Tampa Film Fan

The Gasparilla Film Festival is partnering with the Global Film Initiative (GFI) to host Global Lens 2008, a GFI-sponsored traveling film series. GFI promotes cross-cultural understanding and diversity by presenting developing world feature films in over forty major U.S. Cities, with their prestigious film series entitled Global Lens. GFI is considered one of the foremost leaders in funding and distributing world cinema. Its film board is comprised of well known, accomplished international filmmakers, such as Pedro Almodóvar, Lars von Trier, Mira Nair and Lucy Barreto, to name a few.

Past and present partners of the Global Lens Series include:

The Museum of Modern Art in New York
The American Film Institute
The Chicago International Film Festival
Gene Siskel Film Center
Miami International Film Festival
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
San Francisco Art Institute
Sarasota Film Society and The Seattle International Film Festival
Walker Art Center
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Denver Film Society
Salt Lake Film Society

Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication Tom Garrett at University of Tampa states: “It’s a wonderful international experience for University of Tampa’s Film Media Arts Program and its students to be involved - to have first-look exposure to the Global Lens series along with the Gasparilla Film Festival.”

Studio(at)620’s co-Artistic Director, G. David Ellis: “The Studio(at)620 is very pleased and excited to be a part of Global Lens 2008 and host these films through October. The Global Lens series will be a wonderful compliment to our evenings at the International Film Cafe. You can travel the world in the comfort of the Studio(at)620 and enjoy free popcorn too!”

John Rosser, Executive Director of the Gasparilla Film Festival: “The Gasparilla Film Festival is proud to hold the 2008 Tampa Bay exclusive rights for a world-class film series such as Global Lens 2008. We are particularly thrilled to be working with such high-quality local partners as the University of Tampa and Studio(at)620 on screening these important films. Our organization continues to grow, and we look forward to continuing to support such worthwhile endeavors as Global Lens.”

CONSOLIDATED SCREENING SCHEDULE:

Friday, May 23 — Bunny Chow (South Africa), Studio(at)620, St. Petersburg
Friday, June 6 — movie title TBD, U of Tampa, Reeves Theater
Friday, June 27 — The Kite (Lebanon), Studio(at)620, St. Petersburg
Friday, July 11 — All For Free (Croatia), Studio(at)620, St. Petersburg
Friday, July 25 — movie title TBD, U of Tampa, Reeves Theater
Friday, August 22 — The Fish Fall in Love (Iran), Studio(at)620, St. Petersburg
Friday, August 29 — movie title TBD, U of Tampa, Reeves Theater
Friday, September 26 — The Bet Collector, Studio(at)620, St. Petersburg

MINI-FESTIVAL #1, University of Tampa, Reeves Theater
Fall 2008, TBD, 7 screenings

April 18, 7 p.m. — A Few Kilos of Dates for a Funeral, directed by Saman Salour (Iran)

While the names of Mohssen Makhmalbaf and Abbas Kiarostami have been well known for years as heralding a renaissance of Iranian film, a new generation of young filmmakers is making their mark on the international film circuit. Saman Salour is one of the latest to be critically acclaimed at international festivals with his minimalist dark comedy A Few Kilos of Dates for a Funeral, whose wry sense of humor and simple directness has been compared to the early work of Jim Jarmusch.

This film is continuing our collaboration with the Dali Museum, presenting films from around the world that in various ways fit into the “Avant-Garde and Surrealist Film” tradition. After each of these films Nathan Andersen will moderate a conversation about the film for those who would like to remain.

Coming soon:

April 25, 7 p.m. — Funky Forest:The First Contact, directed by Katsuhito Ishii (Japan) — The funniest and most over the top crazy films seen in a very long time.

In the SHOWCASE are two productions you will not want to miss.
1. Blood Lust — a horror thriller produced by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association and written by our own Miriam Goodspeed.
2. Rodman Dam Murders — a story based around true crimes, also produced by FMPTA and written by Barbara Harrington.
3. Rumor also has it that Larry will be showing his short production The Black and White Truth and Lies.

Mark Keim and Candice Jovan will also be updating us on the latest progress with their production and group project entitled The Electric Picasso.

Since the last meeting when Joe Gaudet showed two Sony Corp.-produced award-winning shorts, many have requested to see more and so Joe is planning on putting a few each month on the screen. There is so much to learn from these brief presentations and it was good to hear your positive responses these past several weeks. Along these lines, since there have been questions regarding cameras and their workings, Curtis Graham is planning on putting on a state-of-the-art demonstration for the group during our May meeting with his new red camera. He will also be providing us with a short about the much talked-about feature film he shot and Ron Satlof-directed/produced Misconceptions at that time as well.

SPEED DIAL and get involved;
** WRITERS and ACTORS - Call Barbara Harrington about her group (727) 572-6345
** GET YOUR PRODUCTION ON THE EDUCATION CHANNEL - call (813) 254-2253 ext 206
** LEARN IMPROV !! - call Larry Bukovey at (813) 300-0339
** ENTER AND ATTEND THE ANNUAL FMPTA GALA - call Carole Ferrill (321) 632-7488

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
** Greenscreen / Studio space available by the day, week, month at Indie Studios. Call Helen Graham, Booking Manager at (727) 822-8070.
** Need Post Production - Professional Editing - call Joe Gaudet at (727) 324- 8686.

