the 2025 lineup
A quick guide to every film in this year’s festival
FEATURES
Color Book (Feature)
Synopsis: After his wife’s passing, single dad Lucky takes his 11-year-old son Mason (who has Down syndrome) across Metro Atlanta to catch their first baseball game together. A day of detours and mishaps test their bond and reveal healing in the journey itself.
Director’s Note: David Fortune crafts a tender, monochrome portrait of Black fatherhood and disability, aiming to “create images of love, intimacy, compassion, vulnerability, and hope.”
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer: David Fortune
Producers: Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno, Autumn Bailey-Ford
Key Cast: Will Catlett (“Lucky”), Jeremiah Daniels (“Mason”), Brandee Evans (“Tammy”), Terri J. Vaughn (“Robyn”)
The Master’s Choice (Feature – Short, Fan-Made Sci-Fi)
Synopsis: The Master and the Dream Lord attempt to interrupt the Doctor’s timeline.
Filmmakers:
Directors: Eli McCaig, Lawson Mann, Lanny Poteet, Justin Wright
Writer: Lawson Mann
Key Cast: Lanny Poteet (“First Doctor”), Lawson Mann (“Second Doctor”), Michael Poteet (“Seventh Doctor”), Erik Alexander (“Tenth Doctor”), Justin Wright (“Eleventh Doctor”), Aaron Pendergrass (“The Master”), Eli McCaig (“The Dream Lord”)
Director of Photography: Michael Poteet
DOCUMENTARIES
Death Reigns (Documentary)
Synopsis: The first documentary about underground metal in the Bible Belt follows festival organizers Zach and Raven as they face backlash from religious groups and politicians while building a diverse community of outsiders.
Director Bio: Randall Kendrick (director of The Steel Garden, HCFF Best Documentary) tells stories of outsiders in the Bible Belt.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer: Randall Kendrick
Key Cast: Raven Moonla, Zach Moonshine
Adopting Greyhounds (Documentary)
Synopsis: A portrait of the Greyhound Adoption organization in West Memphis, Arkansas during the final year of Greyhound racing in the Mid-South.
Filmmakers:
Director/Producer: David Goodman (Associate Professor, University of Memphis)
Death Reigns (Documentary)
Synopsis: The first documentary about underground metal in the Bible Belt follows festival organizers Zach and Raven as they face backlash from religious groups and politicians while building a diverse community of outsiders.
Director Bio: Randall Kendrick (director of The Steel Garden, HCFF Best Documentary) tells stories of outsiders in the Bible Belt.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer: Randall Kendrick
Key Cast: Raven Moonla, Zach Moonshine
Making Megaforce (Documentary)
Synopsis: Once labeled one of the “worst” movies of the ’80s, 1982’s Megaforce (starring Barry Bostwick) gets a joyful reevaluation through the eyes of superfan-turned-director Bob Lindenmayer — part making-of, part tribute to fandom, friendship, and flying motorcycles.
Director’s Note (excerpt): “Sometimes you just love what you love, no apologies.” — Bob Lindenmayer
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer: Bob Lindenmayer
Producer: Felix Chamberlain
Key Cast: Barry Bostwick (Himself/“Ace Hunter”)
Composer: James T. Sale
SHORT FILMS
An Evening In (Short)
Synopsis: Snowed in, a man learns to tolerate his partner’s odd habits — and finds sympathy from the dog.
Filmmakers:
Director: Garret W. Gray
Buyer’s Remorse (Short)
Synopsis: 16-year-old Calvin tries to buy his first car… and gets kidnapped by two wannabe criminals.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer: Carter Rutledge
Key Cast: Benjamin Rutledge (“Calvin”), Colin Cooper (“Dave”), Andy Bennett (“Richard”)
Director of Photography: James Hallock
Darling Vera (Romance / Historical Drama Short)
Synopsis: In the 1950s North Georgia mountains, Vera confesses her love to a traveling farmhand on the night he must leave town.
Director Statement (excerpt): Alex Richard Thomas blends 1950s melodrama with a grounded Southern lens, exploring isolation, longing, and connection.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer: Alex Richard Thomas (Jukebox Girl, Down in the Willow Garden)
Producers: Alex Richard Thomas, Austin Scott Hunter, Baker Waite, Heidi J. Choi
Key Cast: Emma Rose Wagner (“Vera”), Christian Shupe (“Ivan”), Chris Rumble (“Mr. Smith”)
Enter the Room (Short Drama)
Synopsis: When Jeremy crashes with his brother Brian, old trauma resurfaces — blurring the line between reality and nightmare.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer/Editor: Harry Waldman
Producers: Lance Eliot Adams, Harry Waldman
Key Cast: Peter Mastne (“Brian”), Rich Holton (“Jeremy”)
Director of Photography: Lance Eliot Adams
I Knew an Alien (Short)
Synopsis: An alien searches for purpose and the meaning of its existence on Earth.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer/Producer: Joshua Charperrin Woodard
Producers: Michael Ferrell, Donald R. Boling, Shane Hester, Kenny Cunningham
Key Cast: Jordan Dean Foster (“Alien”), Jesus Villalobos (“Depressed Man”)
Composer: Eric Boyles
If You’re Watching This… (Short)
Synopsis: Grieving his older brother, a stubborn teen turns to his favorite show — and discovers a final message.
