WINTER 2008
SCHEDULE

LOS ANGELES SCHEDULE

Just because we're able to watch crime within the movies, doesn't mean it can't happen in real life. So consider purchasing a security camera, to a complete security camera system for your home or business. These days, with the increased need for security, it just makes good sense!


Wednesday, January 2nd

NewFilmmakers brings back the Cinema Of Transgression.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT MUSIC FILMS

Nelson Kim IF YOU ARE SATISFIED (2005, 7 Minutes, Video)
New Year's Day.

Braden King SONIC YOUTH: DO YOU BELIEVE IN RAPTURE (2007, 4 Minutes, Video)
The Sonic Youth perform at CBGBs.

Will O'Loughlen SUMMER OF YOUTH (2007, 27 Minutes, Video)
On the road with the Sonic Youth.

Kris Kristensen CRACK IN THE SIDEWALK (2007, 12 Minutes, Video)
Artists can impact strangers so deeply that they feel they've lost a personal friend when they die. On New Year's Day musician Bryan Harvey made national news. The frontman of the 80's rock-duo HOUSE OF FREAKS was brutally murdered along with his family in their home. 



7:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Angelique Bosio LLIK YOUR IDOLS (2007, 61 Minutes, Video)
LLIK YOUR IDOLS is a documentary that deals with “The Cinema of Transgression” movement (New York, 1984-1991) and introduces its four main figures: Richard Kern, Lydia Lunch, Joe Coleman, Nick Zedd. It challenged the academism of Hollywood along with the politics of Regan and Bush as it perpetuated the tradition of underground cinema (Russ Meyer, Jack Smith, John Waters…). Their films were shots on Super 8 with various aesthetics, full of violence, drugs, perversions, and dark humor. Their soundtracks were from local bands known as No Wave (Sonic Youth, Lydia Lunch, Foetus…). Thanks to the success of Sonic Youth, the movement has now become a cult and has influenced many young artists, whatever the format (cinema, photography, fashion). Interviewed are Thurston Moore, Richard Hell, Bruce Labruce and many others.


8:45PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND FEATURE

Chris Suchorsky GOLDEN DAYS (2007, 95 Minutes, Video)
In 2001, a photo assistant named Alex Dezen asked a couple friends to record a few songs with him. Shortly thereafter they would form the Brooklyn based rock band THE DAMNWELLS. Two years later they had toured the country, opened for rock legends, and had a song featured in a major motion picture. By 2004, they had signed a major record deal with EPIC Records (Sony/BMG). In March of 2005, THE DAMNWELLS went into the studio to record their first professional album. For six months, THE DAMNWELLS immersed themselves in preproduction, recording, and mixing. But as months passed, their release date was moved further and further away. In January of 2006, lead singer Alex Dezen received a call they never expected. The band was being released from their contract and the fate of the album was unknown. Will the band break up, will they go their separate ways, or will they take back their future?

Wednesday, January 9th

NewFilmmakers and The Black Documentary Collective present new films by its members and a special program of new urban films. 


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Sean McKnight CRY OF THE CITY PART 1: THE LEGEND OF CORNBREAD (2007, 60 Minutes, Video)
This documentary chronicles Philadelphia legend Darryl Cornbread McCray, who's credited as being the father of modern day graffiti and hip-hop. To some, he is known for writing on the elephant at the Philadelphia Zoo, to others the writer who tagged the Jackson’s jet. The project focuses on Cornbreads life, from tagging walls to his dedication as a social worker and father. Cornbreads influence stretches beyond graffiti to hip-hop and social reform. A series of interviews throughout the documentary with people like Jane Golden (Philadelphia Mural Arts), Pose 2 (graf artist) and his son show different facets of Cornbread, the effect of his life on others and how he helped establish a world-wide cultural movement.


7:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS / BLACK DOCUMENTARY COLLECTIVE

Founded by veteran filmmaker St.Clair Bourne, the BDC provides people of African descent working in the documentary film and video field with the opportunity to meet socially; network professionally; promote each others' work and exchange ideas in order to generate productions. For more information, please visit www.bdcny.net.


