Although not physically present, Michael Evan Deitzler’s spirit could be felt throughout the inaugural Mount Gretna International Film Festival at Gretna Theatre on Sunday.
Held in conjunction with the 50th annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, the film festival, created in his memory by his family, paid tribute to 25 short films in five judging categories.
Read More: [Photo Story] 50th annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show celebrates the arts
A total of 23 films no longer than five minutes each were aired to approximately 200 to 250 festival attendees. (One film nominated in two categories did not re-air while another was available for private screening at home due to “content that may be intense and disturbing for some viewers.”)
An actor and director who lived in California, it was Deitzler’s dream to create an international film festival in his beloved Mount Gretna, where he spent his youth at the family’s cottage. That dream was posthumously fulfilled to honor him and fellow filmmakers whose talents bring their creations to life via the art form.
“Evan would have been blown away by all of this,” said Vicki Deitzler, his mother, to the audience after the top films across five categories were shown and recognition given to the top three films in each division. “We had (a total of 70) films come in from all around the world.”
Cash prizes of up to $1,000 were awarded in the following areas: best drama, best comedy, best horror/thriller, best documentary/video essay and best high school entry. Two other special awards, hometown spotlight, and Vita Maxima or Best of Festival, were also presented from among the winners in those categories.
Just like the Oscars, additional honors were given for those films that showcased the “best” acting, cinematography, directing, editing, sound design and writing as determined by the judges. To encourage attendee participation, one film was named audience choice winner.
Cedar Crest High School film instructor and teacher Cody Hassler, who led the judging committee, explained to LebTown via email the judging process for all 70 films.
“The judging process was difficult, but it was also so exciting. There were just so many fantastic films. We had a wonderful group of people volunteering their time. All films were screened by a panel and then handed on to our talented judges,” wrote Hassler.
Vicki said the Deitzler family was asked to select the Best of Festival winner and did so after consulting with the judges about some of the more technical aspects of film production.
“Birds of a Feather,” an animated comedy made by Katie Cobos of Rochester, New York, won the coveted Vita Maxima award. It was also recognized for best sound design in the craft award judging and took first-place honors in the comedy division.
Vicki told LebTown that Evan loved making animated films.
“He was a big fan of animation and we loved the subject matter because it was giving a great message,” said Vicki. “The judges felt strongly about that one, too.”
One judge, Finn Royer, an aspiring high school filmmaker who will study the craft this fall at Penn State University’s main campus, said there was plenty to like about that film.
“There was a lot in that film that made it so impressive,” said Royer. “The animation was so alive, the characters were so alive and that’s an incredible achievement for an animated film. I also have a lot of respect for a film that was made by only a few people, including one who was a college student.”
LebTown asked Hassler which film was his personal favorite.
There were multiple films that had a shot at the Vita Maxima (Best of Fest). “Birds of a Feather” was chosen, Hassler said, “and I was very happy with this decision. The message in this short, animated film is something we can all learn from.”
The film is about friendship and the bonds that are formed by, in this case a boy with Tourette’s syndrome and a parrot, despite their obvious physical differences.
A 2024 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor of fine arts degree in film and animation, Cobos, 23, told LebTown the film’s content is personal to her.
“It makes me happy that people are getting out of this film what I want them to get about making connections in life,” said Cobos. “This is such a personal film for me because I have Tourette’s Syndrome and I wanted to make a story that features it without being about overcoming adversity and struggling with it. I wanted a story that was more light-hearted.”
There’s also a message embedded in her film that can be a learning moment for mankind.
“For me, the film is about having two individuals, in this case two different species, bond over a shared characteristic but that are still not exactly the same thing,” said Cobos. “In this case a kid says certain things because he has Tourette’s and the parrot says things because it’s a parrot, but it’s still similar enough that they can still bond and become friends. We can use our divisions to know each other better and, you know, become united with one another.”
Hassler wrote he was unable to recall the exact total of hometown entries received, but was excited to have a number of Cedar Crest graduates from the school’s CCHS Today program submit their films for the competition. (Evan was a student of that program when he was in high school.)
