SJIFF2016-program-final-WEB-updated

2 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

TABLE OF 3
CONTENTS

4-5 “Welcome” from Habitat for Humanity
of the San Juans

6 Message from the Presenting Sponsor
7 Meet Your Emcees
8 Yoga in a Colorado Yurt
9 Colorado Yurt Company Celebrating

40 Years
11 Festival Map
12-13 Schedule & Films: Friday, April 8th
14 Vasu Sojitra In Attendance
15 Tin Soldiers, World Premier
16-19 Schedule & Films: Saturday, April 9th
16 Ascend Afghanistan: A New Generation

of Afghan Women Leaders (Presentation)
18 Block Party: DJ Sunday Smith
22-27 Schedule & Films: Sunday, April 10th
22 Bloody Mary“Brunch in your Glass”Bar
22 Field Trip to the Black Canyon
22-23 Family Program
31 Sponsor Thank You

WWW.BUILDINGLIVES.ORG/SJIFF

WELCOME

Colleen Burke, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Of the San Juans

While some of us look at film as just We are very excited to present the film
entertainment or a temporary escape festival at the Montrose Pavilion this year.
from our stressful lives, it can also be a With films ranging from short adrenaline
powerful tool for self-reflection. I look porn to feature length dramas, there
back on some of my favorite films, and are sure to be films that appeal to the
realize that they have helped shed adventurer in you. The Montrose Pavilion
light on my current situation, and thus will give us the added space we need to
allowed me to navigate it a bit differently accommodate ticket sales, produce live
than I may have otherwise. Other films performance and host outdoor activities
I have cherished over the years give me and dance parties.
the time to stop and really count my We are so grateful for your support; we
blessings. are so excited you chose to spend the
As we celebrate the completion of our weekend with us. Enjoy the show!
50th home and our 25th year in business
in Montrose, we are reflecting both
on our challenges and our blessings.
The past year has brought record
numbers to the organization with six
homes completed and sold to Habitat
Homebuyers in the last 22 months,
record sales at the ReStore which support
our overhead and construction, and
record attendance at our events.

Just like we work every day to impact
hard working families in Montrose, Ouray
and San Miguel counties, we hope that
the 2nd Annual San Juan Independent
Film Festival will leave a lasting impact
on you.

4 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

Heather Zeilman, Development Director, Habitat for Humanity Of the San Juans

The San Juan Independent Film Festival And finally, the reason we’re all here:
is back, bigger and better than ever in Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans.
year two! We dedicated our 50th home in March,
For starters, we are hosting the world and are celebrating 25 years in service!
premier of Tin Soldiers by filmmakers Ben Your tickets, drink and concession
Duffy and Michael Sassano on Saturday purchases will continue to fuel our
afternoon. Both filmmakers and the home construction fund, helping HFHSJ
cutest of the film’s three stars, four-year- reach some lofty goals over the next
old Abel Rose, will be attending SJIFF. 12 months. Our plans include housing
Vasu Sojitra will also be in attendance; six new families, repairing at least three
a professional adaptive athlete who is homes, and breaking ground in one of
the focus in Out on a Limb and A Grand our new communities to the south.
Pursuit, also showing Saturday. These As you consider the important role your
three films are kicked off by I Am Able, home plays in your own life, please
which tells the story of Frederick’s consider becoming a DreamBuilder. It is
incredible recovery after genocide in a simple, auto monthly payment that is
Rwanda. Through painting, cycling, and core to our fundraising needs, and 100%
storytelling, he seeks to change people’s of your donation goes toward building
preconceptions of what it means to be homes. Memberships also come with
‘able’. We will close the afternoon session event tickets and ReStore discounts. If
with a Q&A in the theater, going deeper we filled every seat in the Pavilion, and
with filmmakers Ben and Michael, and each attendee signed up for $15 per
our two stars, Abel and Vasu. Needless to month, we would fund an entire home in
say, Saturday afternoon is going to be a one year. Your giving truly counts!
power punch to the soul. Now, sit back, check your To Do list at the
You can also expect to experience Box Office, and get lost in the weekend -
full-on adventures, some serious
soul-searching and periods of personal
inspiration all weekend long. Our
selection committee has stacked the
program with award-winning films and
a few hidden nuggets we can’t wait to
share with you. We are also happy to
announce our partnership with the New
York Int’l Children’s Film Fest; they’re
“Best of the Fest” will be shown during
the Family Program on Sunday.

