Noah Warner’s THE TRAP DOOR AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE leads The Big Bear Film Summit Film Lineup for Debut to be made in Virtual Space

Noah Warner’s THE TRAP DOOR AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE leads the 1^st Annual Big Bear Film Summit, announced the film lineup for the festival’s debut which will take place virtually on June 12-July 12, 2020.

The inaugural edition will present 52 films (12 feature length and 40 short films and music videos).

Created to encourage artistic production in and around Big Bear Lake, California, the Big Bear Film Summit made a quick pivot to the virtual space like many film festivals have done since March.

Noah Warner’s THE TRAP DOOR AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE leads The Big Bear Film Summit Film Lineup

“While we looked very forward to welcoming filmmakers, film artists, and industry veterans to the beautiful locale of Big Bear Lake to enjoy and discover great films, have discussions about their work and about the art of filmmaking in this amazing setting, we all currently face the reality of the limitations created by the pandemic,” said BBFS Executive Director Michael P. Hanson.

BBFS CEO Gabriel Horn, added, “The priority with a film festival always begins and ends with the films and filmmakers, so while we will wait until next year to celebrate the art of independent cinema against the backdrop of this historically Hollywood-friendly area, celebrate those films we will. The debut of the Big Bear Film Summit will be a testament to the ability of the filmmaker to persevere.”

Made possible in great extent thanks to Visit Big Bear, Big Bear Film Summit will feature film competition categories including: U.S. Narrative and Documentary Features and Shorts, International Narrative and Documentary Features and Shorts, Experimental and Animated Shorts, Student Shorts, Music Videos, and a Screenplay Competition.

Highlights include the virtual world premiere of Noah Warner’s THE TRAP DOOR AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE about a private detective whose new case involving a priceless stolen heirloom is about to reveal a secret about himself he didn’t see coming,  Mindy Bledsoe’s award-winning road trip drama THE IN-BETWEEN, about two women on the road together with different missions, and Lucas Astrom’s HARD PLASTIC starring Andy Dick and his real life daughter Meg Dick in a story about an aspiring disc golfer out to prove her self to her father after getting kicked out of the nest.

Documentaries include David Around’s THE ONE AND ONLY JEWISH MISS AMERICA, about Bess Myerson, the talented beauty queen from the Bronx, who faced anti-Semitism and closed doors at race-restricted venues which did not allow Jews, JT Bruce’s THE DEVIL’S ROAD: A BAJA ADVENTURE, about a group of adventurers set out across Baja California on a 5,000-mile journey to recreate the century-old expedition of two prolific and obscure naturalists, and Andrew Shebay’s WOKE THE MONSTER, about Army veteran Shawn Livingston’s struggle back from a heroin addiction, and facing a 20-year prison sentence, takes the challenge of a 100-mile trail race through the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains to redeem himself.

To purchase passes, tickets, and find additional information, please go to: https://www.bigbearfilmsummit.com.

Big Bear Film Summit 2020 Virtual Festival Lineup

FEATURE FILMS

U.S. Narrative Features Competition

BARNEY BURMAN’S WILD BOAR       

Director: Barney Burman  

Country: United States, Running Time: 98 min

A world where man is suddenly no longer at the top of the food chain. A small group of Geocachers — modern day weekend treasure hunters — go searching in the desert for a bounty left by an eccentric billionaire. Instead they end up being hunted by a mutant boar with an axe to grind. It’s a race for survival and those who don’t make it are sure to be served up for dinner.

HARD PLASTIC     

Director: Lucas Astrom      

Country: United States, Running Time: 67 min

An aspiring disc golfer (Meg Dick) gets kicked out of the nest by her loving father (Andy Dick) who is in the middle of dealing with his own mid-life crisis. Aided by her trusted friend; scratcher addict and caddy (Natisha Anderson), she finds a sponsor, throws an ace at the disc golf championship and proves to her father that disc golf is a real sport.

