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 1999
Founded in 1999 by filmmakers Nathan Fackrell, Jason deVilliers, and Matt Fackrell the Eclipse Film Festival has been gaining popularity each day and will eclipse the city of St. George every November. These filmmakers felt that St. George was a perfect area for a film festival to be held; they knew a film festival would grow to become a major attraction. Centralized in the midst of national parks, gorgeous scenery, and wonderful weather, the city and community hold a great love for the arts.
These creators knew that the first year of the festival would prove to be a rough draft for things to come. With the acquisition of sponsors, promotion and advertising for the festival began. The City of St. George began to support the festival; it was a great honor to receive the support of the Community Arts Division of St. George and its former administrator, David W.
Pursley.
Finally in November 1999, St. George's first film festival, originally named "The Southern Utah Amateur Film Festival", debuted before a sellout crowd in the Pioneer Opera House. The film festival was a great success. Awards were given out for films in various categories. After the festival, the city and many others were excited for the festival to become an annual event.
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GRAVEDIGGERS: 1999 "BEST PICTURE" and the "AUDIENCE AWARD"
A young man learns the term "the wrong place at the wrong time" when he discovers a group of men burying what seems to be a dog out in the middle of the woods. Only he finds out that its not a dog they are burying. "Gravdiggers" is a dark comedy full of action and suspense. (8 min)
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2000
At the beginning of the year 2000, friends and fellow filmmakers Casey Niederhauser, Demetrius Graham, and David Chase joined the team to help bring the festival forward into the mainstream and turn it into something outstanding. Together the six filmmakers began a production company that would oversee further production of the film festival. They needed a new name for the festival, one that would be recognized for years to come.
Many names were considered. The idea of an eclipse being rare yet recognized, gave them a name that seemed to fit more than any other. The company became "Eclipse Entertainment," and the festival was named the "Eclipse Film Festival."
In the midst of the months of festival preparation, the group was working hard to finish their hour-long Telly Award-winning documentary, "The Mountain Meadows Massacre," in time for its premiere at the festival. As a team, Eclipse Entertainment and the sponsors for the festival worked together, giving up much of their free time to see the festival succeed and grow.
With sellout crowds and film entries from across the nation, the festival grew considerably in its second year. The films of the 2000 festival were judged by award-winning film directors, Gregory C. Haynes and Rocco DeVilliers. Film professors from the University of Utah, Tom Sobchek, and Dixie State College, Tim Bywater, also assisted along with film critic Adam Mast in judging the festival. Awards and trophies were given for Best Director, Best Picture, Best Editor, Best Cinematography, and Audience Choice for Best Picture.
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WARPLAY: 2000 "BEST PICTURE" and the "BEST DIRECTOR"
Director: Brian Lefler
The story of a young boy's inability to separate his imagination from reality. All Adrian wants is to be a fearless hero. Trouble begins when his friend breaks the rules of engagement and Adrian's anger transforms him into a ruthless warrior. Only his mother's voice brings Adrian out of his "warplay" to awareness. (14 min)
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GOD SPEAKS SPANISH: 2000 "BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY"
Director: Andres Orozco
Director of Photography: Michael Black
The personal narrative of Benjamin Suárez, a young Latino professional living in Chicago climbing the corporate ladder. Benjamin's strained relationship with his grandfather causes him nostalgia and confusion about issues in life. The film explores the poverty that affects both rich and poor: the poverty of loneliness. Chicago Latino Film Festival 2000. New York International Latino Film Festival 2000. (12 min)
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NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING: 2000 "BEST EDITING"
Director/Editor: Megan Griffiths
A young woman named Maya is unhappy with the life she has ended up with. She finds herself struggling with the lines between fantasy and reality. (13 min) |
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THE VANISHING POINT: 2000 "AUDIENCE CHOICE"
Director: Jonathan Howard
A thrilling tale of a woman who is stalked through a snow-covered train station by a mysterious photographer. She evades him, but he leaves a role of film behind for her. She takes the role of film to be developed and finds that the photographer is more than what he appeared to be. (12 min) |
2001
This year’s Festival will showcase films from all over the world. With entries from Israel, Ireland, and Canada, the 2001 Eclipse Film Festival promises to entertain audiences of all ages while helping promote the talents of various independent filmmakers.
The 2001 Eclipse Film Festival will also be host to several Feature Q&A sessions, showcasing the talents of local film maker Eric Hendershot and his film "Horse Crazy." Award winning Producer/Director Rocco deVilliers will also show his movie "Only Once", followed by Gregory C. Haynes, award winning Producer/Director of "Heaven or Vegas" who will present his movie "Cowboy's & Angels." A Q&A period with the producers of these films will follow each feature sessions.
Click here for showtimes and more info.
The Eclipse Film Festival Coordinators are also proud to present, at this year's festival, their Telly Award winning documentary, "The Mountain Meadows Massacre." Through various interviews with key historians, reenactments, and photographs, this hour-long documentary tells the story of the massacre from all sides.
Click here for showtimes and more info.
Eclipse Entertainment would like to thank the community, sponsors, and filmmakers for supporting this year's festival. With their help, the Eclipse Film Festival continues to grow and expand. It is fast becoming a great staple for the arts in Southern Utah and in the City of St. George. Eclipse Entertainment hopes to see the dreams of filmmakers turn into a reality; the Eclipse Film festival is a perfect chance for such an opportunity.
Watch for the Eclipse...IT'S COMING!
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