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR

Welcome to the 2nd Annual San Juan Independent Film Festival in Montrose, CO. Proceeds raised
from this event go directly to home construction programs for Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans!

As our Colorado West Investment Team strives to carry out our mission to be your most trusted
advisor, we keep our families, our relationships with friends and clients, and the communities we are
blessed to work and play in at the heart of our focus. Creating memories, building relationships and
being engaged in our community enriches our lives!

We are honored to support the commitment that Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans has made to
enriching the lives of everyone in our community. Our local Habitat affiliate brings to reality the dream
of home ownership for low to moderate income families in the San Juan Region. Qualifying families
commit to sweat equity and a low interest mortgage to obtain a safe and affordable home ownership
option. Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans also works with potential homeowners to help connect
them to other resources as they build credit, increase their financial knowledge, or seek out other
housing solutions. Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans just celebrated the completion of their 50th
home!

Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans makes a difference in our community that extends beyond
building homes. We have watched them grow over the years to purchase real estate for an expanded
Restore location that encourages recycling and reuse of common household items, construction
materials and more. Many people in our community enjoy the ability to donate materials to the Restore
which provides others in our community the ability to access a diverse display of these items and
purchase them at an affordable price. We recently learned that revenues from the Restore cover all
Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans overhead while also contributing funds towards construction.
This means 100% of individual and corporate donations are directed to helping families and building
homes! We get really excited about that!

The San Juan Film Festival is another great example of Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans
commitment to our community. We applaud their ability to attract high caliber films and activities with
options for all ages to bring people and families together from within our community and beyond to be
entertained by the arts.

We hope you enjoy this fun filled weekend and appreciate your contributions to making this event a
success!

Betty Tomlinson Kevin Sanderford

6

MEET YOUR EMCEES
Casey Corrigan

Casey Corrigan and her husband Chris Reichmann escaped from the hustle and bustle of New York City nearly
7 years ago to enjoy sunnier skies, fresher air and outdoorsier adventures here in Colorado. Casey is a public
relations/ marketing consultant, a BodyCOMBAT trainer at Gold’s Gym, a board of director for Montrose
Memorial Hospital and she is active in other areas of the Montrose community. Casey, Chris and their 2-year-
old McKinley love to travel and enjoy all the amazing things this area has to offer. They have been ardent
supporters of the San Juan Independent Film Festival since it’s inception.

Tisha McCombs

Tisha McCombs is the Regional Operations Director for the Western National Parks Association. When she’s
not playing at her various NPS job sites, she’s exploring every nook and cranny within driving distance from
the seat of her mountain bike, hiking boots and her brand new road bike - oftentimes with her son, Tyler - her
coolest sidekick. Whether in the desert, snow cave or glacier lakes - no matter the weather, Tisha has a smile
on her face and a positive disposition that’s catching!

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YOGA IN A COLORADO YURT

Presented by Yoga Shala and Prana

Three sessions of yoga free to all VIP and Full Fest pass holders!

Saturday, 8am and 9:30am (two sessions)
Audra Duke, LPC, RYT, has been teaching yoga since
2010 and studying / practicing for 18 years. Her classes
blend unique and playful flow sequences with soft and
gentle inquiry into one’s inner experience.
Sunday, 8am (one session)
Julie Mehrer began teaching yoga in 2008 in Atenas,
Costa Rica, her class style is “Gentle Hatha” and is
humorous and light-hearted, encouraging acceptance
of our limitations and gratitude for our abilities.

8 WWW.BUILDINGLIVES.ORG

Colorado Yurt Company:
Celebrating 40 Years         

The Colorado Yurt Company is proud to be
celebrating our fortieth year in business.

