Blissfest333
Multimedia Cultural Arts Festival



FREE Colorado Christian
Short Film Festival
2023 Official Selection Films



November 3rd & 4th

Glory of God Lutheran Church


schedule

Necessity



Two American soldiers held as prisoners in Viet Nam bring their own secret weapons for survival. A tap code and a good memory awaken fresh hope in the captives.


Director Biography - Cynthia J Harford wrote, directed, and produced the television documentary "Ruby: God's Workmanship" Wrote, directed, and produced the movie shorts "Black Buffalo Goes to Camp," "Saving Christmas," and "The Mission" Executive producer of the movie short "Mitosis" Executive producer of the feature film "A Life Worth Living" 1st AD on the feature film "Christmas Grace."



The Power of Christ



Following on the heels of their award-winning claymation micro-short film, Veteran Film Productions recounts Jesus Christ’s battles with satanic forces on earth as told by the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

"It has awesome animation and a great message!" - Christian Film Festival - Best Animation - Christian Film Festival, Animation/Cartoon (2022) - Best Narrator (Bobby Lax) - Christian Film Festival, Animation/Cartoon


Director Biography - Nate Carroll, founder of Nate Carroll Films, has had his films shown across over 70 international film festivals, local broadcast television stations, and distributed via Amazon Prime in US/UK and Germany regions. All of which sports a different genre ranging from claymation to sci-fi and horror-comedy.


Director Statement There has always been something magical about the genre of claymation films. Unlike computer-based or even hand-drawn animation, clay’s tactile form draws in an audience’s imagination as its physicality and dimension brings the story-world alive! For me, “The Power Of Christ” was an artistic improvement on many levels. Sculpting, set design and costume sewing aside, this film became my chance to really experiment with bold colors having been inspired by the works of Vittorio Storaro. It was also a personal escape from the recent quarantine lock-downs and an opportunity to create something positive during a negative time.



Reach Out



Break the silence. Encourage hope. Reach out. One text can change a life. Be aware of those around you, look for signs of depression, and reach out.



Still



A skeptic man ventures into the desert to photograph Damascus Arch for his terminally ill girlfriend who waits for her heart transplant.


Director Biography - Steven Bartholomew is an award-winning storyteller, and dedicated educator. His passion for storytelling began in Jr. High with spontaneous vlogs, and was honed by Mr. Boss' mentorship at Springville High. After DPing and editing a 48 hr competition film about homeless people Steven was touched by the power of storytelling and felt it was his calling. Steven began attending BYU where he worked as a camera operator at BYUtv and where Jeff Parkin made a deep impact on Steven’s grasp of directing with nuance and visual intentionality. Steven aspires to tell stories that help us understand the divine, destigmatize mental illness, and explore themes of loneliness. He hopes to continue directing, and help others tell their stories.



Colorado Cares



The year is 2012 and the state of Colorado has erupted in multiple wildfires at the same time. Two friends begin a race against time to support their community in need through a musical fundraising event.


Directed by Kareem Kamahl Taylor



Where Hope Lives



In a remarkable turn of events, a Colorado grandmother embarked on a journey that would forever change her life and the lives of countless others. Filled with a deep desire to make a difference in the world, she fervently prayed for divine intervention. Little did she know that her prayers would lead her to the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda. Arriving in Kigali, she initially set out with the intention of offering financial support to a local children's charity. However, her altruistic intentions were met with disappointment as she witnessed firsthand the wastage of donations and the squandering of efforts by well-meaning individuals. Determined to bring about a true and lasting impact, she resolved to take matters into her own hands. With unwavering determination, she founded Hope Haven Rwanda, a beacon of hope in a community that had long been neglected. This visionary woman established an African school that not only provided education but aimed to produce scholars of the highest order. In an astonishing feat, the school quickly outpaced some of the best educational institutions in the world, surpassing all expectations. In this incredible follow-up, we see Hope Haven has added a full high school!
Director Biography - Stephanie Riggs is an award-winning broadcast journalist who has garnered dozens of awards and accolades including ten Emmys, two Edward R Murrow awards, five Telly awards, four Gracie Allen awards and a Gabriel award for a faith-based documentary. In her 20-plus years of broadcasting Riggs served as a primary TV news anchor in Denver, a correspondent for CBS news, a contributor for CBS Sunday Morning and a correspondent for CBN/700 Club. Most notably, Riggs recalls her report on a hate crime in Denver, where an African immigrant was gunned down by self-proclaimed white supremacists. Her story told of Omar Dia’s dashed dream to send money back to his village to improve the lives of his family and neighbors. Following her reports, hundreds of thousands of dollars began pouring into the African village allowing citizens to build a water system among many other improvements. Subsequently a non-profit group was established in Dia’s name and is still active today honoring his dream.
Director Statement "My goal has always been to use my influence to speak up for others to give a voice to those who may otherwise be ignored."


