pinellas filmmakers society screening and meeting friday night

April 14, 2008 at 6:06 pm | In Events, Film Series, For Filmmakers, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via email:

This Friday at 6 p.m. at Indie Studios, 1776 11th Avenue North, St. Pete, is our monthly meeting and we have much ground to cover.

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.

So in just a few short hours we will have a lot of fun and much to learn. Remember Mark and Candi will soon be hiring people for Electric Picasso and this includes all expense paid trips to Cannes, Toronto, New York and LA so if you know of anyone who EVER wanted to be apart of a movie production - TELL THEM !! BRING THEM !!.
Look forward to seeing everyone.
My best - PETE B.

Visit www.fierceifilms.com/PinellasFilmmakers.html for more info.

news and notes:danford, international cinema series, 99, fmpta

March 27, 2008 at 12:27 pm | In Events, Film Series, Filmmakers, For Filmmakers, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments
  • Local filmmaker Rick Danford is staying busy, writing for FearZone and 24/7 Magazine. He’s just finished directing the short film Alarum and is working on securing financing for his next project.
  • There are a few more screenings upcoming in this semester’s International Cinema Series at Eckerd College. Screenings are Friday nights (check schedule to verify) at 7 p.m. in the Miller Auditorium of Eckerd College and are free and open to the public.
  • Congratulation to filmmakers Paul Guzzo, Pete Guzzo and Jereme Badger on signing a distribution deal with Indie Pictures for their feature comedy 99. A release date has not yet been set. 99 has shown on three continents (North America, Europe and Africa) and has won multiple awards from numerous film festivals, including Best Comedy at the Barebones Film Fest in Oklahoma and Audience Choice Award at the Garden State Film Festival. In his weekly e-newsletter, Guzzo Brother #1 said “We are very excited about this distribution deal and congratulate everyone who made the film with us. It is hard to get distribution for a feature indie film with no star power … throw in no nudity, cursing or violence, and many people told us it was impossible. So this is a giant ‘I told ya so’ to all the naysayers.” (h/t to Guzzo Brother #1)
  • The Florida Motion Picture and Television Association Tampa Bay Chapter has a new location for its monthly meeting: American Legion: USS Tampa Post No 5, 3810 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609 (813) 870-0505, Commander Hamblin. “Our location is a much larger facility that will provide sufficient space for several future fundraisers, premiers and exciting new projects that will benefit the entire Florida Film industry.” I’m sorry to not post this in time for the FMPTA March meeting a week or two ago. Visit www.fmptatampa.org for more info. (h/t to Sherri Lawrence of the FMPTA)

pinellas filmmakers society meeting and screening tonight

March 21, 2008 at 2:50 pm | In Events, Film Series, Filmmakers, For Filmmakers, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via email:

HI EVERYONE !!!…this Friday evening we meet again….6:00 PM at Indie Studios, 1776 11th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Fl. 33713.

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.

SEE YOU FRIDAY EVENING….
My best - PETE B.

Visit www.fierceifilms.com/PinellasFilmmakers.html for more info.

award-winning director/writer/producer/actor ray mckinnon at university of tampa tomorrow

March 16, 2008 at 3:46 pm | In Events, Film Commissions, Filmmakers, For Filmmakers, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via email from the Tampa Bay Film Commission:

Academy Award- and Sundance Film Festival-winning writer, director, producer and actor Ray McKinnon will make a special guest appearance at the University of Tampa (UT) on Monday, March 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The UT Department of Communication’s The Creative Triangle course and the Tampa Bay Film Commission will host McKinnon as he gives an all-day directing and acting workshop. During the workshop, McKinnon will emphasize the complex collaboration between the creative departments to realize a “vision.” The excitement takes place in the Reeves Theatre in the Vaughn Center on the UT campus.

An actor for more than 15 years, McKinnon’s latest role was as the Reverend H. W. Smith in the hit series Deadwood. He is also well known for his roles in movies such as Driving Miss Daisy, Bugsy, A Perfect World, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou and The Missing.

McKinnon’s initial venture into directing, The Accountant, was a 38-minute dark comedy that went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2002. He wrote and directed his first feature film, Chrystal, which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.

Reeves Theatre doors will open at 9 a.m. and the program will begin at 9:30 a.m. with an introduction by McKinnon at 9:45 a.m., followed by a viewing of McKinnon’s inaugural work The Accountant. Then at 10:30 a.m., attendees will participate in Ray McKinnon – The Working Actor workshop.

Following a brief lunch break, The Accountant will be replayed at 1:15 p.m., followed by the Florida premiere of Randy and the Mob. Then at 3:30 p.m., attendees will partake in The Filmmaker:The journey of an independent filmmaker: writer, director, actor and producer.

