The nonprofit Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU) and Realty ONE Goldmark proudly present The 2022 Desertscape International Film Festival. DIFF 2022 will take place in beautiful St. George, UT from Wednesday, June 22nd thru Saturday, June 25th at the historic Electric Theater. This celebration of independent cinema will feature over 50 titles–shorts and features of multiple genres–from all around the world. Over 10 countries will be represented throughout the 4-day fest. What movies can attendees expect?
Max Walker-Silverman’s “A Love Song” will serve as Desertscape’s opening night feature on Wednesday, June 22nd. This gentle, quiet, tender-hearted romance features fantastic performances by Dale Dickey (“Winter’s Bone”) and Wes Studi (“The Last of the Mohicans”) as a pair of high school sweethearts who are reunited after over 40 years apart. This Sundance Film Festival hit will be preceded by “Colorado City Music Festival,” and an electric mini-doc from director Dan Fowlks and Tom Bennett. Bennett will follow “A Love Song” with a live music set.
Desertscape will close out on Saturday, June 25th with the world premiere of “Gladiators of Steel.” This high-energy, high-octane documentary features a father/daughter story set to the backdrop of demolition derbies. This infectiously likable ode to the ultimate sporting event was directed by the gifted Rocco DeVilliers, maker of the beloved (and adventurous) indie gem, “The Flyboys.” DeVilliers and members of his team will be on hand for what is sure to be an insightful Q&A.
Other notable highlights from this year’s festival will include Barrett Burgin’s provocative and claustrophobic sci-fi/drama “Cryo,” Nick Ninton’s hard-hitting sex-trafficking doc “It’s Happening Right Here,” Stepan Burnashev’s harsh, cold, and naturalistic survival chamber piece “Black Snow,” Matt Fackrell’s terrifying home invasion thriller “Who Goes There,” Matt Heder’s quirky coming-of-age story “Cub Scout,” Rick Page’s offbeat Christmastime relationship comedy “Snow Globe & the Cat,” Hisonni Mustafa’s edgy sisterhood tale “Hermanita,” James Gannon’s darkly humorous “Deerwoods Deathtrap,” the Kloster Brothers’ immensely creative puppet opus “Stranger Than Rotterdam With Sara Driver,” Samuel Gonzalez Jr.’s gritty, PTSD-laden haunter “That Night,” Anne St.-Pierre’s 80s set Christmas-themed drama “Like the Ones I Used to Know,” and Zou Jing’s gut-wrenching “Lili Alone.” These titles will only scratch the surface.
While Desertscape International Film Festival: Year Four will pride itself on a wonderfully diverse slate of films, programmers also promise a variety of several other noteworthy film-centric activities and events as well. Included; Filmmaker Q&A’s, industry panels, special guests, a live script read, comedy improv, an art exhibit, live music, food, an opening night party, a closing night Awards Gala, and more!
For full lineup details and info on All-Access badges (which come with swag bags and a handful of catered meals), 4-day Screening passes, Day passes, and individual film block tickets, head over to fmasu.com.
