2023 | 72 Film Fest

FRIDAY NIGHT PREMIERES!

The online playlist includes all of the entries to 72 Film Fest 2023 including any late, screening copies, or director’s cuts.

THANK YOU!

Thanks to all of the participating filmmakers. Incredible work was turned in (48 on time even!) and we had a blast sharing it all with you on Friday and Saturday night. Thank you for being a part of the 72 Film Fest, whether this is your first year or 15th. Hope to see you next year!

Filmmakers: We will assemble our Youtube playlist this week, so if you have an updated copy you would like us to present on it vs the turned in copy, send it to us on the Discord. Thanks again!

SATURDAY NIGHT MAIN EVENT at Weinberg Center
FINALIST FILMS.
AWARDS.
AFTER PARTY at The Shed at Thacher & Rye.

View 72 Film Fest 2023 film guide.

2023 Jury

CAOIMHE CARTY is a Northern California-based Video Editor from Ireland, which explains the confusing name. Originally intending to be a Zoologist she moved to the US and fell into the world of film, where she was able to combine her skills as an artist and classically trained musician.
She has worked on a wide range of projects, including Green Day’s feature film Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk, broadcast shows for Animal Planet and Science Channel, TV commercials, Short Docs, and more.
When not working she enjoys sketching, boxing, and writing the plot outline for her detective show which she hopes to some day pass off to someone who can actually write.

ADAM LEMNAH is a transplant to Los Angeles who grew up in Frederick, I'm a film and television editor with work on shows including Once Upon a Time, Drunk History, Amazing Stories and Lovecraft Country. Recently I was the recipient of the Best Editing award at the 2021 LA Indie Film Festival for my work on the feature film AMERICAN CHERRY, a coming-of-age thriller. When I'm not working, I am spending time with my wife and son and our two dogs, Betsy and Mando, drawing comics and catching up on movies I never seem to have time to see. @adamlemnah (IG) @AdamLemnah (FB)

GUEST JUDGE Eduardo Sanchez was born in Cuba in 1968. He studied television at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD and film at the University of Central Florida in 1994.

It was at UCF where Eduardo met his Haxan Films partners and in 1998 he co-wrote and co-directed THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. He went on to helm various indie features before moving into television, directing such shows as SUPERNATURAL, LUCIFER, QUEEN OF THE SOUTH, Ryan Murphy’s AMERICAN HORROR STORIES and the season 1 finale of YELLOWJACKETS. He recently worked on STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS and directed a segment of the new horror anthology feature, SATANIC HISPANICS, which won the best horror director award at the 2022 FANTASTIC FEST.

Matt Edens: In more than two decades writing for television, Matt has scripted everything from Saturday morning cartoons to true crime documentary series such as A&E’s City Confidential, Snapped on Oxygen and Murder Comes to Town for Investigation Discovery. Currently, he is the head writer for Fatal Attraction on TV One.

Jamie Nash is the author of Save the Cat! Writes for TV and the Save the Cat! Beat Sheet Workbook. Jamie has written and sold almost every type of story under the sun, including the horror films Exists, V/H/S/2, The Night Watchman, Altered, and Lovely Molly, and the family films Santa Huntersand Tiny Christmas. He has written the Middle Grade novels Bunk! and The 44 Rules of Amateur Sleuthing and the sci-fi novel Nomad. Jamie knows what it's like to make a living as a writer. When he's not writing and selling work, he teaches screenwriting at the Maryland Institute College of the Arts (MICA) and co-hosts the podcast Writers/Blockbusters.

RONA MENSAH is an accomplished Professional Broadcaster, Emcee, and Actor. She is best known for having worked as a Radio and TV personality in Washington, DC Metro region. In addition, she serves on the Board of Trustees and is a Company Member of Maryland Ensemble Theatre where she’s just as comfortable contributing onstage as she is behind the scenes. She’s thrilled to return to 72 Fest

Jeffery Keilholtz is an executive of Broadway Licensing and Vice President of the company's video streaming imprint, Broadway on Demand. Jeff developed the Broadway on Demand SmartTV channel, now accessible to more than 20MM homes. He also executive produced more than 30 original series, featuring in over 100 Broadway icons. In 2021, Jeff received an Emmy nomination for the creation and executive producing of the Broadway on Demand original series, "Broadway Master Class".
In other professional capacities, Jeff is Artistic Director & CEO of Phenomenology, Inc., an innovative non-profit production model in the performing arts, and has demonstrated more than 15 years of advanced business leadership, including success as a strategic leader for a $250MM global corporation. Jeff is also a peer-reviewed writer and an international presenter on acting technique, possessing extensive professional experience in film and television.

