Chicago Underground Film Festival and Filmmakers Summit 2008

First the ladies visit, then go to watch a play. On a television, in a snow garden. In many ways the play references the cadence of the ladies conversation 0 the tedious animosity and lack of attentive or appropriate responses. In the end, all I want to think about lately is the art of conversation. The various directions this art takes.

Rev. Dr. E. E. Mallett is on a mission from God. All he needs is $18 million.

In 1997, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone exploded onto the literary scene, captivating readers all over the world, and quickly spawning cinematic versions. We Are Wizards tracks the influential figures leading the creative subculture surrounding the popular series. The film follows a set of individuals ranging from web journalists, authors, artists, filmmakers and musicians, as they enhance and expand the Harry Potter story, often in unexpected ways. We Are Wizards is a portrayal of creative fans with a common goal: to make their voices heard. "A tremendous film about the intriguing world of Harry Potter fandom. Alternatively funny and moving this is probably one of the best films I’ll see in 2008.” --Laremy Legel, Film.com "... a highly enjoyable illustration of how, even in the limited universe of pop culture, people create, refract and remix their own stories." --Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

Thomas Lindsey (Jeff Clark) is a middle-aged salesman who collects abandoned insect nests when he isn't on the road trying to drum up sales of a new product called Wellness, a health supplement that claims to cure nearly all physical and emotional ailments. Lindsey's overseer is Paul Stubbs (Paul Mahaffy), who bullies his charges into bigger sales and treats Lindsey with barely disguised contempt. Only in the course of his arduous, ongoing pitch, as he gets deeper into debt and the Wellness company’s promises fail to materialize, does he realize he has been scammed. What should he do now—sin or be saved? “Jake Mahaffy’s second feature ensures his stature as a unique American filmmaker. Combining the uncomfortable world of door-to-door sales with realistic acting, he transcends all notions of documentary and narrative to make you squirm like you are with the characters, until your conscience can’t handle it. Once you climb into the tree, pulling on a hornet’s nest, you are already deep into an ode to a broken society.” – Mike Plante, Cinematexas “Virtual one-man band Jake Mahaffy follows up his 2004 film “War” with an astute effort that is both razor-sharp and genuinely sensitive, with a flawlessly authentic, heartbreaking performance by central thesp Jeff Clark.” - Russell Edwards, Variety

"This is one of my favorite videos that I have ever made for a band. I know it is cut up footage but it is pure my friend. The original music is not so far away in soul and beats. I bumped into Hunter on the street and I said hey man I have this footage my Dad sent me from the Middle East of these crazy ass Arab dance troop and they dress all in camo and it is an all party let me cut it for WHOOP DRAFT- and he said right on." - U.A.

“A fascinating portrait of legendary West Coast painter and occultist Marjorie Cameron - a devotee of Alistair Crowley and wife and muse to Jet Propulsion Laboratory founder Jack Parsons. The Wormwood Star is among Harrington's most visually arresting works.” – HFA

“Yard Work is Hard Work” is an Experimental/Avant-Garde animation and musical that wants to be a romantic comedy.