Congratulations to the Winners of the 2022 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2022 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition.

We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

FIRST PLACE

A Package of Dreams - by Bradley M. Look
A boy longs to be a television horror host when he grows up. But that dream gets derailed as adulthood pressures him into work with his father at a parcel service. Fate steps in connecting him with a hero from childhood in a supernatural way, proving that even dreams need a little help.

SECOND PLACE

A Long Road Ahead - by Bernhard Riedhammer
A trailblazing transgender woman, stranded in the middle of nowhere, must hitch a ride with an opinionated retiree in order to stop her ex from leaving the country with their son.

THIRD PLACE

The Smell - by Stephen Hansen
Jay goes to a Walgreens to pick up some items. He’s met with an unexpected smell, and challenge.

FINALISTS

Hugh Was Here - by Montgomery Burt
Fantasy and reality collide as an unassuming long-time employee struggles to make a big exit on his last day at work, but his indifferent co-workers are no help as his violent fantasies finally catch up with him.

Blackboard Billions - by Jamila Jackson
A woman who rocketed to the top in the 80s cutthroat world of chalkboard sales recounts her success, but an arch nemesis from the past might erase her accomplishments.

Applicant American - by John Kestner
Fearing the worst, three stoners flee to Mexico when the government decides to save the environment by euthanizing the homeless.

Dolores - by Michael Seabolt and Greg Schroeder
Ethan (20’s) is having trouble sleeping. Every night, while he’s getting ready to go to sleep, a ghost lies down in bed with him. It scares him, but he also misses the ghost when it leaves, for its appearance and smell remind him of his dead girlfriend Dolores.

Three Nights Only - by Philip C. Sedgwick
A comedienne has a chance encounter with a recently unemployed man rumored to be devoid of a funny bone.

Deep Hush - by Kristy Walsh
While writing her brother's eulogy, a young woman discovers an avant-garde photograph that sends her down a path of self-discovery.

Heritage - by Chasah West and Charliese West
Grace, an African-American teenager with Louisiana creole heritage, has a whirlwind day entertaining a visitor who only speaks French.

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Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com

Here They Are - The Official 2022 Phoenix Film Festival Posters!

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A Singin' Swingin' Glorious poster for 2022!

Designed by Mandy Matthews

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There's no escaping next year's festival!

Design by Alex Patrick Merrill

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Another charming poster for PFF2022

Design by Lisa Marie Lara

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No need to fight! We'll give you all access to this epic poster!

Design by Amy Betts

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BUT WAIT! There is one more.

Marty Freetage has designed another amazing poster for the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2021 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition.

We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

First Place

Petrov by Ryan Patch of Sun Valley, CA

In 1983, a Soviet Air Watch officer must make the most important decision of his life when he learns that the USA has launched five nuclear missiles at the USSR. A true story based on declassified Russian documents.

Second Place

Ella by Rodgers Wilson of Phoenix, AZ

Based on a true story, The first Black female physician in Louisiana faces misogyny, and racism in the early 20th Century as she embarks on a new career in the segregated south.

Third Place

MIJO by John McCarney of Goodyear, AZ  

As the Second American Civil War rages, an American father risks his life to get his son across the border to safety in Mexico.

Finalists

What's Wrong With Me? by Shawna Baca of Los Angeles, AZ

A young Indigenous woman must battle to escape the mental purgatory that she is trapped in before it consumes her.

The Basement by James Burns of Phoenix, AZ

Trapped in a cage in his father’s basement, a young boy fights to escape with his life; but when he discovers his father’s dark secret, things become a little more complicated than he imagined.

CHAT by Kim Hornsby of Seattle, WA

When a plain accountant attracts the online attention of a handsome man quarantined in a London Hotel room, she plays out the escalating and creepy relationship to the end just like she planned.

Divorce By Combat! by Carl Huebner of Brooklyn, NY

A novice attorney must defend an adulterous queen against the king's champion in an unconventional legal proceeding where the courtroom is a gladiatorial arena.

Jessie by John McCarney of Goodyear, AZ  

An elderly passenger confronts a mysterious young stranger on a city bus in 1955 Alabama.

Graveyard Girl by Sixa Monmarché of Gilbert, AZ

A deaf cemetery groundskeeper falls for an abused teen with supernatural powers and plots a robbery to help her escape her tortured life.

Heroes and Villains by Collin O'Brien of Scottsdale, AZ

A young superfan finds out that he's fighting for the wrong side and tries to become the hero he wants to be.

Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com.

Win tickets to see "The Little Things"

"The Little Things" starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, & Jared Leto is out in theaters on 1/29 and we've got a chance for you to see it FREE!"The Little Things" starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, & Jared Leto is out in theaters on 1/29 and we've got a chance for you to see it FREE!

Go to our Facebook page and tell us your favorite Denzel movie to enter today.

Military Wives is available to stream as part of PFF's Home Movies!

“Hugely engaging, enormously moving.”

— Daily Mail

The Phoenix Film Festival’s Stay at Home Movies is happy to partner with our friends at Bleecker Street and their Community Cinema program in bringing you their latest release, Military Wives.

