NEWFILMMAKERS FALL 2009
NEWFILMMAKERS FALL FEST 2009
Join us when we start our fall season
with Five days of screenings
Tuesday, October 13thNewFilmmakers welcomes Women Behind the Lens Shorts and then we go back to our evil ways.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS WOMEN FILMMAKERS SERIES
Curated by Victoria Kerezi
EYE AM SERIES - www.eyeamvideo.blogspot.com. Experimental and documentary shorts made by women featuring the works of Naomi White, Oriana Fox, Alana Kakoyiannis, Akosua Adoma Owusu and others. Curator Victoria Kereszi is a photographer, filmmaker and educator living in Troy, NY. Her work celebrates the ways women represent the Self from within the margins.
CHAOS/PEACE SERIES. The work in this bill explores the various ways we process the chaos within that can stem from personal relationships, societal pressure and global concerns with different approaches ranging from the conceptual to the completely absurd. Artists include: Marianna Ellenberg, Hyung Sung, Liz Haley, Julie Perini, Cat Tyc, Victoria Fu, Virginia Valdes, Kitty Wells, Tara Jepson & Beth Lisick. Curator Cat Tyc is a video artist/director whose work has screened in a variety of places like the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Camac d’ Art in Paris, PDX Fest in Portland, the Kassel Experimental & Documentary Film Festival in Kassel, Germany and the High Energy Constructs gallery in Los Angeles.
If you would like to submit work to Eye Am, please email vkereszi@earthlink.net .
9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM SLAM
The Return Of A Favorite Program
Skyler Carkhuff MY FRIEND THE DEVIL (2009, 3 Minutes, Video)
We start the Program with a short film from perhaps the youngest filmmaker we have ever screened, 14 year old Skylar Carkhuff.Aaron Schimberg* SO FUCKING UGLY (2009, 4 Minutes, Video)
Raghunath Kale DOWN TO EARTH (2008, 8 Minutes, Video)
The Taj Hotels environmental video
Telly Ramos NEW SINCERITY (2009, 10 Minutes, Video)
Global warming and the end of the world, a comedy
Michael David Lynch BURDEN (2009, 10 Minutes, 35MM)
Earth on the brink of annihalation, not a comedy
Sande Shurin* MUSEUM SCANDALS (2008, 15 Minutes, Video)
Trendy Soho art gallery fundraiser
Michael Frost 3 STORIES ABOUT EVIL (2007, 22 Minutes, Video)
Family, media, and children’s beauty pageantsK. C, McLeod THE SNAKEHEAD (2008, 26 Minutes, Video)
When an infamous human smuggler in the heart of New York’s Chinatown loses two clients, or “snakes,” because of a cargo ship accident, she decides to track down those responsible, recoup her financial losses, and secure her reputation as a business woman not to cross.
Wednesday, October 21stNewFilmmakers hits the road.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Shannon Sonenstein TALKIN' WATER (2008, 38 Minutes, Video)
Four teenage girls embark on a life changing journey as they pick up cameras to search for truth in post-Katrina New Orleans. While exploring
issues of race, class, and community, the girls learn the importance of asking questions and, ultimately, the power of their own voices.
Nicole Tarver ATHENA (2009, 20 Minutes, Video)
A homeless ex prostitute with young daughters
7:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Andrew Ching FOR CEREAL LOVERS ONLY (2006, 1 Minute, 16MM)
Assal Ghawami BEISTAND IN BEDLAM (2009, 4 Minutes, Video)
Eunha Choi RED REVENGE (2009, 6 Minutes, Video)
Ryan Brown BROKEN SWELL (2008, 8 Minutes, Video)
Marie Tang THE BIRTHDAY GIFT (2009, 14 Minutes, Video)
Tekeshi Fukunaga K (2009, 13 Minutes, Video)
Cyd Katz DINNER FOR ONE (2009, 15 Minutes, Video)
Deborah Geffner GUITAR LESSONS (2009, 34 Minutes, Video)
9:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Jason Shahinfar CUT FROM HOME (2009, 84 Minutes, Video)
Sam and Dani are a young couple dealing with the usual ups and downs of a relationship. Things seem fine on the surface, but below a cheerful exterior something is missing. They wander around a small section of coastal Georgia with no apparent direction or destination. And while it is uncertain where they are going, it is clear that Sam does not want them to go back where they came from. Dani’s suggestions to go 'home' result in arguments--and a growing gap between them.
