Missed one of the favorite films? Wished you could see a top film again… and take your friends? No problem. Ultra-Star Bonsall is providing us with a two-hour, Best of Show screening block in one of their theaters for four nights straight following the Festival. That is Monday the 12th, Tuesday the 13th, Wednesday the 14th, and Thursday the 15th.




BEST OF SHOW ONE
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Ultra Star Theater

Meet John Doe - Narrative Feature, (1941)- Directed by Frank Capra- 123 Minutes
Sacked by her newspaper, spunky scribe Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) hatches a hoax to keep her job. In her final column, she pens a missive from "John Doe," a fictitious hobo planning to leap to his death from city hall. When the letter triggers a public flap, the paper -- looking to boost readership -- cons a suitable stooge (Gary Cooper) into posing as Doe. Little does he know the paper's owner plans to use him as a ticket to the presidency. The film became a box office hit and was nominated for an Academy Award for best original story. Though it is less well known than other Capra classics, it remains highly regarded today. It was ranked #49 in AFI's 100 Years... Surprisingly the story is as relevant today as it was when Frank Capra first made it.

BEST OF SHOW TWO
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ultra Star Theater

The Offering - Animation, USA-Directed by Michael Zachary Huber- 7 Minutes
The modern era of computer animation meets an ancient tale of seduction where nothing seems to be  immune to a woman's powers, not even golden statues.

La Nina del Desierto - Narrative Short, USA-Directed by Malachi Rempin-23 Minutes
WINNER OF BEST NARRATIVE SHORT - An old Mexican man who lives alone  in the desert and digs graves for the mob, comes face to face with an apparition that will change his apathy and set him on a path of redemption.

Limikkin Ranch - Narrative Short, USA-Directed by Corbin Billings- 13 minutes
A mysterious ranch summons a hired gun to hunt and kill a violent pack of marauding coyotes, though they soon discover the true threat is far more ancient and evil.

The Way to Dance - Narrative Feature, UK – Directed by Matthew Daniels- 75 minutes.
 A 16-year-old dancer who is left scarred and mute from an accident meets a smooth-talking man on the internet who is determined to get her back on the stage.  But maybe he’s not all he claims to be.




BEST OF SHOW THREE
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Ultra Star Theater

Conflict, Unity and Love: The TKF Story - Documentary Short, USA- Directed by Kenneth Kebow- 29 Minutes
After the tragic murder of his son at the hands of a fourteen year old gang member, a father reaches out to the grandfather of the boy who murdered his son and the two men join forces to work together to try to end the epidemic of "children killing children".

The Art of Surfing: Carlsbad - Documentary Short, USA- Directed by Kenneth Kebow- 29 Minutes
WINNER OF BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT - Carlsbad, California, has produced some of the best surfers in the world. Beginning with the pioneers of California surfing, 'The Art of Surfing' takes the viewer on an amazing journey when driving down the Carlsbad coast on the beach sands was possible (the 1950s), to the invention of Tom Morey's famous 'Boogie Board' in a Carlsbad garage (the 1970s), to Carlsbad High's top-rated surf team (the 2000s). A fascinating program for anyone who has spent time in this beautiful coastal town, 'The Art of Surfing' is the definitive documentary on California's true 'Surf City'!

Botso - Documentary Short, USA – Directed by Tom Walters- 30 Minutes
WINNER OF AUDIENCE CHOICE - An inspiring documentary about a man from the Republic of Georgia who, against all odds, survives the horrors of World War II and then transforms a small coastal town in California through his passion for art, music and living.

Slice of Pie - Narrative Short, USA-Directed by Tim Reischauer- 35 Minutes
A shy 45 year old man, from a small mid-west farm town, finds love with some 'bumps' along the way. When pie is good, life is good.

BEST OF SHOW FOUR
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ultra Star Theater

Fiasco - Narrative Short, USA-Directed by Nadia Hamzeh-18 Minutes
WINNER OF BEST STUDENT FILM - Noura, a freedom-seeking Arab girl on the verge of realizing her American dream suddenly finds herself on very thin ice when her strongly conservative father arrives in the US for a surprise visit.

Unitards - Narrative Feature, USA-Directed by Scott Featherstone- 107 Minutes
WINNER OF BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE - High School Musical  meets Napoleon Dynamite. Three odd-ball seniors try to bring school spirit back to their high school by creating a men's dance/drill team.  The coach of the girl's drill team is bent on getting rid of them. She succeeds, and the Unitards are finished. But the boys turn the tables and catch their adversary in her own snare.




