out for a while

August 27, 2007 at 9:51 pm | In Personal, Movies | 4 Comments

I’ll be out on medical leave until the beginning of October or so. Please check back then (and keep your fingers crossed for me in the meantime!).

UPDATE 9/11/07:  Check out www.caringbridge.org/visit/lisac for way too much info (if interested).

gasparilla film festival accepting submissions

August 27, 2007 at 8:41 pm | In Events, For Filmmakers, Contests/Submissions, Film Festivals, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | 4 Comments

Received via email from the Gasparilla Film Festival:

Another festival season is upon us! We are now accepting submissions for our next festival held February 27 - March 2, 2008. You are our friends from 2007 and we hope that you consider us for the upcoming season!

We are returning this year bigger and better and providing our filmmakers a platform to screen their films in the great city of Tampa and have a great time doing so.

We are planning lots on the agenda for this year in the way of filmmaker panels, networking events with potential distributors and filmgoers and plenty of fun and sun in the best time of the year to be in Tampa.

We hope that you will consider submitting and returning to see us. For more information, please visit our site. The Gasparilla Film Festival is run and sponsored by the Tampa Film Institute, a Florida-based non-profit entity.

Visit www.gasparillafilmfestival.com for more info.

i’m giving away passes to see 2 days in paris at tampa theatre

August 27, 2007 at 8:31 pm | In Movie Theaters, Movies, Tampa Bay Area, Contests/Giveaways | No Comments

2 days in paris.jpg2 Days in Paris opens at the Tampa Theatre on Friday, August 31. I have some passes for two — good for Monday through Thursday only — to give away. If you’d like a complimentary movie pass to this film, email your mailing address to me at tampafilmfan(at)aol.com. First come, first served; while supplies last. Here’s a description of the film:

New York couple, French photographer Marion (Julie Delpy) and American interior designer Jack (Adam Goldberg), attempt to re-infuse their relationship with romance on a European vacation. Their week in Venice didn’t work out as planned–the food didn’t agree with Jack and, when he was well enough to go out, he was so focused on capturing the trip with his digital camera that he forgot to experience it. They have higher hopes for their last two days in Paris. But the combination of Marion’s offbeat and overbearing non-English speaking parents and flirtatious ex-boyfriends, with Jack’s continuing photography obsession and conviction that French condoms are too small, don’t make for an auspicious beginning. Will they be able to salvage their relationship? Will they ever have sex again? Or will they merely manage to perfect the art of arguing?

Email away!

news and notes:the ghosts of ybor, becoming jane review, crystal reel awards, 100 tears

August 27, 2007 at 7:51 pm | In Events, Filmmakers, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments
  • Guzzo Brothers #1 and #2 (a.k.a. Paul and Pete) are proud to announce that their short film The Ghosts of Ybor has been accepted into two more film festivals: Calgary Fringe Fest and Southern Finds Film Festival. “That makes 13 film festivals total in less than a year for our short film.”
  • Check out this review of Becoming Jane at The Stanford Daily. “Sensible, but a little prejudiced” is a clever title (and the review’s not too shabby either).
  • Mark your calendars for the Crystal Reel Awards on September 22 at the Ramada Plantation Hotel 2011 N. Wheeler St. in Plant City. Hosted by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association. In addition to awards and screening there will be a huge silent auction of Hollywood memorabilia and Items from the Tampa Bay Area’s Museum of Motion Picture History. $75. Visit www.fmpta.org/Crystal%20Reels%20Information.htm for more info. (Thanks go to local author Eric Sturm for sending this to me.)
  • Received via email (from Guzzo Brother #1’s newsletter): Pop Gun Pictures, Manic Entertainment, and Crytzer Enterprises are please to announce the North American distribution of 100 Tears. As of today, 100 Tears will be released through SJW and Grindstone Entertainment in the coming months. This is the first national release for the team and they are extremely excited. Look forward to seeing 100 Tears in all video stores by the end of the year. Visit www.myspace.com/100tearsmovie to learn more.

florida film festival accepting submissions

August 27, 2007 at 5:03 pm | In For Filmmakers, Contests/Submissions, Film Festivals, Movies, Florida (Not Bay Area) | No Comments

Received via email:

FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL CALL FOR ENTRIES

Now approaching its seventeenth exciting year, the Florida Film Festival seeks film submissions from filmmakers worldwide. The Festival, which will take place March 28 through April 6, 2008, is an annual event dedicated to showcasing the best American Independent and Foreign Films. It is also a qualifying festival for the Oscars in the category of live-action short films. Produced by Enzian Theater, the Florida Film Festival has become one of the most respected regional film events in the country.