9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION

Diane Fraher THE REAWAKENING (2005, 100 Minutes, 35MM)

The Reawakening is a cultural and cinematic milestone in American cinema. It is the first independent feature film produced by Native people. Produced by American Indian Artists Inc. in 21 days during summer and fall of 2003 on the Onondaga Nation and New York City, the film has the support of the Onondaga Nation Council, the elders and citizens of the Nation and many people throughout Indian country in North America. The film features the music of Shadowyze, who won a 2005 Native American Music Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Recording, "Red Hawk Woman" (www.nativeamericanmusic.com).

artist photoDiane Fraher (Osage) has written and directed a story of one man’s, Robert Doctor’s, struggle to acknowledge where he comes from before he can know where he truly belongs. In choosing to accept himself and his fate, his choice is one between opportunism, and loyalty and tradition. In these times of extreme politics this message transcends the limitations of culture, time and place and reaches out to resonate across generational and cultural lines.

Wednesday, January 16th

NewFilmmakers gets some action.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Karen Gehres BEGGING NAKED (2007, 70 Minutes, Video)
Elise Hill left her suburban New Jersey home in 1976 at the age of 15. As she crossed the George Washington Bridge that night, she turned a trick for $30. She had no plan, but knew she wanted to make it to Union Square—then known as Needle Park. It was in Union Square where Elise met her first pimp. Elise quickly became a prostitute and was on her way to becoming a heroin addict. About four years later, Elise left the world of prostitution and drugs and entered a rehab program in New Jersey. For nearly 15 years, she supported herself by selling her art on the streets of NYC, using her small studio near Carnegie Hall—a converted airshaft—as her live/work space. By 1999, Elise is dropping acid frequently, and signs of mental illness emerge. Unable to pay her rent, her landlord begins eviction proceedings. In July 2001 we witness her final eviction from her home of 20 years. Elise now lives in Central Park.


7:20PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Christian Ford THE BEGINNING OF THE END (2007, 9 Minutes, Video)
Joseph Alexandre LEMON (2007, 8 Minutes)
Michael Wallace ARENA (2007, 31 Minutes, Video)
Yuri Alves CHRONICLES OF A HITMAN (2006, 20 Minutes, Video)


8:40PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION

Armando Blandon CATCHING THE FEVER (2007, 96 Minutes, Video)
Orlando is unhappy with his relationship with Adriana. Bitter and sexually frustrated, he's contemplating breaking up with her. But, he's uncertain if he wants to get back in the dating scene. While Adriana goes away on a business trip, he visits friends who entice him to go out and explore his true feelings by setting him up with dates. But he soon realizes women can be a bit wild for his taste. These events will test his commitment and help him finally figure out what his heart desires.


Wednesday, January 23rd

NewFilmmakers presents a nite of gay / lesbian films.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Robert Philipson MA RAINEY’S LESBIAN LICKS (2006, 4 Minutes, Video)
A recreation of a 1928 blues number with explicit lesbian lyrics.

Pilar Prassas IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH (2007, 61 Minutes, Video)
In 2002, seven couples in the state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit in hopes of legalizing same-sex marriage. IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH closely chronicles the journey of three of these activist couples. The most poignant characters in the story are Marilyn and Diane, partners of 14 years, who were dedicated to fighting for the marriage right they desperately dream of. But before their dream could be realized, Marilyn was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. You will be forever changed after stepping into the lives of these couples, watching them fight to marry the partners they love—and tragically, watching one couple’s heartbreak as their dream dies at the cruel hands of ALS.


7:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Tess Malone THE GERMAN LULLABY (2007, 15 Minutes, 35MM)
Keno Rider A LESSON IN BIOLOGY (2007, 20 Minutes, Video)
Josephine Mackerras DIVA (2007, 7 Minutes, Vide)
Brian Johnston FOR LOVE (2007, 6 Minutes, Video)
Adam Baldowski SOLACE (2007, 15 Minutes, Video)


8:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Kirk Shannon-Butts BLUEPRINT (2007, 80 Minutes, 16MM)
Blueprint is the story of New York City boys Keith and Nathan who meet one day after class. Nathan has his eye on school mate Keith but Keith has plans and they do not include Nathan. When Nathan stumbles across Keith sitting in a trendy coffee shop Nathan seizes the opportunity. Keith and Nathan embark on a journey delving into themselves and leaning towards each. Inspired by such international acclaimed films as Happy Together, My Beautiful Laundrette, and Y Tu Mama Tambien, Blueprint is a lush sexy modern film. First time feature filmmaker Kirk Shannon-Butts captures, defines and unfolds the Blueprint via film for contemporary American youth, sexuality and friendship that is honest and insightful. Join Keith (Blake Young-Fountain) and Nathan (Damion Lee star of Finding Forrester) on an adventure to remember a lifetime.


10:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Justin Owades IT'S ALL RELATIVE (2007, 15 Minutes, Video)
It's All Relative tells the story of Paul, a middle child who has always felt a little ignored by his family. Paul has often been overshadowed by his older brother, but he believes that all that will change at an upcoming family dinner. Paul has finally decided to tell his family that he is gay. He is unsure how his family will react, but he knows this will definitely be a big deal for everyone. In his mind, Paul can already picture all of the attention he is going to get, but when things start to happen differently, Paul is unprepared to let go of his 'big moment.'

 Cheryl Costa THE ART OF ABUNDANCE (2006, 80 Minutes, Video)
Roberta Walters: Wealthy Maryland industrialist finds out she has 6 months to live. Used to controlling her empire and her fate, she is not about to allow a little thing like dying change her lifestyle! Dr. Kristine Cantrell: Down on her luck research psychologist whose past-life regression research, and unorthodox choice of a Tibetan Buddhist monk as a research assistant, has resulted in her being labeled a flake by her professional colleagues and a bad investment risk by the grant giving community. Karma brings these two women together to undertake a wild experiment in crossing the boundaries of time and space.

Wednesday, January 30th

NewFilmmakers looks at the dark side of life.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Don Diego Ramirez Trailer Trash; a Film Journal (2006. 53 Minutes, Video)
That now-demolished trailer park, located near the Charles Town racetrack in West Virginia, is the starting venue for Ramirez's Trailer Trash; a Film Journal, a documentary that chronicles three tumultuous years in his extended family's already tragic history. Far from the usual tactic of treating the travails of poor white Americans as entertainment for the more couth gentry (think of the endless parade of shirtless good ol' boys tackled and handcuffed on Cops), Ramirez's documentary humanizes its subjects without flinching from the horror of what they perpetrate upon each other. From the New York Times web page: Review Summary Filmmaker Don Diego Ramirez directs and narrates this deeply intimate documentary detailing a intensely turbulent three year period in which his family was forced to contend with a terminal illness, a brutal murder, and the unexpectedly difficult birth of the director's firstborn child. In early May of 2004, Ramirez's elderly grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. As the grandmother's health rapidly deteriorates at the same time that the director's wife prepares to give birth, the never-ending cycle of life is vividly detailed through the family's emotional reaction to the events on each side of the spectrum. Shortly after the death of Ramirez's grandmother, the family is devastated to learn that the grieving husband of the recently deceased has become the victim of a vicious homicide. When the filmmaker's youngest sister and her boyfriend are singled out as the prime suspects in the crime, emotions quickly come to a head. Through it all, unguarded interviews with the family members and home movie footage from happier times highlight the means by which prejudice, poverty, and drug-addiction can tear a typical rural American family apart at the seams

7:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Dustin Adams A NEW DAWN (2005, 24 Minutes, Video)
Gavin Boyter BEYOND (2007, 10 Minutes, Video)
Faythallegra Coleman LIFE SUCKS (2007, 17 Minutes, Video)


8:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Aleks Gezentsvey MACKENZIE BROWN (2007, 43 Minutes, Video)
MACKENZIE BROWN is a noir-documentary that follows the filmmaker’s investigation of a notebook lost by a little girl. Experts (such as a detective, a child psychologist, a graphologist, editor and co-creator of the FOUND Magazine, a toys store owner, a tarot card reader and many more) examine the clues left inside the notebook in order to help track the mysterious girl.


9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND FEATURE PRESENTATION

Ed Peduzzi THE SLAYER (2007, 105 Minutes, Video)
After witnessing a brutal slaying, a young college transfer student (Eric Carlson) slowly discovers the unpleasant reality behind the vampire myth. As Eric becomes a clean up crew member (called a janitor) for the slayers rough work he becomes disillusioned with the romanticized aspects of violence, and learns that life is lived in a gray area far from black and white. After a close encounter with a R.I.P. (real and un-mystical version of the vampire myth) he eventually becomes a slayer himself. Living in a rewired abandoned building with the other 5 slayers and their adopted half R.I.P. daughter Rose, Eric must now live a life far different from what he initially thought life as a slayer could be.

