CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — The Desertscape International Film Festival is back for its sixth year in St. George. This celebration of independent cinema features over 40 films – both shorts and features – from all around the world. Multiple countries and genres will be represented, and the jam-packed schedule promises something for everyone.
This year’s edition of Desertscape is set for Wednesday, March 27, through Saturday, March 30, with the majority of the proceedings taking place at the historic Electric Theater. The festival’s organizers have been working hard to bring Southern Utah cinema buffs a unique and memorable mix of films.
“We’re thrilled with the lineup,” festival director John Pugh said. “It’s a really diverse collection of movies, and we’re very excited about it.”
Writer/director Josh Margolin’s charming, funny and fittingly thrilling “Thelma” will serve as the opening night feature on Wednesday, March 27. Starring 94-year-old Oscar nominee June Squibb in the title role, this gem of a movie, which made its debut earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, finds a lovable grandma taking matters into her own hands after falling prey to a telephone scammer. Appearing alongside Squibb are Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg and the late, great Richard Roundtree.
On Friday, March 29, Desertscape will roll out the red carpet for the world premiere of H. Nelson Tracey’s relationship dramedy “Breakup Season,” which features Samantha Isler and Chandler Riggs as a couple at a crossroads during an emotionally turbulent holiday season. Tracey and several members of the cast and crew are traveling to St. George to participate in a post-screening Q&A session.
“I’ve been working on this film for three years, and the audience at Desertscape is going to be the very first audience to ever see it,” Tracey said. “It’s no small thing. This is an independent film made by artists and filmmakers and people who love movies.”
Other notable feature film highlights include Chaysen Beacham’s coming-of-age tale “What We Find on the Road,” which features Finn Haney as a young man making a multi-state trek to reconnect with a dad he hasn’t seen in a very long time; Michael Del Monte’s Candian import “His Name is Ray,” a moving and provocative documentary that delves into a homeless man’s struggles with addiction; Joseph DeGolyer’s “Chicken Coop,” an understated and nuanced Christmastime drama about a man looking to patch things up with his estranged father; and James Morris’s “He Never Left,” featuring Colin Cunningham and Jessica Staples in a thriller that puts a little spin on slasher films.
Additionally, in honor of the Utah Film Commission’s “100 Years of Utah Film & Television” celebration, Desertscape will present a special retrospective screening of the unsung ’80s gem “Three O’Clock High,” which was shot at Ogden High School nearly four decades ago. Featuring Casey Siemaszko as a high school reporter and Richard Tyson as the terrifying bully he inadvertently picks a fight with, this righteously funny (and hip) comedy from director Phil Joanou puts a fresh and youthful twist on a beloved “Western” trope.
This year’s festival also features outstanding short films, including the emotionally charged mini-doc “Free Play,” the creature-centric “Blood Waters,” the quirky animated gem “Tennis, Oranges,” the sci-fi-tinged “To Err,” the international Sundance entry “Dreams Like Paper Boats,” the moving AFI short “Blue Hour,” the Utah-made immigration drama “In a Foreign and Unknown Land,” and many more.
Desertscape will close on Saturday, March 30, with a screening of the funny, observant and altogether eye-opening love letter to film collectors “Film is Dead. Long Live Film!” Director Peter Flynn’s documentary is not only an insightful look at film history, but it’s also a tribute to the passionate and eccentric individuals who preserve that history at all costs. Flynn will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A.
Along with amazing films, audiences can expect plenty of outstanding alternative programming. The festival will offer industry panels with special guests, a live script read, opening and closing night parties, an awards ceremony and more.
And for the very first time, Desertscape will coincide with the long-running St. George Art Festival at Town Square Park, just a short walk away. More than 150 artists from around the globe and a headlining performance by The National Parks will only add to the magic of the proceedings.
“We’ve always envisioned Desertscape being a destination,” festival director Adam Mast said. “St. George is so beautiful, and we want people to come for the films but stay for the sights.”
Festival tickets cost $10 per single film block, $30 for a day pass and $75 for a four-day screening pass. The best way to experience Desertscape, however, is by purchasing the all-access VIP badge for $125, which includes a swag bag plus access to the VIP lounge and parties. Click here to buy tickets and view the entire schedule.
Presented by the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the art of cinema while nurturing, celebrating and inspiring local filmmakers, Desertscape serves as a platform for filmmakers from around the world to share their work in a theatrical setting. Now in its sixth year, the festival’s organizers take pride in creating a source of entertainment and enlightenment for its many attendees.
Event details
- What: Desertscape International Film Festival.
- When: Wednesday, March 27 through Saturday, March 30, all day.
- Where: The Electric Theater, 68 E. Tabernacle St., St. George.
- Tickets: Single film block tickets, $10; day passes, $30; four-day screening passes, $75; all-access VIP badges, $125.
- Resources: Website.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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