Utah Filmmaker Showcase: Human Nature Local Shorts

Location: Utah Film Center

The Artist Foundry presents a curated evening of local short films with an environmental perspective, exploring our complex relationship with the natural world.

These films include:

Refraction(s of Great Salt Lake
Directed by Kelly Hannah
An exploration of Great Salt Lake and its Watershed Landscape, curated from footage shot by the director between 2021 and 2024, the short story delivers perspective challenging contemplations related to water, land and air as Great Salt Lake re-approaches its historic low water levels in 2026.

Path of the Plume
Directed by Talon Earley
In the heart of rural Utah, the Lovell family recounts the harrowing tale of nuclear testing’s shadowy legacy and impact on innocent civilians.

Home River
Directed by Kati Eriksen and Scott Thornton
In 2017, three Sámi women broke the law to protect their traditions. The Sámi people had fished the Deatnu River as a livelihood and spiritual practice for centuries until Finland enforced unprecedented restrictions on the river. In a monumental case for Indigenous rights, Kati, Ánne, and Heidi fought the state to keep their culture alive.

A discussion and Q&A with filmmakers to follow after the screening. Read more about the filmmakers and our moderator below.

Alex Vejar

Moderator Bio:

Alex Vejar is a cinephile, journalist, and musician from Los Angeles. His passion for storytelling began with songwriting and led him to a career in sports writing that eventually brought him to Utah in 2018. He started his film programming journey with the Utah Queer Film Festival in 2022. He currently runs the Fear No Film Festival and is an Associate Programmer of Comedy for the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival. He’s also worked on the programming committee of the Utah Film Center’s Artist Foundry, and screened for several other festivals, including Sundance.

Kelly Hannah

Kelly Hannah is a documentary storyteller based in Salt Lake City, Utah. His lifelong connection with Great Salt Lake inspired him to explore the watershed through documentary storytelling over the past decade. He is deeply curious about the unique perspectives offered by the terminal, saline lake and its relationship with the surrounding communities, including our individual connections with Great Salt Lake as human (salt water) bodies.

Kelly’s work has been exhibited at the Utah State Capitol, the Salt Lake City Main Library, and other public and private venues throughout the city. His photographic perspectives have been published in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, promotional campaigns, and statewide institutional research and education materials produced for the state legislature and government agencies to reference in their decision-making. During the 2023 legislative session, Kelly’s work was described as “beautiful activism” on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Talon Earley

As a director and writer, Talon Earley’s cinematic journey traces back to his childhood, when he first discovered his passion for storytelling with a camera on an iPod touch. To fulfill his dream, he is pursuing a degree in Digital Cinema Production with a focus in Directing at Utah Valley University.

Torben Bernhard

Torben Bernhard is the editor of the documentaries I WANT MY MTV (Tribeca 2019, A&E), CHURCH & STATE (Special Jury Award, AmDocs, 2018), and the upcoming GOOD FIRE. He served as Director of Photography for QUIET HEROES (Sundance, 2018). He has directed several award-winning short documentaries, including TRANSMORMON and OXYGEN TO FLY, both of which enjoyed viral success and garnered millions of views.

He won the Utah Short Film of the Year award over three consecutive festivals, The 2017 Golden Spike Award for External Video Marketing, was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, and has received Artistic Vision awards from multiple film festivals. His work has been featured by The New York Times, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The Guardian, and many more outlets throughout the world.

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