BEST OF SHOW FIVE
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Ultra Star Theater

The Line - Narrative Short, USA - Directed by Richard Sabatte- 9 minutes
In life, there are many lines a woman must endure. This is perhaps the most painful . . . The agony, the ecstasy, The Line.

Mu-Emptiness - Animation, USA- Directed by Ria Ama-16 Minutes
A painted Phoenix wills herself into the world where she encounters love, loss, longing and eventual enlightenment.

The Nature of Existence - Documentary Feature, USA –Directed by Roger Nygard- 94 Minutes
All the Mysteries of the Universe -- Explained! Sort of… Why are we here and what are we supposed to do about it? What started the Universe, and was it a mistake? Does God exist, and why does he seem so interested in our sex lives? Filmmaker Roger Nygard roams the globe to the source of each of the world’s philosophies, religions, and belief systems, interviewing spiritual leaders, scholars, scientists, artists, pizza chefs, and others who have influenced, inspired, or freaked out humanity.


BEST OF SHOW SIX
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ultra Star Theater

My One and Only- Narrative Feature, USA- Directed by Richard Loncraine -107 Minutes
After catching her husband (Kevin Bacon) in a compromising position, Anne Devereaux (Renée Zellweger) rounds up her teenage sons and hits the road, hoping to find a wealthy new man to care for her family in this comedy based on the real-life childhood of actor George Hamilton. Anne finds no shortage of admirers -- and on her quest for a husband, she soon discovers herself. Eric McCormack, Logan Lerman and Nick Stahl co-star.




BEST OF SHOW SEVEN
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Ultra Star Theater

Prayers for Peace - Animation, USA- Directed by Dustin Grella – 8 Minutes
WINNER OF BEST ANIMATION - Pastels on a slate chalkboard underscore life's impermanence as the artist confronts the memory of his younger brother killed in Iraq.

The Predator’s Return - Narrative Short, USA-Directed by Jerald Fine- 14 Minutes
What if the newest resident of your nursing home was the same Nazi officer that murdered your entire family 60 years earlier?

Rampage Superstars - Narrative Short, USA- Directed by Michael Ballaschk-16 Minutes
A deadly high school shooting is captured on video and the footage reaches national TV.

Beholden - Narrative Short, USA-Directed by David Jibladze- 26 Minutes
When a struggling Brazilian immigrant appeals to her son’s estranged father for monetary support, she encounters three Russian thugs demanding the stolen money, leaving her the determining factor between her son’s future and the life of the man she loves.

True Beauty This Night - Narrative Short, USA- Directed by Peter Besson- 10 Minutes
Last night, Rhett Somers met the love of his life. Now all he has to do is convince her she's the one. Not an easy feat considering how they met...

Bring Me Hope: Hannah’s Story - Documentary Feature, USA-Directed by David Bolt- 43 Minutes
WINNER OF BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - Hannah’s father is paralyzed; her mother is gone. The young Chinese girl and her brother must move into an orphanage camp -- without help they will starve. Hannah meets an unlikely pair of travelers from California. Bring Me Hope travelers. During her week with Bring Me Hope, she experiences one “first” after another, but the story doesn’t end on the last day of camp- Hannah’s California friends follow her back home. With a video camera and the will to love and help change her life.


BEST OF SHOW EIGHT
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ultra Star Theater

The Man in the Chair - Narrative Feature, USA Directed by Michael Schroeder-107 Minutes
WINNER OF THE FRANK CAPRA AWARD - Hoping to craft the winning entry in a student film competition, a teenage movie geek (Michael Angarano) enlists the help of an ornery old Hollywood gaffer (Christopher Plummer), who happens to be the last surviving crew member of Orson Welles' masterpiece Citizen Kane. Written and directed by Michael Shroeder, this unusual comedy also stars Robert Wagner as a has-been producer and M. Emmet Walsh as a retired screenwriter.

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Which Films?

Here’s how it works. Based upon attendance, audience reactions and judges recommendations, the Festival committee will select a combination of best films; shorts, mid-length and features that will fill the four night blocks. Candidate films will be selected late Sunday night at the conclusion of the Festival and be posted to this page by Monday AM along with their screening times. Please note, selected films will screen only once.

Regular Ultra-Star evening ticket pricing will be in effect except persons displaying a 2010 VIP Pass will be admitted for free.

INTERESTED? CHECK BACK HERE FIRST THING MONDAY APRIL 12TH !!

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AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD

Here's how it works.  You will receive one ballot for each screening you attend.  These ballots can be cast for any film screened during the festival.  Deposit your ballot in the box in the lobby.