Copa Shorts Film Fest 2021 Program

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Proud Community Partner
InMaricopa
Supports the Arts
InMaricopa congratulates
Copa Shorts Film Fest
on their successful 5thYear
Visit InMaricopa.com/calendar
to See What’s Happening

Maricopa ARTS Council (MAC)
Congratulates
COPA SHORTS FILM FEST
on a successful fifth year of bringing
recognition to local filmmaking talent.
MAC represents every ART Form
Music, Dance, Theatre, Poetry, Film, many varieties of
Visual Arts, plus "Inside the Creative Mind 11
lectures, Photography, Videography, Discussions,
and more!
''
' ' ''
0 o Maricopa ARTS Council (MAC) was founded by Maricopa Artists in 2013 to
';, empower the Arts and the entire Creative Community in our city. MAC is
MA iuco P ; a 501©(3) non-profit corporation, a member of the Chamber of Commerce,
·.•..,,,.,..."•.::.--'· .· and 2018-2020 grantee of the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Welcome to the 5th Annual
Copa Shorts Film Fest
Copa Shorts Film Fest has opted for a second virtual festival in the interest of
public health and safety. Although we call it “virtual,” the festival includes real
and fantasy stories that will move you – to laughter, grins, giggles and guffaws.
Films highlight human and non-human beings coping with challenges
from outer space and earth. From giving birth to finding new ways of life at
many ages, the 2021 CSFF films will entertain and surprise you!
Our all-comedy film festival includes stellar comedies from previous years, as
well as new comedy films we’re showing for the first time.
To make the films accessible, as our gift to you, the entire festival can be seen
both days at your leisure. Like Cinderella, you must finish viewing prior to
midnight on Sunday, November 7 th . We also set our pricing at an extremely
affordable $10.00 per ticket for the entire festival. (That includes anyone who
wishes to see the event from your home during the two days.)
A fitting seminar with our comedy-themed films is Pat Battistini’s workshop,
“Creating Comedy from the Ordinary.” Pat has been a winner in our prior
festivals and offers his insights on how to develop a humorous film. After seeing
the workshop, you’ll appreciate our filmmakers’ efforts to provide some
laughter during a very serious year.
We’re streaming on xerb.tv again. A xerb.tv feature you can enjoy is the ability
to use the drop-down after each film plays to offer your comments. Some
filmmakers will check the comments and respond. (Filmmakers are often on
sets during weekends, but if they’re available they will respond.)
At the end of the festival showings, please use the drop-down to provide
your choice for “Audience Choice.” You’ll be voting on your favorites from this
year’s submissions only. If you consider a film “Best of the Fest,” feel free to
write in your choice.
After we tally your responses, we’ll add the Audience Choice to the Winners’
listings on the copashortsfilmfest.org homepage the next day.
Grab your popcorn and settle in for several hours of fun viewing!
Note to Parents: xerb.tv allows us to designate films 18+ that are not suitable
for younger children. You may view the films first and decide whether you
wish to allow your children to see adult-themed films.
We’re so glad you’re joining us! Enjoy the films!
Shelley Gillespie

FESTIVAL POLICIES
FILM RATING ADVISORY
Films are not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Adults must determine whether a film is suitable for their child.
Viewing is at your own discretion. Film listings in the xerb.tv virtual
program indicate appropriate ages for viewing (9+, 13+, 18+).
RECORDING OF EVENTS
Filmmakers have allowed us to show their films. Please do not copy
or record their films, which are copyrighted by the filmmakers.
Please respect their creative work.
2021 Festival Administration
Copa Shorts Film Fest is a volunteer organization. We thank all of those
who support us and make the festival possible.
Board of Directors
Roger Gillespie
Shelley Gillespie
Gina D’Abella
Executive Director
Shelley Gillespie
Festival Director
Roger Gillespie
Original Cover Art
Mai May Tallwing
Judy Tallwing
Film Reviewers
Andrea Yang
Laurie Fagen
Matt Sugerik
Gina D’Abella
Lilyann Foster
Amanda Li
Screenplay Jury
Roger Gillespie
Shelley Gillespie
Gina D’Abella
Laurie Fagen
Andrea Yang
Lilyann Foster
ASU Interns
Amanda Li - Media
Andrea Yang – Admin
Advisory Board
Gina D’Abella
Stephen Wade Nebgen
Steve Wargo
Jason Stahl
Matthew Sugerik

