The last block of programs before the evenings' awards kept up the quality of the previous day, kicking off with a short film that will warm the hearts of children of the 80's everywhere.

SPANDEX: A FATHER'S TALE

Director: Matthew Manson

21 minutes

SPANDEX concerns young Lindsey Buckingham(not that one, but you get it, right?)whose musical ambitions are fading to nonexistent. Failing music class, his teacher gives him an ultimatum: want to pass? Perform at the school dance, or you're out. Meanwhile Lindsey discovers the reasons his withdrawn father, George, spends way too much time in the basement, listening to vinyl from the 80's and putting on eyeliner. George must make peace with the ghosts of his hair-band past and get the high heels, fishnets, and electric guitar out of the closet; because his son needs to know how they rocked hard in the (not so) old days. This colorful, hilarious short manages to tip the hat to every 80's teen film story turn we saw as kids, and even do some of the time-honored jokes one better(Lindsey's disappointment when the nerdy-but-potentially-hot classmate turns out not to be that pretty after all is priceless). A sweet, good-natured romp that will have you making the 'Devil's sign' with delight. I'm confident director Manson could knock a feature-length version out of the park.

BLACKBALLED: THE BOBBY DUKES STORY

Director: Brant Sersen

Cast: Rob Corddry, Rob Riggle, Rob Huebel,

91 minutes

Bobby Dukes was the first and only superstar on the paintball scene. Banned for ten years after being caught cheating(wiped!), Bobby jas paid his dues and returns to the field to move on from the past and cobble together a new team worthy of the title. Because second place is first place...for losers. While it sounds like it'd be by the numbers, this documentary-style comedy takes its time setting up and fleshing out the characters. While some might then characterize it as 'slow', it picks up speed and the fully-realized characters (created largely through improv) are so enjoyable to watch and spend time with, you miss them when a certain one hasn't been on screen for a few minutes. The cast(largely members of New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater) is perfect..the paintball action scenes are shot in that scattershot strobing fashion that Saving Private Ryan's battle scenes were lensed in. And how many films can you find a character's backstory realized through old-school He-Man toys? Only this one. Check it out when it's released soon.

MY PURPLE FUR COAT

Director: Kathryn Ann Busby

12.5 minutes

A young, hyper-articulate girl sees the purple fur coat of her dreams, and convinces her father it's a good idea to get. However, she'll have to live with the repercussions on the playground when her fashion disaster doesn't get the response it had hoped for! Will she conform or stay true to herself? Sweet film, with great performances from the child actors.

WAKING DREAMS

Director: John Daschbach

24 minutes

Cast: Ben Shenkman, Tina Holmes

A welcome piece of restraint and subtlety, this short generates a quiet power and manages to reflect complex questions about ourselves and fate and destiny, while employing a simplicity allowing the ideas to flow. A corporate executive is shaken out of his day to day when the troubled, yet enigmatic temp reveals to him that she has visions that he will die on his upcoming vacation. Initially dismissive of her and her warnings, they do still affect him deeply; they have several more halting, uncomfortable, conversations, all the while yearning to understand the other's point of view. Possibly the two best performances in the festival from Shenkman and Holmes, only equalled by Karen Black's dual roles in Firecracker.

PIECE BY PIECE

Director: Nic Hill

75 minutes

a kinetic study of the history of the grafitti art movement in San Francisco, told by those who participated. Some of the most noted taggers are interviewed, some freely giving their identities away, others masked and cloaked. It's a lively documentary that also chronicles tumultous periods in San Fran's history at the same time. With speedy gentrification the norm these days, this film may be the definitive visual record of the street art that's risen and fallen over the years. Regardless of your views on whether it's art or vandalism, there's no denying the visual power of the murals shown, as well as the importance of expression in the culture.

Afterwards, before the awards ceremony, four short films were screened as part of the New York State of Mind DV Project. Directors Lolly Daskal, Michael Hartel, Frank Lewallen, and Jesse Scolaro showed their 5 minute DV shorts, taking place in a single borough of New York City, with the only other stipulation being the presense of an apple. The stories ranged from sad, to sweet, to funny.. a very interesting exercise that I hope continues in future VisionFests.

Directors Kathryn Ann Busby, John Daschbach, and Nic Hill during their audience Q+A after their films

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CLOSING CEREMONIES AND AWARD WINNERS!