To submit a film, visit the Festival website at www.FloridaFilmFestival.com. There are two ways to enter: 1.) register online through WithoutABox (www.withoutabox.com/login/1139), or 2.) print and mail the official entry form (www.floridafilmfestival.com/FFF2008.pdf). Members of WithoutABox receive a $5 discount when entering online.

The postmarked early deadline for Feature Film entries is October 26, 2007, and the late entry deadline for Features is November 30. The entry fee for Feature Length Films (41 minutes or longer) is $40.00. The postmarked early deadline for Short Film entries is October 12, 2007, and the late entry deadline for Shorts is November 16. The entry fee for Short Films is $25.00. Early submission to the Florida Film Festival is encouraged! There is a $20.00 late fee for films submitted after October 12th (shorts) and 26th (features). Films will not be accepted after November 30, 2007.

Visit www.floridafilmfestival.com for more info.

ironweed film club movies this month

August 27, 2007 at 4:44 pm | In DVDs, Movies | No Comments

A most interesting DVD arrived in the mail recently from the Ironweed Film Club. Here’s the description from the Ironweed newsletter:

This month Ironweed looks at individuals with something to say, and the innovative methods of communication they’ve chosen to speak through - be they film diaries, political cartoons, or viral videos inspired by the need for change.

The Breast Cancer Diaries

For ten years, Ann Murray Paige covered the news. But when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, the only way she knew how to remain strong was to turn the camera on herself and document her battle.

She challenges everything from “drive-through mastectomies,” to how American society defines women by their breasts. Balancing work, motherhood, marriage and her illness, Ann’s powerful diary speaks volumes for the one in seven American women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Accolades: Tribeca Film Festival - Winner, Best Doc Britdoc Festival - Winner, Best International Doc.

Paul Conrad: Drawing Fire

This biographic documentary delves deeply into the history and driving force behind political cartoonist Paul Conrad, a three time Pulitzer Prize winning satirist renowned for his fearless voice and pointed critique of our political leaders and policies since the 1960’s.

Accolades: Sundance Film Festival - Official Selection South By Southwest Film Festival - Official Selection

Convenient Truths: Winners of the Green Video Contest

The winning ten amateur videos from the Convenient Truths contest (sponsored by TreeHugger and Seventh Generation), tells individual stories of activism for the environment in new and innovative ways.

Visit www.ironweedfilmclub.com to learn more.

films directed by women that open this weekend

August 24, 2007 at 9:43 pm | In Miscellaneous, Movies | No Comments

From The First Weekenders Group email newsletter:

Premiering week of August 24, 2007

Buy opening weekend tickets for films directed by women.

++ The Nanny Diaries directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini

++ Deep Water directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell

++ Kamp Katrina directed by Ashley Sabin and David Redmon

Current but check your local listings or www.indieIN.com.

The First Weekenders Group supports features directed by women the first weekend they arrive at the box office. The service goes to over 3,000 people who are helping raise the box office numbers for women directed features. Buying tickets to women directed features is how we can make a direct impact on the industry.

We attend features directed by women the first weekend they arrive at the box office. To accomplish this we buy tickets and go to the movies. Please purchase a ticket even if you cannot attend the movie that week. The list focuses on New York and Los Angeles.

We are not an organization, but rather a loose collective seeking to attain equality for women in film and television, and all media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity.

Visit www.moviesbywomen.com to learn more.

the education channel still needs our help

August 24, 2007 at 9:29 pm | In TV, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via email:

August 22, 2007

Dear Friends of The Education Channel,

I am very disheartened to bring you the news that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to zero fund TECC on July 31. Current public perception is that we have been “saved” by the Hillsborough County Government TV offer to produce and air our signature programs: school board meetings, Math Homework Hotline and the Superintendent’s Forum. Nothing could be further from the truth. Without the county’s financial contribution this budget cycle, the institution cannot fulfill its production contracts and will, therefore, lose even more of its funding and its ability to generate current and future income.

However, we should not give up!

Why? Because the budget process is not over yet!

There is still time to let the BOCC know how important The Education Channel is and that it should be funded. The first public budget meeting is September 5. Come and speak out! Your voice does matter.

TECC is going to hold two workshops to discuss the issue to make sure you feel confident, comfortable and knowledgeable speaking to the BOCC. Join us on either:

Wednesday, August 29, at 6 p.m. at The Education Channel, 703 N Willow Ave.

