By Mabel Pais

Screening among Shorts

RAGHAV PURI’S ‘ANIRUDH’

HRISHI BARDHAN’S ‘BIRDSONG’

MAHNOOR EUCEPH’S ‘EID MUBARAK’

And many more

The Deep in the Heart Film Festival (DitHFF) of Waco, Texas presents its films and events for its 7th edition, which will combine in-theater screenings July 20-23, followed by an online encore July 24-30.

With screenings at the historic Waco Hippodrome and Cultivate 7twelve, and a program divided into four categories: Crowd Pleasers, Deep Dives, Family Friendly, and For the Curious and Adventurous, the Deep in the Heart FF has once again worked to add more to the popular film festival’s screenings, events, and presentations to make it even more audience-friendly and easy to access and enjoy as they head to the movie theaters. The programming tracks were created to help audiences understand the tone of the films and make it easier for people to discover the movies that fit their tastes. The screening schedule will include 127 films (9 features, 106 shorts, 12 music videos), and 1 multi-media project).

2023 DEEP IN THE HEART FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

OPENING NIGHT

Finding Her Beat

Dirs: Dawn Mikkelson & Keri Pickett l USA/Japan l 89m

In the midst of a frozen Minnesota winter, a Japanese drum master and Korean adoptee from North Dakota join forces to assemble the world’s best Taiko drummers in a bold effort to claim a cultural spotlight that has historically been reserved only for men. As the clock ticks toward their first performance, it becomes clear that their story has become much larger than Taiko.

CLOSING NIGHT

Disfluency

Dir: Anna Baumgarten l USA l 93m

After unexpectedly failing her final college class due to a traumatic personal event, Jane, an aspiring speech pathologist, retreats home to her parent’s lake house in the hometown she grew up in. Jane, however, fights through PTSD and imposter syndrome as she attempts to piece together what exactly happened to unravel the emotional and psychological tangle that’s been haunting her as she finds a path forward toward the never-ending process of healing.

FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Fire Bones

Dirs: Greg Brownderville, Bart Weiss l USA l N/A 

‘Fire Bones’ is a whimsical Southern Gothic story told in ten chapters via multiple mediums including  podcasts, short films, music videos, poems, and still images. Fire Bones follows the journey of discovery that a poet and filmmaker make as they are introduced  to  the  tale  and  mystery  of  a  missing  pilot  and  Pentecostal  preacher who  vanished  on  a  transatlantic  flight.

Into the Spotlight

Dir: Thaddeus D. Matula l USA l 99m

A heartfelt story of how a script, a stage, and a theater program composed of adults with disabilities celebrate their creativity, explore life’s complexities, and empower a community, in their own words and their own way.

ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES

Shudderbugs

Dir: Johanna Putnam l USA l 106m

Samantha Cole returns to her childhood home when her mother suddenly passes. In place of familiar spaces and memories, Sam finds only uneasiness and confusion. On her journey to untangle the truth, she finds herself at a dangerous crossroads: How far can she trust instincts that may be clouded by grief, guilt, and desperation?

ADDITONAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

City Kids

Dir: Zac Zlatic l USA l 64m

What does it take to change someone’s life? City Kids is the story of a couple who has dedicated the past 30 years to inner city kids from San Antonio, introducing them to the great outdoors, and changing the trajectory of hundreds of lives in the process. 

Punderneath It All

Dir: Abby Hagan l USA l 76m

If laughter is the best medicine, then pun competitions are just what the doctor ordered. Visiting the “pun scenes” in respective US cities, Abby Hagan’s Punderneath It All follows multiple characters as they create their own pun slams and navigate the live comedy world. You’ll meet an endearing cast of characters, including Seattle’s “pun slam” hostess, a world-ranked chess champion, a pop cultural anthropologist, and a stand-up comedian who specializes in “dad jokes,” as they hone their comedic chops in pun competitions around the country.

The Last Thing Lost

Dir: Jake Siam l Cambodia, USA l 42m

‘The Last Thing Lost’ examines the remarkable life of Sarith Ou. His narrow escape from the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s took him on an improbable journey to small-town Wisconsin. With the help of his friend Roger, a Vietnam vet turned psychologist, Sarith returns to Cambodia with renewed purpose more than two decades after his departure. Together, Sarith and Roger bring hope to rural Cambodia, while healing their own decades-old wounds.

Wine, Women, and Dementia

Dir: Kitty Norton l USA l 87m

Baby boomers in the US are estimated to reach the 9 million mark living with dementia by 2030. ‘Wine, Women, and Dementia’ brings the audience face to face with the human side of dementia as former dementia family caregiver and filmmaker, Kitty Norton, sets off on an RV adventure to meet other dementia family caregivers throughout the U.S. who virtually provided her with critical support through their shared caregiving experiences.

You Have No Idea

Dir: Alexander Jeffery l USA l 86m

When Beth’s son Evan James was diagnosed with Autism in the early 90s, treatment options were limited. This heartfelt film is a sweet testament to the power of love and community by following a determined mom advocating for her son.

 NARRATIVE SHORTS, DOCUMENTARY SHORTS, MUSIC VIDEOS & SCREENPLAYS

There are 93 narrative shorts, 13 documentary shorts, 12 music videos, and 15 screenplays.

About Deep in the Heart Film Festival (DitHFF)

Established in 2017, the Festival  engages audiences with films from major festivals and Texas talent. It builds networks and careers through its industry education and promotion. Add in some chips & salsa with its own DitHFF magic, and this creates one of the most unique experiences on the festival circuit. For more information visit deepintheheartff.com, and follow DitHFF on Facebook.com and Instagram.com. 

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Spirituality, and Business)