When film director and friend, Matty Steinkamp asked me to review a few movies for his upcoming film festival, I was first surprised and then honored to be asked. I hadn’t quite gotten the scope but realized after a couple of messages how important it was to him. I cleared a Saturday and Drea and I were able to watch about 9 short films and send him our recommendations. This interaction was my first ever involvement in a film festival. And I was really glad Matty and his film partner, Pita Juarez were bringing this to Phoenix, Arizona.
Indie Film Fest in Phoenix, AZ
To begin this journey, the short movies were well-done and some were selected to be in the Indie Film Fest. We were able to review really well done pieces by hungry filmmakers – some from as far as Iran. One selection was “Are You Volleyball?” (winner: Best Indie Film) which showed an intense border crisis between an American border military patrol and Iranian immigrants. The seriousness mixed with comedy and drama with an underlying approach to humanity vs. military-control order surrounded by a volleyball could be very controversial. But in its controversy caused conversation. I happened to watch it with an activist facing deportation from the United States so her perspective was different. This was only Day 1 and it was at that moment I realized the importance of the Indie Film Fest.
Matty Steinkamp and Pita Juarez
Matty Steinkamp and Pita Juarez aren’t new to Zod & Drea. In fact, we were able to interview them on the topic of racism, bigotry, and sexism – a topic derived from their outstanding, award-winning documentary, “You Racist, Sexist, Bigot”. Their film company, Mango Skies Films has featured all sorts of documentaries, music videos, and behind the scenes shots. Although small, their craft and production value is incredible and inspiring. Their own film has been seen worldwide and included in many festivals. Considering Matty is a White man and Pita is a Latina, their combination of approaching “You Racist, Sexist, Bigot” is different than other filmmakers trying to capture the same magic. Matty understands his own privilege and uses it to push doors down Pita may not have the ability to do on her own. But Pita being the powerhouse she is, wouldn’t wait for anyone to open that door for her when she has the tools to build her own door.
The Importance of Women in Film
So, Pita and Matty work in tandem very well and their output shows it in not only their films, but their interviews, and of course, the Indie Film Fest! Using their own model, Matty and Pita set out to create a film festival with as many women directors as possible. Considering half the population is women, it makes sense to see productions created from a woman’s perspective and literally, through her lens. Matty estimates 48% of their films selected for the Indie Film Fest were women – which is high for any festival! And it shows! The film short, “Black Ballet” (winner: Cinematography) received high marks from audience members as it was shown in downtown Phoenix at the Crescent Ballroom. Directed by Shaunte Glover, an incredible Black woman director, it featured a story voiced over and starring, Alexander Patrick. Shot in black and white and told in Patrick’s own voice, it captured movement through a story. So simple, yet so pointed with beautiful cinematography.
One of the films I was asked to watch beforehand and featured in the Indie Film Fest was the short, “Yours Are Mine” starring actress and director, Brooke Trantor and actress, Allison Moses. Both arrived at the film festival from Los Angeles in support of their film. The film is well-shot and acted with an overall theme of a tutor relating to her student of bulimia. It’s a tough subject but executed well by Trantor. Other women represented included Dineta Williams-Trigg, Abril Gallardo, [Shanice] Malakai, and Zoey Vartola. In a “Women In Filmmaking Panel, all five women were up front on stage discussing the filmmaking process and how it felt being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Hosted by Pita Juarez, the discussion went back and forth to each filmmaker answering questions from the audience that stemmed from influences, techniques, and story writing.
The two-day event also featured music videos (winner: “RAW” by The Color 8), featured films such as “Rosalie” (directed by Moussa Djigo) and “Table Manners” (directed by Leli Maki), Animated films (winner: “Starvation” by Zara Rostampour), Documentaries (winner: “Seeds of Resilience” by Jake Hoyungowa), and more. The winner of the People’s Choice Award at this year’s festival was “Libertad Beirut” directed by Gauthier Charbel-Raad. This is a complicated film which depicted the gay lifestyle in a very chaotic and unpredictable city of Beirut. It took years for Charbel-Raad to film due to trust issues and the illegality of being gay in Lebanon – his own home country.
To hear the stories behind the many films, the inspirational ones, and the reasons why anyone would even attempt to try this art form is why this film festival is so needed in Phoenix. Kash Cole, a local hip-hop artist and all-around nice guy discussed before a film on day 2 how his involvement with Matty and Mango Skies has led him to a path of learning the fundamentals and technical aspects of filmmaking which he predicts will lead to his own film in the near future. Being the first interview in “You Racist, Sexist, Bigot” shows Kash’s natural ability in front of the camera. We’re eager to see what he can do behind it as well!
Inspiration goes a long way!
Like Kash Cole, so many others left inspired…myself included. For fun, my best friend and I created a horror movie in 1988. Then the sequel in 1991. Since then, so many have asked us year after year when part 3 will come out. After hearing the women on the panel describe how much technology has changed, even something as simple as an iPhone, stated Brooke Trantor, could be the start of your storytelling experience. And she’s right. I left the Indie Film Fest in Phoenix, Arizona inspired. I know I have the equipment, the films shown have light the flame..now, maybe it’s time I go out there and shoot something of quality for next year! Like we saw from the two-day festival and party afterwards, …anything is possible! Lights, camera, and action is all you need.
Support the Indie Film Fest for 2020. Phoenix, Arizona needs this.
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