FILMAPALOOZA 2026!
The Retirement Party
2025 MINNEAPOLIS 48HFP CITY WINNER
FILMAPALOOZA SCREENING GROUP J:
Fri, March 25th | 11:45am
A meek antique dealer is gaslit by a bombastic, hyper-confident coworker who leads half of the office to believe an absurd alternate version of the previous 10 minutes of their shared reality.
Directed by Justin & Kristin Schaack
Starring: Tom Reed, Taj Ruler, Cynthia Schreiner Smith, & Mario Howard
Written by Tom Reed, Justin & Kristin Schaack, Logan Martin, and Paul Winkels
Director of Photography: Ryan Grams
Edit by Paul Winkels, Justin Schaack, Ryan Grams
REQUIRED ELEMENTS:
Genre: Alternate History
Character: Renee Kleinfelder | Antiques Dealer
Prop: Slice of Toast
Line of Dialogue: "I have three words for you..."
-- AWARDS --
BEST FILM | Minneapolis 48HFP
BEST DIRECTING | Minneapolis 48HFP
BEST WRITING | Minneapolis 48HFP
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST | Minneapolis 48HFP
BEST LEADING ROLE: TOM REED | Minneapolis 48HFP
BEST SUPPORTING ROLE: TAJ RULER | Minneapolis 48HFP
BEST SONG | Minneapolis 48HFP
BEST USE OF CHARACTER | Minneapolis 48HFP
AUDIENCE CHOICE | Minneapolis 48HFP
-- FILM FESTIVALS [official selections] --
Big Water Film Festival
Cedar River Film Festival
Clean Shorts Film Festival
Ely Film Festival
Golden State Film Festival
Pasadena International Film Festival
Sioux City International Film Festival
Twin Cities Film Fest
Switcheroo!
YES WE CANNES - Global Film Competition
FINALIST
FILMAPALOOZA SCREENING GROUP L:
Fri, March 25th | 3pm
A new body swap device, the Switcheroo!, promises "new perspectives and fun!" but yields hilarious workplace hi-jinks with potentially irreversible consequences.
Directed by Justin & Kristin Schaack
Starring: Taj Ruler, Kelsey Laurel Cramer, & Tom Sorenson
Written by Tom Reed, Justin & Kristin Schaack, Logan Martin, and Ashley R. Martin
Director of Photography: Ryan Grams
Edit by David Mair, Justin Schaack
Original Music by Matt Walker
REQUIRED ELEMENTS:
Genre: Sci-Fi
Character: Charlotte Sanborn | Art Teacher
Prop: Apple
Line of Dialogue: "It's not as easy as it looks."
-- AWARD --
BEST USE OF LINE | Yes We Cannes!
Breaking Up
ROUND TABLE SESSION WITH STEVE MALLORY
Thurs, March. 26th | 11:30am
Cinema São Jorge - Room 2
Immediately after breaking up their relationship, Abby and Ben find themselves physically broken up. Broken arms, broken legs, and broken dreams are on the line. Abby and Ben must work together to overcome their physical and emotional barriers. Breaking Up is a short comedy about love and learning it’s okay to ask for help.
Although fictional, this script is inspired by the events of Kristin's parents' simultaneous health issues. For a few weeks, one had no use of their legs, the other unable to lift anything with their arms. Tragedy plus time equals comedy.
We continue to revise and refine this first draft, but we're honored and grateful to share this short comedy script during a round table discussion with Steve Mallory!