From the director of The Full Monty and starring Kristin Scott Thomas (THE ENGLISH PATIENT) and Sharon Horgan (CATASTROPHE), MILITARY WIVES centers on a group of women from different backgrounds whose partners are away serving in Afghanistan. Faced with their loved ones’ absences, they come together to form the very first military wives choir, helping each other through some of life’s most difficult moments, and quickly find themselves on an international stage.

MILITARY WIVES is available to stream for only $4.99 from the comfort of your home. And while we know that the best place to watch films is with other people in those comfy Harkins seats, until we can do that again, our PFF Stay-at-home movies allow you to see first run films safely at home.

Finding our voice together, apart.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2020 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition.

We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

First Place

Zap! by Philip Sedgwick of Tucson, AZ

An astronomer sharing backyard observations of the center of our galaxy has a run-in with mosquitoes, and a not so trusty bug zapper.

Second Place

One Afternoon In Purgatory by Timothy Kissel of Downingtown, PA

Imagine Purgatory as just another large, impersonal, retail store. One that has seen its better days, with all the panache of a rundown Walmart or aged super market. It's the story of three recently deceased individuals, and the interactions they have with the three cashiers who wait on them.

Third Place

MIJO by John McCarney of Goodyear, AZ  

As the Second American Civil War rages, an American father risks his life to get his son across the border to safety in Mexico.

Finalists

Continental Breakfast by Butterfly Cherry of Chandler, AZ

An overly imaginative girl finds creative ways to escape the mundane, desolate life of working and living in an old roadside motel in the middle of nowhere.

Downballot by John Goshorn of Statesboro, GA

A small-town Georgia politician tries to claw his way back to power by any means necessary.

Confession by Max La Caria of Peoria, AZ

A man makes his confessions for his past sins.

Mullarkey's Ghosts by Lesley Lillywhite of Tucson, AZ

As an urban couple celebrates an anniversary in Arizona, ghosts from the old west conspire to unravel their secrets.

Safe by Walter Long of Phoenix, AZ

A grieving young boy finds a way to remember his lost mother using his love of baseball.

An Unfinished Agenda by Philip Sedgwick of Tucson, AZ

Two journalists, previously separated in a war zone, reunite in the Arizona desert to document vigilante activities and catch up with their incomplete personal agenda.

The Eulogist by Peter Strupp of Carefree, AZ

A cynical eulogist receives a postmortem visit from one of his "clients," in a conversation that forever changes his outlook on life and death.

Punked by Kate Whitehead of Toronto, Ontario Canada

Punk rocker Daryl attempts to save his marriage in the divorce court parking lot, but his wife Renee proves resistant to his well-hidden charm.

Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com.

The Five - Phoenix Film Festival

Written by Kyley Warren

Now that we’ve all had a moment to breathe, recuperate on some lost sleep time – with no regrets though of course, because let’s be honest, those weekend after-parties were poppin’ – and finally return to a diet that isn’t just comprised of movie theater popcorn and candy, it’s only right that we set some time aside to reflect on what a remarkable experience this year’s Phoenix Film Festival truly was. Whether you’re a festival aficionado or a first-timer to our beloved event, all of our attendees were sure to find fun, fascinating films and special comraderies that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else. With that, for the final “The Five” post of this series, we’re highlighting the five best things about this year’s 2019 Phoenix Film Festival.

5.) The Filmmakers

This year’s filmmakers were very introspective and there was a unique level of emotional simplicity that allowed the audience members to truly relate to and resonate with these well-developed characters in a special capacity. The wide array of films, documentaries and shorts that comprised this year’s lineup is a testament to the exciting future that is ahead for the entertainment industry, so as long as we have creative innovators – like those featured in this year’s lineup – at the helm of change within the film industry.

4.) Geek Day

Comic-Con in the comforts of a friendly, festival environment? We’ll take it. Geek Day delivered that and so much more at this year’s festival. With awesome auction prizes, energetic cosplayers, a photography station, a Bingo raffle and a handful of the geekiest vendors in the state, this year’s Geek Day was truly one for the books.

Whether you just wanted the chance to channel your inner-nerd or you got to bond with some fellow geeks over your favorite comics, films and franchises, Geek Day served as a space to allow you to be free and have fun with your greatest passions.

3.) Opening & Closing Night Films

We’ll admit, our opening and closing night films are great every single years, but our two films this year were truly something special. The festival opened with the highly-talked-about and critically acclaimed “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” a film by Academy Award-nominated director Joe Berlinger – who was in attendance, by the way – that, chronicled the mysterious and highly-complicated life of Ted Bundy, through the eyes of his longtime girlfriend. The film, which was historically picked up by Netflix, has garnered attention for its vivid storytelling and captivating performances.

“The Farewell,” which was our darling, closing night film told the endearing tale of a family that disguises their grandmother’s diagnosis that she only has a short time to live, so they throw a wedding to gather the family together one last time to honor her. The movie is a glimpse into authentic family dynamics – as complicated as they may be – and how much we would do to comfort and take care of the people we love.

