Reel 'Em In: Young Filmmakers Show Off Their Works at Petaluma Film Festival

Pity the poor, young filmmaker. Not only must he learn his craft on no budget and compete with Hollywood blockbusters, but he may also have to suffer stares and whispers at the local hardware store.

That’s what happened to Zach Smith, 21, whose one minute and 40 second opus on urgent bathroom breaks, “My Cup Runneth Over,” necessitated crafting an “accident” simulator comprised of plastic tubing and a funnel.

“The people that work at kept asking me what I was up to. They thought I was making a beer bong, I think, until I finally told them I was a film student at the JC,” said Smith who is among four young Petaluma filmmakers participating in the Petaluma Film Festival on Saturday, April 23.

Smith’s film was made on blue jeans pocket change, shot in six hours flat and relied on friends for acting.  He spent his entire 21st birthday editing it.

This year’s festival is all about short films, according to film teacher and organizer Mike Traina. He says shorts are long on ideas, creativity and pluck.

“The festival focuses on not only on short form, but also undistributed work,” Traina says. “It’s the kind of stuff you have to go to festivals to see.”

This is also the weekend that the hugely anticipated Hollywood blockbuster “Water for Elephants” starring Reece Witherspoon and  Robert Pattison (based on the New York Times best-seller book) hits the multi-plexes. 

When allocating entertainment dollars, how does one choose between big movies like Water for Elephants versus quirky independent ones?

“Film festivals provide a complete alternative to Hollywood," says Traina. "You know what to expect when you go see a big budget movie while film festivals showcase the best, most creative and innovative filmmaking. Plus, if you miss a big movie you can always Netflix it. With film shorts, you may have only one opportunity to see it locally and no way to hunt it down later.”

In its third year, the will be held at and the program is split into three sections, a 2:30pm matinee, a 7:30pm feature and a midnight show. The price of the matinee is $10, the later features are $15 each and all day passes are just $25. Following the screenings, there will be a question and answer with filmmakers, and a late after party at

It’s the first film festival for boyfriend/girlfriend filmmakers Hannah Waterbury, 19 and Wes Matheny, 19. Their film “Yes We Will” focuses on the trials and tribulations of growing up in a small, tourist-focused town. This film debuts in the 2:30pm slot.

“People want you to be a kid while they also want you to be mature… Our film includes some social commentary and captured current events that happened while making the film. Stuff like  the BP oil spill and Sarah Palin,” said Matheny. “It’s about kids trying to feel their way out into a confusing world.”

What was it like working together when romantically involved? 

“We had some creative differences. - more than a few - and mostly around cutting and editing. But we’re still together and we’re really happy how our film turned out,” said Matheny.

Matheny and Waterbury are planning on attending Colorado Film School in Denver together.  The duo feel very strongly that Hollywood is about making smash hits while independent filmmakers focus on creating art. Translation: Idealistic, young filmmakers try harder.

“People can more easily relate to small films that are more relevant to everyday life. Besides, blockbuster films usually ruin the book,” said Waterbury.

A fourth young Petaluma filmmaker is Ryan Phillips, a graduate of El Molino High. His film “10 Items or Less” debuts in the 7:30pm slot. 

For more information on the films and to purchase tickets, check out Petaluma Film Fest's website.