The Northwest and the South

Here are a few more festivals to tell you about.


Dancing Ground is coming to Portland, OR! Many thanks to Willamette Week's Longbaugh Film Festival. March 29-April 1, for those of you nearby. Check out their website for more info, and I can only assume they'll be updates in the Willamette Week as well!

Down south to Alabama March 1-4, we're playing the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. Apparently Ernest Borgnine is scheduled to attend. Airwolf, anyone...?

We've been selected to play the Delray Beach Film Festival in Florida -- our second Florida Festival, tied with Oregon, beat only by Missouri, in case you're keeping score. :-) That's March 13-18.

Two Corners of the Country

We've been accepted to the Florida Film Festival, which as you can see takes place at the end of March. This is apparently a nice, big festival. I'm too busy to go, but if you know anyone way down in Florida (who isn't busy hiding from tornadoes) let them know a little
piece of Montana is coming their way.


Also, we're playing the Ashland Independent Film Festival in Ashland, Oregon. That's April 12-16 at the Varsity Theatre. Hopefully some of you northwest folks can get to that screening!

Spokane, Duncan, and back to Springfield!

Dancing Ground has been selected to play the Spokane International Film Festival, January 25th - February 4th....






The first annual Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan, Oklahoma January 26th - 28th....


And a triumphant return to Springfield, Missouri from February 21st - 25th for the Show-Me Missouri International Film Festival. Our fourth screening in the Show-Me State!

A Couple More Fests to Add!

Dancing Ground has been accepted to play the Three Rivers Film Festival in Pennsylvania in November, and the Santa Fe Film Festival in early December. Sorry it's taken me so long to get this page updated. I'll try and be better in the future!

Film Festival List

For more information click on the appropriate link over on the right hand side of the page:

IFP Market
Palm Springs Int'l Short Film Festival
HatcHfest - Groundbreaker
Flatland Film Festival - Grand Prize Winner
Columbia University Film Festival - Faculty Honors, Kim's Video Award, Hallmark Development Grant
Angelus Student Film Festival - Semi-Finalist
Woods Hole Film Festival
True West Cinema Festival
Idaho Panhandle International Film Festival
Bluegrass Independent Film Festival
Student Short Film Festival
Connecticut Film Festival
Moxie Shorts
American Artist Film Festival
Tacoma Film Festival
Queens International Film Festival
Griffon Film Festival
Three Rivers Film Festival
Santa Fe Film Festival
Spokane International Film Festival
Trail Dance Film Festival
Show-Me Missouri International Film Festival

SYNOPSIS

Fathers and sons on the plains of Montana.

Tom has always lived by and enforced the rules. Now his life is coming apart: his father is losing his memory, and his estranged son is moving away. But Tom is so stuck in what he thinks is the role of father, that he can't see his son reaching out to him with one last chance.

In the tradition of the American Indian spirit quest, Tom travels out across the land to face his ghosts –- his lost father, his own failures, and even himself as a child -- to finally come of age.

All for the chance to become the father his son deserves.

CAST & CREW

CREW:

WRITER-DIRECTOR . . . Tobin Addington
PRODUCER . . . . . . Julian Robinson
CO-PRODUCER . . . . . Mitchell Gutman
EXEC. PRODUCER . . Mark Walterskirchen
EXEC. PRODUCER . April Walterskirchen
EXEC. PRODUCER . . . . Linda McCulloch
EXEC. PRODUCER . . . . Bill McCulloch
EXEC. PRODUCER . . . . . . Kevin Latz
EXEC. PRODUCER . . . . . Adriane Latz
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY . Adam Silver
COMPOSER . . . . . . Thomas M. Newman
COMPOSER . . . . . . . . . Mark Allen
1st AD . . . . . . . . Mitchell Gutman
2nd AD . . . . . . . Aislinn Addington
UPM . . . . . . . . . . . C.C. Webster
LOCATION MANAGER . . . Steve Mitchell
SCRIPT SUPVERVISOR . . . Averie Storck
1st AC . . . . . . . . . Mikey Jechort
2nd AC . . . . . . . Taylor Fitzgerald
SOUND/BOOM OPERATOR . . . . Kurt Enger
KEY GRIP EMERITUS . . . Jeff Addington
KEY GRIP . . . . . . . . . Tony Ballew
GRIP/ELECTRIC . . . . . . Mike Connors
GRIP/ELECTRIC . . . . Graham Murtaugh
GRIP/ELECTRIC . . . . . Steve Mitchell
PRODUCTION DESIGNER . . Brad Anderson
ART DIRECTOR . . . . . . . Kim Walker
CATERING . . . . . . . . . Codi Hansen
CRAFT SERVICE . . . . . Kacey Vittucci
SUP. SOUND EDITOR . . Lawrence Herman
CASTING . . . . . . . . . Andrea Shane
MONTANA CASTING . . . Betty Ann Conrad


