Credit: Courtesy
Two of the short documentaries showing on Closing Night — Vuja De, about the miniature art of Michael Long, and Electric Lady, about the roller skating legend Ana Marie Coffey and the recent rise of the SB Rollers — are both by Santa Barbara-raised filmmaker Casey McGarry. “Finding an inspiring, unique, and local story about an ordinary person who lives among us here in Santa Barbara has become an enjoyable hobby and pastime for me,” said McGarry, who’s been screening his shorts at SBIFF for the past half dozen years. “There’s something really special about the now running tradition — since 2017 — of the best local docs playing Closing Night, especially at a packed Arlington Theatre surrounded by all familiar faces. I think this year will be just as magical in such a cool and inventive space, like a drive-in at the beach.”
He answered a few more of my questions via email.
What made you start working on these two films?
I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen with the film festival this year or if there was even going to be one at all. I, for one, didn’t know if I had anything to offer, but then I realized if anybody did, I had to get my act together and do some work because there’s always a good story to tell in this town and I bet the film fest needed me most now. What else was I doing anyway during a pandemic besides eating microwavable mac and cheese and watching old episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
