SOLD OUT

The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center’s Emerging Filmmakers Showcase and RedSlate Films will present Cinema Shorts Showcase, an eclectic selection of short films from local directors, highlighted by Civil War drama War Between States, on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m.

“As a filmmaker, I’m passionate about telling stories that engage the audience emotionally,” said RedSlate co-founder Jesse Hutchins of Moon Township. “All of us at RedSlate are thrilled to return to The Lindsay’s beautiful facility, and to bring attention not only to our own works, but to films by four other visionary local filmmakers.

“We want to shine the spotlight on these four directors, and for them to have a chance to experience the same thrill that we’ve experienced at The Lindsay, of seeing their films on the big screen in front of an appreciative, knowledgeable audience.”

Actors/producers Brian Ceponis of Allison Park and Brian Kadlecik of Washington, Pa., are also co-founders of RedSlate, and both also appear in War Between States, with Ceponis and Californian Stanton Rutledge (The Fast and the Furious; Pleasantville) as leads.

In War Between States, a Union colonel leading his men during the Battle of Gettysburg comes face to face with a Confederate soldier who helps him see the truth about why they are fighting. For history buff Hutchins, the film fulfills his youthful dream to make a film about the Civil War.

Other short films included in the Showcase:

The Hope Dealer, by Andrew Broadhurst, in which an addict must choose between his addiction and his family. Broadhurst, of Martinsburg, W. Va., has written, directed, and produced several award-winning independent short films including The Hope Dealer, Unfinished and Death by PowerPoint. His latest project is a found footage exposé about set safety called Save a Buck.

The Rough and Tumble by Franklin Carpio, offering a brief glimpse into the life of a private investigator. A native of Ecuador whose parents moved to the state when he was two years old, Carpio is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Design. He is currently working on Showtime’s Mayor of Kingstown as the camera operator for the Drone unit.

Fire, by Samuel Diggs, the story of a homeless man making the ultimate decision on behalf of his fellow camper during a fierce winter. A Frostburg native now living in Ambridge, Diggs is a seasoned, Emmy-nominated filmmaker who has garnered numerous awards for their exceptional work, reflecting a passion for weaving compelling narratives that transcend geographical boundaries. and exemplifying the transformative power of storytelling.

Burying Baby by Benjamin Carlucci, depicting a couple trying to cope with the loss of a family member. Carlucci, of Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, has earned critical acclaim for his short films at film festivals on every continent. Benjamin is a three-time winner of Pittsburgh’s 48-Hour Film Project, with his last city-winning film being selected as one of the top 10 in the world and going on to screen at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner in 2022.

The Long Mile, directed by Hutchins, in which a case of mistaken identity leads to tragic results.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. The screening is free but RSVPs are requested so that everyone can be guaranteed a seat.