CAST:

TOM . . . . . . . . . Randall Newsome
CODY . . . . . . . . . . Miles Gravage
WALTER . . . . . . . . . Ron Crawford
INGRID . . . . . . . . Dee Dee Van Zyl
NOELLE . . . . . . . . . Libby Bugbee
YOUNG TOM . . . . . . Bridger Longtine

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

The script was inspired largely by hunting trips I took with my own father ten or so years ago. It was a real treat for both of us to have him work on this movie -- credited, at his request, as Key Grip Emeritus. I find myself often writing about fathers and sons, even as I try to navigate my own course among them. I feel very lucky to have a father who has come to understand and support my passion for filmmaking. This film is for him.

PRODUCTION STILLS

Montana premiere for Dancing Ground

On July 14, Dancing Ground played to a packed house of 60 at the Garneill Community Center in Garneill, Montana. Host Michael Hausman arranged for a delicious potluck dinner followed by a screening of the film and the behind-the-scenes video Chasing Ghosts: The Making of Dancing Ground, directed by Aislinn Addington.

The community was out in force and I think they enjoyed the show. As Hausman said during the festivities, we rely on friends and neighbors when we make movies in places like Judith Gap and Garneill. Our film would never have come together without the support of people like Steve and Rosie Mitchell, Codi Hansen, the Lemons, the Volfs, the Bergums, the guys from the Carrol Trail Inn, and on and on.

I continue to owe everyone in Judith Gap and Garneill a great big thank you.

Photos from Judith Gap Screening in July

This screening was very special for me -- returning to this wonderful town where we shot Dancing Ground, getting to share the movie with all the generous folks who helped make it happen. (see the post below re: MT premiere) Here are some pictures from the event, starting with the potluck barbecue.



Me with Steve and Rosie Mitchell -- Hausman on the far right, keeping tabs!


The kids help me set up the projector.


Everybody on the deck of the community center.

Two More Fests!

Dancing Ground will play in the Queens International Film Festival, which takes place this year, November 16-19. If you're in the area and haven't seen it on the big screen, here's another chance!







And in the better late than never category, we played the Griffon Film Festival in St. Joseph, MO, in mid-October. Hopefully everyone on the Missouri end of things has had a chance to catch it on the big screen!

Dancing Ground to Screen at American Artist Festival

In another midwest screening, Dancing Ground will play before a feature on the last day of the American Artist Film Festival in Kansas City, Missouri. This will be the first time we've screened with a feature, so that's exciting. Those in the area who missed the Moxie Shorts screenings, here's another big screen chance to see the movie.

Tacoma takes Dancing Ground

Although it's too late for Aislinn to rally the PLU troops, Dancing Ground was accepted into the first annual Tacoma Film Festival. Sounds like they're going to have 50 films in a number of venues. Let's hear it for the Pacific Northwest!

Dancing Ground Plays Moxie Shorts

Somehow we've wormed our way into the Springfield, Missouri, Moxie Shorts Festival for local filmmakers. Since most of our executive producers actually are locals, I guess they let us slip in! So if you're in the area, swing on by this coming Friday and/or Saturday for the screenings. Awards will be announced the 21st of September, I believe. In any case, it should be fun!

Dancing Ground Goes International

Oh, Canada! Yes, that's right, our first non-US film festival -- Dancing Ground has been selected to play the Student Shorts film festival in Toronto at the end of October. Also chosen was Hope Dickson Leach's The Dawn Chorus, whose blogger website template I ripped off for this one. Check it out here.