2021 DONORS
We thank the following individuals, who have pledged their support
to Copa Shorts Film Fest, Inc. through their generous financial gifts.
Mayor Christian Price
Vice Mayor Nancy Smith
Council Member Henry Wade
Council Member Bob Marsh
Judith & Gary Zaimont
Mai May Tallwing
Anonymous-Benevity Fund
BUSINESS DONORS
Central Arizona College
City of Maricopa
Arizona Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
Orbitel Communications
InMaricopa.com
Stephen Wade Nebgen, PLLC
Lizard Heights Glass
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HELP SUPPORT CSFF EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Who likes movies? Nearly everyone. Prior to the pandemic, almost
90%* of US residents went to the movies at some point during the
year. Now, many folks view films from home, making an even larger
audience. Virtual is the way to go now for “an abundance of caution
and safety for our festival participants.”
Copa Shorts Film Fest exists to provide a positive force for movies:
showing them, creating them, and learning how to create even
better ones to entertain and enlighten film lovers. We began CSFF
to educate and train new filmmakers.
In five years, we’re seeing students progress in their craft of movie-making
from rudimentary starts to projects with energy and
finesse. We run regular film workshops to provide filmmakers and
students with the opportunity to learn and master their craft.
Filmmaking is a worthy and, potentially, lucrative career, especially
if someone is passionate about learning and creating a film. What
could be better than using imagination to show people new aspects
of the world, deliver laughs, and provide a thoughtful analysis
of a true or fictional experience?
Your donations ensure that our educational efforts will be available
to more young filmmakers. Please consider a donation. We are a
501(c)(3) not-for-profit.
Go to: www.copashortsfilmfest.org to donate on a secure site.
Thank you! Your contribution can make a difference!
*https://www.statista.com/statistics/264396/frequency-of-going-to-the-movies-in-the-us/

WORKSHOP / SEMINAR
Join us for our virtual workshop
Tickets available at: https://xerb.tv/channel/csff2020-/virtual-events
This workshop is available on demand throughout our festival
Workshop - Start time, November 6th at 10:00 am
Pat Battistini
Creating Comedy from the Ordinary
In these unprecedented times, comedy is more important than
ever. Learn how to include comic elements in your work –
without slipping on a banana peel or crashing a clown car!
Pat has a broad background, including performing in improv and
comedy groups internationally. In 2019, his Copa Shorts film “Tin
Can” won both Audience and Director’s Choice Awards. In 2020
and 2021, Pat’s comedy submissions have been selected for CSFF.

2021 VENUES
YOUR LIVING ROOM
YOUR OFFICE YOUR PHONE
YOUR BACKYARD!
All Events
Streaming virtually on: https://xerb.tv/channel/csff2020-/virtual-events
November 6, 10:00AM to November 7, 11:59PM
TICKET INFORMATION
Welcome to Copa Shorts Film Fest 2021 - Virtually!
CSFF has only one ticket available this year: a full VIP pass for the
entire festival for only $10.00. Purchase tickets in advance to save a
virtual seat at: https://xerb.tv/channel/csff2020-/virtual-events
Once a film block shows at the scheduled time, it is then available
for repeat viewing until 11:59 PM on November 7th. See a film you
loved – over and over! Show the proud grandparents, cousins, sisters
and aunts the films in your family room.
VIP ALL ACCESS PASS
A CSFF 2021 VIP All-Access pass
provides access to every block.
COST: $10.00
Have a question?
Please contact us at:
info@copashortsfilmfest.org
EXCHANGES AND REFUNDS
All ticket sales are final. No refunds
or exchanges of festival
tickets will be available.