Tuesday, February 12th   

NewFilmmakers Goes To War.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCS ABOUT THE WAR

Monica Sharf WHILE WE LIE SLEEPING (2007, 8 Minutes, Video)
Hugh Martin THE PLACE TO BE (2007, 69 Minutes, Video)
Bob Jones AMERICAN SOLDIER (2007, 2 Minutes, Video)


7:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILMS ABOUT THE WAR

Nadege Traore NEVER THE SAME (2007, 6 Minutes, Video)
Ian McGuire THE NEW APATHY (2007, 10 Minutes, 16MM)
Joe Hahn THE SEED (2006, 12 Minutes, 25MM)


8:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Kerry Valderrama GARRISON (2007, 94 Minutes, Video)
The film is set in present day and uses the backdrop of Garrison (defined as troops stationed at home) to tell its story. In the Beginning of the film Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Cross has gone Awol (absent with out leave) and it is up to his two team leaders, Sergeant Daniel McManus and Sergeant Lucas Cain to find him. Mac and Cain embark on a journey through out Garrison only to discover certain things that they wish they hadn't.


9:45PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND FEATURE PRESENTATION

David Bee INDEPENDENT INTERVENTION (2005, 75 Minutes, Video)
INDEPENDENT INTERVENTION is an award-winning documentary about the US Media coverage of the war in Iraq. Focusing on the human costs of war, it contrasts the mass media's coverage of the invasion of Iraq with independent reports of the brutal realities on the ground. 

Wednesday, February 13th

NewFilmmakers Celebrates Valentine’s Day Naught & Nice. Today we are naughty and tomorrow we will be nice. As Fox News says, you decide. 


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Remi Shahem I COMMUNICATE (2007. 12 Minutes, Video)
Bruce’s 18 year old girlfriend, Lena, wants to watch porno for the first time on her parents giant screen television! But her enthusiasm quickly fades as the groaning Godzillas dwarf the shy couple, who try to make love as they watch! A sexy comedy...

Philip Lewis & Jean-Francois Monette EYE ON THE GUY: ALAN B STONE & THE AGE OF BEEFCAKE (2007, 48 Minutes, Video)
Alan B. Stone: astute businessman, quiet suburbanite— and master of the homoerotic pin-up. Eye on the Guy: Alan B. Stone & the Age of Beefcake explores the little-known world of Montreal’s physique photography scene— a distinct gay subculture that emerged in the 50s’ and 60s’— through the life and work of one of its most creative figures. Operating under the social radar of post-war Canada, Stone produced thousands of images of men—from Montreal bodybuilders to Pacific coast fishermen, from rodeo cowboys to the construction workers who built Expo 67. Like his American contemporary, physique photographer Bob Mizer, Alan B. Stone was a cultural pioneer. Before the first wave of gay liberation, and long before Calvin Klein’s poster boys marched into public view, Stone was taking hundreds of erotic photos of men and running an international mail-order business from his Montreal basement.


7:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Clay Walker THE MAN WHO ATE TOO MUCH (2007, 7 Minutes, 8MM)
Don Takano EXCRETORY ROCKEFELLER (2007, 16 Minutes, Video)
Jeffrey Swafford THE LEGEND OF MY HEART SHAPED ANUS (2007, 23 Minutes, Video)
Gary Lynch ALL BECAUSE OF YOU (2007, 9 Minutes, Video)

8:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION

Tony Comstock ASHLEY AND KISHA: FINDING THE RIGHT FIT 
This entry in Comstock Films' series of documentaries on real couples (and their very real sex lives) focuses on Ashley and Kisha. At the start, they couldn't have seemed more wrong for each other: Ashley was into guys; Kisha was a voracious skirt-chaser. But soon love, and unbridled sexuality, followed. Explicit and visually elegant, this film intersperses interviews with Ashley and Kisha's steamy lovemaking, capturing the intimacy and passion that exists only between actual couples.

Thursday, February 14th

NewFilmmakers Celebrates Valentine’s Day Naught & Nice. Yesterday we were naughty, but today we are nice. 


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SPECIAL FILM PROGRAM

Don Kraus VALENTINE’S DAY (2006, 61 Minutes, Video)
Love continues right to the end.

7:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Haruko Kawana PINK GLASSES (2007, 24 Minutes, Video)
Debby Wolfe PATTERNS (2007, 12 Minutes, Video)
JD Marlow PANCAKES (2007, 9 Minutes, 16MM)

8:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Tony Herbert SPEED DATING (2006, 85 Minutes, 35MM) 
SPEED DATING is the story of James Van Der Bexton (David Hayman from Smilla's Sense of Snow and Sid & Nancy) as he approaches his 30th birthday. After the break–up of the relationship with the love of his life two years previously he has taken up Speed Dating without much success. Despondent he turns his attention towards a mysterious young woman who frequents his local pub. In trying to discover more about this woman he plays at being a private detective with disastrous results leading to him being hospitalized and amnesiac. 

9:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND FEATURE PRESENTATION

Anthony Stagliano FADE (2007, 77 Minutes, 16M)
SARAH LASSEZ (Gregg Araki's Nowhere, Gregory Hatanaka's Mad Cowgirl and Abel Ferrara's Blackout), DAVID CONNOLLY (13 Conversations about One Thing), MICHAEL T. WEISS (TV's Pretender) and special guests DEVON ODESSA (TV's My So Called Life; Mad Cowgirl) and ANTHONY DRAZAN (director and screenwriter of Hurlyburly) star in this chilling drama that explores what happens if our bodies refuse to shut down -- and the resulting effect on those closest to us. Using the rare genetic disorder fatal familia insomnia as a jumping-off point, writer-director Anthony Stagliano's film examines issues of identity, marriage and death as a couple confronts constant sleeplessness and the dissipation and sorrow that follow.Fade is David Connolly's final film; Mr. Connolly passed away tragically in October of 2006. Fade also features music from improv legends AMM, Art Bears, Ginnungagap, and original music by Cameron Presley (Upsilon Acrux) and Hollis Lee (Midnight Sun).

Wednesday, February 20th

NewFilmmakers hosts the Black Documentary Collective and celebrates New York Life.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Arnold Chun ELI’S LIQUOR STORE (2007, 18 Minutes, Video)
Elijah’s Liquor Store is set in Koreatown circa 1999. It tells the story of Elijah Gooden, a 43-year-old African-American man from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Tech University and worked in corporate America before moving his family to Los Angeles to start his own business. He and his family experience culture shock and adversity as they struggle to build their livelihood in an area dominated by Asian-American business owners.

Virginie-Alvine Perrette TWILIGHT BECOMES NIGHT (2007, 36 Minutes, Video)
This documentary explores the widespread closing of neighborhood stores in New York City and the significant impact this transformation has on us all.

7:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS / BLACK DOCUMENTARY COLLECTIVE

Founded by veteran filmmaker St.Clair Bourne, the BDC provides people of African descent working in the documentary film and video field with the opportunity to meet socially; network professionally; promote each others' work and exchange ideas in order to generate productions. For more information, please visit www.bdcny.net.


9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION

Ramon Rivera Moret ON CALLOWAY STREET (2007, 91 Minutes, Video)
ON CALLOWAY STREET by Ramón Rivera-Moret is a documentary that shows the lives of tenants in what may be the most diverse apartment building in the most diverse county in the world. This documentary reveals the poetic experience of people moving to Queens from many different countries. It shows how the soul never really leaves one place entirely, never truly transmigrates, and forever remains spread across space and time.

Wednesday, February 27th

NewLatino Filmmakers Night.



6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Michael J. Palmer and Charles K. Mann SI NO LLUEVE (2007, 28 Minutes, Video)
Gabriela Duran HIJOS DE REYES (2007, 14 Minutes, Video)


7:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Emilio Merritt A SIMPLE DAY (2007, 22 Minutes, Video)
Suzanne Sitelman CUBICLE GENIUS (2006, 11 Minutes, Video)
Verena Faden CATEGORY 4 (2007, 28 Minutes, Video)


8:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Juan Fischer BUSCANDO A MIQUEL (2007, 90 Minutes, 35MM)
Miguel is a young Colombian politician blinded by his own privilege.  Victim of a violent attack, he loses his memory and finds himself living in a very different world, a world inhabited precisely by the kind of people he had once despised -- a cast of colorful indigents, garbage-pickers, petty  thieves  and a pious and promiscuous drag queen who falls madly in love with him.  These people provide him with their own form of warmth and solidarity,  but Miguel is haunted by fragments of his past.  So, eventually,   he finds out not who he was, but rather who he is -- a man struggling for redemption.


10:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND FEATURE PRESENTATION

Jesus Galindo EL DERECHO DE JESUS (2007, 90 Minutes, Video)
This character driven drama is set in modern day Los Angeles, Ca. Jesús, a Mexican-American college student, has to deal with family issues and unstable love relationships. His ability to make bad emotional decisions leads him straight to a a collision with his past and present, leading up to an uncertain future. What is the Right of Jesús? What is el Derecho de Jesús? He will soon find out.


