Monthly Archives: December 2011

My “Films I Watched in 2011″ Cumulative List!

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This past year I’ve kept a film journal with notes on every movie I watch and what means I watch it through (cable, theater, DVD, streaming). My hope in 2012 is to actually translate those into blog posts online.

For this year though I offer you just a list of titles in case you are searching for ideas for films to add to your Netflix queue. (This list does not include the documentaries I’ve done screening events for in Philadelphia over the past year, but it should!)

Feel free to share yours–I’m always looking for reminders and suggestions of movies to watch!

(in chronological order)
Cache DVD/Netflix
Magnolia DVD/Netflix
Exit Through the Gift Shop Netflix Streaming
Kiki’s Delivery Service DVD/Netflix
Fur DVD/Netflix
The Passenger DVD/Netflix
Reign Over Me DVD/Netflix
Thor theater
Hiroshama Mon Amour DVD/Netflix
Pirates of the Carribean 4 theater
Easy A Netflix streaming
Michael Clayton DVD/Netflix
V For Vendetta DVD/Netflix
Super 8 theater
Why Did I Get Married DVD/Netflix
Harry Potter and the Deadly Hollows theater
Captain America theater
Cowboys and Aliens theater
I Am arthouse/microcinema
Dispicable Me DVD/Netflix
The Da Vinci Code DVD/Netflix
It’s Complicated cable
A Lot Like You arthouse/microcinema
Circumstance arthouse/microcinema
Dream Girls DVD/Netflix
Men Who Stare At Goats cable
Black August HipHop Project arthouse/microcinema
Julie and Julia DVD/Netflix
The Spirit of the Beehive DVD/Netflix
Frost/Nixon DVD/Netflix
The Muppets theater
The Lives of Others DVD/Netflix
Brick Lane  DVD/Netflix
Inception cable
Star Wars DVD/home collection
Empire Strikes Back DVD/home collection
Zach and Mira Make a Porno  cable
Mystic Pizza cable

Animation Sample From Olivia Broadfield Music Video

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For the past two years I’ve been working on a short film and teaching myself the animation software After Effects (via lynda.com). The styles I’ve been working with so far are very lo fi hand drawn animation. From time to time I’ll look at samples of other work for inspiration and ideas. Here’s a music video that was forwarded to me that has a similar aesthetic to what I’ve been developing with cut outs and paper doll like movements (though a bit more advanced then where I’m at for now).

2012 Queer Women of Color Film Festival Call For Submissions

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The 8th Annual Queer Women of Color (QWOCMAP) Film Festival deadline for submissions is December 30, 2011. There are no submission fees!

QWOCMAP invites people of color who are a queer woman, transgender or gender queer to submit films to their film festival, to be held June 8-10, 2012 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, in San Francisco.

For guidelines and more information click here.

2012 Davis Feminist Film Festival Accepting Submissions

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The Consortium for Women and Research is now accepting submissions for the 2012 Davis Feminist Film Festival until January 1, 2012.

The Davis Feminist Film Festival welcomes films from professionals, students, and community members locally, nationally, and internationally. People underrepresented in the media field are especially encouraged to submit a film for consideration.

The Davis Feminist Film Festival is a short film festival. Films must be shorter than 35 minutes in length. Films submitted to the festival for consideration must meet at least two of the following criteria:
* Films created with an eye for gender and social justice issues
* Films that link local and global issues
* Films created by people underrepresented in the media field (women, people of color, queer/transgender, disabled)
* Films made by people from the Davis/Sacramento area

A completed application includes:

* Entry Submission form
* Signed Submission Agreement Form
* Film Synopsis (250 word maximum)
* Short 1-page Cover Letter addressing how your film fits at least two of the submission criteria
* Short 2-page Resume/CV
* DVD of film (must be formatted for the United States, Region 1 or 0)
* Label your DVD with: 1) you name, e-mail address, telephone number 2) the name of the film, 3) Run time in minutes and 4) Format

Please send your application to:

Consortium for Women and Research
154 Kerr Hall
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616

Applications are due: Sunday, January 1, 2012

For more information, please check out: http://femfilmfest.ucdavis.edu or e-mail femfilmfest@ucdavis.edu

Artist Shout Out: Elisha Lim

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Continuing on with my promised artist shout outs to the excellent people I met earlier this month, here’s another artist to put on your radar: Elisha Lim.

Elisha’s illustrations have the quality I haven’t quite been able to name yet. The best word I’ve been able to come up with is “accessible.” I feel that way when I look at Basquit’s work too. I’m not saying their styles are anything close to each other, because they are not. But it’s that feeling that you are looking at something really smart and technically advanced, but that you still “get” it.

