Welcome to the 6th edition of the Yucca Valley Film Festival.
All events and screenings are ADMISSION FREE, at the Yucca Valley Community Center, 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.
All pictures and videos from previous years are on FACEBOOK.
VENUE
All events and screenings are ADMISSION FREE, at the Yucca Valley Community Center, 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.
Free parking can be found all around the Community Center:
- #1 is at Town Hall, 57090 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
- #2 at the Senior Center 57088 29 Palms Hwy
- #3 in front of the Museum, 57090 29 Palms Hwy
- #4 behind the Community Center, 57090 29 Palms Hwy
- #5 across the street in the Grocery Outlet’s parking, 57200 29 Palms Hwy.
Download the Parking & Access MAP HERE. More directions HERE.
This year’s QnAs and discussions with filmmakers will be moderated by Chloe Malaise.
The Masterclass and state of Hollywood will be moderated by festival Director Matt Beurois.
You are invited to ask your questiosn to the talents after every screening and during every event.
DAY 1 | Friday Nov 8, 2024
Film order is indicative. Program subject to change.
5pm: Filmmakers, grab your badge | Welcome Table > Meet fellow filmmakers | Green Room (Joshua Tree Room)
5:30pm: Red Carpet with official photographer | Dress code chic or casual chic
6pm: Meet & Greet with the SuperNova All Star Cheers | Cholla Room
6:30pm: Kick-off performance by the SuperNova All Star Cheers | Main Room (Yucca Room)
6:45pm: Mayor’s welcome | Main Room (Yucca Room)
7pm: Presentation of the opening films by filmmakers | Main Room (Yucca Room)
7:05pm: Screening | Main Room (Yucca Room)
8:30pm-ish: QnA with filmmakers > Group picture | Main Room (Yucca Room)
8:55pm-ish: Picture signing with opening filmmakers | Main Room (Yucca Room)
The Adobe Collective – Blind
Music Videos directed by JD Rudometkin
🌵 Local talent
Singer/songwriter Tim Chinnock plays the lead role of a character who has lost his way and seeks resolution as he pursues reconciliation with band member Ellen Chinnock as she seeks refuge in a small desert shell of a cabin.
The Bag
Short film directed by John Patrick Aguirre
🙋♂️ Returning filmmaker
Nelson and Bishop deliver a bag of unknown contents to a remote and suspicious location.
Dawn
Short Film directed by Cody Hall, Christian Ruvalcaba
🌵 Filmed in the Hi-Desert
In an effort to escape her problems at home, Amy heads out to the desert for an isolated vacation. There isn’t much time to relax, however, as she soon finds herself alone at night being stalked by a vicious creature.
Nature, humanity & technology
Drone Film directed by Guillermo García Castell
When drone technology creates a bridge between humanity and nature, bringing us closer to the essence of our world.
Vida
Short Film directed by Maria Valdez
Los Angeles – 2053: After a bloody civil war, women of color are captured and sterilized as a form of population control. Vida and a group of resistance fighters are getting ready to escape, but one of their own is captured.
Stolen Silver
Music Video by Josh S. Rose
🙋♂️🙋♀️ Returning filmmakers
This music video features a live performance from artist Heavy Meadow in Red Rock Canyon Park. Unlike a traditional music video, the film does not to use a studio track and instead uses audio that was recorded on location.
Four Feet Away
Documentary directed by Natalie Faye
🌵 Local talent
Veteran Delissa Dawn is motivated by her own life challenges to establish a sanctuary in the Mojave Desert for abused horses and local Marines.
Frequency over time
Short Film directed by Cari Sudmeier
🌵 Filmed in the Hi-Desert
A Native American time traveling spirit guide appears to a couple during their first weekend getaway to Palm Springs. Star Eye, the spirit guide, directs the couple to have a sound bath where a curious exchange of frequencies takes place.
Jonah Kagen – Matches
Music Video directed by Zebulon Griffin
In the aftermath of his father’s passing, a man returns home to make peace with the painful memories of his past.
Mojave Lords & earthlings? – No New Normal
Documentary sneak peek, directed by Alejandro Ordonez
🌵 Local talent
Mojave Lords and earthlings? – Underground musical bands from the California high desert embark on their first 2-day weekend concert after COVID shutdowns for live entertainment.
