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A Riot in the Dark Directed by Mike Brown 2006 / 10 min United States Friday Oct 6, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Nasir's plans for revenge are upturned when he catches his bully in a perverse and disturbing situation.

The Calling Directed by Masood Haque 2006 / 16 min World Premiere / United States Friday Oct 6, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater The Calling' is the story of two brothers of Pakistani origin growing up in Jersey City. As the older brother prepares for a suicide bombing, his younger brother is accidentally drawn into becoming a perpetrator of the violence he cannot understand.

Dandelions Directed by Yariv Ozdoba 2006 / 20 min World Premiere / United States Friday Oct 6, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater More than a million U.S. children are homeless on any given night. 'Dandelions'is a short film about one teenage runaway who decides to leave the streets and go back home. The film chronicles a day in a life of a homeless teen, his friends, the drugs, the panhandling, the tricks and the city's downtown filthy streets, grimy tunnels, illicit drugs and immense underworld of homeless youth – all lost in a vast wasteland.

Esperando Directed by Stefanos Sitaras 2006 / 6 min US Premiere / Greek Friday Oct 6, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater The story of a young beggar being deliberately ignored by passers-by, Esperando explores the relationship between power, dignity and honesty.

Rat Island (Isla de Rato) Directed by Bernard Attal 2005 / 19 min New York Premiere / Brazil Friday Oct 6, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Beetchu is a kid from the stilt houses in the Alagados, one of poorest neighborhood of Bahia. On his way to school, to help his family, he sells "sweet dreams', small local pastries prepared by his mother. But Beetchu's real dream is to find a way to reach this island, which entered his sleep the night before.

Kibera Kid Directed by Nathan Collett 2006 / 12 min US Premiere / Kenya Friday Oct 6, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A twelve year old street kid in one of the world's largest slum must choose between gang life and redemption

Sleeper Directed by Andrew Milner 2004 / 11 min US Premiere / Australia Friday Oct 6, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Rosko's world has become a disjointed collection of random moments. He finds himself snapping in and out of consciousness at the wheel of his courier van but even his dreams repeat scenes of his ordinary life.

PROGRAM TWO

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Binta and the Great Idea Directed by Javier Fesser 2004 / 30 min Senegal, Spain Monday Oct 9, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Binta is a 7 year old girl who lives in a small charming village on the Casamance river in southern Senegal. She attends school, however, her cousin Soda does not have the same good fortune. Binta admires her father, a humble fisherman who, concerned about the developement of mankind, is determined to carry out an idea that has ocurred to him.

Eme Nakia Directed by Chris Holmes 2006 / 16 min New York Premiere / United States Monday Oct 9, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater 5 year old tony's family barely escapes civil war-torn Beirut, Lebanon to find a haven in El Paso, Texas. Soon after, Eme ('mother' in Lebanese) falls ill with cancer, and his distant father turns to the arms of another woman. Tony finds hope in his close relationship with his siblings.

Marrying God Directed by Duke Johnson 2006 / 19 min World Premiere / United States Monday Oct 9, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Lola (8) and Ivy (15) are sisters, working alongside their mother, a maid in a seedy Hollywood motel. Today is Lola's first communion and she couldn't be more excited about the prospect of becoming a young woman just like Ivy. Ivy warns Lola that if she forgets her prayer, the ceremony won't work. Desperate, Lola practices the prayer and seeks comfort from Jesus, the motel maintenance man and Lola's friend. But when Ivy catches them together, she scolds Lola and forbids her to see Jesus again.

The Missing Peace Directed by Rachel Benjamin 2005 / 24 min Haiti Monday Oct 9, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Haiti 1991: a young Haitian girl negotiates life in her unstable community in the wake of the coup that ousted former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. She begins to reassess her suppliant relationships with her soldier boyfriend and her grandmother (who raises her) when she meets a American woman journalist who has come to Haiti to investigate her mother's disappearance.

Street Dreams Directed by Josh Monkarsh 2006 / 3 min World Premiere / United States Monday Oct 9, 1:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater In the short film 'Street Dreams' you'll learn to not judge a book by it's cover.

PROGRAM THREE

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Emil Directed by Gandja Monteiro 2006 / 11 min World Premiere / United States Sunday Oct 8, 1:20pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Emil, a 12 year-old boy, runs away from the troubles at home to an industrial area of Brooklyn. Overwhelmed by loneliness and his sister's pregnancy, he attempts to destroy his childhood.

