
2011 Official Film Selections
Learn more about the 2011 Official Film Selections for the Eugene International Film Festival. Click the selection photos for more information on each film.
A Scene at the Sea
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
A son cares for his father as told through carefully crafted cinematography of their home near a South Korean beach.
Ali and Paul
Ali is a falcon, Paul is a falconer. The bond that develops between Paul and Ali is explored in this wildlife documentary.
Ally, The
BEST NARRATIVE SHORT SHORT
A US fighter pilot, gunned down in WWII, is discovered by a young Eastern European village boy. Both of their lives are threatened and they must learn to trust each other, quickly. Filmed in Brownsville, OR.
Amy Alyson Fans
BEST COMEDY FEATURE
Social networking spices up a personal relationship between a struggling actor and his rising star girlfriend.
An American Boy
BEST YOUNG AUDIENCE SHORT
Producer Don Hughes revisits his childhood with historical accuracy, period props and childhood activities. There’s church balcony mischief, the piano recital from hell, a first crush and a secret tunnel. Back by popular demand.
An Ordinary Life
As a great grandmother, Dot Fisher-Smith chained her neck to a log truck to protest logging, she’s a war resister, artist, jailbird, and “ordinary.”
Beyond the Spill
MOST SOCIALLY ENGAGING FEATURE BY A PACIFIC NORTHWEST FILMMAKER
Twenty-two Oregonians traveled to the Gulf Coast to witness the BP Oil Spill Disaster. They witness the cultural, economic and environmental impact of this disaster.
Blackstar Warrior
No Jedis. No Lightsabers. No problem. A Star Wars fan fiction.
Bright
A blind man shares his home with a quirky young man who restores vintage lighting fixtures in this contemplative drama.
Burma, A Human Tragedy
BEST INTERNATIONAL SUBJECT FEATURE
This is a “reality war” documentary. The human abuse, animal suffering, and death are real. The visual impact is undeniable. Aung San Suu Kyi is interviewed soon after her release in late 2010.
Camp Unity
In a war zone torn apart by religious and cultural intolerance, an arts program and youthful camaraderie do what rulers and warfare cannot — create harmony through hip hop, jazz, concerts, and “Broadway” scenes. This is a warts and all vision of youthful life in Kurdistan and Iraq.
Catching Dreams
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
At 37 an amateur flying trapeze catcher trains to join Cirque du Soleil. This true story unfolds as it happened over years and across continents. Stunning successes, failures, performances, and mentorships never let you down.
City of Gardens
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
Based on a viciously true story. A young California surfer, framed on phony drug charges, is held in a Peruvian prison in 1980 in the hope of collecting a ransom.
Crimps
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE BY A PACIFIC NORTHWEST FILMMAKER
Beautiful, reclusive Veronica Chandler is a suspect in the mysterious disappearance of young men in a small Oregon town. Will Eddie Hooper’s fascination with Veronica make him the next victim?
Cristiano’s Shirt
Two 11 year olds devise a plan to raise enough money to buy the jersey worn by their sports hero.
Death by Medicine
The American medical system is broken. You may or may not believe the information presented in this controversial documentary but you will be engaged and motivated to learn more.
Death of Toys, The
A mother and son once bonded through the childhood toys that have guided his growth must now leave those familiar life experiences behind.
Dog Poo – The Truth at Last
MOST ORIGINAL
Dog poo powered street lights join the art, history and social impact of dog poo in Australia, Argentina, Poland, France, England, Ireland, Sri Lanka and the US.
Extinction
BEST NARRATIVE SHORT
Paleontologists seeking clues to an extinction event befriend a South African youth with a gift for finding fossils.
Family of the WA’A”
BEST FAMILY ISSUE FEATURE
An “Ohana,” or family, of unrelated men and women paddle a Hawaiian outrigger canoe 1750 miles across the length of the Hawaiian archipelago.
Floating (AKA Latzuf)
BEST YOUTH THEME SHORT
Two troubled young girls share complementary diseases and a hospital room.
Floyd the Android
BEST ANIMATION SHORT SHORT
Floyd is a robot built to service his world. In one episode he teleports part of his body with the “iPorter” and must reconnect with himself. In another his mission is to replace a light bulb at the top of the tallest building on earth.
Fluffle
Fluffle needs to complete a collection of bottle caps. Unfortunately the grape bottle cap needed is still attached to the bottle. Inventive and amusing.
