MIFF 2015 is coming up Oct. 23-24 at Premiere Theaters Oaks Stadium 10 in Melbourne, with special guests including Don the Dragon Wilson, actor and kickboxing world champion; film producer James E. Wilson; and writer/director Michael Baumgarten. And don’t forget the local premiere of “The Martial Arts Kid” and the Dynamic Duos, pairing original films and soundtracks performed by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Aaron Collins.
The Oaks is a wonderful place to hold the festival.
Here’s the detailed schedule with show times and ticket links. Choose “MIFFALL” under any of the ticket links to get the all-access pass for $65 (the smaller fee displayed is for each individual event). This MIFF VIP pass gets you into all the movies, events and parties for the entire weekend. You may also be interested in the MIFF Culinary Arts/Foodie Package; $35 includes the Toojay’s event (TOOJAY’S EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT), “Deli Man,” “Real Food Real Kitchens” and reception, or for $25 enjoy just Friday’s “Deli Man,” “Real Food Real Kitchens” and reception.
MIFF 2015 schedule
All films are R-Rated equivalent except “Real Foods, Real Kitchens”
Buy tickets: $65 for all-access pass (choose MIFFALL)
Thursday, Oct. 22
6-7:30 pm Special Event: Deli tour – TOOJAY’S EVENT SOLD OUT
Buy tickets as part of Foodie package: $35
We have a special engagement of the documentary film “Deli Man,” and we want you to immerse yourself in food culture. Thanks to the great people at TooJay’s in the Melbourne Mall, you can take a field trip to TooJay’s to learn all about the food of traditional Jewish delicatessens. Get a taste of it all: pastrami, corned beef hash matzo ball soup, and more! The Culinary Arts/Foodie package includes the Toojay’s event and Friday’s “Deli Man,” “Real Food Real Kitchens” and reception. TOOJAY’S TOUR IS SOLD OUT – see Culinary Arts program under Friday’s events
Friday, Oct. 23
2-4 p.m. “Matinee Magic” program
Buy tickets: $5
With emcee Bob Lizek.
Casitas directed by Javier Marco. Carlos and Marta, both 35 years old, are living the life they’ve always dreamed of…a house with a yard, a dog, and they’re even about to have a child – but there’s no such thing as a perfect life. 9:00
Presumed Dead directed by Ray and Migdalia Etheridge. A wealthy businessman is dead, and everyone wants a piece of the action. 15:00
Jaden’s Journey directed by Sue Dontell. The story of a young orphaned boy who melts the heart of a lonely and distraught woman who eventually adopts him. 17:54
The Anniversary directed by Phil Lister. This is one anniversary Helen will never forget! 29:33
The Yeshua Answer directed by Eric Emerick. After meeting a mysterious self proclaimed messiah, a young homeless girl must learn to trust and forgive, or miss the chance to find her father and escape the dangerous street life. 23:09
La Propina directed by Esteban Crespo. Life is incredible! The encounter between a bygone movie star and a flower delivery boy turns into a fable with unexpected endings. 10:00
Nick Lazer — Freelance directed by Archie Delapaz. Nick Lazer, a beer-drinking, cigar-smoking, babe-chasing bounty hunter and a man for hire, gets a piece of technology that leads to a lot of trouble. 4:16
4-7 p.m. Culinary Arts
Buy tickets: $25
Deli Man directed by Erik Greenberg. Anjou Jewish culture reflects the heart of a vital ethnic history. As that culture continues to shift and adapt alongside mainstream America, delicatessen food – as its name suggests – remains a beloved communal delicacy. 91:00
Real Food Real Kitchens and reception produced by Craig Chapman. The series about family, food, culture and history will open the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival for the fourth year in a row. Each show tells the story of a dish and the family and culture that bring it to life. Two new episodes: The Gast family share traditional family recipes for triggerfish chowder and strawberry shortcake, and Vonda shares a secret family recipe for the best red velvet cake you have ever had!
7 p.m. Comedy Program
Buy tickets: $10
Hosted by the Not Quite Right Comedy Improv Troupe.
Preview: In Between Days directed by Robert Caso. A famous novelist becomes obsessed with finding the teenage love of his life: his first car.