SKIZZ CYZYK is a filmmaker, writer, musician, artist, and film festival careerist. He has held positions at MicroCineFest, Maryland Film Festival, Slamdance, and Atlanta Film Festival, as well as serving on juries and advisory boards at many other festivals. His documentary features include Sound Mechanic, Icepick To The Moon, Hit & Stay, and Freaks In Love. His short films include The French Toast Man, Alfred Jarry & 'Pataphysics, Little Castles, Managers Corner and music videos (Beach House, Young Fresh Fellows). He performs music with The Stents, Coastguard, Go Pills, The Jennifers, Garage Sale, Half Japanese and Mink Stole & Her Wonderful Band, and hosts the show, Point Me At The Sky, on RadioPlastique.com.

Beccah Bartlett studied make-up and special effects in Los Angeles, CA at the Make-up Designory. There she developed a deeper love of being behind the scenes and began supporting set design as well. After L.A. she went onward to NYC working as a freelance artist for a few different creative agencies. She spent most of her time there working in the fashion and film industry concentrating in a range from music videos, fashion, print, runway and independent films. One of her favorite things was to work alongside the writers to assist with character development. She moved back to Frederick Maryland and co-owned Structures Salon in downtown Frederick for over a decade and was heavily involved in the foundational years of 72 Fest. Later on she moved to Asia and created a cosmetology and esthetician training social enterprise for women reintegrating from human trafficking. Moving back a few years ago she is thrilled to be with the festival and to enjoy everyone's creations.

ADELINE THERY is a French actress and musical artist living in Brooklyn, New York. Performing from a young age, she relocated to Barcelona in her late teens to study physical theatre. She later moved to New York and has continued to act and perform between Europe and the United States. Her on-screen work spans between commercial and narrative, with roles in films such as Are We Not Cats, Come to the Show and Leda. She co-created the stage show Este verano hice parapente y me reconcilié con el vacío, and is currently completing her second full length music album under the stage name Lizzy Young.

Kyle Deitz is a Local 600 cinematographer from Baltimore, MD living in Brooklyn, NY. He is currently represented by Ajay Ghosh at Zero Gravity Management. In his commercial career, he has shot for clients such as Google, Disney, Amazon, Under Armour, Virgin Hotels, Nike, Apple, among many other prominent brands. His narrative and documentary work has been screened at prestigious film festivals such as Sundance, TiFF, TriBeCa, and more. Because of this diverse background of filmmaking Kyle often likes to marry the naturalism of documentary into his narrative filmmaking.

Dina Fiasconaro is a Baltimore screenwriter and director. She is a 2021 Baker Artist Award recipient, and her films have screened at multiple venues and film festivals, including the BMA. Dina has honed her work at MacDowell, Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, Stowe Story Labs, Saul Zaentz Innovation Lab and GrrlHaus Cinema Seminar in Berlin. She has an M.F.A. in Directing from Columbia University, and a B.S. in T.V., Radio and Film from Syracuse University. She is a Professor of Film and Moving Image at Stevenson University, a member of Film Fatales, and founder of the Baltimore Women’s Media Alliance.

2023 Supporters and Sponsors

Full Episodes:
Comatoast meets Shrug!
Pecos Bill and the Wranglers meets Star Wipe!
Ah Muh Face meets Crowded Elevator!
Skinhunger meets Screenburn!

Every year filmmaking teams from across the country compete in timed film competitions like the 72 Film Fest. On each episode of Tales from the 72, we pair up two teams to chat about the fun and challenges of making a movie in a weekend. War Stories will be shared, advice will be given, and with any luck lifetime friendships will be made.

If you’ve participated in more than 3 years and want to be a part of the podcast, use contact form.

Visit/Join Meetup Group

Let’s bring together all the filmmakers, writers, editors, actors and other screen artists in Frederick! Whether you’ve participated or even helped out on 72 Film Fest, or you’re a creative wanting to meet other likeminded folks, let’s make some connections and have some fun. Check the Frederick Filmmakers Meetup for casual meet ups, movie trips and more! If you’d like to host an event, let us know and you can share to the group.

THANK YOU!

SATURDAY NIGHT MAIN EVENT at Weinberg Center FINALIST FILMS. AWARDS. AFTER PARTY at The Shed at Thacher & Rye.

2023 Jury

Leda 3D/2D Is Now Available Blu-ray and Streaming! Purchase or Watch Now.

SATURDAY NIGHT MAIN EVENT at Weinberg Center
FINALIST FILMS.
AWARDS.
AFTER PARTY at The Shed at Thacher & Rye.

Leda 3D/2D Is Now Available Blu-ray and Streaming!
Purchase or Watch Now.