The Slamdance Film Festival, the rowdier cousin of the Sundance, has announced a competitive lineup that includes films about disco, porn, hacking and three virgins inspired by "The Catcher in the Rye."
The Slamdance lineup, which was chosen out of nearly 5,000 submissions, is limited to first-time directors and films made for less than $1 million.
Past Slamdance premieres include "Paranormal Activity" and the documentaries "Mad Hot Ballroom" and "The King of Kong,"
Slamdance will take place from January 20 through 26 in Park City, Utah, simultaneously with Sundance.
The lineup, with descriptions from the Slamdance press release:
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION PROGRAM, PRESENTED BY KODAK:
"Bindlestiffs"
Director: Andrew Edison, Screenwriters: Andrew Edison, Luke Loftin (USA)
World Premiere
Three smart-mouthed high school virgins, suspended from school on a graffiti charge, flee to the inner city to live out the plot of "The Catcher in the Rye."
Cast: Andrew Edison, Luke Loftin, John Karna
"Comforting Skin"
Director: Derek Franson, Screenwriter: Derek Franson (Canada)
US Premiere
A lonely young woman's desperate need for emotional and physical companionship draws her into a surreal and ultimately destructive relationship with a shifting and whispering tattoo she has willed to life on her skin.
Cast: Jane Sowerby, Tygh Runyan, Victoria Bidewell
"Doppelgänger Paul (or A Film About How Much I Hate Myself)"
Director: Dylan Akio Smith, Kris Elgstrand, Screenwriter: Kris Elgstrand (Canada)
US Premiere
The unlikely relationship of two lonely men whose connection sets off a chain of events resulting in the loss of a thumb, the theft of a manuscript, and two appearances on a popular morning talk show.
Cast: Brad Dryborough, Tygh Runyan
"Faith, Love and Whiskey"
Director: Kristina Nikolova, Screenwriters: Kristina Nikolova, Paul Dalio (Bulgaria)
World Premiere
A young Bulgarian woman, engaged to a well-off American, panics and runs back home, reuniting with her drifter friends and the wild life of her past and falling in love with her passionate but alcoholic best friend.
Cast: Ana Stojanovska, Valeri Yordanov, John Keabler, Lidia Indjova, Yavor Baharov
"Heavy Girls"
Director: Axel Ranisch, Screenwriters: Axel Ranisch, Heiko Pinkowski, Peter Trabner (Germany)
US Premiere
Sven lives with his elderly mother; Daniel is her caregiver. When she wanders off, their misadventure to find her leads them to discover their confusing affection for each other.
Cast: Heiko Pinkowski, Peter Trabner, Ruth Bickelhaupt
"OK, Good"
Director: Daniel Martinico, Screenwriters: Hugo Armstrong, Daniel Martinico (USA)
World Premiere
A series of demoralizing auditions and a cultish movement workshop push a struggling actor over the edge.
Cast: Hugo Armstrong
"Roller Town"
Director: Andrew Bush, Screenwriters: Andrew Bush, Mark Little, Scott Vrooman (Canada)
US Premiere
At the peak of disco-mania, three friends try and stop a local crime syndicate from turning their beloved roller rink into a video arcade.
Cast: Kayla Lorette, Mark Little, Scott Vrooman
"The Sound of Small Things"
Director/Screenwriter: Peter McLarnan (USA)
World Premiere
Sam and Cara’s attempt to navigate their young marriage is complicated by miscommunication, suspicion and her deafness.
