Our fifth annual short-film festival really moves
Best comedy
Flippy Day
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL PANENKA
The Flippy Day gang was sore after filming hours of roller-skating hijinks for their festival-winning mockumentary that celebrates both a mysterious skating move called the "Flippy," and Maine's nostalgic (if tacky) charm. While some of the group rediscovered their skills on the Happy Wheels rink on Warren Avenue, others weren't quite as lucky. "I really can just do the Tippy," says director and associate producer Michael Panenka, referring to the less-than-graceful skate-step maneuver that he displays while wearing a shocking blue unitard, a vest, and a cowboy hat (it's hard to say whether the moves or the outfit are more distressing). Panenka and co-writer and -producer Jeffrey Day made Flippy Day for the 48-Hour Film Festival last year; in that competition it won Best Film, Best Editing (Geoffrey Leighton), and Best Choreography, among other accolades. In fact, the movie is so well-liked that a longer version is in the works. They've already written an expanded script — and secured star power. Day, who works as a piano mover by day and has met comedian Bob Marley in that capacity, sent Marley a copy of Flippy Day once it was complete. Marley loved it. You heard it here first: "Bob is on board to do a feature-length film," Day says. Now they just need the cash — and someone who knows how to do a Flippy.
DEIRDRE FULTON
