Scene from DREAM RUNNER by James Aponte, featuring Jeffrey Burden, II as “Julian”

The film DREAM RUNNER (2020) by University of Toledo alumnus James Aponte (Film/Video ’16) is now streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video. It is included with Prime to its subscribers. The film’s national debut on Amazon is a major step forward in Aponte’s effort to take his film to mainstream audiences.

In announcing the film’s release, Aponte said on Facebook, “It’s been two years of navigating distribution, but I am so happy to say that as of today my feature film ‘Dream Runner’ is now streaming on Amazon Prime!”

UToledo Theatre and Film Department chair, Dr. Edmund Lingan says he is thrilled that Aponte’s film is receiving national play, but not surprised. “As a UToledo student – and later as a professional filmmaker – James always proved to be that rare blend of artist and entrepreneur that leads toward professional success. Our department has been proud and happy to support his work from the beginning, and I am sure this is only the beginning of a series of successes in his career that I will enjoy watching.”

The film’s subject matter leans toward sci-fi, as the film’s opening text makes clear, “Humans no longer dream. Now man made, dreams are sold in supermarkets, drug stores, and fueling stations. Certain dreams are declared illegal by world governments and organizations. Patrons turn to Dream Runners to attain these illicit fantasies.”

Watch the film is available on Amazon Prime Video

Watch a trailer for DREAM RUNNER by James Aponte

A host of UToledo and Theatre and Film Department grads star in and helped create this film:

CAST
“Dana” – Olivia Pierce (Theatre ’16)
“Phil Donahue” – Jamal Knight (actor)
“Drake” – Ian Davis (2014)
“Robbie” – Nolan Thomaswick (Theatre ’16)
“Julian” – Jeffrey Burden II (Theatre ’16)
“Rene” – Christina Pinciotti (Theatre ’17)
“Victoria Kingsley” – Samantha Campbell (Theatre ’17)

PRODUCTION TEAM
Executive Producer/Director – James Aponte (Film/Video ’16)
Producer – Nick Kostelnak (Film/Video ’15)
Producer – John Eidemiller (Communication, faculty)
Music – Stephen Mariasy (Film/Video ’15)
Cinematography – Andre Lewis (Film/Video ’18)
Production Management/Assistant Director – Marcus Jordan (Film/Video ’17)
Guitar – Ryan Dalton (Music, Jazz Performance ’17)

UT Department of Theatre & Film welcomes Interdisciplinary Artist Johanna Dery

Interdisciplinary artist, Jo Dery

The University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film will host a two-day artist’s residency with Interdisciplinary artist Johanna Dery (Jo). Ms. Dery will present her internationally recognized animations on Friday, January 17, 2014 and teach an animation workshop on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Jo Dery is an interdisciplinary artist who experiments with visual storytelling. She makes short films, drawings, prints, and little books.

Among other venues, Dery’s works have screened at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the Eyeworks Festival of Experimental Animation. She has been awarded grants from the LEF Foundation, The Free History Project, and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. Her drawings and prints have been exhibited in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Berlin. Dery’s little books can be found in independent stores like Ada Books (Providence) and Quimby’s (Chicago) or online from Little Otsu (Portland).

From “Heat Spell” “The Last, The Rest” and “Munk and Monster”

Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Dery will present her short films on both 16mm film and digital video in the Lab Theatre (Room 1039) of the UT Center for Performing Arts, 1910 West Rocket Drive. She will also engage in a talkback discussion with the audience after the screening. Tickets for the screening will be sold at the door – $5 general admission and $3 for students and seniors (60+). Admission is free for UT Theatre & Film majors with ID. Free refreshments will be provided. On Saturday, January 18 Ms. Dery will teach an animation workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 1039 of the Center for Performing Arts. This workshop is free and open to interested students.

See samples of Ms. Dery’s work on Vimeo  |  Visit JoDery.com 

For more information about Ms. Dery’s visit, please contact:

Holly Hey, MFA
Associate Professor/Associate Chair/Head of Film
Department of Theatre and Film
College of Communication and the Arts
The University of Toledo
Holly.Hey@utoledo.edu
419.530.4546