This is event is free to the public and all are welcomed to attend part or all of this event by arriving at the Reeves Theatre on Monday, March 17. No registration is necessary.

For more info, contact Tampa Bay Film Commission manager Lindsey Norris at 813-342-4058 or via email at LNorris(at)VisitTampaBay.com.

lineup for tonight’s tampa film review

March 14, 2008 at 7:05 am | In Events, Film Series, Filmmakers, For Filmmakers, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Are you curious about which films will be screened at tonight’s Tampa Film Review?

…drum roll please…

The next Tampa Film Review will be held on Friday, March 14 from 8 – 10 p.m. at the International Bazaar, 1600 E. Eighth Ave. in the Centro Ybor complex in Ybor City. The event is FREE and open to the public.

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.

The Adventures of Cope Ransom Part 1 starring Joel Wynkoop: Cope Ransom, a war-torn mercenary working for the aliens is sent to find time travel technology in the Everglades. He’s up against the Grays and the Morphs, a mutant alligator, a spaceship, men in black, a 16-foot boa constrictor, dad-eating zombie kids, swamp monsters and more! Ransom must plant a bomb and blow up the alien hide, but it seems the people he works for are always double crossing him. Damn aliens.

(received via email from Guzzo Brother #1)

independents’ film festival accepting submissions until may 30, 2008

March 5, 2008 at 7:40 am | In For Filmmakers, Contests/Submissions, Film Festivals, Movies, Tampa Bay Area, Florida (Not Bay Area) | No Comments

Received via email:

The Education Channel in Tampa, Florida, is currently soliciting films, videos, animations and digital media from independent artists, producers and students in Florida and beyond for inclusion in its 2008 Independents’ Film Festival. In celebration of fifteen years of promoting engaging, quality moviemaking, the festival coordinators have announced a special pricing discount for Florida filmmakers this year. All Florida filmmakers will be able to enter for $20, while Florida students’ entry fee is $15.

All genres of film completed between March 2006 and May 2008 are welcome. Work must be submitted for review on DVD (NTSC) in English or with English subtitles by May 30, 2008. Premieres are strongly preferred.

The Education Channel will televise the Independents’ Film Festival in the fall with presentations throughout the month of September, culminating in a public event in early fall of the “best of” the festival. Web and flash films are also accepted for viewing on the website as part of the festival.

All entries are competitively judged in the professional, independent and student categories for the “best of” awards. Entry forms must accompany submissions and are available in a PDF format on the website at www.independentsfilmfest.com. Entries are also accepted through the withoutabox.com website.

The goal of the Independents’ Film Festival is to bring together educational, cultural and film enthusiasts to celebrate independent filmmaking, enhance the opportunities for the Florida filmmaker and increase the public’s awareness and support for Florida independent filmmakers as a cultural and economic asset through exhibition of the finest in contemporary cinematic artistry.

The Independents’ Film Festival is a service of Tampa Educational Cable Consortium, a cultural and educational organization devoted to celebrating excellence in the moving image. For additional information call 813-254-2253, ext. 206 or email info(at)indiefilmfest.us.

Visit www.independentsfilmfest.com for more info.

tampa weekend film school march 15 and 16

February 25, 2008 at 7:41 pm | In Events, For Filmmakers, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via email:

Filmmaking is perhaps the most expensive art form in which to partake. No matter how talented a filmmaker may be, unless he/she has the proper lights, equipment and crew, the filmmaker may never be able to create that perfect film that properly showcases his/her talent and launches his/her career.

The Weekend Film School is going to help Tampa Bay filmmakers solve this problem during a one-day workshop to be held on Saturday March 15, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Cuban Club in Ybor City that will enable up-and-coming filmmakers to shoot a “Dream Scene.”

During the first part of the workshop, students will watch Tampa Bay’s most skilled and experienced film professionals shoot a movie scene, as each key player walks the students through the process, explaining each step in detail and how to properly use the equipment.

The students will learn the basics about pre-production, set dressing, working with actors, working with a director of photography and gaffer on set, lighting and composition, special effects, make up and wardrobe, and even using firearms on a film set. This workshop is perfect for the un-experienced to semi-experienced filmmaker, as it allows him/her to learn from Tampa’s best. The workshop is also perfect for the movie filmmaker who is trying to figure out what it takes to be a filmmaker and if it is the right career path or art form for him/her.