Intelligence Directed by Michael Gaylin 2006 / 15 min New York Premiere / United States Sunday Oct 8, 1:20pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Deep in an Abbu Ghraib-like prison, the war raging just outside, three detainees wait to be questioned and one is surely a dangerous terrorist. But which one?

Pitch Directed by Ian Gelfand 2006 / 20 min United States Sunday Oct 8, 1:20pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Two NYU film grads, hot off the success of their smash hit student film, prepare to pitch their big action movie to a film studio, in hopes of making the leap to "the next level".

Saturday Night Life Directed by Ava DuVernay 2006 / 12 min United States Sunday Oct 8, 1:20pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A young, single mother of three combats her depression by creating magic for her children on a starry Saturday night.

Surface of Things Directed by Keith Davis 2006 / 10 min United States Sunday Oct 8, 1:20pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater In this improvised dramatic short, the clock is ticking for Sela & Sam, a young Brooklyn couple that must make a decision about their relationship--NOW. But neither is quite prepared for the answer.

The Visit Directed by Harry Mavromichalis 2006/ 5 min World Premiere / United States Magic Johnson/AMC Theater

PROGRAM FOUR

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C'mon Directed by Tim Essence 2006 / 20 min New York Premiere / United States Harlem Spotlight Thursday Oct 5, 5:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater

Fluke Directed by Martin Levis 2006 / 27 min US Premiere / Germany Thursday Oct 5, 5:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Five teenagers, all trying hard to fit in the limiting world of grown-up expectations, face an outbreak of fears, anger and desperation. Not knowing where it came from they suddenly have to decide where to go.

Lucky Directed by Avie Luthra 2005 / 20 min South Africa Thursday Oct 5, 5:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater LUCKY is moving from rural Zululand to Durban to live with his UNCLE. He is very excited until his UNCLE refuses to send him to school. Instead he gives him a tape of his mother's last message made just before she died.

Monochrome Blue Directed by Carlos del Rosario 2006 / 6 min United States Thursday Oct 5, 5:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A man living in his boring, monochromatic life suddenly encounters the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Love has rung the bell-- will he answer?

Nasuh Directed by Anya Belkina 2006 / 8 min New York Premiere / United States Thursday Oct 5, 5:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Based on the poem by the Sufi poet Rumi, 'Nasuh' is a short that tells the story of a lecherous bath-house worker, Nasuh, who overcomes his carnal desires when hit by a spiritual revelation

PROGRAM FIVE

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Coven Directed by Arden Wohl 2006 / 12 min World Premiere / United States Thursday Oct 5, 1:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater The film, based on the historical children's story 'Hansel and Gretel', written by the Brother's Grimm, takes on a naturalistic, realistic approach to the tale. The film centers on Gretel, and her coming of age with a Witch who resides in the forest. Gretel learns sorcery and takes revenge on her Stepmother as part of an initiation into a Coven.

He Only Loves Me When Directed by Ora Tsukrov 2006 / 2 min United States Thursday Oct 5, 1:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater

Lyra Lezama Directed by Clayton Haskell 2006 / 18 min US Premiere / Cuba Thursday Oct 5, 1:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A young women living in Havana Cuba wins a special US visa lottery. Based on a true story, Lyra explores her inherited culture of post revolution Havana while trying to understand what the win means to her and those she loves.

The mamtsotsi bird Directed by Jo Horn 2006 / 12 min World Premiere / South Africa Thursday Oct 5, 1:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Musa, A troubled woman living in a loveless relationship can feel something evil drawing closer. Her estranged husband Sipho tries to convince her that it's all in her mind because of her alcohol abuse. She could never have imagined that her husband would consort with evil to get rid of her.

Now You See Me, Now You Don't Directed by Attila Szasz 2005 / 30 min New York Premiere / Hungary Thursday Oct 5, 1:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater It seemed like an ordinary day. Dad is experimenting in the lab, Mom is at home boiling water, while their six-year-old son, Alex, is playing around her. But this day is different. This day Dad brings something home from the lab. And the next morning...Alex becomes invisible.