Back in 1976, Dan and Emma Kigar built themselves a tipi to live in. It was part hippie-culture, part love of nature,
part Emma’s childhood dream of living on a mountainside like“Heidi”. They settled in, and soon friends and
neighbors were requesting a Kigar-built lodge. Thus, the company that is now Colorado Yurt Company was born.

The tipi business thrived. Emma and Dan sewed the early lodges and they
harvested poles in north central Colorado. They went to fairs, took out
classified ads in newspapers and the Mother Earth News and relied on
customer word-of-mouth. As more tipis were made, their reputation for
quality grew.

A few years later, a customer asked them to build a something a little
different—something more secure, like an apartment in the woods.   With
Dan’s design talent and Emma’s skill with fabric the first Colorado Yurt was
made (it’s still being used in Colorado).

About the same time, the Kigars started building wall tents, playing off of
safari tents and Adirondack tent designs. The tents were named Cimarron
Tents after the Cimarron mountain range near Dan and Emma’s home.

The company started 40 years ago by Dan and Emma in Summit County, Colorado as Earthworks Tipis. Over the
years Earthworks moved to southwest Colorado and became The Colorado Yurt Company, makers of Colorado Yurts,
Earthworks Tipis and Cimarron Tents. What started as a couple working together to build a dream has become a
thriving small company that employs about 30 skilled and dedicated people.

We still do things the“old fashioned”way. We handcraft each
structure to meet our customer’s needs, take orders with a
conversation and make friends with many of our customers.
Each of our skilled craftspeople takes pride in their work.
When we receive customer photos and feedback, the crew
loves it. We have an extensive website and communicate by
email and social media (which is new), but we still answer
questions personally. In our surveys, we rank in the high 90s
in customer satisfaction and we plan to reach 100%.

As we turn forty we are proud of our history, excited about the things we do today and look forward to the future.
Dan and Emma are here every day, working with customers, designing new structures and sharing their dream
with more and more people.

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Proudly supporting our community in

for yoevaerrs.
43

May
your next
adventure

be full
of smiles!

(970) 249-6955
601 S. 3rd St. Montrose
www.coloradosmiles.com

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MONTROSE PAVILION

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A. BOX OFFICE J. SHUTTLES TO BLACK CANYON &
B. BAR SAFE RIDES HOME
C. VIP LOUNGE
D. THEATER K. YURT: YOGA, EVENING BAR,
E. LOBBY BLOODY MARY BAR
F. COURTYARD: BLOCK PARTY
G. BATHROOMS L. CLIMBING WALL
H. STAGE: LIVE MUSIC M. FOOD TRUCKS
I. BIKE RODEO N. PARKING
O. BOTANICAL GARDENS
P. ATM

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH

10am - 10pm Box Office Open – Pavilion Lobby
VIP All-Access, Gen Admission Full Festival, and Friday-only passes can be
picked up during this time.

4:30pm - 6pm VIP Cocktail Hour
Requires VIP-All Access Pass
VIP All-Access passes get you into this first one (of two) FREE cocktail
hours! Enjoy an open bar sponsored by Breakthru Beverage Group in the
VIP-only lounge, and hors d’oeuvres by The Bistro.

Food Trucks and Bars Open @ The Pavilion
Free and Open to the Public
Enjoy the ease of dinner and drinks on-site prior to films in the theater!

Not planning to watch any films? No problem!
The lobby bar and food trucks will be serving anyone looking for a
fun night out.

5:30pm Pavilion Theater Opens

6pm - 9:30pm FILMS IN THE PAVILION THEATER
Free to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Fest Pass Holders
$20 for Day Pass (can be purchased at the Box Office)

9:30pm - Midnight Live music from the Johnson County Coroners
Free and Open to the Public
Make Friday night at the Pavilion your late-night option whether you’ve
been watching films in the theater, or are just looking for a great way
to kick off your weekend! The bars will be open and the music will
be rockin’!

12 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

6:00PM - 9:30PM FILMS

THE IMPORTANT PLACES, 10 min
Directed by Forest Woodward. Short film about the connection
between a father and son, and the Colorado River in the
Grand Canyon.