Read More: Cedar Crest High School’s broadcast program wins six national awards
Hassler added that Lani Rooney, a marketing assistant at Visit Lebanon Valley, had the “difficult task” of selecting the hometown spotlight award recipient, which was presented to Lickdale native Jeremy Kessler.
Kessler’s film “DWELL,” an entry in the drama category, is about a man who’s “trapped in the despair of reminiscence” and who “must overcome the haunting reality of the past.”
Kessler said he is a professionally employed filmmaker who has enjoyed the craft since he was a child.
“I started off with (shooting) weddings after falling in love with films as a kid,” said Kessler, a 2018 graduate of Northern Lebanon High School and freelance film director and cinematographer who lives in Mount Joy. “I entered this festival because it is a local competition and I was able to be here. It means a lot more to enter here than throwing it out elsewhere around the country.”
He said he had a goal he wanted to accomplish when he decided to submit an entry for the festival.
“I really wanted to showcase the human experience because it is something we all can relate to and I think cinema is the most powerful way to do that,” added Kessler. “I thought the festival went really well, I had a blast and I am really looking forward to the next one. I have some stuff (projects) in the pipeline.”
Another local connection to the festival was the presentation of a $1,000 college scholarship to Royer, who’s first day of film school in college begins on Monday.
“I was incredibly surprised by it,” said Royer. “People told me they went through a lot to keep the news from me. Every time I was handed the script for today’s program, Mr. Hassler took out the page that had my name on it. I guess I should have realized something was up, but they got me. I am amazed and it is such an honor and totally unnecessary but I am so happy to be a part of this. The work that everyone on the (film) board put in has paid off today.”
Youth was served throughout the film festival, which was only appropriate given Evan’s feelings about those individuals whose filmmaking passions are fueled at a young age.
Vicki noted during an especially emotional moment that all of the films were “amazing submissions” and that Evan had a special place in his heart for his fellow filmmakers, especially young filmmakers.
That comment came after attendees had already voted for the Audience Choice award. Interestingly enough, the winner of that specific award went to the top honoree in the high school division.
“Night Before Graduation” is a drama depicting two friends contemplating where their lives will go after high school. The two filmmakers for this project, Riya Agarwal and Julie Cioffi, who will be seniors at Dallastown High School in York County this year, dedicated the film in the program notes to their video productions teacher Joseph Klinedinst, who had recently passed away.
When LebTown exclusively reported that the film festival was being created to honor Evan, Vicki said at that time that her son used to tell his parents and others that he had “the greatest life.”
Read More: Lights, camera, action: International film festival to debut at Mt. Gretna art show
A short film titled “The Greatest Life: The Story of Michael Evan Deitzler” that was narrated by one of Evan’s close friends and showed an array of photos throughout his all-to-short life was a touching moment during a day of high emotion for the entire Deitzler family, including his father Michael and brother Austin.
A moment of silence to honor Evan was held as a montage of those photos continued to play. After the film ended, it received a standing ovation from the audience.
“Evan poured his heart and soul into everything he did and we’re so proud to share the vision he had for this with you all,” said Vicki. “He strongly believed in the power of storytelling and this festival is a way to honor his legacy and inspire others to create as boldly as he did. The Vita Maxima is meant to honor that and acknowledge the Best in Show at the festival.”
The craft award winners by craft category, film name and film director are:
- Writing: “Absolution” by Jill Yapsuga
- Cinematography: “Waiting Onna Punch” by Victoria Wilcox
- Acting: “Standing Still” by Ryan Manuud
- Sound Design: “Birds of a Feather” by Katie Cobos
- Editing: “The Clock” by Ben Wenger
- Directing: “Closing Shift” by Chris Mazza
The top winners in each category are:
- Comedy: “Birds of a Feather” by Katie Cobos
- Documentary/Video Essay: “Waiting Onna Punch” by Victoria Wilcox
- Horror/Thriller: “The Monster” by Chris Ruppert
- Drama: “Inherently Special” by Peter Fenton
- High School: “Night Before Graduation” by Riya Agarwal & Julie Cioffi
Vicki told LebTown afterwards that it is unknown whether a second film fest will be held, but several times throughout the program it was noted that there’s a desire to grow this one to rival Sundance, one of the most recognizable and beloved film festivals in the world.
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