2023 Festival Selections
Our 2023 Festival lineup was carefully and deliberately curated by our festival directors and selection committee. Our selection committee–comprised of 20 local filmmakers, film critics, artists, arts administrators, creative community members, and community leaders–was tasked with selecting the films that best aligned with our festival mission out of over 1,000 submissions. We are extremely grateful for their time and consideration. We are incredibly excited to screen 30 wonderful films from local, national, and international filmmakers.
The 2023 Benson Film Festival takes place Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 at the Benson Theatre.
Please note: these films are not rated. Some films may contain sensitive and/or triggering content. Viewer discretion advised.
Feature Films
Paper Dream / Ali Atshani
“An Iranian film about an albino teenage boy who falls in love with a young girl.”
Friday, May 19 - 8:00pm
Ramblin’ / Christopher Marshall (LOCAL!)
“Gwendolyn Pierce and McKenzie Jacobs were always inseparable. That is until college and adulting stood in the way. After a year apart and unforeseen circumstances, the two girls reconvene to journey back home. Along the way, Gwen and McKenzie are forced to face their pasts and rebuild the friendship and trust they once had.”
FILM BLOCK B - Saturday, May 20 - 10:00am
In a Good Way / Joshua LaBure (LOCAL!)
“Margot and David had a once-loving marriage that fell apart, leaving them forced to live separate lives for years. However, they decide to meet up for a few days during a beautiful autumn in Omaha to see if their new versions can make their relationship work where their old selves could not.”
Saturday, May 20 - 3:00pm
Provo / Emma Thatcher
“A self-destructive ex-Mormon finds out her estranged abusive father is on his deathbed in Provo, Utah – so she road trips across the country to reckon with her past.”
Saturday, May 20 - 7:30pm
Documentary Films
Bare Metal / Brandon Robert Gries, Ryan Freng, John Shoemaker
“Microsoft, Google, META, and AWS are some of the biggest single-power consumers in the world. Along with other digital infrastructure companies’ consumption, they make up 2.4% of the world's energy use. This film details the digital infrastructure industry's work to reduce their carbon footprint in an effort to lower carbon emissions and help save the world.”
FILM BLOCK B - Saturday, May 20 - 11:00am-Noon
The Other Peloton / Brian Jenkins
“Molly Cameron is a professional cyclist who has been navigating the sport as a trans athlete for over two decades. This short film documents her race at the 2022 Belgian Waffle Ride and investigates the implications of organizing sports in a two gender system.”
FILM BLOCK B - Saturday, May 20 - 11:00am-Noon
Disappearing Man / Noah David Smith
“Octogenarian artist Robert Janz weaves his own aging and impending disappearance, with the impermanent nature of his most recent, life-affirming works of art - street bound water paintings.”
FILM BLOCK B - Saturday, May 20 - 11:00am-Noon
Hello, My Name Is / Chris Machian (LOCAL!)
“Exploring the Transgender experience through the selection of a new name.”
FILM BLOCK B - Saturday, May 20 - 11:00am-Noon
Love Art Revolution / Felix Semper, Pablo Semper
“The artist Felix Semper takes a sculpture of national hero Jose Marti to Cuba and collaborates with other artists and singers in Havana with his unique stretchable paper sculpture.”
Saturday, May 20 - 1:00pm
Romantic Chorus / Jeff M. Giordano
“An independent animated-documentary focused on sexuality and romantic connections featuring 21 diverse interviews from a wide range of genders, cultural backgrounds, abilities, and sexual orientations as they discuss Sex, Monogamy/Polyamory, Fear and Technology.”
Saturday, May 20 - 6:00pm
Short Films
FILM BLOCK A - Friday, May 19 - 6:30pm-8:00pm
Mishandled / Samantha Marie Ware (LOCAL!)
Violent Textures of Nature and Flesh / Matthew Strasburger (LOCAL!)
I Watch You Paint / Tim Guthrie (LOCAL!)
Forever Happy Ending / Essi Sings
Packed Lunch / John W. Iwanonkiw
These Aren’t People / Ben Rosales
Horseshoe Hopes / Max Gilmore
Channel Surfing / Irma Cakaric
Wait / Andy Young
Melody / Chris Toro
Equinox / Elisa Valdes, Fernandes Posada
Phantom of the Desert / Doug Boethin, Michael Brown
Alligator Boots / Jesse Hughes
Where the Platter River Used to Run / Chris Machian (LOCAL!)
FILM BLOCK C - Saturday, May 20 - 9:00pm-10:00pm
GAME / Jeannie Donohoe
The Commercial! / Jim Menza
Train / James David Washington
Are You Awake? / Gabriel Caste
A Tender Date / Tanesha Morris
Dead Enders / Tyler Walker, Fidel Ruiz-Healy
