INDIANA JONES AND THE TREASURE OF THE AZTECS, 29min., USA
Directed by Kevin M. Croxton
Indiana Jones and the Treasure of the Aztecs is an Indiana Jones fan film created by the Oliver Springs Music Club (Formally the Parkview Music Club). Set in 1958, Indiana Jones takes up an unfinished quest from his late father-in-law, Abner Ravenwood, which turns into a race against time to find a powerful Aztec treasure before the Soviets do. The film is a tribute to the Indiana Jones Franchaise, and has a cameo from Actress Karen Allen, reprising her role as Marion from the Indiana Jones films.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt29010726/?ref_=m_ttfcd_tt

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film? After I found out that Lucasfilm was working on a new Indiana Jones film, I thought it might be time to finally make an Indiana Jones fan film with my music club students at Oliver Springs Elementary School in Van Buren, Arkansas. I knew that If I were to do an Indiana Jones film, it would need a great final action sequence, so I first reached out to the foreman of a local rock quarry, because I wanted to film in the quarry, which would sub as an arid canyon in the film. I then contacted a couple of friends, one that had a 1940s Era army jeep, and the other who was a great horseman. I asked them if they would be willing to work with us on the film in an action sequence where the horseman would jump onto the moving jeep and they all agreed! This was the moment I knew that this was my next project!!

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? 2 years

3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Nostalgic Tribute

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? When we were shooting the final action sequence, where our stunt double for Indy jumped on to the 1940s era army jeep, the jeep broke down!! At that point, people were leaving for summer vacations, and the jeep had to be fixed, so we had to come back a month later, during the heat of the summer for one final shoot!! We were blessed to get everything we needed to finish strong!!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? When I listened to their reactions, I was so pleased, because there were elements in our production that I hoped would be noticed by the audience, and they picked up on so many of those things!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? After scoring films for over 20 years, I really enjoyed the times that I could go on set and watch scenes being filmed. I loved watching the actors, cinematographers, gaffers along with everyone else on set, and I wanted the kids at school to get a taste of that. I started making films with the kids, and directed them out of necessity. With each film, I loved directing more and more, and now I'm blown away with the team we have assembled and the great quality of the productions we make with the children! I'm ready to make more!!

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? The only thing I can think of, is sending out some links to potential fundraising opportunities for future film projects.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? I love Film Freeway. It's a great platform for finding film festivals and sharing your work.

10. What is your favorite meal? That's tough! It's a toss up between a Ribeye (medium rare) with a side of sautéed mushrooms and broccoli, or a fish fry after I've been out fishing!

11. What is next for you? A new film? We have a tradition of not officially announcing future films until we release a trailer, but I can throw you hints...We are planning our next film, which we will shoot next year, and will be a fan film based on a couple of films from the 1980s, which were both comic, spooky and set in New York! Another movie also came out a couple of years ago in this film series. Our upcoming film will be set in 1994, will feel like the originals and will include a replica of a very recognizable car!