Homegrown talent shines in Locals Only shows

Films featured at the Ashland Independent Film Festival's two Locals Only events may not be Oscar contenders, but that doesn't mean they are short on talent.

The 11 films were produced in Southern Oregon or made by local filmmakers. Subject matters range from "poopy pants" jokes to manufacturing biodiesel to life-ruining oranges.

Locals Only I, which will be held Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Historic Ashland Armory, features a film by four Bellview Elementary School students who won a local student film competition in the K-5 category.

Their five-minute movie, "Squids Rule," did an excellent job capturing the retching, gagging and horrified looks of little girls watching their teacher dissect a slimy, stinky squid.

To watch films at Locals Only II will require calling in sick, or at least late, to work on Monday. The three film showings happen on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Varsity.

The films, created by college students, touch on topics such as love conquering all and healing through humor.

"Orange," written and directed by Southern Oregon University student Tracey Boyd, was filmed mostly in Ashland.

The twisted tale deals with unrequited love and oranges, murder and oranges, the lengths people will go to for revenge and oranges.

"The filmmaking talent in Southern Oregon continues to grow stronger and stronger each year," said Tom Olbrich, executive director for the festival.

Other films with Locals Only I include:

"¢ Ryan Harriss, an Ashland Middle School student, chronicles the trials and tribulations of Monday mornings

"¢ Pia Marchetti, an Ashland High School student, uses stop-motion animation in her "Parallel Image" film

"¢ Maia Schmidt, a Phoenix High School student, interviews five females, a wee one to an elder, to discuss how age changes our outlooks in "Youthful Wisdom"

"¢ "Deepsong," an ocean animation, was created by Southern Oregon University student Trisha Johanson

"¢ Nisha Burton, an Ashland High School student, films a five-minute journey of discovery with a magic camera in "Picture This."

"¢ John Cole and Laney D'Aquino (AIFF alums) show that not only can music salve a broken heart, it can bring neighbors together in "The 2nd Line."

"¢ Ida Gearon (AIFF alum) features a brother and sister explaining their motivation for using biodeisel and the process of making it.

Other films at the Locals Only II:

"¢ "M.I.C.," created by SOU student Casey Pyke, is filmed completely in front of green screens and deals with futuristic love and revenge

"¢ Scott Rowan, a Loyola Marymount University student from Medford, filmed "Open Mic & Sickle"

In the film, two young German men dress up as female DNR border guards, using laughter as a form of therapy.

Reach reporter Michele Mihalovich at 482-3456 x226 or mmihalovich@dailytidings.com.