CRIME EDUCATION MEDIA SPORTS University of Arizona / Modified apr 30, 2025 7:25 p.m.

Student filmmakers confess "I Dream in Widescreen."

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Film essayist Chris Dashiell; remembering James Mercer, a Pima County Ranger killed in action in 1914; and "Stories That Soar!" celebrates the sun.

play pretend hero A still from the film "Play Pretend" by filmmaker Jordan Fouts from the UA School of Theatre, Film and Television and a part of "I Dream in Widescreen" 2025.
courtesy of UA School of Theatre, Film & Television

Featured on the May 1st, 2025 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • Meet some of the next generation of filmmakers who are ready to bring their movies to a cinema near you. It is the annual “I Dream in Widescreen” event, presenting 13 master thesis short films from the UA School of Theatre, Film & Television. In addition to Mark’s interview with 3 aspiring directors, film essayist Chris Dashiell offers his recommendations for some of the standout short films. "I Dream in Widescreen" 2025 will be at the Fox Tucson Theatre on Saturday, May 10th. Doors open at 6 p.m.

parallel lines hero A still from the film "Parallel Lines" by filmmaker Neylani Castro from the UA School of Theatre, Film and Television and a part of "I Dream in Widescreen" 2025.
courtesy of UA School of Theatre, Film & Television

even now hero A still from the film "Even Now" by filmmaker Cosmo Zappellini from the UA School of Theatre, Film and Television and a part of "I Dream in Widescreen" 2025.
courtesy of UA School of Theatre, Film & Television

universe academy hero A still from the film "Universe Academy" by filmmaker Daniela Cadena from the UA School of Theatre, Film and Television and a part of "I Dream in Widescreen" 2025.
courtesy of UA School of Theatre, Film & Television

pizza guy returns hero A still from the film "Pizza Guy Returns" by filmmaker Philip Summers from the UA School of Theatre, Film and Television and a part of "I Dream in Widescreen" 2025.
courtesy of UA School of Theatre, Film & Television

Film Essays with Chris Dashiell spot VIEW LARGER Chris Dashiell is a regular contributor to Arizona Spotlight.
  • May is traditionally a month when fallen police officers are honored for their service. Arizona Daily Star columnist David Leighton shares the history he uncovered around the life and 1914 death of James Mercer, the only County Ranger ever killed in the line of duty in Pima County.
James Mercer unsized VIEW LARGER James Mercer at 17 years old.
courtesy of Ken Mercer
USGS map unsized VIEW LARGER 1910 U.S.G.S. map of southeastern Arizona.
courtesy of David Leighton
cienega creek sign mercer unsized VIEW LARGER Memorial sign for County Ranger James Mercer near the Cienega Bridge on Marsh Station Road.
courtesy of David Leighton
James Mercer plaque unsized VIEW LARGER The Sheriff Department Fallen Officer Memorial at the Clarence W. Dupnik Sheriff’s Center. The memorial includes James Mercer who died in 1914.
courtesy of David Leighton
  • And, the Tucson non-profit Literacy Connects sponsors a group of performers and musicians called “Stories That Soar!”. They help young writers realize the power and potential of bringing their stories to life, for the stage, video, and radio. This month's "Stories That Soar!" is a song by Elizabeth, a student at Fruchthendler Elementary, who composed a song for their year-end concert called, "Sun is Shining." The Tucson Girls Chorus will be performing Elizabeth's "Stories That Soar!" song at Crowder Hall on the UA campus on Saturday, May 17th.

  • Aspiring student-age writers can submit their stories to The Magic Box Story Portal now!

Tucson girls chorus hero The Tucson Girls Chorus will be performing at Crowder Hall on the UA campus on Saturday, May 17th.
courtesy of the Tucson Girls Chorus

AZILL Stories that Soar! hero An important aspect of the Tucson non-profit Literacy Connects, "Stories That Soar!" wants aspiring school-age writers to realize the power and possibility of bringing their stories to life across all mediums.
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