LIVING RIVERS - SURF, 4 min
Directed by Max Lowe. In the rush of water spilling from the high
mountain peaks of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, surfers are
finding standing waves that move with life and never end.

HOW DID I GET HERE?, 60 min
Directed by Chris Kitchen. From humble beginnings, complex
family dynamics and tragic, life-changing events, to her unlikely
rise to success in two very different worlds: fashion modeling and
professional skiing.“How Did I Get Here”is a coming-of-age story,
full of adventure, exploration, heartbreak, growth and inspiration.

BREAK

55 HOURS IN MEXICO, 9 min
Directed by Joey Schusler, Karl Thompson. For those with 9 to 5
office jobs, the weekend is a source of freedom and balance. How
adventurous can one get in a single weekend and 55 hours away
from home? We headed to Mexico with our favorite working stiff
Karl Thompson to explore the limits of the weekend warrior.

MERU, 90 min
Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin. After suffering
dramatic set backs in their lives, three close friends who are among
the world’s best professional climbers battle their complicated
pasts, inner demons and nature’s harshest elements in an attempt
to confront the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru, the most technically
complicated and dangerous peak in the Himalayas, one that has
never been scaled to completion.

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VASU SOJITRA IN ATTENDANCE
Starring in “Out On A Limb” & “A Grand Pursuit”
Saturday, April 9th

When Vasu was nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicemia, resulting
in the amputation of one of his legs. With the help of his parents, brother, and
friends, Vasu has built up the confidence needed to
face new challenges with grace, courage, strength,
humor, and unwavering determination.
Vasu witnessed extreme poverty growing up in India,
and has been living most of his life with a “dis”ability.
He looks at these experiences as a blessing; they
have both allowed him to hone in on his ability to
empathize with others. As you will see in the two
films featuring Vasu on Saturday, he inspires others to
push personal limits, put others first, and encourage
people to believe in themselves and in their own
unique abilities! Vasu will be in attendance at SJIFF all
weekend, and a part of the panel Q&A on Saturday afternoon.
Read more about Vasu at www.vasusojitra.com

Ray Gadd

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TIN SOLDIERS, WORLD PREMIER
Filmmakers and Abel Rose in Attendance!
Saturday, April 9th

New York Producers, Ben Duffy and Michael J. Sassano have been making
films together since the young age of 14. It started with making skate videos
in the driveway, then to high school video class, and then to study at The
School of Visual Arts in New York City. Eager to begin his professional journey,

Ben Duffy left after his freshman year of
college and moved to Los Angeles to pursue
making independent documentaries. Since
then, Ben has produced four feature length
documentaries including “Tin Soldiers”.
Finishing out his studies, Michael J Sassano
earned his degree in film school, achieved
awards in undergraduate film festivals, and
continued to collaborate with Ben. Michael,
working in the freelance film world, has
been on a wide variety of projects from
high-end beauty and luxury commercials, to
underground documentaries and skateboard
films. Abel Rose, one of the featured athletes in
“Tin Soldiers,” was born with spina bifida and
Ben Duffy, Able Rose, Michael J Sassano hydrocephalus along with many other medical
conditions. Abel, a.k.a. “That Fearless Kid”, is a jack of all trades – whether he’s
flying down ramps or surfing California waters. The list of sports he chooses to
play gets longer every year: WCMX (adaptive skateboarding), T-ball, golf, surfing,
track, soccer, bocce ball and many more. His love and drive for sports is amazing
to watch as it grows. At only 4 years old, he already has accomplished so much
by becoming the youngest sponsored athlete at only 18 months old, but his life
is amazing all on its own. Ben and Michael
documented and traveled with Abel to
San Diego, Los Angeles, and to his home in
Waxahachie Texas for the making of
“Tin Soldiers.”

Please join us after the film for a Q&A in the
theater with filmmakers Ben and Michael,
and young athlete, Abel Rose.

