Vortex Film Festival Schedule

Friday, Sept 26

Welcome Mixer      5:00 PM
Coyote Gallery

Fall Is a Good Time to Die      7:00 PM
+ Q&A with Director Dalton Coffey

A young ranch hand hunts justice for his sister through the vast landscape of South Dakota. As he wrestles with what he is about to do, Cody crosses paths with a local county sheriff coming to terms with what she has already done.

Opening Night Reception      9:30 PM
The W Social House

Saturday, Sept 27

SIDE 1

Block A – Comedy      11:00 AM

Bomb Vylan | Dir. Tate Mohlenkamp
Palisades | Dir. Dylan Rippe
Russian Roulette | Dir. Minh Lu
Animishaps | Dir. Alexander John McGillvrey
Rivoli | Dir. Greg A. Gale

Block B – Drama      12:00 PM

Serenity | Dir. Colter Elkin
The Happy Places | Dir. John Barnes
CON | Dir. Brandon Lynch
Why Does Santa Claus Give More to the Rich Kids | Dir. Kyle Glazier
The Ravaging | Dir. Kari Layland

Block C – Documentary      1:15 PM

Val | Dir. Alisa Kuzmina
Garden of Des Moines | Dir. Teri Underhill
A Day Trip to Porcupine | Dir. Jon Maichel Thomas
Rapid Life | Dir. Reed Langer
The Road with You | Dir. Dylan LaRay

Block sponsored by Julie Stewart & Kevin Bliss

Portfolios: Lloyd Menard      2:30 PM
+ Q&A with Director Susan Goldman

This documentary tells the story of Lloyd Menard, Professor Emeritus, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, who had a significant impact on American art and arts education. Menard founded Frogman’s Print Workshop and is credited for pioneering visiting artist print symposiums, in a very remote part of the county, organizing the first of its kind printmaking residencies, at University of South Dakota–Vermillion, where visiting artists collaborated directly with students, to produce exchange print portfolios, which became a national model for print programs to this day.

Block D – Student Films      3:45 PM

The Spy That Got Away | Dir. John A. Schwab
The Bittersweet Truth about Parking | Dir. Blake Bodlak & Anja Oelofse
Black Coffee | Dir. Carter Shay Bain
Touch of Jazz | Dir. Mason Schnurstein
Halfway Saved | Dir. Gabriella Chamberlain
Death of the Artist | Dir. John A. Schwab
Diminuendo | Dir. Ephraim Ryan Pranata & Aurellia Michelle Nugroho

Block E – Horror/Thriller      5:00 PM

Go to Sleep | Dir. John A. Schwab
Dead in the Water | Dir. Clayton Edward Silvey
Despondent | Dir. Kari Layland & Anthony Hunke
Brain Pizza | Dir. Carson Knecht

Before the Fire      7:00 PM
+ Q&A with Director Charlie Buhler

Deep in the throes of a global pandemic, up and coming TV star, Ava Boone, is forced to flee the mounting chaos in Los Angeles and return to her rural hometown. But as she struggles to acclimate to a way of life she left behind long ago, her homecoming attracts a dangerous figure from her past – threatening both her and the family that serves as her only sanctuary.

After Party      9:30 PM
XIX Brewing Company

SIDE 2

Workshop – Creating Cinematic Looks       11:00 AM
Makeup workshop hosted by Rebecca Arens

Block F – Science Fiction      1:00 PM

Phantom Phinders | Dir. Asher Deinken
While the Cat’s Away | Dir. William Frank Hedges

Workshop – Yes, You Should Save the Cat      2:45 PM
Screenwriting workshop hosted by Dominic Wieneke

Bloodmaker | Dir. Chris Dasinger & Sylvester Sletten

Sunday, Sept 28

SIDE 1

Block A Encore      11:00 AM

Block E Encore      12:00 PM

Not Enough Sand | Dir. Kai David      1:00 PM

Block G – Fool’s 48 Showcase      3:00 PM

The People’s Somewhat Random Festival Awards      4:30 PM

SIDE 2

Workshop – Acting for Camera      11:00 AM
Hosted by Michael Matthias

Block D Encore      12:30 PM

Block C Encore      1:45 PM

Block B Encore      3:00 PM