The Affair Directed by Mikal Wazeerud Din 2006 / 5 min World Premiere / United States Thursday Oct 5, 1:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Preeya's not satisfied. Sammy wants affection. The Affair is a tale about a dysfunctional relationship and how certain parties satisfy themselves, (un)beknowest to the other.

PROGRAM SIX

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Love Aquarium Directed by Ka'ramuu Kush 2005 / min New York Premiere / United States Thursday Oct 5, 3:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater The myriad interpretations of love are tackled by three couples in three distinctively different stories in this cinematic masala of thoughts, feelings and lifestyles

Phobias Directed by Bert & Bertie 2006 / 7 min World Premiere / United States Thursday Oct 5, 3:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A surreal adventure into the minds of five phobiacs in a waiting room. A fantastical tale of an evil Receptionist with the power to make fears become realities. In this strange arena, scissors fly, beards grow and dances erupt as she reduces the patients to emotional jelly:

Shocked Jock Directed by Michael Warner 2006 / 16 min United States Thursday Oct 5, 3:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A shock jock's worst nightmare becomes reality when a listener kidnaps his 4-year-old daughter and calls into the radio show to take control.

Take It Or Leave It? Directed by J.P. Chan 2005 / 4 min New York Premiere / United States Thursday Oct 5, 3:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A young woman prepares for a blind date -- and all its possibilities.

The Tell Tale Heart Directed by Lawrence Watford 2005 / 16 min New York / United States Thursday Oct 5, 3:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A new take on the Edgar Allen Poe classic.

PROGRAM SEVEN

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Across the Hall Directed by Alex Merkin 2006 / 25 min United States Saturday Oct 7, 2:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A quiet night takes a dangerous turn when Julian (Adrian Grenier) receives a frantic phone call from his best friend, Terry (James Oliver). Terry claims to have followed his unfaithful fiancée, June (Natalie Smyka), to a seedy hotel on the other side of town. To make matters worse, he's staked outside of the room across the hall from her, a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a revolver in the other. Julian pleads with his friend to stay put while he rushes to avert disaster, armed with only his cell phone and his cunning.

Euthanasia Directed by Adrian Grenier 2006 / 18 min United States Saturday Oct 7, 2:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater After Becky gets her driver's license, an unfortunate accident forces her and her best friend, Sam to grow too quickly and make some hard decisions about life and death.

Lucky Man Directed by Tamas Kemenyffy 2005 / 14 min New York Premiere / Hungary Saturday Oct 7, 2:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater On the steppe (a plain without trees) nothing has changed for centuries. The sun is shining with the same ruthlessness. The sheep are grazing with the same ease. The dogs are barking with the same anger. The value of the human life has remained the same as well. Worthless.

Quality of Life Directed by Taifa "Taiwon" Graves 2006 / 17 min World Premiere / United States Saturday Oct 7, 2:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Taina Green is about to have the most important appointment of her life, her admission interview to get into NYU's film school. However, Guiliani's "Quality of Life" laws and a suspended license threaten to end her future.

The Assassin of Saint Nicholas Avenue Directed by Khary Jones 2006 / 16 min New York Premiere / United States Harlem Spotlight Saturday Oct 7, 2:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater After a disastrous date with his childhood friend and would-be girlfriend, Red Caldwell decides to escape his miseries by smoking a joint. Red is swiftly carried away from the painful memories of the evening but soon learns that escapism is not without its consequences.

PROGRAM EIGHT

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Broken Directed by David Wendelman 2006 / 16 min United States Monday Oct 9, 4:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Battered by years of fights, small-time boxer Luis Morales is pressured to leave the ring and face his own mortality---the one opponent he cannot beat.

Kwameworld Directed by David Arnold 2006 / 25 min New York Premiere / United States Monday Oct 9, 4:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Kwame, a young stand-up comic from Baltimore has traveled the comedy circuit opening up for acts such as David Chappelle and Eddie Griffin, however, breaking into the Hollywood systems is difficult even for this talented artist.

Street Dreams Directed by Josh Monkarsh 2006 / 3 min World Premiere / United States Monday Oct 9, 4:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater In the short film 'Street Dreams' you'll learn to not judge a book by it's cover.

The Cable Box Directed by Cinque Northern 2006 / 15 min New York Premiere / United States Monday Oct 9, 4:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Timing is everything when a handsome stranger comes to fix a "glitch" in the cable.