DAY 2 | Saturday Nov 9, 2024
9:15am: Filmmakers Lounge opens > Complimentary coffee | Green Room (Joshua Tree Room)
9:30am: Screening | Presentation > Screening > QnA > Group Picture > Picture Signing | Room TBC
I Am Who I Am
Short Film directed by Caleb Townsend
🌵 Filmed in the Hi-Desert
A woman travels to the Mojave High Desert to convince her demented father to move into assisted living. When her father goes missing in the dead of night, she and her paranormally-inclined husband will follow whatever clues they can find…
Memories of 2023
Drone Film, directed by Guillermo García Castell
In a world marked by routine and day-to-day life, let’s press pause and enjoy the moment.
Michelle
Short Film directed by Brian Wallace
🙋♂️ Returning filmmaker
Amid the lonely Joshua trees of California, a photographer stumbles upon a mysterious stranger. Each encounter reveals fragments of a tragic secret, and the only clue is an abandoned payphone that seems to blur the line between reality and the supernatural.
Koroneburg
Documentary, directed by Jake Villadolid
🌵 Filmed in SoCal
While exploring the magical worlds found at Koroneburg Recreational Park, host Janey Hann finds herself on a journey of discovery and personal growth.
Drain
Dance Film directed by Shannon Morzov, choreography by Jessie Ryan
A meditation in movement on the strained limitations of the California landscape.
I’m Sending Help Now
Short Film, directed by John Redlinger
🙋♂️ Returning filmmaker
When a recent retiree can’t remember the safe word after accidentally setting off his home security alarm, the situation is made worse by his frantic golden retriever and an overzealous alarm company dispatcher.
Not Just An Influencer
Reality documentary directed by Beau Martino
In an effort to show that he is not just a run-of-the-mill influencer, Beau Martino sets off to the Cirque of the Unclimbables to prove himself as a climber.
Death Pays Flora a Visit
Short Film, directed by Tanna Frederick
🙋♂️ Returning scriptwriter
In this both dark and uplifting comedic short film, Death (Eric Roberts) pays an unsuspecting Flora (Mimi Kennedy) a visit telling her it’s her time. However Flora doesn’t want to go. There’s still so much she needs to do.
Filmmakers’ lunch is not catered today.
1pm: KIDS PROGRAM | Screening | | Main Room (Yucca Room)
My Turn!
2D, directed by Isabelle Maria Tumboimbela, Daisha Lin Sherman
One sunny morning in Jakarta, Indonesia, Beth and her younger sister Liz become fierce rivals in their race to the bathroom. Beth regrets unintentionally hurting her little sister during the scuffle, and they both realize how much they care about each other.
Rock
3D, directed by Shania Zhou, Julia Edwards
Deep in the forest, a witch searches for her lost frog. She trips and falls, sending a rogue magic blast to a little rock. Gasping for air, Rock has become “alive”. Seeing her distress, Frog offers to be Rock’s first friend. They will both become allies to try and escape the Witch.
Core
3D, directed by Yu HsiangChen
Nainai’s Recipe
2D, directed by Daya Lee
After a turbulent day at the restaurant leaves Nainai in tears, her grandson Sho decides to step up to save the dumpling shop.
Monster
Stop-motion, directed by Piers Goffart, Eric Giessmann
A monster, desperate to fit in among humans, hides behind a human disguise but is forced to confront the truth about himself when a visit to an indoor pool leads to a dramatic unravelling of his identity.
Scales
2D, directed by Arlo Belconger, Alyssa Peterson
In ancient China, a homely mountain pangolin is mistaken for a warrior and must defend a village from bloodthirsty invaders.
Panic Party
2D, directed by Katie Schneider
Sarah has a stressful experience in the bathroom at a work party.
Drop
2D, directed by Claudio Quattrone
A rain droplet scared of having to fall from the clouds, will be able to find the courage to face the void and get to know itself.
Trojan Horace in “Fishin’ Chumps”
2D, directed by Scott Graham
🙋♂️ Returning filmmaker
A trojan guard has his relaxing fishing excursion interrupted by an unexpected development.
Chain
3D, directed by Ling Han
This is the story of the mantis catching the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
A tale of mother nature.
The Talented Justa Smurf
3D, directed by William Renaud
🎉 YVFF exclusive
Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Clumsy and all our favourite Smurfs are back for an even wilder second season! Together with their friends from the girls’ village, these little blue elves are more mischievous than ever, just like their funny, endearing new companions!
2024 MASTERCLASS is with A-List Hollywood director and producer SHANE STANLEY.
2:30pm: MASTERCLASS with A-List Hollywood director and producer | Main Room (Yucca Room)
Moderated by Festival Director Matt Beurois.