Monday, October 26th
NewFilmmakers and NewLatino Filmmakers present our annual Halloween Show.
LATIN HORROR cordially invite you to another special edition of the NewLatino Filmmakers Screening Series featuring the work of emerging Latino/a directors working within the genre of horror.
Join us from at 6:00 for complimentary refreshments in lobby, Short Films at 7:00, and Feature at 8:00.
Monday, November 2ndNewFilmmakers celebrates the American Election with AND THE WINNER IS … starring Jerry Springer.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SPECIAL 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.
7:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Paul Burke LAST THOUGHTS (2008, 4 Minutes, 16MM)
Phillip Cappe CREAKING OF THE DOOR (1996, 8 Minutes, Video)
Molly Donovan and Michael Vincent THE GRASS IS GREENER (2009, 17 Minutes, 8MM)
Kuniharu Abe RESPONSE (2009, 20 Minutes, Video)
Michael Borowiec DIRTY HANDS (2009, 23 Minutes, Video)
Chandra Pemmaraju MAY BEETLE (2009, 25 Minutes, Video)
9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Christina Grozik AND THE WINNER IS … (2009, 93 Minutes, Video)
A film crew is visiting the quaint Midwestern town of Centerville to film a piece about “small town politics”. Centerville is an amazing setting with its picture-perfect town square, “ma and pa” restaurants, 15 traffic lights, and friendly faces that say ‘hello’ as you pass them on the street. Unexpectedly, they encounter an astonishing change in the town's history. The mayor announces that he will not be running for re-election and instead they will elect their next mayor through a beauty pageant style event. Suddenly, Centerville becomes a place buzzing with enthusiasm as citizens embrace the idea, aspiring mayors throw their hats into the ring, and political campaigns are launched in anticipation of the Election Pageant. In the public eye, the candidates are charismatic, engaging, and out to make great change. Behind closed doors, hidden cameras catch temper tantrums, back stabbing, and jockeying for attention as the Election Pageant approaches. The Election Pageant is reminiscent of an “American Idol” show with Jerry Springer as master of ceremonies and the audience armed with electronic voting devices. The candidates boldly fight it out in categories such as “Handshaking”, “Photo Op”, and “Talent” in front of a live audience. When Jerry announces “and the winner is”, things take an even more bizarre turn in this telling story of American politics.
Wednesday, November 11thNewFilmmakers presents a night of art and comedy.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Edwin R. Martinez My Life, My Struggle: I am an Artist (2008, 26 Minutes, Video)
Three artists living in New York City in pursuit of their Photography, Fashion Design and Music facing personal and professional roadblocks.
Yelena Demikovsky* VERA: AN INTIMATE SKETCH (2009, 30 Minutes, Video)
This is a sensual piece on Vera Paviova, a Russian poet who makes her home both in Moscow and New York. Presented and created in a style of a poem, this documentary reveals Vera’s thoughts on love, life and poetry. The film is her monologue, tightly intertwined with readings of her poems that, as per Vera, explores connections between the body and soul, but make many critics call her an “erotic poet.” However, this is a “mark” that Vera refuses to accept. Shot in Moscow and New York, the film provides a personal glimpse of Vera Paviova, her creative process and thoughts, bringing the audience into her complex, sensual, charming world.
7:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Rebecca Gwynne* YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOVE ME (2009, 3 Minutes. Video)
Jessica Schoen POCKETS (2009, 6 Minutes, 16MM)
Paul Kamuf WINDOWS VISTA: PREDATOR EDITION (2009, 6 Minutes, 16MM)
Angela Chen MR. CUPCAKES (2009, 13 Minutes, 16MM)
Jeremy Pack THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKEN (2007, 24 Minutes, 16MM)
Yevgeniy Vaskevich PECHATNIKOFF ALLEY 3 (2009, 39 Minutes, Video)
9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Jerry Cavallaro STUCK LIKE CHUCK (2009, 86 Minutes, Video)
Stuck Like Chuck is a romantic comedy about friendship, love, college and the awkward situations that bring them all together.
