Year 17 | 72 Film Fest

FRIDAY NIGHT PREMIERES!
Theme: CLEAN SLATE aka CLASSROOM.
Criteria: Teams were given a LAB PARTNER (another team) to work on connective tissue between their films. If a partner team was unable to complete, their connective tissue was verified through a script/treatment.

View 72 Film Fest 2022 film guide.

Listen to Tales from the 72 Podcast:

Upcoming Episodes:
Comatoast meets Shrug! Now Live!
Pecos Bill and the Wranglers meets Star Wipe! June 7th
Ah Muh Face meets Crowded Elevator! June 21st
Skinhunger meets Screenburn! July 5th

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.

2022 HOSTS

MIKAEL JOHNSON is a native of Middletown, Maryland, and has been actor, improviser, storyteller, writer, director and producer in the DC Metro area over the past 15 years. He got his start taking classes and eventually becoming a company member at The Maryland Ensemble Theater in Frederick. He is a member of the long-running 2 person improv show, "ShawnMikael(s)",

This is year 16 for Mikael as a member of the 72 Film Fest team in Frederick, Maryland. He would like to thank Clark, Doug, Tim, Mike, Shae, Joey, Sam and all the teams for making it the wonderful experience it has been. And would like to remind folks to please give a warm welcome to the 72's newest host and content producer, Aura, and 2nd year all-around contributor, Corey.

When he's not back in his hometown area of Frederick, Maryland, he plays the role of a paralegal and is the proud father of his daughter, Nina.

Born and raised in México, AURA MANJARREZ
moved to the Frederick area in 2013 and quickly fell in love with it. She graduated with a Film degree from Shepherd University in 2019, and is currently working on a STEM degree because you can never have too many diplomas or know too many things [this is a joke, please help her]. Having been involved with the performing arts since childhood, Aura is excited to join the 72 crew as a co-host.

The theme this year is: CLEAN SLATE AKA CLASSROOM.
And the criteria is …. NOTHING except TEAMWORK.
Each team was given a LAB PARTNER (another team) to work on connective tissue between their films.

The results are super fun to watch, with everything from props, characters, themes, storylines, shared worlds, and so much more connecting the films.

42 FILMS PREMIERE FRIDAY NIGHT!
6:30pm Students/Amateurs
8:30pm Amateurs/Pros
Full Film Guide and Screening Blocks below.
On Friday Night the AUDIENCE can vote for your FAVORITE PAIRING.

SATURDAY NIGHT MAIN EVENT
7pm
The FINALISTS play alongside a brand new short with your hosts MIKAEL and AURA.
AWARD CEREMONY follows the screenings with an
AFTER PARTY at JoJos directly following Awards.
Friday or Saturday Ticket gets ya into After Party.

Tickets Available at the
WEINBERG CENTER BOX OFFICE
(buy in person at door to save online fees).
$15 One Day. $22 Both.

Come out and Celebrate Local Filmmakers at the historic Weinberg Center!

2022 JURY

Jeff 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.

Bethany Michalski is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer and director. The instincts from her Baltimore street photography days and MFA training from the AFI Conservatory (MFA Cinematography19') have shaped her focus today. She splits her time between narrative and documentary features work, commercials, and music videos.
Most notably, Bethany’s directing and cinematography work have premiered at the DGA, Nobudge, Camerimage, Outfest, and Cinequest. Her clients include Disney, Showtime, MTV, Nike, Dior, and Chanel.
In 2022 her cinematography reel went viral on TikTok

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.

SAMUEL TRESSLER IV is a filmmaker based in New York and Maryland. While working professionally in production camera work and post-production editing both at home and abroad, his focus lies on writing & directing narrative, concept-driven motion picture pieces both short and long. A former participant of 72, Samuel joined the board in 2014 and became the first former team to collaborate with the fest in making a feature film, Leda, the 3D passion project that is premiering in festivals this year.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

This year was one of the more unique criterias we’ve had, asking teams to collaborate with other fellow teams. Some chose to have shared worlds or simple connective elements, and some even chose to share scenes and characters.

Congratulations to every team that dove in without knowing the theme, with special kudos to those who were able to turn in a film!

Now Announcing the RESULTS of 72 Film Fest 2022!
AUDIENCE CHOICE: SHRUG!
AUDIENCE CHOICE PAIRING: DOWN TO FETCH/SHRUG

Producer’s Notes:

This year was a little weird as part of the team weren’t able to help behind the scenes. The theme was originally going to be simply “Clean Slate” – a theme that Joey McAdams had recommended years and years ago that we knew we’d eventually hit. Basically – just say “GO” at Launch. As such we knew we wouldn’t reveal the theme until Launch, as we didn’t want folks potentially working on their films early…so no clues. But we knew there must be some sort of proof element. We went through a dozen ideas and then it clicked- Teamwork. Make teams work together and create their own common element/criteria. Teams could make any film they wanted but were encouraged to find something that connected their films (thematically/character/plot etc) and were optionally challenged to have a story that connected. We doubled down on a blank chalkboard as imagery and ran with it. It was probably the most polarizing criteria/theme since Script Fest in 2012, but it garnered a lot of fun films. There of course was a bit more drama with teams, as it’s already challenging to make a film without relying on another team’s energy/deadlines. But like Script Fest, dealing with other professionals outside the normal comfort zone is good training for real world difficulties. It’s always a balancing act – creating a sandbox for folks to have fun – but also challenges them to grow and try new things. Who knows how long 72FF will last, but maybe the years with “7”‘s in them should continue to be unorthodox.

The Mikael/Doug Story had sorta ended back in 2019, and we wanted to reinvent things a bit trying to shake off the “hosts” story that had been created all the way back in 2010. But then 2020 (Covid) happened, and then 2021’s hybrid format created even more issues trying to pull everyone together. Doug retired during that year – (Year 16), so 2022- Year 17 – was all about reinvention. We put out a casting call to replace Doug, and got some great audition tapes, but one stuck out – a past participant in the Fest – Aura. Then we built the story around introducing Aura to the Fest behind the scenes and the Audience, while “Clark” deals badly with the loss of Doug. We actually had a script this year, and we shot everything in two half days at the Wonder Book warehouse and improved between the lines of the script. Mikael’s crazy movie pitch made up the bulk of the short. It became “The Read”.

Empty cart

Empty cart

2022 HOSTS

2022 JURY