The Surprising Power of a Wish

by John Priddy

We are proud to present the next Windy Wednesday film in our Windrider WinterFest series: “Driftwood” by Michelle Steffes. With this highly acclaimed, 19-minute, family friendly drama, we invite you to explore a new take on an old tale — about the search for love, the pain of longing, and the surprising power of a wish.

“Steffes’ inventive short navigates the delicate balance between finding the courage to fulfill a wish and choosing between one’s own happiness and that of others.”
– Director Monika Moreno, Angelus Student Film Festival

“2009 was my third time screening a film at a Windrider function, and it’s always a fantastic experience. It’s very rare to find a conversation about faith and film with the depth that is demonstrated at Windrider.”
– Michelle Steffes

A Brief Synopsis:

Blaire Farrow has grown tired of her job as a client liaison for a wish-granting foundation. She and her co-worker Jimmy bicker every day, and she hasn’t had a date in what feels like centuries. When Farrow decides to take in a handsome amnesiac, she thinks she’s found everything she’s ever wanted. But, there may be strings attached.

My Personal Reflections about this Film:

This special film is a well-written, beautifully shot, conversation-starting story about love, longing and wishes. Not only does “Driftwood” stand on its own merits for great storytelling and cinematic excellence, but both film and filmmaker are a part of our own ”wishes come true” at Windrider. Here’s just a part of the story:

Angelus alumnus Destin Daniel Cretton met Michelle Steffes at Windrider Sundance 2008. Their “chance” meeting led to a collaborative effort on “Short Term 12″ (http://www.shortterm12.com/), the 2009 Grand Prize award winner for short filmmaking at Sundance Film Festival.

With all we dreamed of back in 2003 when we launched Windrider — our modest “Windy” endeavor — I don’t think we even thought of wishing our small forum could be used in such a big way. We hoped we could create an event at Sundance where people of faith could engage, and thereby enliven the dialogue about film and beyond. We dreamed we could find films with great potential for artistic excellence and insight that would open up theological possibilities, often by focusing on hidden aspects of the human experience. We wished we could bring local community partners (who serve as hosts and event organizers) together with films, filmmakers and their audiences. All our hopes/dreams/wishes have come true!

Please enjoy “Driftwood.” And as you do, think about your own wishes and all the times they’ve come true. Then, think about occasions when you’ve received something even greater than what you wished for. Steffes and “Driftwood” represent that to me.

Noted Screenings, Honors:

“Driftwood” (http://www.driftwoodthemovie.com/movie.htm) is an Angelus live-action semi-finalist and the second short film for writer/director/producer Michelle Steffes. The film was developed at the Directing Workshop for Women at the American Film Institute and featured at Windrider Colorado Springs in 2007 and Windrider Sundance 2008.

Grand Prize winner of the Audience Choice Award for Best Short at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, “Driftwood” has also played at the L.A. Shorts Fest, the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, and the Savannah Film Festival.

Director’s Biography:

A Taylor graduate, Steffes served as director of development for Larger than Life at Universal Studios — Gary Ross’ production company (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) — before leaving to pursue her writing and directing goals full time. She and writing partner, Timothy Lundgren, are currently working on their second psychological thriller.