Willow Valley Festival of Short Films

This program was presented at Willow Valley Communities and represents a "Greatest Hits" of my short films from my prior short film programs. The following 7 posts are from a Quest Program in the Fall of 2023.

For the Birds – American - 3 minutes long
This particular film is from Pixar, a subsidiary of Disney, renowned for its pioneering work in computer-generated animation. In 2001, it earned an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. It was originally released in theaters alongside "Monsters, Inc." When you watch this film, pay special attention to the remarkable attention to detail in every aspect, from the visuals to the storytelling—it truly sets a high standard. I screened this film at multiple presentations festivals, and after the first one, someone humorously suggested that for the second festival, I could simply repeat this film five times to guarantee success.

https://youtu.be/Lz3KYrPQaN0?si=yGK4DYMITeeWA6yu

Panyee FC – Thailand - 6 minutes long
Hailing from Thailand, this film is presented with English subtitles. It's a delightful blend of sports and culture, offering a unique glimpse into the true story of the Panyee Youth Football Club in South Thailand. The narrative revolves around a group of boys residing in an isolated fishing village in southern Thailand. Their passion for soccer is unwavering, despite lacking a suitable place to play. However, their innovative idea takes center stage and transforms their village in ways they could have never imagined.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4oA3kkAWU

Man Changing a Light Bulb – United States - 2 minutes
In 2016, this film emerged as the champion at the New York Drone Film Festival, showcasing a prime illustration of how drones have the capacity to capture visuals that would be otherwise unattainable, offering a distinctive perspective of our surroundings. This remarkable short film was filmed in the stunning landscapes of South Dakota.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1BgzIZRfT8

The Ridge - 7 Minutes - Scotland
Today's focus centers on outdoor and adventure short films, although I always like to sprinkle in some variety by showcasing different kinds of short films as well. Each year, the Banff Mountain Outdoor Film Festival acknowledges exceptional outdoor and adventure films, and the winning entries embark on a global tour. Our next feature is a 2014 award-winning film filmed on the breathtaking Isle of Skye in Scotland. This cinematic masterpiece incorporates stunning drone photography and a helmet camera to capture its awe-inspiring visuals. Throughout this series, you'll encounter several films that harness the power of drone photography, showcasing the unique perspectives and footage that only drones can deliver. The first time I watched this film, I found myself eagerly poring over the credits to uncover information about its mesmerizing soundtrack. Fortunately, I have a friend deeply immersed in traditional Scottish music, and she kindly shared her expertise to analyze the musical score. The film's music commences with a traditional Scottish melody sung in the Scottish Gaelic language. The composer, drawing from a classical music background, seamlessly integrates a classical orchestra and choir, resulting in a musical creation best described as "Scottish Fusion." As for the film's subject, I'll leave that as a delightful surprise. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to be captivated. Music: "Blackbird" - Martyn Bennett

https://youtu.be/xQ_IQS3VKjA?si=Lo51hinSgVC_889Y

I Won’t Let You Down – American - 5 Minutes
We're about to venture outside the conventional boundaries of what we typically define as short films. Music videos have been part of our cultural landscape for over 35 years, effectively functioning as short films. While they revolve around a song, they offer boundless creative opportunities. For me, one video stands out as the pinnacle of creativity, imagination, complexity, and quality. It was created for the song "I Won't Let You Down" by the band "OK GO," released in 2014. This disco-influenced tune soared to #7 on the US Billboard charts and earned an MTV award for its remarkable video.

Let me share some intriguing details about this video. The four singers navigate Honda personal mobility units, controlled by the riders' subtle weight shifts. The army of dancers is clad in traditional Japanese school uniforms. The video features a staggering 2,328 dancers and an equal number of umbrellas, all captured entirely by a drone. What's truly astonishing is that, despite extensive rehearsals, the video was shot as a continuous, one-take masterpiece—no scene splicing or editing involved.
Check out other “OK GO” videos on Youtube. They are so creative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ZB_rGFyeU

Bird's Eye View - 4 Minutes
American Let's continue with our outdoor theme for a moment.As I've mentioned before, many films and TV shows these days incorporate drone photography. I've been flying drones for over a decade. When I bought my first drone in 2013, I was the only person in my circle who owned one. My primary motivation for flying drones is my fascination with seeing the world from perspectives that are rarely witnessed by anyone else. Remember, my background is in geography, so this hobby aligns perfectly with my interests. It's truly remarkable to experience the world as a bird does. A while back, a fellow resident in our community was giving a presentation about her experiences as a pilot. She requested that I put together a short video using some of my drone footage from over the years. We played this video on a loop while the audience was assembling for the presentation. My goal was to offer a bird's-eye view of the world. Additionally, I wanted to share unique angles of our retirement community that none of the residents had ever seen before.I can assure you that this film will not be winning any awards, but I thought you might find it enjoyable.

https://youtu.be/t7T1XhAk9bw?si=36wi2eAwJTgn1UBh

Mercedes Benz – (American) – 2 minutes
This morning's program is sponsored by Mercedes Benz. I hate to have to do this, but I have two Mercedes commercials I have to show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBPo0t69bi4

This is one of the most famous of Saturday Night Live commercial parodies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1tbf8muMc

Britain's Got Talent - 6 Minutes - British, of course
If you happen to recognize a video in today's program, it's likely this one. Nevertheless, even if you've encountered this video previously, I'm confident you'll relish revisiting it. These days, various countries host talent show competitions where individuals receive either a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to progress to the next round. This might just be the most renowned among those amateur performances, with over 250 million views on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/RxPZh4AnWyk?si=YH50qkd7pvYjkRAu

Afterward, I found it necessary to delve further into that particular video. It's quite ironic that Susan Boyle chose to sing "I Dreamed a Dream" in her 2009 debut performance. Her dream of stardom has undoubtedly come true. Following her breakthrough on "Britain's Got Talent" in 2009, she has released eight albums featuring her music. She's sold over 19 million albums and garnered two Grammy nominations. In 2010, she had the opportunity to perform in front of the Pope and a crowd of 65,000 people during a mass. In addition to her albums, she dedicates a significant portion of her time to charity concerts, raising funds for various causes, many of which involve children. Astonishingly, she continues to reside in the very village where she grew up and even started dating her first boyfriend in 2014. It's heartwarming to see such a happy ending.

