Filmmaker Coree Spencer will be a special guest judge at the February event.

The february line-up includes two movies (Scrabble & Dedspell) about frustrated married couples playing Scrabble. Two wildly different stories unfold from a similar plot.

The First Pitch – written & directed by Kevin Maher

A young screenwriter pitches his first movie. In 1903.

Rye Manhattan – written by Michael Goldburg & Dave Chan, directed by Michael Goldburg

A comedy about a young man waiting for his dream date…at the wrong bar.

Scrabble – written & directed by Cristian Sulser

Week after week, Barbara sets up the game of Scrabble in front of Theo. Wordlessly, endlessly trapped in the same pattern, the martyrdom begins again. From Switzerland

Dedspell – written by Charlie Fish, directed by Jack Hackel

A black comedy about a longtime married couple who absolutely detest each other—yet, are obliged to live together out of dire necessity. From Canada

Tattooed  — written by B. Spencer Evoy, directed by John Michell

A short comedy about lust, names & wobbly eyebrows.  From the UK

The After Party — Created by Chicago improvisers Sue Gillan & Dave Pasquesi; directed by Sue Gillan

A movie that gives whole new meaning to the phrase ‘what would I ever do without you.’

I Think it Was Shot in Maryland

Part of the Iron Mule “Wanna Be a Star” contest in which an audience member is chosen to star in his or her own movie. Starring audience member Adam Kaynan.

Jay Stern has directed and produced over 30 short films & directed over 20 theater productions. Jay’s first feature film The Changeling opened in NYC in 2007. His second & third features, Spirit Cabinet & The Adventures of Paul and Marian are currently seeking distribution. Jay is a founding member of the World Wide Lab, a collective of international theater directors dedicated to creating director- collaborative work. He most recently co-artistic directed this year’s lab on the island of Syros in Greece.

Victor Varnado is a writer/director/actor/comedian who just can’t get enough slashes in his description. As a comedian, Victor has appeared on Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, HBO & Comedy Central. As a filmmaker, Victor has been a gun-for-hire script doctor & has worked on films for Disney, Lion’s Gate & independent film companies. Acting, What?! Sure Victor can act. He has appeared in some of the worst Hollywood films ever made with Eddie Murphy & Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as some interesting independent films with people like David Carradine.