THE 6TH ANNUAL DESERTSCAPE

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL SELECTIONS, 2024 SCHEDULE, AND TICKET INFO!

#diff2024 | #desertscape2024

Presented by Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU)

St. George, UT--The 501(C)(3) nonprofit, Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah, has announced official selections, the schedule, and ticket info for the 2024 Desertscape International Film Festival. 

DIFF 2024 will take place in beautiful St. George, UT from Wednesday, March 27th through Saturday, March 30th with the majority of the screenings and events taking place at the historic Electric Theater. Desertscape will coincide with the long-running St. George Art Festival for the very first time in 2024 and this will only add to the magic of the proceedings. This celebration of independent cinema will feature over 40 films--shorts and features–from all around the world. Multiple countries and genres will be represented throughout the festival and programmers promise a little something for everyone. 

Writer/director Josh Margolin’s charming, funny, and fittingly thrilling “Thelma” will serve as Desertscape’s opening night feature. Starring the forever likable June Squibb in the title role, this adorable gem of a movie–which made its debut this past January at the Sundance Film Festival– finds a lovable grandma taking matters into her own hands after falling prey to a telephone scammer. Not only is Squibb an absolute delight in this Magnolia Pictures release but she gets big time assists from co-stars Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, and the late, great Richard Roundtree. 

Desertscape will close out on Saturday, March 30th with a screening of the funny, observant, and altogether eye-opening love letter to film collectors, “Film is Dead. Long Live Film!” Director Peter Flynn’s immensely entertaining documentary is not only a wonderfully insightful look at film history, but it’s also a tribute to passionate and eccentric individuals who preserve that history at all costs. Mr. Flynn will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A.

Other notable feature film highlights from this year’s festival will include the World Premiere of H. Nelson Tracey’s relationship dramedy, “Breakup Season,” featuring Samantha Isler (“Molly’s Game”) and Chandler Riggs (“The Walking Dead”) as a couple at a crossroads during an emotionally turbulent holiday season. An energetic Nelson and several select members of a gifted cast and crew will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A. 

Chaysen Beacham’s coming-of-age road movie, “What We Find on the Road,” featuring Finn Haney as a young man making a multi-state trek to reconnect with a dad he hasn’t seen in a very long time. 

Michael Del Monte’s Candian import “His Name is Ray,” a moving and provocative documentary that delves into a homeless man’s struggles with addiction. 

Joseph DeGolyer’s “Chicken Coop,” an understated and nuanced Christmastime drama about a man looking to patch things up with his estranged father.

James Morris’s Desertscape After Dark entry “He Never Left” featuring Colin Cunningham and Jessica Staples in a thriller that puts a little spin on slasher films. 

Additionally, in honor of The Utah Film Commission’s 100-Year Celebration of Utah Film and Television, Desertscape will also present a special retrospective screening of the unsung 80s gem, “Three O’Clock High” which was shot at Ogden High School in Northern Utah nearly 4 decades ago. Featuring Casey Siemaszko as a high school reporter and Richard Tyson as the terrifying bully he inadvertently picks a fight with, this righteously funny (and hip) comedy from director Phil Joanou, puts a fresh and youthful twist on a beloved “western” trope. 

Desertscape will feature several outstanding short films, as well. Included; The emotionally charged mini-doc "Free Play," the creature-centric "Blood Waters," the quirky animated gem "Tennis, Oranges," the sci-fi-tinged "To Err," the international Sundance entry "Dreams Like Paper Boats," the moving AFI short "Blue Hour," the Made-In-Utah immigration drama "In a Foreign and Unknown Land," and many more.

Awards in multiple categories will be handed out on the final night of the festival.  
 

Desertscape International Film Festival All-Access VIP Badges are only $125 (includes a swag bag, VIP lounge, and parties) with $10 single film block tickets, special $30 single-day passes, and $75 4-Day screening passes (Screenings Only) also available. For all ticket sales, CLICK HERE!

For a look at the entire 2024 Desertscape International Film Festival schedule, CLICK HERE!

**Schedule and titles are subject to change.

In addition to amazing films, you can also expect plenty of outstanding alternative programming. Desertscape will offer industry panels with special guests, a live script read, opening and closing night parties, an awards ceremony, and more. And with the second half of the festival coinciding with the venerable St. George Art Festival, there will be no shortage of artistic sights to see. Included; A live performance by the indie rock act, The National Parks.