Freedom
The food and entertainment we enjoy with our fetish for foreign oil is a false economy that enriches the few and enslaves the many. There are proven alternatives.
High Strung
Consumed by his focused behavior, a recluse is oblivious to all that falls outside of his perceived purpose.
History of Space Flight, The
The Bheasley children embark on an audacious quest to reach the ceiling attic door to discover the Christmas presents hidden beyond. This quest is as important as reaching the moon, and as difficult.
Home from the War: The Voices of Vietnam
Men and women who fought in Vietnam tell of their experiences there and upon coming home.
Home: The Story of Valsetz
A company town in Oregon’s Coast Range, Valsetz was leveled by the company that owned it. It was a special place in the hearts of the people who lived there.
Imaginary
After a tragic event, a young girl seeks revenge on her imaginary friends.
In Between
Water balances a boat that balances a woman balancing a small tree. Art depicts the balance between us and creation.
Irene
A performance of the aria “Sposa Son Disprezzata” (I am a wife and I am scorned) from Vivaldi’s Bajazet.
Keiko the Untold Story
A children’s crusade led to the extraordinary effort to release Keiko, the star of “Free Willy,” into the wild. From Oregon to the waters of Iceland and Norway, this is his life story.
Lady of Names, The
A librarian is entrapped in the world of fairy tales by the Troll King. A patron of the library finds himself in the story cast as the hero. A pompous mushroom and the Great Owl help set the stage for the epic ending.
Liberty and Wilderness William O. Douglas Film Project
Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas found wilderness to be a source of strength and independence empowering to individuals, rights to be defended without reservation.
Life After Steve
Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin present a personal family portrait of love and determination to live full lives after the loss of Crocodile Hunter, husband and father Steve Irwin.
Logging Sports
College students and professional loggers have embraced this multifaceted sport. Its history and the challenges for both men and women are revealed with enthusiasm.
Lost Bohemia
Studios atop Carnegie Hall have nurtured American artists for over 100 years. Contrary to Andrew Carnegie’s wishes the Carnegie Hall Corporation has converted all but a couple of these studios into offices. Many celebrity careers started here.
Mexican Suitcase, The
Invaluable historic photos of the Spanish Civil War thought to be lost for 70 years are discovered in a closet in Mexico City. Their discovery unites many fragments of history.
Mish Mush
Drafted for military service, a determined Syrian poet finds himself entwined in bureaucracy, conservative family values, a reluctant lover, and a place of contemplation during his escape to Lebanon, an apricot orchard.
Movement, The: One Man Joins an Uprising
Rick Finkelstein was paralyzed in a ski accident, he wasn’t expected to live. His dramatic return to skiing is presented here for all to watch.
Neither Day Nor Night
A widowed and injured father may or may not be all his care giving daughter believes. Is he capable of murder?
Oliver’s Treasure
Sir Oliver hides in the king’s receiving room and discovers the monarch’s crown resting on the arm of the throne. He dares to try it on even though he is being pursued.
Perhaps Tomorrow
Following a family tragedy Annie has become detached from her friends and work. Unexpectedly her daily lunch routine provides the relief she searches for.
Power of Two, The
Twin sisters, two cultures, two chances to survive Cystic Fibrosis. They emerge as authors, athletes and global advocates for organ donation.
Recess
It starts as an ordinary day on the playground as a new student attempts to make friends. They are not prepared for his resourcefulness.
Restitution
An insurance fraud investigator is killed and framed for a series of murders. As a mysterious writer researches the case years later the bodies multiply. Who will survive?
River of Renewal
When 80,000 spawning salmon and 80% of the juvenile salmon died in one year it was a wakeup call. The Klamath River tribes ethos of renewal now influences the entire Klamath Basin.
Round and Round
Collector’s lives revolve around the art, mechanics, and love for all things carousel.
Sidewalk Wars
While Stockholm sleeps, restless traffic controllers entertain themselves with war games.
Thumb Snatchers from the Moon Cocoon
Officer Huckiss, a short tempered Texas Sheriff, uses cowboy resilience to defeat a race of cocoon dwelling critters from outer space.
Wallace Carothers
Wallace Carothers invented nylon. Some of what you will experience in this comedy is true, some is not entirely true. You will enjoy sorting fact from fiction, if you can.