Read more at www.weareskateboarders.com

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH

8am - 9am Yoga in a Colorado Yurt with Audra Duke, Yoga Shala
Open to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Festival Pass Holders
Bring your mat or towel and get your yoga on!

9am - 9pm Box Office Open – Pavilion Lobby
VIP All-Access, Gen Admission Full Festival, and Saturday-only passes can
be picked up or purchased during this time.

9:30am - 10:30am Yoga in a Colorado Yurt with Audra Duke, Yoga Shala
Open to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Festival Pass Holders

11am - Noon ASCEND AFGHANISTAN:
A New Generation of Young Afghan Women Leaders (Presentation)
Open to VIP All-Access, Gen Admission Full Fest & Saturday Pass Holders.
Taking Place in the Pavilion Theater. In August 2015, a team of 13 young
Afghan women became the first ever to climb high mountains in their own
country. Expedition Leader, Danika Gilbert, will have just returned from
their latest trip, and will share images and stories about their
accomplishments thus far, their impact in Afghanistan’s culture, and the
dreams and goals of these brave young women.

Noon - 3pm Bike Rodeo, Climbing Wall and Live Music from
Good Times Music Company!
Free and Open to the Public
Jump into Cascade Bicycles’bike rodeo, rope up and climb on the mobile
climbing wall, and listen to live music. Grab your friends and family and
head to the Pavilion!
Food trucks and bars will also be open.

2:00pm VIP Early Access to Pavilion Theater
2:30pm Pavilion Theater Opens

3pm - 6pm FILMS IN THE PAVILION THEATER
Free to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Fest Pass Holders
$25 for Day Pass (can be purchased at the Box Office)

16 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

3:00PM - 6:00PM FILMS

I AM ABLE, 12 min
Directed by Isaac Seigel-Boettner, Jacob Seigel-Boettner
In 1994, Frederick Ndabaramiye’s home country of Rwanda was
torn apart. Four years later, his bus was stopped by rebels. What
happened next changed everything. I Am Able tells the story of a
Frederick’s incredible recovery in the face of overwhelming odds. In
his own words and images, he teaches us that we are all truly able.

VASU SOJITRA: OUT ON A LIMB, 7 min
Directed by Tyler Wilkinson-Ray. Profiles Vasu’s inspiring story as he
ventures into the backcountry to summit peaks, explore avalanche
zones, send cliffs, and ski deep powder lines—all completely
unassisted. Filmed in the Chic-Choc Mountain range and Vermont’s
backcountry, Vasu shows that the only limits are those we place
on ourselves.

A GRAND PURSUIT, 23 min
Directed by Will Strathmann. Vasu Sojitra is the first leg amputee to
attempt climbing the Grand Teton without the use of a prosthetic
leg. During the push to the 13,775 foot summit, Vasu and four
other adaptive athletes redefine their own physical and mental
limitations and will change your perception of what it means to
live with a disability.

TIN SOLDIERS, 60 min
Directed by Ben Duffy, Michael Sassano. Tin Soldiers is a fascinating
perspective film into the world of amputees, people who have
spina bifida, paralysis, and cerebral palsy, all doing adaptive sports.
This film features double amputee Zach Ruhl, who is a professional
crossit coach and soon to be paralympic powerlifter, WCMX rider
Quinn Waitley, 3 year old adaptive athlete Abel Rose, and 4 time
paralympian medalist Alana Nichols.

BREAK

Panel Q&A with Paradox Sports, Vasu Sojitra, Ben Duffy, Michael Sassano and Abel Rose

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH - CONTINUED

6pm - 7:30pm VIP Cocktail Hour
Requires VIP-All Access Pass
VIP All-Access passes get you into this second (of two) FREE cocktail hours!
Enjoy an open bar sponsored by Breakthru Beverage Group in the VIP-only
lounge, and hors d’oeuvres by The Bistro.

Live Music with Two Cents,
Food Trucks and Bars Open @ The Pavilion
Free and Open to the Public
A break between films to grab a drink, a bite to eat and enjoy some
live music.

Not planning to watch any films? No problem!
The lobby bar and food trucks will be serving anyone looking for a
fun night out with family and friends.