2.) Our Volunteers

Maybe we’re biased, but we’re convinced that we have the best volunteers in the world. And if you had the privilege of attending this year’s festival, we’re pretty sure you probably feel the exact same way. Every day, there were dozens of helpful folk perusing the festival grounds and working behind the scenes to ensure that each and every little detail was addressed for the sake of a seamless and fun movie-going experience for all of our attendees. Some arrived early in the morning to meet our guests with a smile, while others worked late into the night to cover our lively after-party scene.

The best part about our volunteer staff is that all of them are here for the same reason: an undeniable love for the art of a film and an inherent desire to dedicate their time to ensure that others get the opportunity to enjoy the craft just as much as they do. Our festival is arguably one of the most hospitable and friendly in the nation, and that’s all thanks to our incredible volunteers and festival staff.

1.) The Festival Attendees

While the list of great things about this year’s festival is a rather long one, we can’t conclude this list without mentioning our incredible festival attendees and their unparalleled passion for quality filmmaking – no matter who made these films, where these stories originate from or what language they are in. Our festival team is able to achieve new goals and raise the bar even higher year by year because of the people who buy tickets, sport our sleek merch and indulge in our eclectic lineup of movies. Thank you for all of your support and passion. We can’t wait to bring you an even better festival next April!

The Five - Pixar Films

Written by Jose Ignacio Castaneda

Pixar movies deliver extremely relatable stories that are told through extraordinary characters or circumstances alongside strong themes and beautiful animation. No other studio can boast to concurrently be a precedent of the past and a titan of the future. That is why we argued, bickered, fought, bargained and finally compromised on our top five favorite Pixar films of all time.

5. WALL-E (2008)

This animated feature follows the tracks of Earth’s last trash-compacting robot, WALL-E. The movie is set in a future where the Earth has become unlivable due to an excess of garbage and climate change. When WALL-E is unexpectedly visited by a sleek futuristic robot named EVE, he gives her Earth’s first post-apocalyptic plant. EVE returns to her home ship in order to report the change in Earth’s sustainability and WALL-E follows. This film is one of the few animated children’s films that touch upon some of the most pertinent and scary problems that our world is currently facing. While these themes are viewed through an animated robot lens, they still carry a lot of weight in the movie. Furthermore, themes of love and responsibility intertwine with the beautiful animation of the film. A movie about a robot romance in outer space that resonates with audiences of all ages? Pixar at its finest.  

4. Inside Out (2015)

Inside Out follows the character of Riley Andersen as she struggles to cope with new emotions during a tumultuous time of change in her life. More importantly, the film follows the emotions in her head as they scramble to cope with the changes. Riley’s five emotions are personified as the characters of Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger. After Riley’s core emotions start to become infiltrated with sadness, Joy must try to stop all of them from becoming sad. The movie’s originality, characters and ability to discuss strong topics propel it to number four on our list.

3. Coco (2017)

This film tells the story of Miguel and his struggle to find himself, his family and his passion through a quest across multiple worlds. After his music-hating family reprimands him for hiding his stash of music memorabilia, Miguel tries to fulfill his dreams of becoming a musician by stealing the guitar of a dead icon. Because of this trespass, Miguel is stuck in the land of the dead with no way to get home. Coco beautifully represents Mexican culture through its imagery, music and themes. The film contains beautiful shots of intricate and colorful animation alongside a creative story. The movie uses Pixar’s traditional facets to their maximum potential by pulling on the heart strings with themes of memory, family and death. Coco is a gentle animated reminder that we will always have our families with us, no matter what.   

2. Up (2009)

This movie tells the story of the elderly Carl Fredricksen and his quest to finally fulfill his late wife’s dream to visit Paradise Falls in South America. In a last-ditch effort to visit the Falls, Carl ties thousands of balloons to his house in order to fly there. To Carl’s displeasure, a young boy scout names Russell tags along with him in order to gain another young explorer badge. Throughout the film, Carl’s relationship as an unwilling mentor to Russell develops as they both try to complete their crusades. As most of our readers know, the first six minutes of this film show a truly heart-wrenching anthology of unexpected love and its ultimate loss. Up is beautiful view of normal human life through a fantastical lens, the ultimate staple of a great Pixar movie.

1. The Toy Story Franchise (1995- Present)

This trio of films tells the story of a group of sentient toys and their adventures alongside their owner, Andy. Melancholy topics such as being forgotten and growing up are discussed through this rag-tag team of toys. While the movies focus on all the toys, the true heart lies in the evolution of the relationship between Woody, a veteran cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear, a top-of-the-line astronaut. While they begin as adversaries, Buzz and Woody ultimately work together to get back to Andy. While the first two films in the franchise have emotional undertones, it is not until Toy Story 3 that the films reach their emotive climax. It is during the third installment that audiences must say goodbye to their childhood characters and finally come to terms with growing up themselves. The Toy Story franchise became a staple of quality for Pixar movies while also establishing a celebrated precedent for all animated films.