2026 S O GO Film Festival

From stage, to musical composition, to live broadcast, to film, TJ Hill has had a love for storytelling in all mediums his entire life. His film work has screened throughout the midwest.

TJ is originally from Rockford, IL. He prides himself on forging cohesive partnerships in creating entertainment while pulling no punches within the craft.

Directed by Madison Performing Arts icon Kat Thompson and written by Wisconsin filmmaker Michael Keeney.

Kat has been bringing stories to life since she was eight-years-old, gathering up the neighborhood to put on a show in her parents' Detroit back yard. She has made her home in Madison for the past 25 years, splitting her time between stage and screen. She is an accomplished actor, a sought-after stage manager and award-winning filmmaker with a strong eye for visual story-telling. She sites her influences as the Coen Brothers and Terrance Malik and is an unabashed "Jaws" super-fan.

Michael Keeney is the Wisconsin cliche — born and raised on a dairy farm at the end of a gravel road in the Driftless Area. Coming from a heritage of both visual and verbal story-tellers, he began submitting to writing competitions young and was published by the age of 12. In the 40+ years that have followed, he's written everything from restaurant menus and greeting cards to metal rock songs and art-magazine poetry and from expose' journalism to award-winning screenplays. A ceaseless advocate for Wisconsin filmmakers and the value of the Midwestern mindset, Keeney lives in Mount Horeb, caretaking a nearly 175-year-old home.

Thompson and Keeney formed Key Media Narratives in 2013, and their work has been seen on both the small and big screen in everything from bespoke vanity projects to some of the biggest blockbusters of the last 10 years.

"Belong" began as a Wisconsin 48 Hour Film Project, but lives in the hearts of every young person just trying to fit in. It tells the story of a woman — portrayed by vaudeville performer Ami Eckard-Lee — seeming out of place, and looking for where she ... Belongs.

When Brian Brant forced his siblings to begrudgingly help him make short films, Penny Show Productions was born. Filmed mostly in rural Wisconsin, Penny Show showcases a love of comedy, horror, and the all-around absurd. Thanks to a consistent familial obligation Mitch, Nick, and Melissa continue to help feed Brian's filmmaking obsession.

Joel Sacramento, a Chicago native, is the founder of the digital media company Meter Studio. With a vibrant background as a cinematographer, producer, and director, Joel has traveled the world, capturing a diverse range of content from TV commercials and travel shows to broadcast news and documentary films.

Directed by Joel Sacramento

After starting a new job, Wanda is initially annoyed by her carefree co-workers, but the more time she spends with them, the more she is inspired to become free.

A Chicago native and founder of the digital media company Meter Studio, Joel has a colorful background as a cameraman and producer/director. He's traversed the globe, framing everything from TV commercials and travel shows to broadcast news and documentary films.

J. Anthony Ramos is a Director, Writer, Producer and Actor whose parents migrated from Zacatecas, Mexico, and was born and raised in Southeastern Wisconsin where he still resides.

J. Anthony Ramos is a Director, Writer, Producer and Actor whose parents migrated from Zacatecas, Mexico, and was born and raised in Southeastern Wisconsin where he still resides.

Bob Tapp is a lifelong resident of Racine, Wisconsin. He is divorced, has a son named Phillip, a daughter named Emma and a grandson named Corbin. He worked over twenty years at a movie theater, and is currently using his degree in Marketing to stock shelves, and be part of the retail amusement park that is a local Walmart. SENIOR is the second film in the "RACINE" trilogy. "Dance-Impaired" was the first one, and "Monster Bob" ended the story.

Film Underground is a collection of visual artists originating from Mt. Horeb, W.I. They have been making short films together for over 10 years. What started as a couple of kids in high school messing around with cameras has slowly expanded into a fixture in the Madison film community. Their latest short film, Fait Accompli, is an exploration of scandal, and two characters who are swept into it. Both of them discover bad practices within the company they work for, and have to balance their duties within a compartmentalized corporate system against their responsibilities to the general public. In this film is an earnest attempt to tell an authentic noir story, incorporating themes of whistle-blowing, ambiguous moral alignments, and duty vs. survival. This approach extended to behind the camera as well, and ushered in a lot of firsts for the crew: lighting for black and white, framing in 4:3 aspect ratio, and trying to capture the intrigue and beauty found in the noir genre.

Vermillion Films is a team of filmmakers based in Madison Wisconsin, though their reach extends across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland. Formed in 2018, the core members are Brett Hill, writer/director/editor, MJ Mohns, composer, Charlie Hicklin, sound designer, and Jordan Barry, visual effects.

Official entry for the YesWeCannes 48 Hour Film Competition Logline: A sports history enthusiast recalls the tragic tale of an elementary school fundraiser gone wrong.

Starring Matt Reines, Lacee Blair, Mitch Taylor, Rachael QJ Dougall, Nels Labansky, Stephanie Rose Quinnell, Jay Seevers, Steven E. Smith, Maggie Roemer and John Krochka.