7:00pm Pavilion Theater Opens

7:30pm - 10pm FILMS IN THE PAVILION THEATER
Free to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Fest Pass Holders
$25 for Day Pass (can be purchased at the Box Office)

10pm - Midnight Block Party with DJ Sunday Smith - Pavilion Courtyard
Open to the public & all ages.
Free to VIP-All Access and Gen Admission Full Fest Passes.
$10 for non-pass holders. Not included in Saturday-only pass.
Block Party will move inside the Pavilion in the case of inclement weather.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Sunday Smith is a world touring DJ and musician now living in
Telluride, Colorado. As a mild mannered custom painter by day and crime fighting DJ by night,
Sunday Smith has spent time on‘the decks’in places like the full moon parties in Thailand, clubs in
Munich, Berlin, London N.Y., San Diego, Hawaii, the northwest, the southwest, Mexico and Canada.
DJ Sunday will be bringing original influences to the block party dance floor from across the globe,
and promises a super bumpin’time to be had by all. Check him out at www.Sundaysmith.com

18 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

7:30PM - 10:00PM FILMS

HABITAT CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

MARTIN’S BOAT, 24 min
Directed by Pete McBride. Honoring the legacy of Martin Litton,
this film follows the newest boat in the Grand Canyon Dories fleet,
the Marble Canyon, on its maiden voyage down the legendary
Colorado River through the grandest canyon on Earth. Martin
pioneered whitewater dories on the Colorado River in the 1960’s
and started a proud tradition of naming the boats after wild places
that had been lost or compromised by the hand of man.

CERRO TORRE, 101 min
Directed by Thomas Dirnhofer. Set against the backdrop of
breathtaking Patagonia, David Lama, the world’s youngest
climbing world champion, sets out to climb an unfathomable
route on Cerro Torre, a mountain once said to be the most
difficult in the world.

BLOCK PARTY with
DJ SUNDAY SMITH

Telluride-based DJ Sunday Smith
is bringing his incredible talent to
Montrose for SJIFF!

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SPEC258141

10 SOUTH SELIG AVE 970-249-4226
MONTROSE, COLORADO 81401

20 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

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SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH

8am - 9am Yoga in a Colorado Yurt
Open to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Festival Pass Holders

9am - 7pm Box Office Open – Pavilion Lobby
VIP All-Access, Gen Admission Full Festival, and Sunday-only passes can be
picked up or purchased during this time.

11am - 2pm Bloody Mary “Brunch in Your Glass” Bar
Open to the Public. Free to VIP All-Access Pass Holders.
Tickets can be purchased for $15 online or at the Box Office.
Brought to you by Corks Fine Wine & Spirits, the Colorado Yurt will be
transformed from yoga studio to the Bloody Mary Bar headquarters. You’ll
receive a glass, Bloody Mary cocktail and a trip through the buffet filled
with delicious items to top off your brunch in a glass!

11:00am Pavilion Theater Opens
Noon - 1:30pm Family Program (Ages 3-8) - Pavilion Theater
Open to the public. $10 per person. Ages 2 and under free. Purchase online or
at the box office. The New York Int’l Children’s Film Fest brings their“Best of
the Fest”to the family program: One hour of kid-friendly short films,
followed by live performances from Weehawken Dance.
Presented by Chris Reichmann of Edward Jones and family.

1:30 - 3:30pm Field Trip to the Black Canyon
Open to the public. $10 per person. Purchase tickets online or at the Box Office.
Celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary by taking a trip
to the Black Canyon National Park. Have fun in the outdoors at the Black
Canyon, and enjoy a fun program with the Rangers!

Noon - 3pm Bike Rodeo, Climbing Wall and Live Music with the
Blue Gators Band!
Free and Open to the Public. Jump into Cascade Bicycles’bike rodeo, rope up
and climb on the mobile climbing wall, and listen to live music. Grab your
friends and family and head to the Pavilion!
Food trucks and bars will also be open.

