918 Film Fest Coming to Circle Cinema Wednesday, September 18

The New Film Festival Will Showcase Short Films Made in Tulsa by Student and Professional Directors as part of the 918 Day Celebration

August 20, 2024 (Tulsa OK): The Circle Cinema is excited to support Tulsa’s 918 Day (Wednesday, September 18th) with an evening of short films made in and around the Tulsa/918 area. The event will feature two program blocks, starting at 7:00pm with Student Shorts made by aspiring local filmmakers. Tulsa Shorts follow at 9:18pm, featuring new works from amateur and professional directors. Tickets are just $9.18 for the double feature or $5 for single program admission, on sale now at CircleCinema.org.

Three of the films that Circle Cinema is showcasing were filmed in the Sand Springs area, including “Out,” “Inside the Mind of Virgil Hammond,” and “When Shadows Lay Darkest.”

“Our Circle Cinema Film Festival in July had a record number of shorts submissions, and there wasn’t room to show them all,” said Kerry Wiens, Circle Cinema Film Fest Director. “We realized 918 Day would be a perfect opportunity to showcase more shorts that highlight Tulsa and the talented filmmakers, writers, actors, and crew working here.”

The Student Shorts program features nine new works and runs 1h40min. The Tulsa Shorts program includes nine additional shorts with a run time of 1h13min. A full list of shorts is included with this release and online at CircleCinema.org.

As part of the 918 Film Festival, Circle Cinema will also debut a new interactive free event for writers and actors on Tuesday September 17th. “Circle Cinema Sandbox,” hosted by PJ Sosko, is an opportunity for writers to hear their scripts come to life by working with actors for cold readings. The event begins at 7pm with actors arriving to work with the writers on roles and scripts for the evening. Staged readings begin at 7:30pm in the lobby, free and open to the public for great insight into the creative process. The Circle Bar will remain open after the readings for drinks and discussion. Watch these scripts come off the page and be on the lookout for chances to submit your script as part of future “Circle Cinema Sandbox” events.

Tickets for the 918 Film Festival shorts are on sale now at CircleCinema.org. More information about the films and filmmakers can be found online soon, with the lineup of shorts including:

Student Shorts

  • “Out” directed by Mack Keen-Williams. Comedy/Drama, 2:38

  • “A Breath Away” directed by Laura Winter. Romance, 4:25

  • “Midnight’s Ghost” directed by Kaden Wittig. Thriller, 4:44

  • “Skeletons in the Closet” directed by Joshua Murray. Drama, 7:35

  • “Body Bag” directed by Josh Bradshaw. Dark Comedy, 8:01

  • “Sunscreen Hotdog” directed by Charlie Edwards. Comedy/Drama, 9:24

  • “misunderstood. – a short film” directed by Niya Lashae. Romance, 10:49

  • “Reflections” directed by Sadie E. Skeeter. Experimental, 19:25

  • “Inside the Mind of Virgil Hammond” directed by Reese William Wood. Comedy, 33:16

Tulsa Shorts

  • “Frank Thomas/The Big Hurt” directed by Robert Bogert. Music Video, 2:15

  • “Stolen Voice” directed by Blake Michael Barrett. Comedy, 9:59

  • “Back to Tulsa” directed by Norris Streetman. Comedy/Drama, 8:10

  • “Dr. Lipschitz” directed by Wed deHart. Comedy, 3:07

  • “Dammit, Lambotte” directed by Laura Katherine Winter. Comedy. 6:33

  • “SECRETS” directed by Dennis Burns & Tyler Stolt. Drama/Sci-Fi. 15:45

  • “Little Sahara – Trailer” directed by Dakota Hurley & Zachary Hurley. Comedy, 3:21

  • “When Shadows Lay Darkest” directed by Jacob Leighton Burns. Horror, 9:50

  • “Doug and the Seekers” directed by James Payne. Doc, 14:40

About Circle Cinema: Circle Cinema is Tulsa’s only independent, nonprofit, arthouse theater. Circle Cinema originally opened in 1928 and is now the last of Tulsa’s classic movie houses still in operation. Circle Cinema screens films 365 days a year, located at 10 S. Lewis Ave in Tulsa on the historic alignment of Route 66. Circle Cinema elevates the film experience through guest speakers, art gallery exhibits, free educational screenings, and other special events. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, proceeds are invested back into Circle Cinema’s mission to expand community consciousness through film. More information is available at CircleCinema.org or by phone at (918)585-3456.