A lot of art requires an explanation from my sweetheart/art history background tourguide, and when he’s not around I basically feel lost and out of the club. I appreciate art that doesn’t make me feel stupid but actually talks to me. And that’s how I feel about Elisha’s illustrations and writing.

Elisha’s forthcoming graphic novel 100 Butches–full of humorous and poignant stories–will be available to us all soon, but in the meantime you can order prints and cards on etsy here.

Artist Shout Out: Fulana Video and Satire Collective

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Earlier this month I was lucky enough to be in the room (working administrative support) with an incredible group of artists whose work was inspiring and whose practice incorporated aspects of social change that challenged me to think bolder and bigger with my own work.

This week I’ll be featuring the work of some of those artist on the blog.

Today I’d like to introduce you to Fulana, a Latina video and satire collective. These ladies are HILARIOUS. I really admire well done comedy and satire–there is a way that it can pinpoint the absurdity of some of our cultural (mis)conceptions that no amount of lecturing or pontificating can. Straight to the point. Straight to the gut. All while you’re laughing.

Fulana’s work is on point and delivers its punches with quality video production, engaging scripts and well structured comedic timing.

Check out these videos below and visit their website for more!

Rock, Rap and Roller Derby: Tonight at Cinema Speakeasy

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ROCK, RAP & ROLLER DERBY

FILMS BY MIKE DENNIS,  B.KYLE  & DAVID BLOCK 

WHEN: Tuesday, December 6, 2011; 6:30, doors open; 7pm screening, 

Filmmakers In Person, conversation after the screening.
WHERE:L’Etage, 6th and Bainbridge, (upstairs on Bainbridge)

COST: $5

The December 2011, Cinema Speakeasy showcases new work by Philadelphia filmmakers, Mike Dennis, Brian B Kyle Atkins and David Block who examine three different worlds – volatile, risky stand up comedy,  gritty rap and reinvented roller derby.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, JORDAN ROCK by Michael Dennis, REELBLACK

This film is a glimpse into the world of 20 year old stand-up comedian Jordan Rock. Following in the footsteps of his older brothers Chris and Tony (and Cousin Sherrod) is the ultimate challenge. Can he find his voice and make a name for himself on the New York comedy scene?
color | 2011 | 25 minutes
http://youtu.be/6mkLghy9I8s

GHETTO DREAMS by  B.Kyle & a special new film
This film is a behind the scenes look at the making of a song by rappers Common and Nas.

color| 2010 | 12 minutes

Online here:  http://vimeo.com/giftedfilms

THIS TIME IT’S REAL: THE REBIRTH OF PROFESSIONAL ROLLER DERBY by David Block

In Word Association, roller derby can trigger many responses: Pro
wrestling on wheels, sexy women, tattoos. However, the sport was never
meant to go down that path. Block’s film documents how members of Old
School Derby Association Pro are determined to bring back professional
roller derby minus the theatrics, which arguably marred the game. Their
passion, dedication and great feats of athleticism make David Block’s
film breath taking.
color | 2011 | 12 minutes

Job opening at the Philadelphia Folklore Project for a Program Specialist

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The Philadelphia Folklore Project, a 24-year-old locally-based not-for-profit urban public folklife agency, is looking for a program specialist to join thier team. This full-time staff position includes responsibility for developing and coordinating community-based collaborative programs, and managing operations supporting these efforts.

They are looking for someone who has experience in arts management (including grant-writing and communications), in working equitably with local communities on cultural heritage or education issues, and demonstrated content specialization in a specific folk arts / cultural tradition relevant in Philadelphia.

You can read more about the position and how to apply here.

Call For Indie Films For Tour of The South!

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A fellow filmmaker forwarded this info to me and said she had a great experience touring her film with these folks. Seems like a great opportunity–they cover all expenses, provide a stipend and an honorarium, and you get your film to new audiences.

Call for New Indie Films!

Are you a filmmaker ready to screen your work in front of new audiences? If so, apply today to be a part of the  2012-2013 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.

Southern Circuit is the nation’s first regional tour of independent filmmakers, providing communities in a nine-state region in the South with an interactive way to experience independent film and engage with indie filmmakers. The tour utilizes an intimate context to connect audiences with filmmakers and connect with films they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Films, including animation, documentaries, experimental and narrative work, are submitted for consideration for the Circuit through an annual nationwide open call for submissions.

Southern Circuit is open to any filmmaker living in the United States with a valid driver’s license. Filmmakers may submit a feature-length work or a group of short films whose combined time reaches feature length – at least 45 minutes with a maximum of 120 minutes. 

Apply here! The application deadline is Wednesday February 15, 2012. Early Bird Registration ends Tuesday January 31, 2012.

For more information about Southern Circuit, visit the Southern Circuit website or contact Teresa Hollingsworth at thollingsworth@southarts.org.