THE IN-BETWEEN 

Director: Mindy Bledsoe    

Country: United States, Running Time: 77 min

Two women set out on a road trip with different missions. Mads (Jennifer Stone “Wizards of Waverly Place”) needs to renew her driver’s license in South Dakota, while Junior needs to visit Portland, OR on a quest for her dead sister. Both women have medical issues that cause friction along the way, but they never let those problems define their identities. Mads is also keeping a secret from Junior, that could explode at any moment and ruin their journey.

TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN REVISITED          

Directors: Tom Huckabee, Kent Smith   

Country: United Kingdom, Running Time: 76 min       

In a dystopian future, American draft dodger Billy Hampton, 19 (played by a very young Bill Paxton), is brainwashed and programmed by militant feminists to assassinate the Welsh minister of prostitution. Lurching unwittingly toward his goal, he makes a series of furtive connections with societal outliers like himself, including a feral child, a gentle prostitute, a sadomasochistic delinquent, a lovelorn androgyne, a hippie dope dealer, and a mute nymphomaniac, while fending off predators who would sell him into sex slavery.  Eventually, he is forced to focus on his mission and face the dreadful dilemma tormenting his psyche: to kill or not to kill.

THE TRAP DOOR AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE          World Premiere

Director: Noah Warner

Country: USA, Running Time: 90 min

A Private Detective takes a case recovering a priceless stolen heirloom for a mysterious blonde Femme Fatale (Laura Wiggins). He is determined to catch the crafty Gagliano syndicate, who he is convinced has perpetrated the crime, right up until he accidentally discovers that he is a fictional character.

U.S. Documentary Feature Competition

THE DEVIL’S ROAD: A BAJA ADVENTURE  

Director: JT Bruce   

Country: United States, Running Time: 98 min

A group of adventurers set out across Baja California on a 5,000-mile journey to recreate the century-old expedition of two prolific and obscure naturalists. Their search takes them on a thrilling quest -by motorcycle, airplane, boat, and horseback- to recreate the historic, unprecedented expedition across Baja. Along the way, they bear witness to the vibrant culture and unforgettable people, endure the challenges of the road, and get a glimpse into this extraordinary place and its uncertain future.

KING OF BEASTS 

Directors: Tomer Almagor, Nadav Harel            

Country: United States, Running Time: 85 min

Aaron, an American hunter, enters the dark heart of the African bush, on a surreal neocolonial expedition, emulating 1000s of years of indigenous rite of passage rituals, as he hunts the ultimate trophy – the king of beasts. King of Beasts is an observational portrait that digs beyond sensationalism and politics, observing the facts and the many shades of the truth on the ground in Africa, in regards to wildlife and lion conservation efforts, amidst the ever-declining animal populations. With intimate access and never before seen footage, the film question man’s very nature, as well as our place in the animal kingdom.

THE OFFLINE PLAYLIST 

Director: Brian C. Miller Richard  

Country: United States, Running Time: 48 min

A first-of-its-kind concert that paired New Orleans artists on a Spotify playlist with the fans who were listening to it, live at the hallowed Preservation Hall. Staring Jon Batiste, Irma Thomas, Curren$y, Mannie Fresh, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and more New Orleans legends.

THE ONE AND ONLY JEWISH MISS AMERICA        

Director: David Arond        

Country: United States, Running Time: 51 min

How Bess Myerson, the talented beauty queen from the Bronx, won the world’s most famous beauty pageant 75 years ago, at the tail end of World War II. The film follows Bess, the middle daughter of poor Russian immigrants, from her childhood in a one-bedroom Jewish housing project apartment through the suspense-filled pageant. On her 1945 Miss America tour, Bess faced anti-Semitism and closed doors at race-restricted venues which did not allow Jews. It is also a story of courage as her disappointment turned to determination, leading Bess Myerson to start her own tour to teach tolerance at high schools and colleges around the country — a tour which launched her lifelong passion for justice.

