LAYTON — In space, everyone can hear you laugh.
At least, that’s what the folks behind this year’s Gangrene Film Festival are hoping for. The showcase for comedic short films, set for Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. at the Ed Kenley Amphitheater in Layton, is focusing on the theme of “Apollo 13.”
Organizers, however, aren’t limiting themselves to just astronauts and rockets.
“There’s so much coolness with outer space,” said Craig Nybo, one of the festival organizers. “It’s wide open. Anything that can fit Neil Armstrong and Doctor Who in the same spectrum is all right by us.”
As part of this, the festival’s usual mix of surprises will be a little more expansive than usual.
“Outer space mixes science, philosophy, and all the things beyond the stratosphere,” Nybo said. “We’re definitely using that to our advantage.”
There’s no risk of them getting too serious, however.
“One year we had luchadores wrestling the night of the festival,” he said, laughing as he remembered. “This is about that level. I think it’ll bring the house down.”
The surprises, however, are simply an accent to the movies. The festival is divided into two sessions, a 7 p.m. general audience session and a 10 p.m. late session for short films that might have language or slightly more adult themes.
“We’ve gotten some great films from all over the country,” said Nybo.
Unfortunately, not many of those were from the festival’s home state.
“Sadly, we didn’t get as many local entries as we like to have,” he said, adding that two made it into the festival. “The selection was a little sparse.”
Though he said all of this year’s films are “hilarious,” he already has his favorites. In the general session it’s “Nap Time,” a spoof commercial for a product that supposedly puts kids who are having a temper tantrum instantly to sleep.
“I think people are going to love that one,” he said.
In the late session, his choice is “Expiration Date.” In the short, a mortician brings a dead body as his date to a party.
“It’s like ‘Weekend at Bernie’s,” but romantic,” he said.
The Ed Kenley Amphitheater is located at 403 N. Wasatch Drive, in Layton. For tickets and more information about the festival, visit gangreneproductions.com.
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