Tuesday, November 24thNewFilmmakers discovers the meaning of life, but you have to pay $6 to find out.
6:00PMNEWFILMMAKERS MIDDLE EAST DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Bruce Barrett THE BILLBOARD FROM BETHLEHEM (2008, 63 Minutes, Video)
Writer, director, producer and editor Bruce Barrett delivers his debut film “The Billboard From Bethlehem,” a stunning and timely documentary about the owner of an American billboard company who engages Israeli soldiers and Palestinian resistance fighters. The film weaves poignant interviews, historical footage, powerful music, and stories of personal transformation into a vision for the Holy Land, climaxing when 100 Israeli and Palestinian children in the West Bank paint a giant “peace mural” billboard that visits a mosque, synagogue, and church before finally being posted on a busy American highway.
7:10PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Melanie Delloye JALOUSE (2008, 4 Minutes, 16MM)
Masha Froliak WORLD (2009, 6 Minutes, Video)
Matthew Gooley PAIR O' DICE (2006, 15 Minutes, Video)
Joanne Nerenberg BODY JOB (2008, 10 Minutes, Video)
Caryn Cline SEATTLE SOLSTICE (2008, 3 Minutes, 16MM)
Elkan Spiller MAMA L’CHAIM I (2009, 5 Minutes, Video)
Tony Sears THE PATH (2008, 13 Minutes, Video)
Lauren Kinsler WIDOW (2008, 16 Minutes, Video)
Peter Biegen CEREMONIES OF THE HORSEMEN (2008, 17 Minutes, Video)
8:45PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Ryan Balas* CARTER (2008, 80 Minutes, Video)
When Jebadiah Sminch was 17, he vowed to kill himself at age 25, if he wasn't Married by the time he was 23. On Saturday, Carter will be throwing a going away party for Jeb. The two days before the party, we find our two lead characters roaming the streets of a hip neighborhood in Queens, New York City, recalling childhood memories, day dreaming and spending time trying to figure everything out. 'Carter' is a character piece centered around Jeb and Carter, a twenty-something couple living together New York City. Their life as they know it comes to a screeching halt, and they have to choose between celebrating or just trying to forget about it. Jebadiah asks ' If life is meaningless, can we at least have the last laugh?'
Wednesday, November 25thNewFilmmakers presents our annual Thanksgiving Show without any turkeys. This year we present two new works in progress films. Your feedback will help their directors make better final films.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Joseph Alexandre Warriors of the Discotheque: The Starck Club Documentary (2008, 17 Minutes, Video)
Semyon Pinkhasov WHAT IF: THE HELENE MAYER STORY (2008, 47 Minutes, Video)
Helena Mayer was a German Jew who won the gold medal for Germany in the 1928 Olympics. In the early ’30s Mayer moved to the US after she was kicked out of a German fencing club because of her Jewish background. Yet when Nazi Germany asked her to represent the regime again in the 1936 Olympics, her agreement helped to whitewash Nazi racial policies. Why did she do it?
7:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Laura Klein THE FALLING OF THE BRIGHT (2008, 11 Minutes, 16MM)
THE FALLING OF THE BRIGHT tells the story of a pair of teenage siblings, Lilly & Lenny, struggling to celebrate Thanksgiving on their own after the loss of both parents.
Kathy Kol1a ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DIME (2009, 14 Minutes, Video)
When a young married couple gets stuck in debt, dollars and dimes are hard to come by. Taking advice from a wacky motivational speaker, however, could cause a turn for the worse.
8:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST WORK IN PROGRESS SCREENING
Jivko Darakchiev OS (2009, 26 Minutes, 16MM)
A boy leads a grieving French woman through a series of surreal circumstances where she is forced to make internal sacrifice and assuage her own consciousness. Will the child prevail or will the woman’s lustful and restless nature render his attempts to help useless? [ Followed by Discussion with the filmmaker ]
9:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS SECOND WORK IN PROGRESS SCREENING
Eric Fischer LAST DAY OF SIMON (2009, 90 Minutes, Video)
Simon Keenan is a young man with no direction in life. Working at a videogame store in his small suburb, Simon wastes time smoking pot and complaining. Only after his girlfriend dumps him and his mother kicks him out of the house does Simon realise that it is he who must make changes. Along the way Simon learns about the people in his town, the friends that he has, and even learns a little about who he really is. [ Followed by Discussion with the filmmaker ]
Tuesday, December 1stNewFilmmakers presents films with music including Pola Rapaport documentary about the musical HAIR and Timothy Swain’s feature BLACK & BLUE.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Pola Rapaport* HAIR: Let the Sun Shine In (2008, 55 Minutes, Video)
Since its overwhelming success on Broadway forty years ago, HAIR: Let the Sun Shine In has inspired generations with its messages of love, non-violence and liberation. This definitive and entertaining documentary highlights the continuing relevance of the show and its still radical, transformative power. In preparation for its fortieth anniversary, the show’s author and co-creator Jim Rado rehearses a troupe of young performers for a new production whose vibrant energy brings HAIR’s fantastic score to life once again. A wealth of archival footage covers US and international productions as well as conveys a portrait of an era, a generation and its politics. Original interviews and new segments feature Milos Forman, Keith Carradine, Ben Vereen, Melba Moore, author James Rado, composer Galt MacDermot, director Tom O’Horgan and others. With the US today again mired in a prolonged and unpopular war, HAIR inspires a new generation with its cry for peace, love and change.
7:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Ryan Brown FORTE (2008, 7 Minutes, Video)
A gifted janitor is consumed by his fears when given the chance to fulfill his dreams.
Matthew Sarnecki ROCK UNDER THE READ FLAG (2009, 25 Minutes, Video)
A portrait of the burgeoning underground Chinese music scene told via the first American rock band to tour extensively (and illegally) through China.
Handal Abdelrahim & Howie Rondinone GRAFFITI NATION (2009, 32 Minutes, Video)
Elements of Hip Hop from the Bronx to the World.
8:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Jill Maxcy BLACK & BLUE (2009, 92 Minutes, Video)
A talented but troubled 18 year old girl/musician is forced by circumstances beyond her control to live in the streets of Los Angeles, CA. Befriended by a group of young runaways, who make their living playing for small crowds on the Venice Beach boardwalk, and with the help of an aging blues artist looking for his own redemption, she finds that life and love can be found in the most unexpected places.
Wednesday, December 9thNewFilmmakers and NewLatino Filmmakers present Toshifumi Matsushita’s EL REGALO DE LA PACHAMAMA.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS AFRICAN DOCUMENTARY SERIES
About Colonialism
Akosua Adoma Owusu ME BRONI BA (My White Baby) (2008, 22 Minutes, 16MM)
Me Broni Ba is a lyrical portrait of hair salons in Kumasi, Ghana. The tangled legacy of European colonialism in Africa is revealed in images of women practicing hair braiding on discarded white baby dolls from the West.
Kaneng Lolang GREEN AGAINST THE DROUGHT (2008, 50 Minutes, Video)
A visual meditation on the issues troubling a young Nigerian, the film is an attempt to deconstruct the inherent colonial language and way of seeing oneself. It is a plea to a society that needs to self-reflect and self-address at a time in which it is increasingly distracted and sedated by incompatible examples. The film displays the hope that Nigerians will reason beyond their economic insecurities and consciousness of the backdrop of a supposedly superior western world.
7:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Jacob Mendel ESCHATOLOGY (2009, 7 Minutes, Video)
Sabine Asanger THE CAVE (2009, 10 Minutes, Video)
Ed Settle BLUE CITY RHAPSODY (2008, 15 Minutes, Video)
Isaac Burns AUNBERGINE (2009, 16 Minutes, Video)
Vincent Nero WHITE ZOMBIE (2009, 37 Minutes, Video)
9:15PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Toshifumi Matsushita EL REGALO DE LA PACHAMAMA (2008, 104 Minutes, Video)
In the Salar de Uyuni, where many families work with salt, there is a 13 year-old boy named Kunturi who lives a normal life, much like the others in his village. But he suffers when his Grandmother dies and his friend moves away so he experiments going on his first trip with the llama caravan. For three months he travels throughout the “RUTA DE LA SAL” exchanging salt for other products of the Andes, the altiplano and the valleys. In the snow covered peaks his father sacrifices his favorite llama. The boy does not understand his father’s action and distances himself. Kunturi’s lives and leans from these different experiences as he travels.
