UMKC grad goes global with short films

One UMKC graduate is doing more than just making films, he's going international.

Jordan Kerfeld recently had two short films featured in the Kansas City Film Festival - "Fingers" and "Momentum and Marr."

"Fingers," the story of one man's lamentation over the loss of a finger, was not only shown in the new AMC downtown, but will also be featured in a short film festival in Detmold, Germany.

"I'm thinking about walking around shaking an empty cup to get plane fare money," Kerfeld said. "I would really like to go."

A former U-News writer and illustrator, Kerfeld has made a name for himself since graduating from UMKC last year by working for companies ranging from H&R Block to the U.S. Army.

But these shorts are more personal than corporate projects. Some of "Fingers" was shot on the UMKC campus, most notably the student health center (and features real staff members).

"Fingers" is like a mash-up of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Pi." At less than seven minutes long, this feature is quite short, but delivers a serious visual punch.

"The film is a challenging visual puzzle that I think holds two purposes: it's a literal examination of the subtle, unique ways we use our anatomy, and it also has broader implications about how one comes to grips with lost things," Kerfeld said.

There is no dialogue in the film, which creates more weight for the visuals. And the visuals are astounding. A crisply lit white room cuts to a rooftop finger-painting session to a dark and brooding alien-esque supercomputer.

In the end, "Fingers" is something of a classic short film. It pushes the audience to use their heads, rather than relying on only their eyes and ears.

"Short films teach you how to be a sharp storyteller," Kerfield said. "You're always paring down the story to its essentials."

"Momentum and Marr," on the other hand, holds something of a different character.

Kerfeld used the UMKC SEARCH program to highlight the Marr Sound Archives, a collection of music and sound recordings found on the ground floor of the Miller Nichols Library.

"I worked at the Archives for over three years, and I was astounded by the constant growth," Kerfeld said. "When I started the documentary we had about 290,000 sound recordings. By the time it was finished, it leapt to 317,000. Donors from all over have contributed to this beautiful collective process, and when I heard that SEARCH gave grants not only to researchers but artists, I jumped at the opportunity to shine some much deserved light on a subject most of Kansas City doesn't know about."

While the direction of "Fingers" was dreamlike, "Momentum and Marr" was centered on nostalgia.

"I wanted to mix black and white and color to give it a timeless quality" Kerfeld said.

The film features KCUR 98.3 FM's Fish Fry host and archives director Chuck Haddix, among other library staff.

Kerfeld gives "Momentum and Marr" delicate and personal attention.

His cinematic flow encourages the audience to dive headfirst into the collection to explore the treasures it holds.

Kerfeld said he is thrilled to be involved in the KC Film Fest this year.

"The Film Festival is a wonderful way for the public to tap into Kansas City's own cultural contributions, as well as the rare and unique visions from across the world," Kerfeld said.

The immediate opportunity to see Kerfeld's works may have passed but be on the lookout for his and other Kansas City residents' contributions to the next KC Film Fest.

clight@unews.com