4pm: Picture Signing with Masterclass speaker | Main Room (Yucca Room)
• Two-time Emmy Award Winner
• Produced the #1 Box Office hit Gridiron Gang starring Dwayne Johnson
• Director/Producer of Night Train, Hulu’s Longest Running #1 Hit
• Director/Producer of Double Threat, Netflix #1 Global Hit in 16 countries
• Best-selling author
• Eleven-time Telly Award Winner
Shane’s accolades include 2 Emmy® Awards, 11 Telly Awards, 2 CINE Golden Eagles Awards, 5 Aurora Awards, 4 WorldFest Remi Awards, and 28 International Film Festival Awards.
Shane sits on several advisory boards for film schools and art programs across the country and is a contributing columnist for Student Filmmakers Magazine and NoFilmSchool.com as well as an instructor on Stage32.com, FilmCourage.com and IndieFilmHustle.com and SXSW.
He has spoken at several prestigious film and art institutes around the country including The Screen Writers Expo, alongside Oliver Stone. He is currently in collaboration with legendary producer Mario Kassar.
Shane’s book, “What You Don’t Learn in Film School,” a best-seller earning a 4.5-star rating across the board was listed by CNN, FORBES, and BOOK AUTHORITY among the Best Filmmaking Books of All- Time, which covers filmmaking from concept to delivery. It has landed on required reading lists at several universities around the world and is endorsed by some of the most respected names in Hollywood including Producer, Neal H. Moritz, (Fast & Furious, S.W.A.T., 21 and 22 Jump Street) and Paul Williams, Oscar®, Golden Globe® and Grammy® Award Winner and Hall of Fame songwriter.
Shane will sell and sign his book after the Masterclass. Click here for more about Shane and a for look back at the YVFF Masterclass history.
4:30pm: Public Industry Panel “2024: The Current State of Hollywood” | Main Room (Yucca Room)
Moderated by Festival Director Matt Beurois.
Expert Hollywood guests include:
Heather Grace Hancock
Actress, host.
🌵 See her in DAWN, 11/08/2024
Brent Huff
Actor, director.
🌵 2022 YVFF Award Winner.
🌵 See him in DARCINE’S DAY, 11/09/2024
Shawn Huff
Producer.
The Jackie Styles Story, Chasing Beauty.
🌵 2022 YVFF Award Winner
Mike Mitchell
Actor.
🌵 See him in BIG BROTHERS, 11/09/2024
5:30pm: Red Carpet free access (no official photographer) | Dress code casual
5:30pm: Meet & Greet with our Sheriff , Captain R.Warrick and his team | Main Room (Yucca Room)
6:30pm: Screenings | Main Room (Yucca Room)
Existential Action Thriller
Documentary, directed by Stephen Funk
🌵 Local talent
A documentary about the artist Heidi Schwegler. Faced with a crisis in her art practice, Schwegler leaves for unfamiliar settings, and begins to see her surroundings in new ways.
Darcine’s Day
Short Film, directed by Aaron Goffman
🙋♂️ Returning actor
We spend one day with Darcine, divorced and jobless, as she strives to thrive and survive in the City Of Angels. She hits obstacles at every turn, and comes face to face with the L.A. housing crisis.
Tractor Beam
Music Video, directed by Stephen Burns
🙋♂️ Returning filmmaker
Big Brothers
Short Film, directed by Matt Mazany
After the death of their mother, five hefty hellraising brothers reunite to fix up the old family home and reconnect with their monster of a father.
Adventure Panama
Drone Film, directed by Mike Sember
A 9 day trip across the country of Panama proved to be an adventure of a lifetime. We hiked mountains, trekked through jungles, visited secret waterfalls, and island hopped in the Pacific.
Future West: Origin
Documentary, directed by James Tate Wilson
Future West is a documentary series, aiming to showcase and highlight western culture & arts. This Pilot Episode tells the Story of the Birth of “IRON.USA”.
Just a Gun
Short Film, directed by Gustavo Stebner
🎉 Filmed in the Hi-Desert
A stranded woman in the desert commandeers a jeep, but must outwit the driver to get to next location.
Out on a Limb
Short Film, directed by Filip Kojic
The year is 1899. Rosa May, a former madame, lives alone in a remote cabin. Her son Jonah is a reformed outlaw. After a winter away in the sunny boom town of Los Angeles, Jonah returns home with a plan to rescue his mother from her isolation and misery.