Monday’s Mona Lisa: Katy Perry directed by Gerard Lima. When Austin Forcier, the lead singer of Monday’s Mona Lisa, accidentally hits himself in the head with a hammer, he wakes up in some of Katy Perry’s most memorable videos; Katy Perry is played by Wyatt Kassin. 3:28
Tech Squad directed by T.L. Westgate. When the Department of Homeland Security needed a new task force to fight mode
rn day crime, they paired one hero cop with one tech savvy cop to form — TechSquad. 8:31
Breakfast in Bed directed by Russell Sanders. What if your greatest fantasy became your greatest fear? 10:36
Batman’s Interrogation directed by Joey Harrison. The Dark Knight has lost his teddy bear, Mr. Stuffykins, and he will do whatever it takes to get him back. 4:25
Working Vacation directed by Soreyrith Um. A superhero goes on vacation with his family, only to discover that his archenemy is vacationing in the house behind them. 12:45
The Babysitter directed by Harrison Carr. Two very unqualified friends have to babysit for the first time. 4:22
Shooters and Looters directed by Paul Ramsdell. Jack and his gang of captured, misfit thieves go head-to-exploding-head when their arch rival, the crazy Kim lady, comes back into town with lots of guns, blood, and F-bombs in this balls to the wall action comedy. 6:49
5 Minutes of Comedy with Lear Bunda, directed by Lear Bunda. Puppets, pizza, burritos, bones and bunkbeds! 5:00
Losers directed by Carlos del Rosario. A geek comedy, which features laser sword battles and zombies! 22:11
9 p.m. “Fright Night Friday” Horror Program
Buy tickets: $10
With emcees Jeff Hall, Bob Lizek and Pat Martin.
Turkey directed by Rob Silcox. Revenge is a dish best served burnt. 2:30
Kevin directed by Ashay Javadekar. “Dad!” he woke me up at 2 am. He was scared, and had a surprise for me. 4:00
The Bloody Jug Band: Beautiful Corpse directed by Steven Shea. A meek mortuary make-up artist soon discovers that death doesn’t have to stand in the way of love. 4:00
Bubba the Redneck Werewolf directed by Brendan Jackson Rogers. Satan opens franchises of Hell on Earth and begins his campaign of terror in a rural Florida town. His defeat hinges on the efforts of a beer-swilling, cigar-smoking Redneck Werewolf, his hot girlfriend, and his goofball friends. 80:00
Nocturne Boy directed by Mikhail Howell. A teacher’s life and career fall apart after a student uploads a video of her that goes viral. 23:47
9 p.m.-midnight after-party sponsored by Hemingway’s
Saturday, Oct. 24
9 a.m. Florida Filmmakers Matinee
Includes Meet the Filmmakers Roundtable at noon
Buy tickets: $10
(Film order subject to change)
With emcees Jeff Hall, Bob Lizek and Pat Martin.
The Letter directed by Arwen Patterson. 10:00
Chronicles of a Writer directed by Gus Williams. An examination of the life and work of Augusta Williams Jr. through the eyes of his friends and family. 3:02
Papa Don’t Dance directed by Luis Jordan Lorenzo. An old man runs into his grandson’s friend at a convenience store and catches up. 2:59
Dark Vortex directed by Ian Bertel. Once you’re inside, there’s no way out! 1:00
M-Theory directed by TL Westgate In the near future, two scientists use m-theory to create a scientific breakthrough allowing matter to teleport instantly across the world. But their first short-range test leads to disastrous results and only a lone messenger can help them avoid destroying the world. 15:05
Lift directed by Amaris L’Hereaux. Going up? 1:04
Lean directed by Kevin James O’Neill. An old man looks back on his life and the traumatic event that changed it. 7:25
Second Hand directed by JoAnn Johnson. It will take your breath away. 3:00
The Deepest Cut directed by Dale Metz. Two teenage girls explore what has become of their relationship when a unique predicament causes them to question their actions and loyalty in this dramatic and touching drama. 13:51
Max directed by Rajesh Naroth. Some decisions are tough. A very thoughtful and challenging day in the life of Annette Davis. 6:00
Chemistry directed by Mike Roy. How do you know when it’s meant to be? 14:43