Director Statement (excerpt): A personal look at grief and how media shapes our response to it.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer/Editor: Jackson Glas
Producer/Key Cast: Jack Schreiner
Key Cast: Gavin Kopko
Director of Photography/Sound: Logan Uhrig
Les Stairs de Noir (Short)
Synopsis: A noir-tinged ensemble piece led by Miles, Vera, and a cast of shadowy figures.
Filmmakers:
Director/Producer/Writer/Key Cast (“Miles”): Michael Richardson
Writers/Key Cast: Alex Berka, Kimi Most
Key Cast: Lauren Whistle (“Faye”), Alex Berka (“Al”), Bryana Ferringer (“Bea”), Jack Lefebvre (“Jack”), Meg Barlowe (“Gracie”)
Director of Photography: Justin Wylie
Picture House (Short)
Synopsis: Passionate debates about cinema spark an unlikely friendship between movie-theater coworkers Tim and John. (Shot in The Villages, FL)
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer/Editor: Clay Bloodworth
Key Cast: Tim Cherry (“Tim”), John Dyslin (“John”)
Director of Photography/Editor: Donae Allen
Set Apart (Short)
Synopsis: The Hub City Film Camp film — written, shot, and finished by students in one week.
Filmmakers:
Created By: HCFF Film Camp Students
Takeout (Short)
Synopsis: After his best friend makes a bad deal, a kung fu superfan fights a neighborhood gang — hoping to impress his crush and survive the night.
Filmmakers:
Director: Gedaly Guberek
Writer/Key Cast: Ryan McCrory (“Ricky”)
Key Cast: Nick Darnell (“Nash”), Kevin Le (“Ace”), Melanie Rains (“Naomi”), Jaynelle Lardizabal (“Isabella”), Noah Fort (“Zakk”), David French (“Damon”), Xiaofei Huo (“Danny”)
Director of Photography: Adam Goral
The Crash (Short / Thriller / Drama / Horror)
Synopsis: After a drunken night leads to a crash, a group of high-school friends must decide whether to face the consequences as buried secrets surface.
Director Statement (excerpt): Inspired by a near-collision in high school — a reminder that life behind the wheel is fragile.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer: Mary Vandersteeg (The Audition)
Cinematographer: Samuel L. Simpson
Sound: Cade Kiana
Key Cast: Graham McDonell (“Alex”), Andrew Richardson (“Felix”), Johannah Dillahunty (“Lily”), Anna Thorne (“Nadia”), Jake Snyder (“Policeman”), Meg McGaha (“Bystander”)
Walrus Crew: The Stolen Crystal (Short / Animation / Sci-Fi)
Synopsis: Spaceman and Nova are hired to protect Luna’s research on a powerful crystal. After a shocking revelation, Spaceman teams up with Valdis to help him find the courage to lead his village.
Filmmakers:
Director/Writer/Producer: Dylan Chase Schaefer
Writer: Tre’ Pettigrew
Key Cast: Xavier Creighton (“Spaceman”), Dylan Chase Schaefer (“Valdis”), Michaela Glidewell (“Nova”)
MUSIC VIDEOS
A Band of Jones: Mama’s Bible
Synopsis: Official music video for “Mama’s Bible.”
Filmmakers: R. Alan Ingalls (Director, Cinematographer, Editor)
A Band of Jones: The Ballad of Big Tent Road
Synopsis: Official music video for “The Ballad of Big Tent Road.”
Filmmakers: R. Alan Ingalls (Director, Cinematographer, Editor)
Autumn Lies Buried — “Debt of Silence”
Synopsis: The new video from Tennessee deathcore band Autumn Lies Buried.
Filmmakers: Randall Kendrick (Director/Writer), Raven Moonla, Zach Moonshine
Brenna — “In Your Head”
Synopsis: Official music video for “In Your Head.”
Filmmakers: R. Alan Ingalls (Director, Cinematographer, Editor)
Dave Frost feat. Jack Ire — “Dead End Road”
Synopsis: Official music video for “Dead End Road.”
Filmmakers: R. Alan Ingalls (Director, Cinematographer, Editor)
ODELL & Logan Barber — “On and On”
Synopsis: Official music video for “On and On.”
Filmmakers: R. Alan Ingalls (Director, Cinematographer, Editor)
Taylor Hutching — “The One”
Synopsis: Official music video for “The One.”
Filmmakers: R. Alan Ingalls (Director, Cinematographer, Editor)
There’s This Fire
Synopsis: The official music video for Almost Isaac’s “There’s This Fire.”
Filmmakers:
Director: Jackson Glas
Producers: Michael Smith, Gabe Litscher
Key Cast: Michael Smith