Hello, It's Me



“Hello, It’s Me” follows Simon, a hardworking, kind young man in his 20’s, living paycheck to paycheck and struggling with the pressures of adult life. After being fired from his job for helping an old friend, Simon returns home and is overwhelmed by a large pile of overdue bills. He reaches for his gun and contemplates taking his life. He is halted however when he spots a mysterious letter containing a surprising message from an even more surprising source. Will it be enough to convince Simon that the best is yet to come?


Director Biography - Casey Schaffer is an award winning filmmaker from Colorado, attending DeSales University in Pennsylvania. He has worked on many different student projects in various roles and is now stepping into the director’s chair to create his own.



Candlelight



A non-verbal short film that explores the issue of anxiety in everyday life—discovering the confidence and peace that comes from turning to God. Where do you turn when facing anxiety? Look for a light in the darkness


Director Biography - James Meyer began his career in Chicago as an Art Director in advertising with Leo Burnett, writing and directing TV commercials for Kellogg’s, Heinz and Wendy’s. Sara Meyer began her career in musical theater as a singer/dancer and on camera as an actress/model in Chicago. Over the past 30 years, they've traveled to more than 75 countries, making documentaries and short films honoring the people in those colorfully rich places. Together in 2006, James and his wife Sara founded GemStone Media based in southern Germany.



Heaven's Gap



When his beautiful young wife Lita disappears, Tyler Jefferson musters the courage and the faith to wait for her...and wait for her...and wait for her. Fifty years later, his dedication may be answered when she mysteriously returns without having aged a single day.


Director Biography - Robert Berg

"Heaven's Gap" is Robert Berg's 7th foray into narrative filmmaking, and perhaps his most spiritually uplifting piece. Berg's earlier shorts (and one feature) have been sci-fi, horror, and thrillers. Berg started working in the motion picture industry in 1987 as a 2nd AD on the film "Lone Wolf". He has exclusively produced his own stories on film since 2003.



Love Grows Here



Love Grows Here is a dad's open letter to his young daughter


Director Biography - Matthew Krekeler is the proud father of three daughters, Caley, Nora, and Maggie. He and his wife, Becca, have been happily married for over 7 years, and are journeying through the challenges and many joys of raising their family, while both working full time. Becca has a Masters in Social Work, along with her LCSW, and she works with survivors who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. Matthew went to Film School in Santa Fe, and has been working in video production for over 10 years. He knows and loves all aspects of filmmaking, but his main focus has been in post production. He is currently Post Production Manager for Augustine Institute Studios, where he has been for over 7 years. In that time, the production studio has won 20 "Telly Awards". Hobbies include board games, hockey, and juggling. But his greatest love is being a dad.


Director Statement Be Brave. Be Kind. -Dad.



True North



When John discovers that his dad is bailing on a backpacking trip they have planned for months, his emotions lead him astray and test his survival skills.


Director Biography - Benjamin Hunte has been fascinated by movies since his parents let him watch "Star Wars" as a kid. He enjoyed making home movies with good friends, but he never thought they would turn into anything. That all changed when God gave him the vision for a "Christian production company" in Colorado. Ben was both ecstatic and terrified by the idea of making feature films, but God has led him every step of the way.



