Philadelphia Independent Film Festival: Quick Picks June 25 – 29

The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (#PIFF @PhilaIndie) is in it’s 7th year of “showcasing a unique cinematic experience unrestrained by conventional boundaries”. The festival (hatched in 2007 out of the mediabureau.com film initiative) – annually programs 80+ films across 12 genres and produces or sponsors on average 6 film events a year.

Last year, I did a little blogging for the festival and during the year kept in touch with two of the awesome programmers – James E D Keating & Melissa O’Donnell. Melissa is also an actress on the rise, who works with various directors on many Philly film sets, one such project will be screened during PIFF – A Woman Full of Trouble (short 7 mins) by The Warped One. Synopsis: Evil. As her footfalls draw near, so does your fate. What happens when Candy stops for a cup of joe will haunt you for decades. Melissa O’Donnell and Aimee Theresa star in this film-noir inspired short, featuring an original score by Adam Schwartz.


M. Sean McManus is a brilliant director, writer and all around artists. One of my favorites I have ever worked with. He is vastly talented and knows what he wants – Melissa O’Donnell

Woman Full of Trouble Screening date: Friday, June 27th 6:30pm at PAFA (118-128 N Broad St.)

this short precedes – Swing Lowe Sweet Chariot – (Featuring Chuck D) a modern day Bonnie & Clyde meets gangster movie, set in Cleveland, Ohio. The streets are the banks, and the bad guys play downright dirty.

I asked Melissa what else I should try to catch during the festival, she, of course had quite a list! Of the screenings she mentioned, below are a few of my picks:

PIFF 2014- Festival Director Benjamin Barnett

Altered (Sci-fi/Drama) (Local) (Philadelphia Premier) Beth Darren is mother to the zombie virus. Darren’s final video log shows the analytical scientist decaying from her creation while discovering her own humanity. Speaking to the best part of her in a fatal race against time, Beth Darren is Altered. Screening: Thursday June 26, 9:45pm – 11:40pm, PAFA

Wallabout –  (Pennsylvania Premier) After living abroad for 10 years, a single woman struggles to reboot her life in NY. With music by renonwed guitarist Vernon Reid, WALLABOUT is an urban meditation on artistic perseverance and the eternal search for family. Screening: Friday June 27 10:10pm – 11:50pm Plays & Players (17th & Delancey)

Down River 92 min (Drama) (Canada) (North American Premier) Three young women artists all live in the same building. Their guide in life is a neighbor named Pearl, a charismatic and caring older woman who inspires them to new heights. When Pearl unexpectedly leaves their lives, the three are forced to overcome their fears and face the future without the guidance they’ve come to rely on.

Screening: Saturday, June 28, 11:30am – 1:05pm PAFA

OJ – The Musical (Musical/Comedy) (LA, USA) (PA Premier) Eugene Olivier is a ‘fairly successful’ theater artist in NYC, where he has spent the last ten years of his life putting on various musicals to rave reviews. Against all odds and with little time to spare, Eugene must face his own demons, learn the true meaning of friendship and rediscover his own love for the theater if he is ever to achieve his goal of creating the next great American musical. Screening: Sunday, June 29th 3:30pm Plays & Players

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