A Film by Austin Duerst and Joel Sacramento

Austin Duerst is an award-winning writer/photographer/filmmaker from Madison, WI. His writing and photography has appeared in Isthmus, AV Club, Slant, Nerve and LA Weekly. In 2024, he released the feature-length horror series MALDOROR now available on Youtube. You can check out his work on Instagram @austinduerst

Joel Sacramento, a Chicago native, is the founder of the digital media company Meter Studio. With a vibrant background as a cinematographer, producer, and director, Joel has traveled the world, capturing a diverse range of content from TV commercials and travel shows to broadcast news and documentary films.

David Kaye and Theresa Stefaniak have worked together off and on over the last 20 years. During lockdown they collaborated on their first animated short film and have never looked back. They continue to be part of 48 Hour Film Projects to experiment with new techniques, as well as produce movies as part of Bad Example Productions.

David Kaye and Theresa Stefaniak have worked together off and on over the last 20 years. During lockdown they collaborated on their first animated short film and have never looked back. They continue to be part of 48 Hour Film Projects to experiment with new techniques, as well as produce movies as part of Bad Example Productions.

Daniel J. Pico Is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in directing and screenwriting. He has been shooting films his entire life having made his first movie at the age of 8. Daniel has directed two theatrically released feature films "Common Senses", and "Farewell Darkness" which won three best feature film awards in the international film festival circuit. Additionally, Daniel has directed more than 85 short films, music videos, commercials and documentaries, including 11 episodes of several popular TV and web series, garnering over 40 independent film awards and nominations for his work. Daniel is the founder of Pico Blvd Entertainment, a production company who's core is focused on independent cinema.

Not only is Dan a maverick director, he is an accomplished editor and has worked in several major capacities in film, from producing multiple feature films, to first assistant directing several multi-million dollar features films around the world. His short film "Reasonable Doubt" recently debuted at the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival - Marche Du Film 2024. Currently he co-wrote the Gala Films/Exertion3 series "RZR" and served as a Co-Producer, Editor, and Director of Episode 6 "The Blood Dimmed tide" the show is currently streaming in the Gala Film Network and is consideration of the 2024 Emmys.

Daniel J. Pico Is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in directing and screenwriting. He has been shooting films his entire life having made his first movie at the age of 8. Daniel has directed two theatrically released feature films "Common Senses", and "Farewell Darkness" which won three best feature film awards in the international film festival circuit. Additionally, Daniel has directed more than 85 short films, music videos, commercials and documentaries, including 11 episodes of several popular TV and web series, garnering over 40 independent film awards and nominations for his work. Daniel is the founder of Pico Blvd Entertainment, a production company who's core is focused on independent cinema.

Not only is Dan a maverick director, he is an accomplished editor and has worked in several major capacities in film, from producing multiple feature films, to first assistant directing several multi-million dollar features films around the world. His short film "Reasonable Doubt" recently debuted at the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival - Marche Du Film 2024. Currently he co-wrote the Gala Films/Exertion3 series "RZR" and served as a Co-Producer, Editor, and Director of Episode 6 "The Blood Dimmed tide" the show is currently streaming in the Gala Film Network and is consideration of the 2024 Emmys.

Jim Goodnow & The Yellow Rose of Texas is a documentary about an American activist who traveled the U.S. on a peace bus working with protest groups throughout the height of the Iraq war demonstrations.

Our family has been creating films together for the past 10 years. Those films include shorts and 48 Hour Project Submissions mostly. Recently we have started helping out other filmmakers with their projects.

Prisca Elzen is a filmmaker from Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 2024 she produced and directed "The Inspection" a Wisconsin 48hr film project short. In 2023 she directed the short film "In Cardboard" and produced 2 other shorts. Her background includes an Associate Degree in Digital Media Technology and being a Jill-Of-All-Trades videographer and photographer for various companies, on set music grip, and much more. She loves creating with fellow Midwest filmmakers and is happy to help out anywhere on set and looks forward to more creative collaborations in the future!

Prisca Elzen is a filmmaker from Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 2024 she produced and directed "The Inspection" a Wisconsin 48hr film project short. In 2023 she directed the short film "In Cardboard" and produced 2 other shorts. Her background includes an Associate Degree in Digital Media Technology and being a Jill-Of-All-Trades videographer and photographer for various companies, on set music grip, and much more. She loves creating with fellow Midwest filmmakers and is happy to help out anywhere on set and looks forward to more creative collaborations in the future!

Austin Galante born in Iowa, is a music producer, vocalist, director, and actor who currently resides in Madison Wisconsin. Austin has worked on songs with artists such as Cee Lo Green, Rick Ross, #0 of Slipknot, Snoop Dogg, Slim Kid Tre of Farside, and many others. Austin Galante has produced and directed over 25 music videos and just finished writing, producing, scoring, and directing his first feature film Suite Killing Machines: which is now available on streaming services. He is in the process of filming his second feature film entitled Sanguine Teeth on a Driftless Road which features a song with Snoop Dogg and KRS-One. Cast list available on IMDB.

Austin has over 50 acting credits on IMDB in projects such as Rihanna's Disturbia, Miley Cyrus video, Eli Stone, Liberty Mutual commercial, and has scored films such as Suite Killing Machines, Why did you scare her, Get em, and Vicious Fray.