22 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

12 - 1:30PM FAMILY PROGRAM FILMS

PIK PIK PIK - Russia, Animation, Dmitry Vysotskiy, 2014, 3 min
The woodpecker rattles the tree, on the hunt for ants. But, alas, someone grabs a hold
of the tree, and the ill-matched creatures form an unbeatable team.

ZEBRA - Germany, Animation, Julia Ocker, 2013, 2 min
One day the zebra ran into the tree.

MY BIG BROTHER - USA, Animation, Jason Rayner, 2014, 2.5 min
Big brother is not just older, but physically gigantic.

BUNNY NEW GIRL - Australia, Live Action, Natalie van den Dungen, 2014, 6 min
On her first day at a new school, a self-conscious young girl learns that friendship can
transcend difference.

5.80 METERS - France, Animation, Nicolas Deveaux, 2012, 5 min
A herd of high-flying acrobatic giraffes takes to the pool.

COOKIE-TIN BANJO - USA / UnitedKingdom, Animation, Peter Baynton, 2014,
2.5 min. In this storybook folk tale, a handcrafted guitar is passed down to a young boy
from his father and becomes the gift of a lifetime.

LARISA CAN FLY - Russia, Animation, Elizaveta Manokhina/Polina Manokhina,
2013, 6.5 min. A poetic tale of two girls and their larger-than-life Granny, who turn every
day into imaginative adventures in this beautiful, painterly animation.

MINUSCULE: THE PRIVATE LIVES OF INSECTS - BRUSHING
France, Animation/Live Action, Hélène Giraud / Thomas Szabo, 2014, 5 min
A common bathroom becomes the setting for an all-terrain, Looney Toons-inspired chase
between a fly and a spider.

ELEPHANT AND THE BICYCLE - France / Belgium, Animation, Olesya
Shchukina, 2014, 9 min. An elephant lives in a town among people and works as a street
cleaner. One day, he sees a big billboard advertising a bicycle. It seems the perfect size
for him!

EYES - USA, Animation, Tom Law, 2013, 1 min
There are things to fear in the dark.

ME AND MY MOULTON - Norway/Canada, Animation, Torill Kove, 2014,
14 min. A 7-year-old girl, whose parents are unconventional modernists, wants her
family to be like other Norwegian families of the 1960s. This causes problems the
summer she asks her parents for a bike.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH - CONTINUED

2:30pm VIP Early Access to Pavilion Theater
3:00pm Pavilion Theater Opens

3:30pm - 5:30pm FILMS IN THE PAVILION THEATER
Free to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Fest Pass Holders
$25 for Day Pass (can be purchased at the Box Office)

5:30pm - 7pm Live Music with Smolder, Food Trucks & Bars Open
Free and Open to the Public.
A break between films to grab a drink, a bite to eat and enjoy some
live music.

Not planning to watch any films? No problem!
The lobby bar and food trucks will be serving anyone looking for a
fun night out with family and friends.

Luke Mehall will be reading
an excerpt from his new book,
being released at the San Juan
Independent Film Festival, prior
to the film, “Last Thoughts on
the Dirtbag,” on Sunday.
He will be selling his book in
the lobby, and ready to hang
out, chat and sign books!

24 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

3:30PM - 5:30PM FILMS

LAST THOUGHTS ON THE DIRTBAG, 6 min
Directed by Greg Cairns. How do you show tribute to something that has
given you everything?“Last Thoughts On The Dirtbag”is a poetic and
visceral journey through the heart of a climber, in Indian Creek, the crack
climbing Mecca of the world. With footage of some of the most classic
climbs in The Creek, married with a rich and reflective poem,this film
portrays the climber as a searcher, someone who is restless with the
average American sedentary lifestyle, and desires for more. “Last Thoughts
On The Dirtbag”is a modern film, influenced by the prose of the beatniks
as well as the style of the hip-hop generation, and the end result is a fresh
perspective on the life of a dirtbag climber. Filmmaker in attendance!