Connecticut Film Festival to Screen Dancing Ground

I'm happy to announce Dancing Ground will play the first inaugural Connecticut Film Festival. The film schedule isn't set yet, but the festival dates are October 3-8. It's fitting too as my last film (Rupture) and my first film in film school (Lullabye) were both shot in Connecticut. Check their website for details if you live in the area (Susan).

Dancing Ground wins GRAND PRIZE!

At the awards ceremony for the 2nd annual Flatland Film Festival in Lubbock, Texas, Dancing Ground was awarded the "Grand Prize" award! Having never won a Grand Prize award, I'm now kicking myself that I didn't go to the festival. But you can't get to all of them, I guess! In any case, many thanks to those involved with the festival (and with the film) -- hopefully this is the start of a trend. :-)

Take Two for Bluegrass Indie Fest

I'm pleased to tell you that the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, has accepted Dancing Ground this year. I went to the festival last year with my dad to show Storm (aka Near the End of August) and had a lovely time. It's great to be asked back, and it sounds like they're going to do some things differently this year. It's September 8-10, details on their website.

And remember, it's pronounced "Loo-a-vull," like you've got a mouth full of marbles. (See, for that they're never gonna ask me back -- but it's TRUE!!)

HATCH names "Groundbreakers"

This is very exciting news! OUR FIRST MONTANA FILM FESTIVAL!

HATCH is a festival I've had my eye on for a few years now, both because it's a high quality festival and especially because it's in Montana! Each year they choose about ten short films and fly the filmmakers ("Groundbreakers") out to Bozeman for the festival in October. I just got the call today and I've practically packed my bags already -- I'm thrilled!!

More news about dates, times, and activities coming soon!

Dancing Ground is Angelus Semi-Finalist

The Angelus Student Film Festival has selected Dancing Ground to play this October in Los Angeles, making it eligible for their annual awards. We are one of several Columbia University student films chosen, including Mike Connors' Recalled, Sean Mullin's Sadiq, and the documentary Lumo by BJ Perlmutt, and Last Day of December by Bogdan Apetri. These are all spectacular films and I'm excited to be in their company.

There are several other Columbia shorts on the list as well that I haven't seen, inlcuding Christmasland by Hossein Keshavarz and Junior by Allison Cook. Not sure yet if I'll be able to get to the festival, but congratulations to all the Columbia semi-finalists. A strong showing.

Idaho Panhandle Invites Dancing Ground

Yes, that's right, our second Idaho film festival! Do you suppose that's a record? Seriously, though, this sounds like a little gem of a festival in lovely Sandpoint, Idaho, August 24-26. If you are in the area, it should be a fun time.

IFP Market selects Dancing Ground

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that Dancing Ground has been selected to participate in the Emerging Narrative Short section of the IFP Market in New York this coming September. It's a tremendous honor to be chosen one of ten promising filmmakers to bring a short to the event and I can't wait.

Next stop: Palm Springs

Book your tickets. Grab your sunscreen. Dancing Ground has been selected to play the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival sometime between August 24 and 30. I'll let you know when they set the programming schedule. This is a very exciting development, and I can't wait to make the trip!

Dancing Ground officially part of True West Cinema

I'm excited to announce Dancing Ground will play close to home. The Boise, Idaho-based True West Cinema Festival will screen Dancing Ground between August 10 and 13. My friend and fellow filmmaker Hope Dickson Leach (who made the wonderful film The Dawn Chorus, and whose website I completely ripped off) found this festival and told me about it. They haven't put together the schedule yet, but check their website. It should be coming soon.

Flatland Film Festival & awards

We're going to Lubbock, Texas. Well, the movie is, anyway. Dancing Ground has been selected to the Flatland Film Festival, August 10-12. So if you're going to be in or around Lubbock the second week of August, drop by the Louise H. Underwood Center for the Arts. According to the website, we've won an award, although they're not saying which one. I'll update you when I know more.

Dancing Ground to play Woods Hole

We've been accepted to our first post-Columbia film festival: Woods Hole Film Festival on Cape Cod, Massachussettes. Dancing Ground will screen at the 3pm program on the last day of the festival, August 5th.

Columbia University Film Festival FACULTY HONORS and KIM'S VIDEO AWARD

I'm very pleased to announce that Dancing Ground won two honors at the 2006 Columbia University Film Festival. The film earned Faculty Honors and the Kim's Video Award.