Aspirations (Block A) Runtime: 1:13
Falafel 19:13 13+
Director: Nikita Hattangady
Two young professionals having an awful morning suddenly meet at a
cafe in London. A day that starts out terrible does not have to end that
way. Falafel is a story about dreams coming true.
Birth of a Salesman 8:45 9+
Director: Dylan Coty
A Door-to-Door Salesman struggles with the realities of the American
dream during the Covid-19 pandemic.
First Contact 5:00 9+
Director: Geoff Allen
Animation
A team of experts argue over what to do after humanity receives a message
from aliens. It doesn’t go well.
Equity 11:54 13+
Director: Keegan Luther
When an expert at finding value in startup companies loses sight of values
in his own life, he forges a radical and uncertain path to rediscover what
he lost.
Don Garbaggio 8:12 13+
Director: Steve Alleva
Three Sanitation men are really passionate about trash!
Deflated Dreamer 5:00 9+
Director: Jonason Pauley
Red loses his job at the used car lot and doesn’t know where to turn. Now he’s
looking for a new career move with some wiggle room.
Date Night 11:16 13+
Director: Zachery Hess
Two 60-somethings are totally out of their comfort zone when it comes to dating.
They decide to give romance another chance.

Challenges (Block B) Runtime: 1:18
Tesla 9:30 18+
Director: Rick Ross
An ironic look at what happens when men refuse to listen to women that ultimately
makes an appeal for us all to stop assuming and just listen.
Keeping Up With Mom 14:30 18+
Director: Rebecca Blair
As boredom sets in, 80-year-old Carol successfully goes snooping for adventure
and watches with delight, as her three daughters navigate the repercussions of
her actions.
Wee Shadows 3:04 13+
Director: Steve Goodison
Animation
Edinburgh, Scotland 1828. Two crooks are hired by a corrupt surgeon to steal a
fresh body from Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. But they find this simple task more difficult
than first thought, both in the physical and the spiritual sense.
Hold It 5:30 18+
Director: Sebastian Feichtinger
Three strangers share an elevator with two major complications, the elevator is
stuck between floors and one of the passengers is about to give birth!
Mid Life Conversations 18:38 18+
Director: Maria Filippone
When a wife realizes her husband is living out his dream as a stand up comic, she
feels that she has lost her purpose.
The World Next Door 10:00 18+
Director: Viviana Garibay
Families are always complicated, and Christmas dinner is no exception, especially
when a grandma tries to hide her secret lesbian relationship from her granddaughter.

Welcome To Our Home 7:33 18+
Director: Gregory M Schroeder
When Brad brings his liberal girlfriend home to meet his conservative parents,
tensions escalate and monsters are unleashed.
Bandwidth 5:00 18+
Director: Pat Battistini
Frank’s important job interview on Zoom goes south due to his “stay at
home” Covid precautious family using up his bandwidth.
2021 Short Screenplay Contest
Winner - “The Break-App”
When a couple is awakened by an app counting down to
their break-up, they have 13 minutes to figure out what’s
wrong and save their relationship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Born in Toronto and raised mainly in New Jersey, with
a stint in Belgium, Alison grew up on 90s romantic comedies,
but realized that real-life romance doesn’t always
work out. She is fascinated by how technology is embedded
in our personal lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“The Break-App” melds these ideas with hilarious results.
Alison Zatta
Her brother Christopher filmed Alison’s screenplay, “Girl
Meets Roach,” which was shown at Copa Shorts Film Fest
in 2018.
Honorable Mention
High School Screenwriter - Nate Hunt
“Behind You” - A haunted house visit goes awry!