WOKE THE MONSTER     

Director: Andrew Shebay              

Country: United States, Running Time: 57 min

18 months ago, Army veteran Shawn Livingston was strung out on heroin, battling PTSD and addiction, and facing a 20-year prison sentence. Now, he is preparing for the race of his life: a 100-mile trail race through the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains.  The prize: his family, his recovery, his redemption, his life.

International Narrative Feature Spotlight

GETMELOVEDUP.COM   

Director: George Carson   

Country: United Kingdom, Running Time: 101 min     

Comedy drama set in Scotland. Two young adults embark on a rollercoaster ride involving internet dating. The two lead characters Sharon & Kevin are under pressure from friends and family to find a partner, so they are encouraged to sign up to GetMeLovedUp.com internet dating site. This leads to several different hilarious “dates” which they both find challenging. Egged on by their friends they continue their quest until their separate paths through this adventure finally come together. This leads them to a set of highly unexpected circumstances.

International Documentary Feature Spotlight

FATHER UNKNOWN        

Director: David Quint         

Country: Switzerland/United States, Running Time: 70 min  

Captured on a camera phone as it happened, FATHER UNKNOWN is the true story of a man’s struggle to face the emptiness he carries inside.  Disconnected from the people closest to him and haunted by the secrecy in his family, he records his desperate search for connection on a journey with the father he’s never truly known.