Robert Barhite is a filmmaker who is very lucky to be surrounded by wonderful talent, including the CEO of the business where he works. How many people get to tell their boss to act like a dork?

John Carlo Rosillo is a Filipino director and cinematographer who is passionate about telling stories in a variety of genres, even with limited resources. After immigrating and moving to northern Wisconsin, John Carlo, who prefers to be called Carlo, taught himself various skills including editing and cinematography during his middle school years. Carlo has worked in various positions in film & tv for national brands, while also dedicating his free time to creating award-winning short films with his production company Story Is Everything. His ultimate goal with his films is to transcend language barriers and use the power of film to establish an emotional connection with his audience, much like the films he watched when he first moved to the US had for him.

RedWax Productions was founded by Nate Clark in 2010 as a freelance animation and editing company. Since that time, RedWax has become a full film production house; producing several award winning short films, and contributing to multiple feature films as well as television and streaming series.

Our short film, 'Compliance', comes from a crew with an intimate knowledge of working customer service, the feeling of losing oneself in the day-to-day, and the lengths we go to to 'fit in'. Written, filmed, and edited in two days for the Wisconsin 48 Hour Film Project with the requirement of a Compliance Officer named Nordenstrom, we took a long look at what it means to be 'Compliant' and how terrifying that could be.

Derek Pfister is an award-winning Cinematographer and Editor based in Milwaukee, WI. Creator of Chair on Stair Films. Through the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Derek received his Bachelor of Science degree in Radio-TV- Film with a minor in Journalism.

For over two decades, Derek's career as a filmmaker continues to take him across the Midwest to produce content for clients and create films. In May of 2024, Derek reached a career high of being part of a film that screened at the Cannes Film Festival in France. His documentary series "The Next Frame" continues to inspire creatives of all types, showcasing hidden talent throughout the Midwest.

Film and video are his passion, his mistress, it is what he loves to do. Derek hopes to achieve meaning & passion with his work.

"Baby Bleu" is the 2024 submission to the Wisconsin 48 Hour Film project buy the collective of film makers formally known as Pizza Sutra, but releasing this project under the moniker “The Sauce”. This group of creatives is ever expanding and evolving, but always aims to work collaboratively pushing each other to be more innovative and try their hand in different roles in the film making process. “Baby Bleu” is directed by Craig Kaczmarek, whose previous film work includes writing, directing, and even acting in previous Pizza Sutra productions. Baby Bleu was written collaboratively, but with special credit to DeAndre Hoover, who usually finds most of his film work in the realm of sound. Lighting and camera wizard Enrique Gonzalez gives the film its unique “Breaking Bad” aesthetics, and actor/editor Contrell Smith wears multiple hats acting and creating this short film in a mere 48 hours. Veteran actors Cyndi Petterson and Beth Gordon round out our approach to what would happen if the world’s greatest cheese recipe ends up corrupting those around it. Enjoy!

Cole J Sheldon is an independent filmmaker from Sheboygan, WI. Since his youth, he has been heavily influenced by the films of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Chris Columbus, and a host of storytellers who's films dominated the screen in the 1990's.

He immerses himself in stories that explore the depths of emotion and what it means to be human, always trying to incorporate a hint of nostalgia in every film he creates.

Michael Weiss is a makeup artist and a painter. His work in makeup has been featured in film, television and New York Fashion Week. Filming and editing makeup videos brought him back to his love of film leading to the creation of Nacht.

Dustin Schmaus is a Waukesha, WI based filmmaker who has been creating video works since 2010. His debut film, "Deliver This" (2010) was based on his own experiences as a late night delivery driver on the east side of Milwaukee. A classically trained actor with a BFA from UW-Milwaukee, his works often feature alumni from the UW-Milwaukee theater program under the Rattitude Productions banner. Recently, he has been creating short films in a weekend as part of The 48 Hour Film Project. With Valentine (2016), Heritance (2021) and Mystic Menders (2022) being his most recent creations. He currently resides in Waukesha and is supported by his loving wife Maureen and their daughter Murphy.

STRING THEORY: THE RICHARD DAVIS METHOD is a heartfelt and inspiring documentary that delves into the life and legacy of one of the greatest bass players in history. While Richard Davis is most known for gracing the stages with icons like Miles Davis, Van Morrison, and Eric Dolphy, his transition from a celebrated performer to a revered professor at the University of Wisconsin in the 1970s forms the crux of this story, highlighting his dedication to nurturing young talent.

About Brian Alberth:

His doc work includes The Smart Studios Story, Beware the Slenderman, Adult Rappers, Beyond Human Nature, Opengate: Shutdown, Honor in the Air, and String Theory: The Richard Davis Method.

In a brief 5 years stint, Brian taught at Madison Media Institute (2008-2013). He currently serves on Madison Area Technical College's Video Production Advisory Board, as well as advises for the Columbus College of Art & Design.

Brian has earned awards including an Emmy, several Telly Awards, WCCA Award, MadFed Addy, CAB Award, and an AHECTA Award.

His most current passion projects are a documentary about video stores, called RENT THIS! The Movie, as well as a TV show pilot about connecting loved ones using DNA called Search Angels.