Tupac Is Not Dead Directed by Chad Doreck 2006 / 11 min World Premiere / United States Monday Oct 9, 4:00pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Two best friends lose their jobs when one goes too far. Can a friendship survive a conspiracy theory?

Short Documentaries

Will be screened with White Shadows

Casa Del Migrante (Migrant House) Directed by Marcela Moran 2005 / 11 min Mexico Saturday Oct 7, 12:15am (midnight) Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Casa del Migrante' is a short documentary dealing with human rights violations toward Central American Migrants traveling through Mexico.It is through interviews that we learn about the migrants' travels to the border of Mexcio and the U.S., their encounters with Mexican authorities, and their hopes and dreams for a future in the United States.

Will be screened with Dear Mr. President

Dear Mister President Directed by Stephen Rue 2006 / 6 min World Premiere / United States Saturday Oct 7, 12:30pm Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A New Orleans child victim of Hurricane Katrina relives her experience as she writes President Bush questioning her future.

Will be screened with The Shape of Water

Rats to Roses - Sierra Club Chronicles Directed by Richard Ray Perez 2005 / 29 min United States Monday Oct 9, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater In the planteray struggle to protect the environment, we often forget that this is a war waged everyday on neighborhood streets, fishing boats and firehouses by people fighting to protect their homes, their health and jobs.

Will be screened with Cutting Edge

Scene Not Heard Directed by Maori Karmael Holmes 2005 / 44 min New York Premiere / United States Friday Oct 6, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Ever since the early days of Lady B on WHAT-AM, women in Philadelphia have been making moves in hip hop culture - without always getting the credit they deserve. This documentary seeks to tell their story. Scene Not Heard features interviews with some of the originators such as Lady B, Schoolly D and Rennie Harris, with vanguards chiming in including Bahamadia and Ursula Rucker, and presents current talents such as the Jazzyfatnastees, Ms. Jade, and Lady Alma, and emerging talents such as Versus, Keen of Subliminal Orphans and Michele Byrd-McPhee of Montäzh, as well as scholars, critics and local promoters.

Emerging Young Filmmakers

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CarEn Directed by Kenny Males 2005 / 14 min United States Sunday Oct 8, 11:00 am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater CarEn is a latchkey teen attending the school of herdreams. The one thing missing in her life is hersingle, working mom. CarEn’s psyche is working overtime, taxing her friendships and her peace ofmind.

Colorblind Directed by Andrew Blum 2006 / 28 min New York Premiere / United States Sunday Oct 8, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater In Colorblind, 16 year old documentarian, Andrew Blum, examines how today's high school students cope with discrimination and intolerance, offering a historical perspective on how hate speech can escalate to genocide.

Home to Harlem Directed by Tobi Oqunwuyi 2006 / 3 min United States Sunday Oct 8, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater An ode to the Harlem and its historic legacy.

Rewind Directed by Awol Erizku 2006/ 2 min Sunday Oct 8, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater A highly creative, experimental piece that exploresthe limitations of time.

Sheltered Life Directed by Adam Reid 2005 / 22 min US Premiere / Canada Sunday Oct 8, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Sheltered Life was born from the thoughts, experiences and imagination of 9 inner city street kids who write and star in this revolutionary film about their life inside 'The Phoenix', a shelter for homeless youth.

The Detention Teacher Directed by Ben Weeks 2006 / 25 min World Premiere / United States Sunday Oct 8, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater Terry, a teacher who supervises detention all day long, is having marital problems -- he and his wife don't communicate anymore. Having to constantly tell kids to 'Shut up!' and 'Pull your pants up!' has obviously taken a toll on his personality.

Children's Programs

Teddy P Brains Directed by 2006 / 30 min World Premiere / United States Saturday Oct 7, 11:00am Magic Johnson/AMC Theater The Adventures of Teddy P. Brains is a new 3-D animated children's program targeting 3 to 6 year olds. This fun filled "Edutainment" show follows Teddy, his cousin tempest, and his dog Dartagnan as they seek knowledge on their missions back in time, through space and around the world. Teddy P Brains - is Free to children and their parents - please reserve your seat at info@harlemfilmfestival.com and put 'Teddy P Brains' as the subject