Following the workshop, a handful of students will form filmmaking teams and get to live a dream – top filmmaking equipment will be at their disposal for one hour, allowing them to film that perfect scene they need for their film reel that could help launch their career, showcasing to potential investors what they are capable of doing if provided with the proper budget to use that same equipment for an entire film.

Each filmmaking team can be formed prior to the weekend film school OR an individual can sign up and be placed on a team. All team members MUST be present during the workshop. Each will need at least five members - Producer, Director, Director of Photography, Assistant Director, and Editor. Each team will be presented with the same one-page scene and will have one hour to film it on the same set using the same equipment used by the instructors during the seminar. Instructors will be on set to assist the filmmakers.

The number of teams is limited, so sign up ASAP if you want to shoot a scene. On Sunday, March 16, a second workshop will be at Tampa Digital for those who would like to learn about the editing process. Check out the new website for all the details, list of instructors, and equipment we’ll have this year, and to register: www.tampaweekendfilmschool.com.

Cost:
OPTION 1 - Tampa Weekend Film School - SINGLE - FULL WORKSHOP Classroom sessions + Team Competition + Editing Workshop - $50 per person
OPTION 2 - Team Registration (up to 10 people) - FULL WORKSHOP Sign up your entire team for the Classroom sessions + Team Competition + Editing – ($300 a team – savings of $20 per person)
OPTION 3 - Tampa Weekend Film School - CLASSROOM SESSION ONLY - $30

Visit www.tampaweekendfilmschool.com for more info.

tenth annual environmental film festival february 23-march 1, 2008

February 23, 2008 at 10:28 pm | In Events, For Filmmakers, Film Festivals, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

The tenth annual Environmental Film Festival began today at Eckerd College in St. Pete. The festival ends March 1 and all programs are free and open to the general public. Here’s the schedule according to the festival website:

All screenings are at 7 p.m. in The Dan and Mary Miller Auditorium at Eckerd College except the February 24 screening, which is at 2 p.m. All programs will be preceded by a short reception with the presenter and will feature an opportunity for audience questions immediately after the program. Refreshments will be available in the lobby of The Dan and Mary Miller Auditorium.

February 24 at 2 p.m.
Animation Celebration!
Produced in collaboration with Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), in conjunction with The Canterbury School of Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida

February 25 at 7 p.m.
Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea (2004)
Presented by: Jeff Springer, Writer and Co-Director

February 26 at 7 p.m.
Eckerd Alumni Night
Exploring the Mother of Waters (2006)
Presented by: Brian Eustis ‘99, Co-Director and Director of Cinematography
Washing Away (2006)
Presented by: Joe Murphy, ‘04 (Program for Experienced Learners)
In conjunction with Tampa Bay Watch

February 27 at 7 p.m.
American Values, American Wilderness (2005)
Presented by: Chris Barns, Writer and Director
In conjunction with Sea Scout Ship 912

February 28 at 7 p.m.
In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)
Presented by: James Deutsch, Smithsonian Institution

February 29 at 7 p.m.
Stand van de maan (Shape of the Moon) (2004)
Presented by: Leonard Retel Helmrich, Director

March 1 at 7 p.m.
Up The Yangtze
Presented by: Hong Gu, Eckerd College instructor

Sponsored by: The Phoenix Venture Philanthropy Foundation. With additional support from the Program for Experienced Learners at Eckerd College, The Letters Collegium and The Environmental Studies Program at Eckerd College.

Visit www.eckerd.edu/eff/ for more info. In addition to these films, the festival is offering a one-day workshop for filmmakers on March 1:

Run by the acclaimed Dutch/Indonesian documentary filmmaker Leonard Retel Helmrich (The Shape of the Moon), who is here for the 2008 Visions of Nature, Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival, this one-day workshop will combine a theoretical overview of his acclaimed “Single Shot Cinema” method with a rare opportunity for hands-on exploration of the technique. The workshop is open to filmmakers at all levels (some camera experience strongly recommended).

Helmrich has spent years developing and mastering his “Single Shot Cinema,” an approach built on the theories of film critic Andre Bazin, and rooted in an attempt to think in terms of camera movements instead of fixed frames. He is able to achieve low-key and low-cost effects with his mobile camera that would require elaborate and expensive dolly and crane setups if done Hollywood style. (For a stunning example of his work, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0u7noFBK6M.) He has run several workshops introducing these techniques to filmmakers around the world, many of whom have used his approach in award-winning films.

As the name suggests, “Single Shot Cinema” is about capturing a moment in one shot, and about anticipating movement and action rather than shooting with an eye to cutting up movement. Participants in the workshop will be introduced to some of the ideas and techniques behind this extraordinary approach to documentary and feature filmmaking.

