Best of the Fest Nevada City Film Festival 2021
Saturday & Sunday, June 11 & 12, 2022, 7 pm
Doors 6:30 pm (running time 112 min)
TICKETS: Free, all-ages
INFO: www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com
Nevada City Film Festival (NCFF) presents a special encore screening of their 2021 Best of the Fest Program during two free community events, Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, at the historic Nevada Theatre. Film lovers along with curious residents and visitors are invited to enjoy this popular festival program in the newly renovated Nevada Theatre, featuring state-of-the-art picture and sound.
Dubbed “the Sundance of the Sierra”, NCFF is known for screening award-winning independent, international films and supporting emerging filmmakers.
“We are so excited to bring these films from last year’s festival to an in-person audience at the Nevada Theatre,” shared Jesse Locks, NCFF executive director. “Since we were there last, the theatre has gone through a major transformation with a beautiful new mural inside, along with a new projector, screen, and sound system – making it a fantastic place to see films now.”
For the fourth year, NCFF was named “One of the top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by Moviemaker Magazine. In 2021 over 500 films were submitted to NCFF from 41 countries around the world. And if that wasn’t enough, the program committee watched an additional 100 films from other film festivals and film schools to finally narrow the 2021 program down to the 80 short and feature-length films. From those films, the festival directors suggested a dozen films for award consideration to Festival Judges.
The Best of the Fest program features winners, audience favorites, and program director’s top picks. Films include:
Queen of Basketball directed by Ben Proudfoot is an Academy award-winning documentary short about the electrifying Lucy Harris, who scored the first basket in women’s Olympic history and was the first and only woman officially drafted into the N.B.A. Harris has remained largely unknown – until now. (NCFF Winner of Best of the Fest and Best Documentary Short)
Between You and Milagros directed by Marion Saffon is a narrative short film from Colombia. At fifteen, Milagros’ world still revolves around her mother’s affection. This summer an unexpected encounter with death will make her question their relationship, her privilege and her own existence. (NCFF Winner of Best Narrative Short)
The Boy and the Owl is an award-winning animated short film written and directed by Mário Gajo de Carvalho and is about a young boy who lives his life in a magical way, surrounded by the picturesque atmosphere of his village. A fable about love and the act of letting it go.
The Grave of Saint Oran, this short stop-motion animation is a twisted philosophical tale of two saints, a murder, and the dark history behind the chapel on the island of Iona. Narrated by master storyteller Neil Gaiman, it is based on his poem ‘In Relig Odhrain’ and is brought to life with beautifully illustrated paper cutouts meticulously hand-animated frame by frame.
The directorial debut of screenwriter KD Dávila, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated short with Levin Menekse, Please Hold is a biting social satire that examines the increasingly profit-driven and dehumanizing penal system where marginalized communities are left to shoulder the costs.
Joe Buffalo is a documentary short about Joe Buffalo is an Indigenous skateboard legend. He’s also a survivor of Canada’s notorious Indian Residential School system. Following a traumatic childhood and decades of addiction, Joe must face his inner demons to realize his dream of turning pro. NCFF Winner of Best Editing and Best Cinematography.
Close Ties to Home County is a hilarious short film written and directed by Akanksha Cruczynski. Millennial immigrant Akanksha waits for her sister’s visit from India (they haven’t seen each other in nine years!) Meanwhile, she’s dogsitting the fancy Frenchie of Instagram influencers India and Harry, who themselves are on a trip to India’s namesake.
“The Best of the Fest program has something for every film lover,” says Locks. “We programmed it to be a fun introductory screening for folks who missed the festival last year or check out the festival for the first time. We hope everyone enjoys the free screening. It’s going to look amazing on the new setup at the theatre.”
These screenings are a co-presentation with the Onyx Downtown, a new project of the Onyx Theatre, featuring films at the Nevada Theatre every Sunday night and during special events throughout the year.