BELIEVE



A young man who has been through difficult times in life since he was a kid. Years later he loses his job, after searching for an open position al over his city in New Jersey, he finds himself at a Christian book store. Wanting to buy a book called "The Prayer Of Jabez" but he didn't have enough money. Somehow he runs into a stranger older man, who through a simple game bring back his sense of hope and faith.


Director Biography - Edward Monger was born in Grecia, Costa Rica in October 1975. From a young age, he had a love and passion for filmmaking and storytelling. But due to growing up in a household facing financial strains, he was unable to pursue his dream. After some time, Edward moved to the U.S. and served in the military from 2010 to 2014 during that time he did a tour to Afghanistan. In 2013 he was critically injured during Airborne Operations leaving him physically disable to work as a paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division without options but medically retired. After leaving the military he joined college in 2015 at The Aviation Institute to receive a certificate in Engineering, Aviation, and Propulsion Systems but due to his wounds and health issues, he couldn't perform this job. It was at that time when he was finally able to pursue his original love of filmmaking. He worked on several documentaries for national television including Travel Channel and Amazon Prime doing camera work from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, Edward became the founder and CEO of Triangle Entertainment Group in the state of Pennsylvania, a business that opened doors for him as a filmmaker and editor. In 2021 he joined the New York Film Academy in New York City intending to learn more, expand his network and pursue a formal study in filmmaking as well as acquire a certificate as a film director. In 2023 he moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where he now resides working as a film director for both low and high-budget projects. In August 2022, he released his most recent short film “Believe”, a film detailing a real, life-changing event he had through a couple of platforms and film festivals, with the mission of sharing his ideas and experiences through film.


Director Statement Making this movie goes beyond a dream that I had for more than 24 years. The real reason is to remind humanity that no matter what problems life brings us, there will always be ways to overcome the fears that the past took away from us. God continues to show his compassionate, loving and mercy and is ready to rescue us when we finally accept him into our lives.



He Who Tends The Garden



A man wrestles with the reality of existence in the last moments of his life.


Directed by Ben Jenkins



Believe



While many people reject God and Christianity, a young Girl named Sofia finds her believe trough a little cross.


Director Biography - Gabriiel Da Silva

I am a swiss/brazilian filmmaker and actor, currently living in switzerland. I started in 2009 as an actor, studied acting and became in 2015 a filmmaker. Until now, I made twelve shortfilms and one feature. I was born in Zurich, switzerland, and lived for 5 years in brazil.



One Way



Director Biography - Lewis Leslie is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He made his directorial debut with "Killer Ink", the hard-hitting grindhouse film about a tattoo artist who moonlights as a serial killer. The film features iconic actor Peter (Chewbacca) Mayhew. Lewis wrote and directed the feature films "Strange Company", "Battered", and "Sinners, Inc.". He has also directed Emmy award-winner Bill Oberst Jr, and Emmy-nominated T.O.N.E-z. He continues to produce original films like the new shorts "Mental", "Deuces", "Guy", and the faith-based film "One Way" with his company Dream Hero Productions.



Yaso



In the late Cho-Seon Dynasty 1800’s.Jaewoo falls from a horse and becomes paralyzed from the bottom of his neck. All of sudden, lying in the room and just staring at the wall were all he could do. One day, he household servant kid receives a Bible from a stranger. The Bible was spread to people in the late Cho-Seon Dynasty The Kid gives the bible to Hae-Il(the butler), telling him it is the book of healing and life. He covers the room with the Bible pages. Jae-woo sees the Bible wallpaper in his room and comes to know “Jesus” and hopers for a miracle in his life.


Director Biography - Yunjin Oh

I was born in 1978 in South Korea. I majored in Contemporary Art. Worked as an art director. I started making movies after I turned 40. Although I have just started filming, my passion for film is high. I won the 2017 Korean Christian Film Festival award for my film "Flowers bloom on her".



The Next to Last Supper



A husband has his faith tested when he and his wife join her bitter, terminally-ill father for lunch.


Directed by John Kestner



The True Summit



This 30-minute documentary follows 14 men and mountaineer Kevin DeVries on a trek to EVEREST BASE CAMP as he prepares to climb in the region after a cardiac arrest. More than a hike in the Himalayas, THE TRUE SUMMIT calls men to the inward journey and the inescapable reality that the change we seek can only be found in a Christ-centered community.