Wednesday, March 5th

NewFilmmakers gets down & dirty when our favorite bird Chirphy returns.  

And the critics have spoken:  "I never thought that there are people as retarded and vulgar as you dumbasses!!! What the fuck value does this repulsive trash bring to anybody? If it had any comedy at all, but you are not even funny. It takes a lot to revolt me, and you've done it. Close the porn website, get the fuck off in front of the computer, get your hand off your dick and pick up a fucking book!!! I really hope the lot of you bastards are sterile, if not, please by your own choice, and for the good of this community...DON'T REPRODUCE!!!"


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Joseph Christiana FAMOUS (2007, 30 Minutes, Video)
In June of 2007, Jeremy Slater, a struggling New Jersey filmmaker, handed six home-
movie cameras to his friends and invited them to a stnp-tease party at a seedy “by-the-
hour” motel, instructing them to film “everything” two hours previous to and during the
party. The documentary is constructed of only the footage that was shot by the attendees
and was edited under the sensitive supervision of Producer, Joseph Christiana. FAMOUS
unwittingly tells the story of how a seemingly harmless night of fun abruptly takes a turn
for the worst. Aside from the avant-garde qualities of the director’s vision, the producer
maintains that the film is an important, albeit imminently controversial, artifact of the
actual events and provides an incisive insight into our culture’s fetish for fame.


7:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

John Goras CHIRPHY RETURNS (2007, 8 Minutes, Video)
Simon Lund / Slink Moss LOWLIFE (2007, 10 Minutes, Video)
Mathew Lessner MODERN MEASURE (2007, 6 Minutes, Video)
Michael Medeiros UNDERGROUND (2007, 19 Minutes, Video)


8:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Matt Austin MOST LIKELY TO (2007, 74 Minutes, Video)
A once in a lifetime party reconnects 5 friends from high school, however, their reunion is short lived when a shocking discovery tests their friendship and morality. The film was shot in a Danish style using many techniques found in Dogme 95 practice but specifically was inspired by murdered filmmaker Theo van Gogh. 1) The film developed by actor Justin Chatwin was shot with a rule of three - Shot in 3 days, with 3 camera's, 3 takes per scene, for 3 grand. 2) Without any rehearsal, the dialogue in the film is completely improvised.


9:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND FEATURE PRESENTATION

Michael O’Donnell MOVING MIKE (2007, 79 Minutes, Video)
Mike Kelly has been dumped. Again. His three best friends show up to help him move out of the apartment he has shared with her for the past two years. With them they bring their own off-beat takes on where Mike is going with his life, who he should be going there with, and just which route he should take to get there. Moving Mike, a contemporary urban comedy set in Manhattan, takes place over the course of a single day (with a pile of flashbacks, of course!), and combines the headaches and heartaches of both literally and figuratively moving on.

Wednesday, March 12th

NewFilmmakers Salutes Short Films.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Gabriel Taraboulsky HOMEROOM (2007, 8 Minutes, Video)
 Christopher Swank THE GREEN GLASS (2007, 16 Minutes, Video)
Tom Morgan OF OUR FATHERS (2007, 17 Minutes, Video)
Chad Schneider MEMORIZING DATES (2007, 11 Minutes, 8MM)
Brian  Chillemi LINGER ON (2007, 12 Minutes, 16MM)
Joey Grossfield KALEIDOSCOPE (2007, 22 Minutes, 16MM)
Chris Shimojima THE STORY OF MATTHEW (2007, 28 Minutes, Video)

8:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Joy & Noelle Vaccese THE SCRITCH-SCRATCH OF BUSY LITTLE HANDS (2007, 4 Minutes, Video)
CS Vernon APARTMENT 309 (2007, 19 Minutes, Video)
Lucas Howe ABINGTON (2007, 10 Minutes, 35MM)
C Fraser Press A DRIVING LESSON (2007, 24 Minutes, Video)
Chris Zonnas STRANGER (2006, 17 Minutes, 16MM)



9:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION

James Morrison IN THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2007, 20 Minutes, Video)

Eddy Duran SHOES (2006, 89 Minutes, Video)
Evan Hill has everything money can buy. Except the one thing he can't afford. True Love