Tampa Film Review is a monthly showcase of local independent films and is held every second Friday of the month and is free.

This month’s lineup includes:

Ravic is passing the torch for this film club to others who share his vision for a socially-conscious community through film and discussion. The new name, Indy Film Café, was coined to emphasize our desire to encourage informal discussion about the issues raised by the films shown.

There will be food and drink to stimulate your appetite for discourse. We hope you will join us by coming to the screenings and contributing your own ideas about the subjects presented.

This month’s film, Mardi Gras: Made in China, is described below, preceded by a few questions we’d like you to consider on your way to the Studio(at)620:

How much of what you own was made in China?
What do you think should be the minimum global salary?
Do you know the origins of the tradition of Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras:Made in China by David Redmon (73 minutes) — Beads are the coin of the realm at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where thousands of the ubiquitous baubles are worn, shared and tossed to lovely breast-baring young women who collect them as trophies in a night of wild partying. But where do these trinket treasures come from? Who actually makes them? Director David Redmon follows the bead trail to the Tai Kuen factory in the Fuzhou province of China where young teenagers work
long hours for low pay in prison-like compounds far from their homes. Redmon obtained remarkable footage in China before he was asked to leave by authorities, resulting in stunning contrasts between the young party-goers of Carnivale and the even younger factory workers in Tai Kuen. This sly, engrossing and thought-provoking film gives us an up-close and personal view of the realities of globalization, and the interviews with the factory owner, workers, Mardi Gras revelers and others offer a disturbing and illuminating juxtaposition of cultures and values.

Well I have to start off with a loud cheer in that MARK KEIM IS BACK !!!! and feeling better. As the Executive Producer for our film project The Electric Picasso, we missed his recent absence but now he advises the THE SHOW MUST GO ON…..and so be it.

Of course the big local news is that this week, St. Petersburg hosts the 2008 ANNUAL SUNSCREEN FILM FESTIVAL and the agenda of activities is packed from the opening day - Wednesday 3/19 through and including Saturday 3/22. You are all encouraged to go to the web site (www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com) and view the daily schedule of films, auditions, demonstrations, concerts, panel discussions and gatherings. Event locations vary which include the Vinoy Resort, Muvico Baywalk 20, Push Ultra Lounge (opening night party) and State Theatre. Let’s get out there and support as many events as possible as participation helps us all.

I also want to include in our newsletter a special Thank You to Dave Walker and the students at the International Academy of Design and Technology for allowing us to show their films at last month’s meeting. The audience was very impressed with the professionalism of your work..CONGRATULATIONS !! ….and stay involved with our group as Mark and Lisa have several needs upcoming to accomplish the production of our short. This means great experience and your name included in the credits, so great exposure when distributed to film festivals and contests.

This Friday evening we have three more SHOWCASE entries from Jennifer Sloane, more discussion and updates by our writers headed by Barbara Harrington, the head of The Florida Screenwriters Actors Connection, and continued constructive discussion about our own film project. All are encouraged to bring with them film submissions for next month’s SHOWCASE certainly as well. Additionally, anyone wanting to promote their projects, business, other club meetings, etc., are always welcome to grab the mic and make whatever announcements you so wish. We all want to be in the know and possibly use each others’ services whenever possible.

Finally, for now I want to, as done in the past, encourage our members to attend the monthly film lovers’ meeting held by our neighbors (TAMPA FILM REVIEW) across the bay. Once again, their monthly gathering is held the second Friday of each month at the International Bazaar in Ybor City, is absolutely free, and is always chuck filled with industry news, so put it on your calendar.

Tampa Film Review is a monthly showcase of local independent films and is held every second Friday of the month and is free.

This month’s lineup includes:

Indiana Jones and the Runes of Ende by Mike Beazel: Indy searches a marsh-filled island for the ancient runes that will release a world ending entity in order to prevent it from falling into Nazi hands.

Johnny Blue by Gene Howes: Johnny is in love with Nicole but can’t find the guts to tell her how he feels. Instead he buys painting after painting from her gallery while falling deep into an obsessive funk.

Nothing to Fear by Stacen J .Bernard: Bernard is at a crossroads. He is distressed and living in fear. With some encouragement from his instructor, group members, and a great uncle, Bernard conquers his fears and takes the next step in his journey.

Innocence Bound by David Tinoco: A short film about a man who finds his inner child, only to discover it has fled as quickly as it appeared.

WHERE: Studio(at)620, 620 First Ave. South, St. Pete

HOW MUCH: $5 for non-members, $3 for members; Free popcorn, beer and wine available

WHAT: Feature Film: Adam’s Apples

Denmark’s Academy Award Submission for Best Foreign Language Film
Director: Anders Thomas Jensen

Synopsis: Ivan is an insanely optimistic preacher who takes in convicts to help around the remote, rural church he ministers to. His current charges are a psychotic Saudi immigrant addicted to robbing gas stations and an alcoholic tennis pro convicted of sexual assault. His newest “helper” is Adam, a vicious neo-Nazi anxiously biding his time before he can return to hell-raising. Asked to set a goal for his stay, Adam sarcastically answers that he’d like to bake a cake. Ivan cheerfully takes that statement at face value and puts him in charge of the parish’s pride and joy: the only apple tree in the vicinity. Grasping the extent of Ivan’s crazed, preternatural determination to look on the bright side of everything - Adam immediately decides to shake him out of his rose-colored stupor.