Story Musgrave trailer directed by Sue Dontell. What man whose simple life began as a child of a dysfunctional family on a dairy farm dared to dream he could conquer space . . . not once, but six times? 3:20
Horse Sense directed by Makayla Wheeler. It doesn’t take long for one free-spirited cowgirl to notice the handsome new stable hand, who just moved into town from out west. But after some humorous barn mishaps, the two are going to need “a nudge.” Sympathetic to the cause, a couple of barn residents devise a plan. 8:38
Exposed! directed by Darren Houle. Experimental test pilot Paul Foster is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, shot down, detained and interrogated, and no one will believe his fantastic story. His fate seems sealed until he’s made an offer he can’t refuse. 10:12
Fur Real directed by Nicole Machon. Just like you, only fuzzier. 6:26
Party Foul direc
ted Virginia Anzengruber. When a party gets raided by the police, David — trying to restart his life after prison — finds an unlikely ally in the form of a quick-thinking high school Junior named Jenna. 10:54
Until Tomorrow directed by Michelle Brown. A man-made virus mutates and kills most of the world’s population. As survivors are gathered and tested at government processing centers, one boy tests positive. How far will a family go to protect their child? 17:36
Amerigo directed by Todd Thompson. A true story. 19:30
Noon-1 p.m. Meet the Filmmakers Roundtable Q&A
A chance for the audience to interact with the filmmakers themselves.
Included in Florida Filmmakers Matinee ticket
1-3 p.m. Invitational Lunch sponsored by Hemingway’s
3-5 p.m. Dynamic Duos
Aaron Collins
Buy tickets: $25
Film and music program featuring a live performance by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra with conductor Aaron Collins and a Q&A after the show!
“Lest We Forget” In our hearts forever. Filmmaker JoAnn Johnson, Composer John Ryther
“Moving On” A Husband learns to love again after the unexpected death of his wife. Filmmaker Paulette King, Composer Ferne Tudor Franz
“Sunrise on Another World” Witness a beautiful sunrise on another planet light years away. Filmmaker Phil Lister, Composer Josh Hobbs
“Dragon Child” A young lady discovers that she has a special power when faced with a certain fate. Filmmaker Dale Metz, Composer Adam Lydon
“Writer’s Block” Inspiration is everywhere. Filmmaker Robby Sparks, Composer Matthew Nunes
“In A Moment” What happens when two lives intersect? Filmmaker Daphne Stacey, Composer R. Michael Daugherty
6 p.m. Red Carpet Welcome
Featuring the filmmakers and the stars of “The Martial Arts Kid” and a special demonstration with The Harbor City Judo and Jui-Jitsu Dojo
7 p.m.VIP Screening
Buy tickets: $20
The Martial Arts Kid directed by Michael Baumgarten
Robbie Oakes (Jansen Panettiere), an Ohio teen with an attitude, moves in with his Aunt (Cynthia Rothrock) and Uncle (Don “The Dragon” Wilson) in sunny Florida. Robbie soon meets Rina (Kathryn Newton), but her boyfriend, Bo, the town bully (Matthew Ziff), beats Robbie down just for talking to his girl. In this beachside town, Bo and his tough friends run things their way, and Robbie must learn martial arts if he hopes to stand up to the bullies. Director Michael Baumgarten named the lead teen character Robbie Oakes, in honor of the late Rob Kurrus, the co-owner of the Premiere Oaks Theatre in Melbourne, Florida. Rob’s multiplex theater hosts the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival, and Michael screened several of his previous movies there over the years. “Robbie” is dedicated to Rob’s memory. “Bullies Beware!”
8:45 p.m. VIP After-Party
Buy tickets: $20
The VIP After-Party will be held upstairs at Premiere Theaters, catered by The Courtyard at the Oaks. Entertainment by recording artists Robin & Eddy.
Remember, choose MIFFALL when you buy tickets to get the best deal – this fabulous party plus all the other programming in a $65 all-access pass!
Special thanks to Craig Chapman, Chris Kridler, Stephanie Hill, Jim Murrish, Gary Scott Beatty, L.J. Burr, Peter Woods, Gabe Russo and Bill Williams of A Cut Above Video.