Wednesday, March 19th

NewFilmmakers salutes our local filmmakers.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Melinda Hunt HART ISLAND: AN AMERICAN CEMETERY (2006, 66 Minutes, Video)
The largest cemetery in the country is in New York City


7:20PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

CJ Critt ANATOMY OF AN EVICTION (2006, 7 Minutes, Video)

Michael Unger GRAVITY (2006, 43 Minutes, 16MM)
Gravity could be described as a story about creative repression. It follows a young ballet dancer named Gena who comes to New York City to pursue her dream to dance professionally on the same stage with her old friend and rival, Anna, from home.  Anna, however, has other plans as she seeks escape from the rigid parameters imposed by the Choreographer, Echard. Gena has to teach ballet lessons to support herself which is fine by her boyfriend, Nick, who recognizes that Echard’s company has no room for Gena. Juggling all these pressures while trying to focus on a seemingly impossible dream, Gravity is a film about people who they are and what they want to be. Starring Elise Leithauser and Lisa Lee, choreographed by Daniel Catanach, photographed by Thom Ostrowaki, written and directed by Michael Unger.


8:20PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST FEATURE PRESENTATION

Patrice Hamilton EXPOSURE (2007, 100 Minutes, Video)
EXPOSURE could be described as a portrait of an American neighborhood. This ensemble film depicts people who struggle with the idea that life is movement. You can spend a lot of time looking back or standing still, but do it too long and you could lose everything. When a tragedy occurs in the neighborhood, the characters in this feature film are forced to acknowledge what challenges they are trying to escape or overcome. Sometimes moving on is the hardest move to make.


10:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND FEATURE PRESENTATION 

Muhammad Ali Hasan RABIA (2007, 24 Minutes, 35mm)
A story about a woman who must blow herself up.

Michael Eldridge HOMELAND (2007, 95 Minutes, Video)
Upon completing his service in the Israel Defense Forces, Kobi Zucker needed to get away from the ongoing struggles of the Middle East. With memories of his tour of duty in the territories fresh in his mind, he comes to New York City on his way to South America. While working to earn money for his trip, Kobi meets the girl of his dreams. Beautiful and intelligent, Leila is everything that Kobi has ever wanted. But Leila is Palestinian, having come to New York from the West Bank with her family following the death of her oldest brother during the Intifada. Despite their differences, Kobi and Leila fall in love, but can this love overcome the ancient hatreds and unhealed wounds dividing Israelis and Palestinians?

Wednesday, March 26th

NewFilmmakers remembers the Triangle Fire on March 25, 1911.


6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS THIRD WORLD NEWSREEL PROGRAM

Third World Newsreel (TWN) is an alternative media arts organization that fosters the creation, appreciation and dissemination of independent film and video by and about people of color and social justice issues. It supports the innovative work of diverse forms and genres made by artists who are intimately connected to their subjects through common bonds of ethnic/cultural heritage, class position, gender, sexual orientation and political identification. TWN promotes the self-representation of traditionally marginalized groups as well as the negotiated representation of those groups by artists who work in solidarity with them. For more information, please visit www.twn.org.



8:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Joel Dunn ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE (2007, 13 Minutes, 35MM)
Brandon Harris EVANGELEO (2007, 22 Minutes, Video)
Jeff Pickett SNACKERS (2004, 11 Minutes, 16MM)
Ben Ginsburg CIRCUMCISE THIS! (2007, 10 Minutes, Video)



9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION

Karlos Alastruey ARDIA (2006, 13 Minutes, Video)
A sheep gets limp and is sent to the slaughterhouse. A boy with an uncommon way of interacting with reality is sent to an asylum

Charles Krezell MEDIUM HOT (2007, 86 Minutes, Video)
In a tribute to Haskell Wexler's 60’s MEDIUM COOL, Ethan and Mac take a road trip to Manhattan for the Republican National Convention. They plan to party, sleep in their car and make fun of the political process. But when they meet Naomi, a passionate political activist, they are introduced into the underground world of independent media. Ethan volunteers to work as a cameraman with Naomi to document the protests in the streets. Mac pairs off with another activist, Zee. They are quickly caught up in the chaos of the streets and question the police response. Mac is arrested and disappears in the criminal justice system. And Ethan finds himself alone on last day of the convention as the distance between his eye and the viewfinder shrinks, blurring the line between fact and fiction.




OUR SPRING 2008 SCHEDULE