Time: March 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Franklin Templeton Building, Room 209, Eckerd College (4200 54th Ave. S., Saint Petersburg, FL 33711)
Cost: $125 for non-Eckerd participants, $75 for Eckerd College students (proceeds go to Mr. Helmrich) – cash or checks made out to Leonard Retel Helmrich (cash only on the day of or day prior to the workshop)
For more information or to register, contact Nathan Andersen at andersnt(at)eckerd.edu or 727-864-7551. Participation is limited to 25, and participants will be accepted (upon receipt of payment) on a first-come, first-served basis.

(Thanks go to David Audet from the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image for sending me the workshop info.)

(cross-posted at www.sticksoffire.com)

second annual gasparilla film festival february 27-march 2, 2008

February 21, 2008 at 7:42 am | In Events, Filmmakers, For Filmmakers, Movie Theaters, Film Festivals, Movies, Tampa Bay Area, Florida (Not Bay Area), Short Films | No Comments

After a successful debut in 2007, the Gasparilla Film Festival has bigger and better plans for this year’s festival, which opens February 27. At a recent press conference, festival executive director John Rosser and president Eric Odum presented the film line up, announced guest appearances, and listed the panels, receptions and special events planned for this year. 81 films from ten countries will be screened over five days, with at least 20 of the selected films having a connection to the Tampa Bay area.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the special events and screenings planned for this year:

Wednesday, February 27:

  • Opening Night VIP Reception at the Tampa Theatre
  • Opening night film Kabluey, a “hilarious, unique and heartfelt comedy” starring Lisa Kudrow, Chris Parnell and Christine Taylor. **Executive producer Jeff Balis is a Tampa native.**

Friday, February 29:

  • An exclusive screening of The Good Fight, an “exclusive sneak-peak, work-in-progress” about FSU Seminoles’ coach Bobby Bowden by acclaimed filmmaker George Butler (Pumping Iron). Following the screening, George Butler and fellow producer Elisabeth Haviland James will be on hand to answer questions from the audience. (Tickets to the screening and the reception may be purchased separately or together.)

Saturday, March 1:

  • A special, 45th anniversary screening of Blood Feast, the “first film ever to showcase explicit gore!” Legendary filmmakers Herschell Gordon “Godfather of Gore” Lewis and David F. “Mighty Monarch of Exploitation” Friedman will be in attendance! There’s a reception at 8 p.m., the film screening at 9 p.m., and then at 10 p.m. Lewis and Friedman will participate in a Q and A session with St. Pete Times film critic Steve Persall! (Sorry about the overuse of exclamation points, but I’m really excited about this event. !) “True fans of independent filmmaking will no doubt appreciate Lewis and Friedman’s fearless and pioneering cinematic legacy. However, the fact remains that their blood-soaked repertoire continues to influence people of all stripes to this very day…most notably, curious youngsters eager for kicks,” said Andy Lalino, producer at Film Ranch International, the sponsor of this special event and screening. I’m told that there will be a nurse on scene at this event, just in case. This event will put the GASP in the Gasparilla Film Festival, for sure. (While I wish I had thought of “GASParilla” myself, I must give credit to Film Ranch International for coming up with that.)
  • Women’s Power Hour — The Gasparilla Film Festival is supporting Women’s History Month by showcasing the short films Ten At The Top in Tampa Bay (**by local filmmaker Renee Warmack**), In Between, Drive Lesson and Loose Ends. This event will take place at Channelside Cinemas at 5:30 p.m., followed by a complimentary networking session from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. and is sponsored by local publishing company JimSam, Inc. There will be gift bags for the first 50 people to enter the theater for this screening. Also on March 1, Channelside Cinemas is hosting the 3rd Annual Focus on Females Women’s Healthcare Symposium, a free day-long series of health-oriented seminars, screenings, demonstrations, and classes.
  • Campus MovieFest — Sixteen of the best five-minute movies from the 06-07 tour of Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival, will be screened. Don’t ignore or dismiss this because of the “student” or “five-minute movies” aspects. Last year, the Campus MovieFest films were some of the best short films I’ve seen in the past few years (and I’ve seen hundreds of ‘em, at film festivals, at local screenings, online and on DVD). I have high hopes for this year’s Campus MovieFest crop as well.
  • An exclusive screening of The Flock, a “heart-stopping psychological thriller” starring Richard Gere and Claire Danes.
  • Several panel discussions/seminars, including: Worldwide Marketing and Distribution of Your Film, Budget Techniques for Producing Your Film and Working in 16mm and Other Filmmaking Techniques.
  • Screenings of Requiem, a documentary about “one of the most misunderstood predators on our planet — the shark” featuring beautiful underwater photography. Requiem will screen at the Florida Aquarium and the filmmakers will be in attendance.