Director Biography - Corban Robbe is a photographer and director from Lansing, Michigan. He works with non-profits to help clarify and amplify their message through the visual arts. His direction, cinematography, and editing work for The True Summit is his first documentary short.



A Time for Love: Something Beautiful



After a desperate call from his daughter about her mom pushed to the limits of depression, a pastor rushes home to his wife's aid. He changes his podcast message to the subject of depression, balancing the topic of medicine and faith. Something Beautiful is a stand-alone short film. However, it is part of the series, A Time For Love. This film will ignite and inspire the world we are in to live passionately and with gratitude. Something Beautiful hits home on many levels concerning depression and its effects on its victim and their family members. When faced with conflict, a pastor, his wife, and his daughter bring calm, understanding, and light to a dark situation. With self-awareness and self-forgiveness, this story sheds insight and light into God's love and understanding in the lives of millions who face this debilitating battle of depression. This message is filled with hope, victory, overcoming faith, and the battle cry of help in mental health. After all, "It's all about love, isn't it?"
Director Biography - Dennis O'Neill is an award-winning writer, producer, and director. His first project, Bail Out, earned him more than thirty statuette awards. Dennis wrote, produced, and directed his first project in 2009, the TV show Bail Out, in which he also has an acting role. He has professionally directed in his film projects a list of actors, such as Terry Kiser (Weekend at Bernie's), Nellie Sciutto (Shudder Island), Jim Blumetti (In Plain Sight), Marshall Teague (Armaggedon), and Joe D'Onofrio (A Bronx Tale). All have worked with great directors in their fields.Dennis has been teaching acting since 1995, opening his private acting school in 1999 with the dream of opening doors for actors, writing, producing, directing, and creating his productions. He has succeeded in reaching his goal with his students as part of his ensemble cast in everything he creates.

"The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." – Vince Lombardi

Directors Statement – Depression is an invisible disease we must take the time to understand it, listen to those suffering, and support them. Our goal is to create an honest, empathetic film to help spark a conversation about this critical issue.


For the Love of Art



Art, a middle-aged, hack filmmaker, is desperate for a hit film. When he hears that faith-based films are a best-selling genre, he sets out to make one in a very funny, yet finally, touching manner.


Director - Jon Meyer



Repurposed



A homeless veteran, burdened by hopeless despair, discovers unexpected hope through an insignificant pine cone. Director


Biography - Hannah Rey

At just 17 years old, this is Hannah's directorial debut. She started in acting at a very young age in theater. When she realized she loved film, she dedicated her studies to film acting. In those 7 years of film acting classes, she learned many methods, including the Meisner technique. These classes prepared her for being part of this project.



The Ask



Four life-long friends have a unique way to play poker. Instead of the take, they created the ask. Whoever wins the game at the end of the night wins a favor from the other players. Eli, one of the players, contracts a deadly disease, but before he dies, he is given one last ask. The story follows David Berk and his two friends as they attempt to honor their promises to Eli.


Director Biography - Brian Ellison runs Nashville-based Tekmerion Productions, where he has helmed a wide variety of diverse projects for a quality client base. All the while, he's had his eye on telling narrative stories. His deep experience equips him to step into the dramatic realm with a strong foundation of production know-how.



My father's house



A pastor comes to terms with faith and failure as he witnesses the transformation of his house of worship into a home for the downtrodden.


Director Biography - Rob Shearer is a filmmaker based out of Denver, Colorado. His work ranges from narrative and documentary projects, to corporate videos and commercials. He has made work for clients like Barefoot Wine, Weber Grills, Gogo Business Aviation, The American Pavilion, Einstein Bros Bagels, and Rocky Mountain PBS, to name a few. His work has been screened at the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, the Denver Film Festival, and the Big Bear Lake Film Festival. His documentary series “Denizen” is shown regularly on Colorado PBS. He is currently President of the Colorado Film And Video Association, Colorado's oldest and largest film and video organization.



CommUNITY. Creativity. Bliss...