SHORT FILMS

U.S. Narrative Short Competition

A DRIVERS TALE     

Director: Demarcus Brown    

Country: United States, Running Time: 12:34 min

A PLACE LESS COLD         

Director: Anne Johnstonbrown          

Country: United States, Running Time: 14:53 min    

ALL THAT YOU LOVE WILL BE CARRIED AWAY           

Director: Thad Lee     

Country: United States, Running Time: 29:29 min    

BURY MY HEART     

Director: Kav Lis        

Country: United States, Running Time: 7:09 min

CHERRY        

Director: Stacey Davis          

Country: United States, Running Time: 12 min         

CRUSH          

Director: Jennifer Floyd         

Country: United States, Running Time: 6 min

DIGNITY        

Director: Pat Battistini

Country: United States, Running Time: 25 min         

FORTUNE IN GOLD

Director: Anne Johnstonbrown          

Country: United States, Running Time: 9:57 min      

MY NEW PANTS       

Director: Gerard Zarra          

Country: United States, Running Time: 22:30 min    

ODD BIRD     

Director: Katy Dore    

Country: United States, Running Time: 8:45 min

ONE LAST DROP     

Director: Anthony Alyassi      

Country: United States, Running Time: 11:40 min                

QUARANTINE NYC  

Director: Alexander Samuilov

Country: United States, Running Time:  4:08 min

STUCCO       

Directors: Janina Gavankar, Russo Schelling          

Country: United States, Running Time: 17:29 min    

TALK OUTSIDE        

Director: Austin Davison        

Country: United States, Running Time: 7 min

TMARAMRLT

Director: Egor Barkanov        

Country: United States, Running Time: 7 min

UNICORNS   

Director: Candice Carella      

Country: United States, Running Time: 13 min

WAFFLE        

Director: Carlyn Hudson

Country: United States, Running Time: 10:57 min

ZOE & BRYN

Director: Maura Smith

Country: United States, Running Time: 25 min

U.S. Documentary Short Competition

AFFURMATIVE ACTION     

Director: Travis Wood

Running Time: 3:56 min         

DIEORAMA   

Director: Kevin Staake           

Country: United States, Running Time: 10:17 min

IN THE SAME DIRECTION: JEFF PIFHER & SOCRATES’ TRIAL           

Director: Alexander Craven   

Country: United States, Running Time: 17 min         

THE KALEIDOSCOPE GUY AT THE MARKET     

Director: Russell Brown         

Country: United States, Running Time: 21 min

ONE LAST JOB

Director: Tony Armer

Country: United States, Running Time: 15 min

PIE IN THE PUSS: A BRIEF HISTORY OF PIEING IN FILM         

Director: Stacey Davis          

Country: United States, Running Time: 9:27 min

WHAT IF…     

Director: Noah Berlow

Country: United States, Running Time: 7:37 min

International Narrative Short Competition

ANNA

Director: Dekel Berenson      

Country: Ukraine, Running Time: 15 min      

THE DOE       

Director: Jennifer Lumbroso  

Country: France, Running Time: 18 min       

DO NO HARM           

Director: Gabriel Horn

Country: Israel, Running Time: 5:40 min

ELEPHANTBIRD      

Director: Masoud Soheili        

Country: Afghanistan, Running Time: 15 min

HORSE          

Director: Mohamad Razazian

Country: Iran, Running Time: 13:28 min

MORDECHAI

Director: Andreas Flack        

Country: Israel, Running Time: 6:46 min                   

THE MORNING WALK         

Director: Marc Harpsøe        

Country: Denmark, Running Time: 22:18 min

SLAUGHTER

Directors: Saman Hosseinpuor, Ako Zandkarimi      

Country: Iran, Running Time: 13:03 min        

International Documentary Short Spotlight

CALL CENTER BLUES        

Director: Geeta Gandbhir      

Country: Mexico, Running Time: 25 min       

Music Video Competition

DREAM          

Director: Maxi Witrak, Jose Muro      

Country: United States, Running Time: 3:21 min      

LET THERE BE DRUMS      

Director: George Wada                     

Country: United States, Running Time: 1:30 min      

THE SUN WILL FOOL YOU

Directors: Daniel Bigelow, Talon Nightshade

Country: United States, Running Time: 4:42 min

Experimental and Animation Competition

PANCAKES   

Director: Chad Briggs

Country: United States, Running Time: 3:12 min

Student Competition

THE HUNT    

Director: Daarya Serji

Country: United States, Running Time: 10 min                     

THE MARGINS         

Director: Leia Christ   

Country: United States, Running Time: 9 min

SCREENPLAY CONTEST

FINDING FREEDOM

Writer: Bristol Mac Donald

Emma Wilson is a timid young woman who escapes a violently abusive relationship and returns to her family’s remote horse ranch where she hopes to find refuge, but tensions run high when she is reunited with her brother, a volatile bully and the reason she left home years ago. Prepared to flee once again, an unexpected kinship with a traumatized mustang helps Emma to confront her past and overcome her deepest fears.

FOREVER YOUNG

Writer: Jason Lor

A young man from ancient times is granted immortality until he finds his true love, no matter how long it takes.

FOUND                      

Writer: Chad Briggs

A troubled American soldier searches for a missing bomber crew while navigating the hostile cultural tensions of post-World War Two Japan.

LAST THURSDAY

Writer: Kevin Machate

When Dennis got up this morning, he wasn’t expecting that his bank would be robbed by a bunch of witless goons, or that they would take him hostage, but hey, it’s Thursday so it’s almost the weekend, right?

MY MISSING YEAR

Writer: Stephen Foster

A coming of age dramedy set in the backwater town of Bedford, Texas in 1979. Stephen a socially awkward, asthmatic, 11-year-old boy, lives with his mother, Patricia, and sister. Patricia’s attempts to make a better life for her kids uproots them and Stephen is separated from both and begins his odyssey of missing a year from his life.

SAINT TITUS

Writer: Dan Bowman

John Titus, a young conman, upon being forced to flee the states by a local mafia family, begins work for a children’s charitable organization in India. Through his skills in extortion, he’s able to make it the largest charity in Eastern Asia. But with prestige comes unwanted attention from governments, rivals, and the mob.

THE CANARY PROTOCOL

Writer: Michael McDonald

A young lady’s curse of being able to see when someone is about to die is ruthlessly manipulated by a rouge CIA agent. A strange turn of events leaves the young lady in a desperate battle to save her own life.

THREE LADIES        

Writer: Almudena Rojo Yela

A musical drama

Noah Warner’s THE TRAP DOOR AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE leads the 1^st Annual Big Bear Film Summit, announced the film lineup for the festival’s debut which will take place virtually on June 12-July 12, 2020.