Sunday, March 2:

  • The Young Filmmakers Series screenings.
  • A special family screening of the kids’ action/adventure film The Flyboys starring Stephen Baldwin and Tom Sizemore. One free children’s ticket with each adult ticket purchase.
  • The Closing Night/Award Ceremonies — hosted by Wendy Ryan of ABC’s Action News.

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST, FOLKS: I have permission to announce that Shane West, star of TV’s ER and the GFF selection What We Do Is Secret, will be at the Gasparilla Film Festival this year. I’ll post more details when I get ‘em.

Other films to be screened at the festival include:

Special American Indies (Features):

  • Autism–The Musical (U.S. premiere) — A documentary about five autistic children in L.A. who write, rehearse and perform their own full-length musical.
  • Big Rig (Florida premiere) — This documentary is “an extended portrait of modern American as seen through the eyes of long-haul truck drivers as they span 21,000 miles, 45 states and dozens of truck stops.”
  • Daydreamer (Florida premiere) — A mystery/drama/sci-fi feature that “zigs and zags, defying convention.”
  • Judy Toll:The Funniest Woman You’ve Never Heard Of (Florida premiere) — A documentary about Judy Toll, “one of Hollywood’s funniest and talented comedy writers in the 80s and 90s…whose lifetime career achievements remain largely unknown even today.”
  • The Memory Thief (Florida premiere) - A “fascinating and unsettling film about a young tollbooth worker whose search for meaning leads to an obsession with the Holocaust.”
  • What We Do Is Secret — This drama takes a look at the Germs, “the seminal band from the late 70s L.A. punk rock scene,” and Darby Crash, “their enigmatic lead singer.”

Fun and Fear (Features):

  • American Fork — Comedy starring William Baldwin and Kathleen Quinlan.
  • 100 Tears — A horror film about two reporters drawn into “the bizarre world of a serial murderer known only as The Teardrop Killer.” **Locally-produced film.**
  • Viva (Florida premiere) — “A comic tale of a suburban housewife in 1972 who is abandoned by her husband and goes out to find herself in the middle of the sexual revolution.”

Latin Panorama (Features):

  • Death of a Bureaucrat — A “hilarious tale of the ludicrousness of bureaucracy” from Cuba.
  • Drained — A Brazilian comedy.
  • Dream Havana — Cuban documentary about two friends “faced with a life-altering choice” of whether or not to attempt escape from Cuba.
  • El Custodio — An Argentinean drama about a man trapped in the thankless role of bodyguard.
  • It’s Better That Gabriela Doesn’t Die (East coast premiere) — A Mexican comedy about soap opera obsession.
  • Making Tom Ze’ — A Brazilian documentary about the controversial musician Tom Ze’.
  • The Man of 2 Havanas (Florida premiere) — “Everything your parents never told you growing up about U.S.-Cuba relations…”
  • Tocar Y Luchar (Florida premiere) — A documentary about a network of hundreds of orchestras in Venezuela.

And shorts, shorts, shorts. Lots of short films, many of which are locally produced, several that are making their premieres at the festival, and all of which sound interesting.

Visit www.gasparillafilmfestival.com for details on the films, filmmakers and the schedule. A variety of festival passes and ticket packages are available through the website as well.

See you at the festival. (If you get there first, save me a good seat, will ya?)

(cross-posted at www.sticksoffire.com)

news and notes:icon film studios, beach theatre, sunset cinemas at the tampa theatre

February 17, 2008 at 8:47 pm | In Events, Film Series, Filmmakers, For Filmmakers, Movie Theaters, Movies, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments
  • Congratulations to local filmmakers Chris Woods and Simon Lynx on the 15th anniversary of Icon Film Studios.
  • The Beach Theatre in St. Pete has started the new year off with a bang. The theater’s website has been overhauled, an online special events calendar has been added and the kinks in the email newsletter subscription process have apparently been resolved. Oh, and they’ve got some interesting screenings and ongoing film series planned. All hail screenwriter and theater owner Michael France for nurturing a local alternative for film fans who need a break from the multiplex.
  • The Tampa Theatre is launching a new program called Sunset Cinemas in the coming months. The theatre will host outdoor screenings of classic movies at various parks throughout the Tampa Bay area. Each screening will begin with a locally-produced short film. Local filmmakers who are interested in being part of the Sunset Cinemas series should email paulguzzo@hotmail.com (Note: films cannot have excessive cursing, nudity or violence.) (h/t to Guzzo Brother #1)
— Next Page »