After 20 years of Cave Creek ... the jury is in
by Chris Moore 

CAVE CREEK – The Amateur Film Festival Competition, celebrating the Town of Cave Creek’s 20th year of incorporation, has selected a jury. The contest’s panel of three judges, which will evaluate three‑minute films in three age categories, was selected by local documentary filmmaker and arts supporter Suzanne Johnson.

Johnson, a 30‑year resident of Cave Creek who is currently making a film about Tucson photographer Pedro Guerrero, selected the jury at the request of the Town of Cave Creek, and while she will oversee the process as foreperson, she will not vote on the jury.

Johnson founded the educational non‑profit arts and humanities production company Gnosis in Cave Creek in 1997 and now serves as its executive director and president of the board of directors. Gnosis produces documentary films and books, hosts symposia, sponsors events and seeks, according to the company’s mission, to provide a “bridge to explore, motivate, share and communicate about the mystery and complexity of the creative spirit.” One Gnosis production, broadcast on PBS in 2000, was Johnson’s documentary film “beadlearchitecture” about modernist architect Al Beadle, whose historic buildings are still popular in the Valley.

So, no stranger to the workings of independent film, Johnson relied on her knowledge and experience to pick judges for the contest who would bring their perspectives and local knowledge to form a well‑rounded jury for the three‑minute films from Cave Creek’s directorial contestants. Johnson’s jury is composed of John Lyons, Lori Suddarth and Steve Weiss.

“We’re all filmmakers,” Johnson says of her jury. “They all have professional backgrounds. They now how to construct a film and how to look at it with an analytical eye.”

John Lyons works as a production supervisor assistant at KAZ‑TV in Prescott. He also writes, roduces and directs his own  feature films, and has completed several short films. He is currently looking for distribution for his most recent independent film entitled “420.”

Lori Suddarth, a mother of five children, has been studying film at Scottsdale Community College since 2001 and will soon be applying for master’s studies in film. In order to create public awareness of the dangers of teen driving, she made a documentary film on the subject, founded an organization, and is currently  working to reinstate the graduated driver’s license program with the intent of making driver’s license education for teens in Arizona mandatory. Suddarth is also an artist and a teacher, having taught art to kindergarteners and high school students in both the private and public sectors.

Steve Weiss is a Phoenix native who champions independent films through his film promotion company, which he calls No Festival Required www.nofestivalrequired.com) which was voted Best Microcinema of 2004 by The New Times. Since June 2002, No Festival Required has screened more than 500 short films and videos and numerous feature films at gallery/performing arts space Modified Arts in downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Detroit Film Center, and other venues. Weiss has sat on several other juries including the last two national 48‑Hour Film Challenge competitions and the 2005 Arizona Black Film Showcase.

“I’m always looking at new work,” Weiss says, “and it’s always exciting to see new things. Sometimes the most naive approach can be the most honest, so it’s always interesting to see what’s being done out there.”

The requirements of the contest were to make a short film (three minutes or less) on the theme of “A Day in the Life of Cave Creek,” burn it to a DVD, and submit it to the town hall. But aspifing Cave Creek filmmakers must submit soon as the deadline is Friday, June 30.

Judging is “blind,” meaning that the names of the filmmakers and other identifying information does not accompany the films when they are judged. Only a reference number is used to connect the submitted DVD and the filmmaker’s identity. This system is used to ensure objectivity and fairness in the jury process.

The jury will judge the short films in three age categories: Adults (18 and older), Teens (13 to 17 years) and Children (12 years and under). First, second and third place cash prizes will be awarded in each age category: $1,000, $500 and $250, respectively. Trophies will also be presented to the winners.

The jury will meet between July 1 and 14 to select the winners. Films will be screened Saturday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Frontier Town on Cave Creek Road. The public is encouraged to attend.

For info, call (480) 488‑1400 or visit www.cavecreek.org.