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  • Michael Christenson, left, Omar Villalba, center and James Morris, right, chat before their film, The Astrological Whipping Boy, makes its festival debut at the Trail Dance Film Festival. Joshua Kellogg/The Duncan Banner

    Showcasing Duncan
January 29, 2012

Duncan showcase

Trail Dance draws repeat fans, creates new ones

Joshua Kellogg The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — There was the sound of dialogue and background music coming from some of the rooms at the Jack A. Maurer Convention Center and Chisholm Trail Heritage Center Saturday. There was also the sound of “film chatter” both at the Simmons Center and the neighboring museum, as the sixth annual Trail Dance Film Festival was alive and well on its second day.

Directors, producers, actors, movie buffs and others interested in the art of filmmaking made the trip to Duncan to take part in a film festival that’s become known for being a showcase for the burgeoning Oklahoma film industry — with a big dose of “Oklahoma hospitality” on the side.

After making a one-day visit to the event in 2011, Larry and Sandy Lebow drove up from Wichita Falls, Texas to take in both days of the festival, which began Friday.

“Last year, we came and we liked it so much we came back again this year — it’s a gem,” Larry said. “There are a lots of great filmmakers here, and you get to interact with them and ask questions about the films. It’s real interesting.”

The couple said they enjoyed the comedy/thriller “Sick of Larry,” a film about three college students who move into a widow’s home and believe they are being poisoned by the widow’s new boyfriend, Larry.

Sandy singled out actress Kiera Morrill’s performance as a highlight of the film and being able to interact with the film production staff was a plus.

“Everything is so interesting, and to see all the young filmmakers are bringing their fresh and new ideas,” Sandy said. “We love seeing what the young people are doing now and it keeps you connected with the movies.”

Director Dan Tibbs was screening his film, “The Door,” a movie about a girl name Hannah who gets a supernatural opportunity to help her handle her parent’s divorce. He was delighted about being back at Trail Dance with a new project.

“Anthony (Foreman, executive director), he takes a pride in showing Oklahoma films and there are a ton of Oklahoma films this year, which is exciting to see,” Tibbs said. “Being from Lawton, this feels like my home festival.”

Lizzy Herringshay was at the film festival with her mother, Patrina, who came to the event on the suggestion of one of her mom’s friends.

“Our friend is a volunteer and told us we need to come down,” Patrina Herringshay said.

Herringshay’s daughter had seen several films, but noted that “Alfred Thinks We’re Aliens” as her favorite, saying it was pretty funny.

“It’s pretty cool that people actually made (the films); small, independent people did, ” Lizzy said.

The director of “Noodling,” Rebecca Eskreis, wanted to the bring the short film to Oklahoma because it was filmed in the state and she felt it would draw much local interest.

“Noodling” was filmed in Pauls Valley and tells the story of Jenna Ramsey as she deals with her family’s noodling legacy and her father’s announced engagement. The sub-plot is added when Jenna meets the new boy in town, Mikey, as she works with her issues.

“I shot the film here in Oklahoma and I knew if I screened it here, a lot of the people who were involved with the project could come out and see it on the big screen, and that’s special,” Eskreis said. “You can watch it on a DVD at home, but I still believe in seeing cinema on the big screen.”

Headed into Saturday evening, there were continuous screenings planned leading up to the awards ceremony.

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