in the 2017 Shudder Labs, hosted by AMC Networks.
Chad L. Scheifele – Simple Things – Chad L. Scheifele is a writer, director, and producer from rural Pennsylvania. He attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where his thesis short film, Natural Selection, won “Best Picture” out of the entire graduating class. His film, Simple Things, is about an anxiety-stricken artist whose self-defeating thoughts have left him in a dark and dangerous state-of-mind and how his all-time low point is interrupted by a mysterious stranger who shows up at his door.
Gordon Shoemaker – Fire Girl – Director/Writer Gordon Shoemaker is from Malvern, PA. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2014 and currently lives in New York City. His music video, Fire Girl, explores sexual power dynamics, the coveting of bodily perfection, and the need to build a healthier masculinity.
Nick Murphy – Honest Opinions – A graduate from the Film/Digital Video program at The University of the Arts, Nick Murphy is the co-host and producer of the web show ‘Continue?,’ which has over 220,000 subscribers and over 40 million views, and the video producer for the Preston and Steve Show on 93.3 WMMR, the #1 radio show in Philadelphia. Nick’s film, To Save Christmas, won Best Short at the 2016 FirstGlance Film Fest and this year, his music video Honest Opinions for Pete Hill from his album, Anyhow, screens at the festival.
Jeffrey Wallin – APEX: The Appalachian Experience– Jeffery Wallin is a filmmaker, animator, and painter from Southeastern PA. After receiving degrees in Fine Art and English from Saint Joseph’s University and a certification in Character Animation from Animation Mentor, Jeffrey has been pursuing the arts through multiple avenues. His short documentary, APEX: The Appalachian Experience, removes the lens of our own worldview and explores the complexities of the Appalachian region through the voices and stories of its people.
David Vincent Bobb – Right Before Your Eyes – Lebanon, PA’s David Vincent Bobb makes his directorial debut with the feature, Right Before Your Eyes. He also produced and wrote the story which is inspired by actual events in his life; a recovering addict and alcoholic on an epic journey home to reunite with his Autistic son he has not seen since birth. The film shows the power of hope, faith and prayer.
Tickets are on sale now at http://firstglancefilms.com/tickets/.