Commercials
When it comes to defining a short film, commercials serve as an intriguing example of thinking outside the box. They face the unique challenge of conveying a compelling message in just 30 seconds. It's not uncommon for me to be captivated by entertaining commercials, yet struggle to recall the product or service they're promoting. Comedy often takes the spotlight in commercials. I have four commercials in my collection, primarily sourced from Europe. We all have fond memories of proudly showcasing our new homes or apartments when we first moved in.

https://youtu.be/S1ZZreXEqSY?si=eFWgQUj5Rt0DnLni

Now, I'll be playing the next three commercials in succession.

https://youtu.be/h4ZONLanbgk?si=ByJPbYEGhJCrJrIV

https://youtu.be/2t4zJH29n40?si=SAqC7BB3SpC4OJFi

https://youtu.be/xZ9nvYCDUUw?si=21z8hk5KbZ2g0cGs

A Man and His Dog - Argentina - 2 minutes
Here we have a remarkable film selection—an award-winning public service announcement from Argentina, of all places. When crafting a public service announcement, the goal is to ensure the message stays etched in the viewer's memory. I first watched this video about a year ago, and I must admit, it has crossed my mind at least a hundred times since then. Each viewing leaves me with a resounding "WOW" by the end. This one's dedicated to all the animal enthusiasts out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlFiMoCbVMQ

The Bomb Shelter – France - 1 Minute
Even within the confines of a one-minute duration, some short films manage to weave in a compelling plot. This French film, complete with subtitles, emerged victorious in the one-minute film category in 2017. It narrates the story of a survivalist who constructs a bomb shelter, leaving his family questioning his sanity. However, their skepticism takes a turn when the need for the shelter becomes evident.

https://youtu.be/6dxSsZ_Perw?si=oqQ-9AJga7Y9aKJZ

The Magic of Chess - 5 Minutes American
Running a combined duration of 6 hours, the Quest programs prompted me to seek out a few additional films over the summer. Among the discoveries I made during this season, one film particularly stood out, meeting my exacting standards. This film is refreshingly straightforward, featuring interviews with elementary school children discussing the intricacies of a rather complex game - chess. While some of the children's dialogues might pose a challenge for listening, if you happen to have grandchildren, it could give you an edge. Ultimately, it's a charming little film.

https://youtu.be/z-f0V7ew2Ks?si=wV6uKCof8mqQ4MJ-

What Does Virgin Mean - 3 Minutes - British
For every film we showcase, it's important that I secure the appropriate rights to present them to our non-paying audience. When it comes to commercials or music videos, creators are generally quite receptive to having their work shared. However, for certain films, it may be necessary for me to reach out to the producer and request formal permission. I've found that when I explain the context, emphasizing that the film will be presented to a senior audience free of charge, most producers readily grant permission. In the case of our next film, I personally reached out to the producer. Not only did he grant me the necessary permission, but we also engaged in a pleasant email exchange about short films and his own creative endeavors. During our correspondence, we delved into both the next film and our most last one, which he also had a hand in producing. So, without further ado, let's delve into our next to last film.Similar to certain British films, this particular production is somewhat daring in its approach, yet it stands as an absolute cinematic treasure. In this film, a parent is confronted with the challenge of explaining an exceptionally delicate subject. As parents, you may have found yourselves navigating similar conversations in the past.

https://youtu.be/f15shbsOT8Y?si=4r5z5Xc8LeE3HzLC

Love at First Sight – 13 minutes long - British
While seeking permission to screen the last film, the producer suggested that I watch one of his more recent creations. Nevertheless, he expressed uncertainty about its suitability for our audience and left the judgment to me. The film in question revolves around a British retirement community, offering a blend of humor, enchanting characters, and stunning cinematography. It stands among my top 5 favorite short films of all time. However, it delves into a more profound and universal issue faced by seniors, touching on the realities of our aging population. I've kept this short film in my back pocket for years, hesitating to showcase it due to concerns about its potentially sensitive nature for some seniors. My intention was always to avoid causing any distress to the audience.Finally, I decided to sit down with a senior friend of mine who was confronting the same issue and screened the film for them. I asked for their opinion: Should I present this film?  They emphatically responded, "Absolutely!" It addresses a challenging subject for our age group, but it does so in an extraordinarily beautiful manner. I'm a firm believer in maintaining a positive outlook, and I ask you to keep that in mind as you experience this remarkable film. If you're a fan of British television, you might even recognize a few of the actors, especially John Hurt, who takes the lead role. The plot carries a subtle twist, so I encourage you to pay close attention during the final 3-4 minutes of the film.

https://youtu.be/v0weamgxy24?si=WTqVJ-0hGj84lmsP

What an exquisite film. Each day, the gentleman rediscovers his love for his wife. The film confronts a formidable issue but does so with the utmost grace and beauty.

 I hope you enjoy these short films

Dale Johnson
dalejohnson99@gmail.com
717-666-1130 (h)
443-841-4372 (c)

 "Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive."Okumaya devam et