Love & Complications (Block C) Runtime: 1:12
Proverbial Luck 5:00 18+
Director: Dave Lojek
Germany (English subtitles) 2017
Two neighbors meet and fall in love, but their language doesn’t always translate
into what they really mean.
The Existential Crisis of Maxwell Anderson 14:19 18+
Director: Ben Steinberg
HIgh School 2018
A bright, socially-challenged high school student discovers the cure to a happy
life might be simpler than you think.
Finding Happy 12:06 18+
Director: Collin O’Brien 2019
A young professional has a difficult time adjusting to his new surroundings and
accepts prescription medicine as a last resort.
Lola 7:00 13+
Director: Ella McKeon
Middle School 2020
An unpopular girl finds a dead body while walking home from school. This event
changes her life in the most unexpected way.
A Running Start 11:10 13+
Director: Tony Armer 2018
An unemployed shoe salesman witnesses a murder while on his way to ask his
girlfriend’s father if he can marry his daughter and have a job.
Ms Rossi 5:14 18+
Director: Pat Battistini
Italy (English subtitles) 2020
While on her way to a business meeting, Ms. Rossi takes an interesting detour.
Cupids 13:00 13+
Director: Angelo Calarco
United Kingdom 2018
Two cupids need to team up in one of the greatest challenges of modern times:
getting two strangers to talk to each other!

Expectations (Block D) Runtime: 1:20
Moving Day 6:54 9+
Directors: Jonason Pauley, Jesse Perrotta
Animation/Live Action
2020 Audience and Director’s Choice
In this comedy starring puppets, a nice friend helps his buddy pack up to move.
What cherished belongings will they discover as they rifle through the boxes?
Girl Meets Roach 17:00 13+
Director: Christopher Zatta
2018
Dumped just before Christmas, a brokenhearted young woman forms an unlikely
friendship . . . with a cockroach.
The Wolf 7:32 13+
Director: Owen Royce
2018
The Griffins have more issues than just their online presence, but today they need
the perfect family photo to finally break 100 likes. Facebook Specialist, Fran (AKA
The Wolf) and her unique cohort Steve set out to tweak each family member’s
profile and piece together one beautiful family photo.
A King’s Betrayal 8:27 9+
Director: David Bornstein
2017
The final 24 hours in the life of a Piñata, as told from the Piñata’s perspective.

Detective Texas Toast 7:20 9+
Director: Isaac Harmon
High School 2020
A film noir parody starring a sentient piece of toast.
Pipe Dream 4:42 13+
Director: Normann Bjorvand
Sweden 2018
Music lives within a prison awaiting a lucid and fringe dream that seeks
out hosts for its short-lived dance of the fantastic.
Diamond Game 9:52 13+
Director: Nolan Hieu Trifunovic
High School 2020
Three high school teens write a 70s cop show, but the characters they create
are self aware. One of them begins to question their masters.
Belly Flop 14:01 13+
Director: Marc Gaudioso
2017 Festival Winner
A dark comedy, set into motion when an eight-year old girl reads a headline
on a trashy grocery-store magazine cover: Mother of Quintuplets Says
She Got Pregnant from Fried Chicken!

Sunday November 7th
12:00 Noon
Runtime: 58:00
Best Of The Fest 2021
Welcome to Copa Shorts Film Fest’s “Best of the Fest.” The
films you will see are the highest rated submissions for 2021.
We’ve kept these winning films a secret so you have the ability
to form your own opinions.
At the end of the film block, you can choose the one that you
feel deserves the “Audience Choice” award.
You’ll find a drop-down on your website to make your choice.
We will announce the Audience Choice winner on our website,
Copashortsfilmfest.org - Monday afternoon.
We’ve loved seeing the creativity and technical ability of all
our comedy filmmakers’ works.
We hope you enjoy the Best of the Fest!

Copa Shorts Film Fest 2021 is proud to partner with the following
businesses to bring independent films and screenplays to Maricopa.
SPONSORS
MEDIA & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
FILM & ALLIED MEDIA SUPPORT