8:30pm-ish: QnA with filmmakers > Group picture | Main Room (Yucca Room)
9pm-ish: Picture signing with filmmakers | Main Room (Yucca Room)
DAY 3 | Sunday Nov 10, 2024
♦️Event reserved to participating filmmakers with a badge. Not open to the general audience.♦️
8:45am: All filmmakers meet at the Town Hall Parking, by the Kids Park & Senior Center, 57088 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. Bring layers if cold morning, a hat if it is a sunny day.
9am: The Caravan leaves at 9am sharp. You can car-share with other filmmakers. Follow Matt & Auregan’s Red Pick Up Truck.
10am: Visit of the White Horse Ranch, a full Western Town set with over 12 buildings including Saloon, Jail, Hotel Rooms, Convenience Store… Group visit with the owners/builders, then you can free-roam ^^
11am: Meet & Greet with Miss Yucca Valley Court | On location at the Ranch
11:30am: The Caravan returns to Town. Follow Matt & Auregan’s Red Pick Up Truck.
12:30pm: Complimentary Pizza for all confirmed filmmakers | Mesquite Room & Green Room
1:30pm: ROUNDTABLE with Scriptwriters & Composers > Group Picture > Picture Signing | Main Room
Official selection of script writers and movie composers:
| Camilo Aybar | The Sound of a Pandemic | composer |
| Amaury Laurent Bernier | Elli and her monster team | composer |
| Michael Blomquist | Coxswain | script writer |
| Jayden Creighton | The Matriarch | composer |
| Elizabeth Dean | Flutter | script writer |
| Julius Galacki | Limping Towards Babylon | script writer |
| Robert Mai | Samurai Blue: Afterimage | composer |
| Jackie Hovorka | Everything Beautiful (theme song for “Dear Cancer”) | composer |
| Mark Landau | The Person You Were Before | script writer |
| Jason Lor | Reunited | script writer |
| Kevin Mann | The Grey Lady | script writer |
| Damian Overton | Arlo And The Sea | composer |
| Nicole Stefani Rodriguez | Anything To Win Her Love | script writer |
| Sy Rozen | Death Pays Flora a Visit | script writer (out of competition) |
| Cathy Trope | Nice Boy | script writer |
| Christian Zezza | Emotional Control | composer |
2:30-45pm-ish: Screening > QnA > Group Picture > Picture Signing | Main Room (Yucca Room)
Eclipse City
Documentary, directed by Cameron Jutte, Antares Davis
Thousands of eccentric people from around the world flock to the small town of Madras to witness the Great American Eclipse.
Jack Attack
Short Film, directed by Ben Warhit
A down-and-out surf instructor desperately needs money to make rent and feed his dog. When one of his surf students goes missing under unusual circumstances, he immediately becomes the person of interest.
Where Angels Fear to Tread
Music Video, directed by Grant M Varner
In late 1900’s New Orleans, a man’s ailing daughter is losing her fight with an undisclosed illness. Our narrator “The Fiend”, succumbing to the injuries of a mysterious attack of his own, shows us the monsters which ravage the mind of the little girl’s father.
The Sheep Are Safely Gathered In – Step Jayne
Experimental Film, directed by JD Rudometkin
🌵 Local Talent
A man travels over a snowy mountain pass. As night falls he sees a light As he approaches, he is drawn into a surreal, dreamlike realm.
Big Choppaz
Music Video, directed by Daniel Osorio
Two hitmen are hired to retrieve a stolen briefcase and return its mystical contents to its rightful owner.
4pm: RAPID FIRE PITCH PRACTICE | Main Room (Yucca Room)
The YVFF will pair community members with filmmakers, script writers, music composers and artists.
In this one-on-one setup, each artist will have 60 seconds to pitch their new project/movie idea.
Then each community participant will have 60 seconds to give feedback or ask questions about the project.
Then artists switch places and community participants will hear another pitch.
This interactive, fun event will allow Yucca Valley residents to step in the shoes of a movie decision maker, and will help filmmakers to gather valuable feedback on their next project.
You are a Morongo Basin resident and you want to participate? Send us an email to yuccavalleyfilmfestivalATgmailDOTcom
5pm: Red Carpet (with official photographer) | Dress code chic or casual chic
5:15pm: Mayor’s official closing words | Main Room (Yucca Room)
5:30pm: Awards distribution, hosted by Chloé Malaisé & Matt Beurois | Main Room (Yucca Room)
6:30pm: Final Group Picture on stage, all filmmakers | Main Room (Yucca Room)
6:30pm: Closing Cocktail with screening of DJ SET at CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES | Main Room
6:35pm-ish: Final Group Picture on Red Carpet, all filmmakers, Mix & Mingle
Yucca Valley Film Festival 