THE COAST, 7 min
Directed by Skip Armstrong. Borderlands. The bridge between two worlds.
Where the known meets mystery. Powerful, unforgiving–and exactly
what Hayden Peters was looking for. Trading the city for the daily sting
of salt water on his skin, Hayden reveals how life on the coast brings him
balance like no other place on earth could.

70 SOME YEARS, 6 min
Directed by Riley Hooper. For the past 78 years Henry Bendinelli has lived
a life of health and happiness through skiing - and at 90 years of age, he
shows no signs of slowing down. In loving memory of Henry, 1924-2015

LA MAESTRA (THE TEACHER), 30 min
Directed by Elizabeth Silva, Paul Ferraris. Spanish with English subtitles. A
documentary about a young Mexican woman who decides to pursue her
dreams, and in doing so, changes her community in her own small way.

STANDING ON WATER, 65 min
Directed by Peter Alsted, Kristoffer Hegnsvad. A story of overcoming your
fears and following your passion. It’s the journey of how Casper Steinfath
despite his fear of water became one of the best stand up paddle surfers
in the world as the only person from Denmark. It’s a story of how far
passion can take you in life, even if you grow up in a small and isolated
fishing village in the middle of nowhere.

WWW.BUILDINGLIVES.ORG/SJIFF 25

SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH - CONTINUED

6:00pm VIP Early Access to Pavilion Theater
6:30pm Pavilion Theater Opens

7pm - 8:30pm FILMS IN THE PAVILION THEATER
Free to VIP All-Access and Gen Admission Full Fest Pass Holders
$25 for Day Pass (can be purchased at the Box Office)

SAVE THE DATE!

SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FEST

APRIL 14-16, 2017

MONTROSE PAVILION

Experience the Finest

16420 South Townsend Avenue ~ Montrose, Colorado
(Located Next to the City Market - South) ~ Delivery Available

970.249.5565 ~ [email protected]

26 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

7:00PM - 8:30PM FILMS

BUILDER, 8 min
Directed by Scott Secco.
Tells the story of trail building, through the eyes of 15 of the sport’s best
riders and most creative builders.

BRANDON SEMENUK’S RAD COMPANY, 62 min
Directed by Aaron Whitley, Jeremy Grant.
Brandon Semenuk’s Rad Company pushes the limits of freeride mountain
biking and showcases the skills and passion that make him one of the
most versatile and explosive riders on the planet. Brandon handpicked
a crew of riders who drive and inspire him in each discipline for this film,
ultimately creating some of the highest level of riding ever caught
on camera.

WWW.BUILDINGLIVES.ORG/SJIFF 27

97.7 Grand Junction
104.9 Montrose

28 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

These behind-the-scenes Habitat VIPs are the everyday,
local Habitat heroes making it possible for our affiliate to

keep building lives in the San Juan region.

Our Board of Directors are local volunteers who help our staff team strategize, and are our greatest
cheerleaders. The Habitat management“Dream Team”is a passionate crew of individuals who have

made the decision to make affordable housing their career.
There is no doubt that this list encompasses the bread and butter of

Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MANAGEMENT TEAM

PRESIDENT Colleen Burke

Wil Harmsen Executive Director
[email protected]
Cornerstone Lending

VICE PRESIDENT Todd Abramson

John Eloe Construction Manager
[email protected]
Architect

TREASURER Heather Zeilman

Damian Salstrand Development Director
[email protected]
Wells Fargo

SECRETARY Autumn Jones

Paula Brown Family Services Coordinator
[email protected]
PAST PRESIDENT
Graham Trenda
Betty Tomlinson
Receiving Assistant Manager
Colorado West Investments Inc. [email protected]

Ken DeJulio Brandon Costello

Flairmont Furniture Assistant Store Manager
[email protected]
Brenda K Swank
Alison Hunter
Office of Howard Davidson
Farmers Insurance Office Manager
Executive Assistant
Emily Schneider [email protected]

AeroCare Accreditation Manager

WWW.BUILDINGLIVES.ORG/SJIFF 29

30 SAN JUAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016

A SHOUT OUT TO OUR SPONSORS

WWW.BUILDINGLIVES.ORG/SJIFF 31