Tuesday, September 4, at 6 p.m. at The Education Channel, 703 N Willow Ave.

More importantly, please mark your calendar for September 5 at 6 p.m. for the public hearing on the budget at County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd. and join us. Together we can make Hillsborough County a better place to live and learn.

Again, I want to thank you for your help. Your emails, calls and letters were very important and very meaningful and I believe will help to save The Education Channel for our community.

Most sincerely and thankfully,

Ann Goldenberg
Executive Director
Tampa Educational Cable Consortium

I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

“discover me” film contest winner announced

August 12, 2007 at 2:25 pm | In Awards/Award Shows, Miscellaneous, Movies | No Comments

Received via email:

“Discover Me” Film Contest Winner Announced 

MyMovieNetwork.com in conjunction with Indie Film Nation Podcast wanted to congratulate all participants in our “Discover Me” Film Contest.  This was our most participated and popular film contest to date.  The contest was open to all members of www.MyMovieNetwork.com who entered digital films in any genre. The top 3 finishers of the contest are: 

Good-Bye! by Mitchell Ophir 
Bobby and Melinda by Robert Blasi 
Kieran Ridge:This is a Tribute by Joseph Mikos 

Good-Bye! was selected as the premier film among all those that entered.  The winner Mitchell Ophir will have the opportunity to be interviewed by Indie Film Nation podcast heard around the world and will receive FrameForge 3D Studio software, a very generous prize package from Indie Film Nation. 

2nd and 3rd place runner-up winners will get MyMovieNetwork branded long-sleeve shirts and exposure through MyMovieNetwork and our affiliated sites.  We’re very excited to provide www.MyMovieNetwork.com members as much exposure and promotional opportunities as possible.  “We’ve been honored to work with Indie Film Nation because of their commitment to promote and advance careers of indie filmmakers,” said Clint Mazur, MyMovieNetwork’s CEO.  “This kind of world wide exposure can really advance the career of indie filmmakers.” 

About Indie Film Nation: Indie Film Nation Podcast dives deep into the world of independent film with a collective of filmmakers from around the globe. Think of it as IFC meets the Crocodile Hunter meets Ain’t It Cool News. The podcast covers film festivals, interviews up-and-coming directors, and talks about productions in progress. Immigrate to Indie Film Nation and leave corporate cinema in the dust. 

About MyMovieNetwork.com: Launched in 2006, MyMovieNetwork is a groundbreaking online community and service that provides tools for filmmakers to showcase their work around the world by posting their films and portfolios as well as, learn from, network and collaborate with fellow movie makers. All members and visitors can watch, critique and rate submitted content based on its quality while at the same time enjoy the entertainment provided to them for free. MyMovieNetwork runs contests to find the best filmmakers, provides tools for scouting, blogging and linking to personal film archives. We provide ability to create a unique portfolio with an individualized link that can be sent as your professional resume. In addition each user can create a studio where all their films, cast and crew are associated in one place.

Visit www.mymovienetwork.com for more info.

st. pete film movement screening august 22

August 12, 2007 at 12:35 pm | In Events, Film Series, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via email:

Wednesday 8/22/07; 8:00 p.m.; 620 1st Ave. South

$5 for non-members, free for members with tickets. Free popcorn, beer & wine available.

Short Film:  Backseat Bingo

Director: Liz Blazer
2003; United States

Sexy Senior Seeks Same.  Backseat Bingo is a poignant and humorous animated documentary about the romantic lives of senior citizens.

Awards
- Winner; HBO Comedy Arts Festival
- Official Selection; South by Southwest, Seattle, Los Angeles, Silverdocs, Philadelphia

Feature Film:  Something Like Happiness

Director: Bohdan Sláma
2005; Czech Republic

Monika, Tonik and Dasha grew up together in the same housing project on the outskirts of a small industrial city.  Now the childhood friends are adults, each struggling with feelings of desire and loneliness, longing and failure. Through none would admit it, each craves something the other has and it’s these unspoken longings which bind them in difficult, complex, passionate friendships. Vibrant and deeply affecting, Something Like Happiness is a funny, tender and very human drama of passions and lives half-understood and veering out of control, shadowed by tragedy, shot through hope.

Awards
- Official Selection; Toronto, New York, Rotterdam, London
- Winner: San Sebastian

Czech Lion Awards
(Czech Oscars)
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Screen Play

Click here for more info.

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