Wednesday, December 16thNewFilmmakers goes back to college.
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS FIRST SHORT PROGRAM
Brett Thompson SPAMMED (2009, 2 Minutes, Video)
Drew Nicholas MR. NICEGUY (2008, 10 Minutes, Video)
Rebecca Rojer BEAUTY MACHINE (2009, 13 Minutes, 16MM)
Josh Badham I LOOK FOR LOVE (2009, 20 Minutes, Video)
Richie Allan KNUCKS (2009, 21 Minutes, Video)
Rick Gutierrez SOMEWHAT DAMAGED (2009, 28 Minutes, Video)
7:45PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Josh Badham NO DICE (2009, 2 Minutes, Video)
Colin Rich THE COLUMBIA PROJECT (2009, 8 Minutes, Video)
Erika Yeomans* GRAND GORGE: NO GOD BUT ME (2008, 12 Minutes, Video)
Rebecca Conroy* FROM THE WOODS (2009, 18 Minutes, Video)
David Gutierrez Camps WATER IN THE BOAT (2009, 18 Minutes, Video)
Joel Neville Anderson INVERT THE VESSEL (2009, 33 Minutes)
9:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Igor Yankilevich UNTITLED CHAPTERS (2009, 72 Minutes, Video)
Untitled Chapters centers around a group of college kids who deal with modern day relationship problems. Isaac, a 20 year old college student dates Erin, a 32 year old aspiring actress. Veronica, an attractive white student dates D.C., an athletic African-American. In between this all, the mysterious character The Comic discuss life, love and death. Isaac is unprepared for a relationship with someone much older and relies on the advice of his best friend Gary to guide him through. Veronica, meanwhile is having a difficult time being with some of another race, although she doesn't explicitly say it.
Wednesday, December 23rd (Deren)NewFilmmakers celebrates Christmas. Ho Ho Ho
6:00PM NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES
About New York
Tal Shamir THE SPIRIT OF A SCHOOL (2009, 4 Minutes, Video)
New School University
Roxy Toporowych FOLK! (2008, 73 Minutes, Video)
'Folk!' opens the door to the unique, high-flying, and seemingly 'underground' world of Ukrainian folk dancing in present day New York City. A hysterical look at what its like to grow up in a Ukrainian-American community, once centered in the Anthology neighborhood, and keep ties to your heritage and culture in an increasingly modern world. When a legendary folk dance choreographer begins organizing a finale performance, her students past and present come back to the stage one last time.
7:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS ASIAN SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Jeevan Nathan HAPPY PLACE (2008, 10 Minutes, Video)
Jung Jin Lee NEVERTHELESS (2006, 12 Minutes, Video)
Alice Cox* ANA’S TIME (2007, 26 Minutes, 16MM)
8:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Hunter Nesbitt A CAFE WINDOW (2009, 13 Minutes, Video)
Leah Ramsay MOON OVER NEW YORK (2006, 23 Minutes, Video)
An American family in New York City at Christmastime.
Eric Johannsen IT TAKES A CULT (2009, 80 Minutes, Video)
A new feature version of the popular short we screened last year about a bizarre hippie cult, the Israel Family (aka, The Love Family). The communal religious movement born in Seattle grew to a tribe of nearly 300 men, women, and children. Raised in the Israel Family, Johannsen brings an intimate portrait of communal life and what drew them all together.
Wednesday, December 23rd (Courthouse)
NewFilmmakers celebrates Christmas in the Courthouse
NEWFILMMAKERS DOCUMENTARY SERIES
About Bees & Bottled water
6:00PM S Again PALACE OF HONEY (2008, 8 Minutes, Video)
Stephanie Soechtig TAPPED (2008, 79 Minutes, Video)
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig's debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water. From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never become a commodity: our water.
7:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Kelvin Bias ROOM X (2008, 8 Minutes, 16MM)
Christian Amundson OGOPOGO (2009, 15 Minutes, Video)
Marina Shron X-TINA (2009, 15 Minutes, Video)
John Larkin BILLY’S IN LOVE (2009, 20 Minutes, Video)
8:30PM NEWFILMMAKERS FEATURE PRESENTATION
Damian Bailey GANG GIRL (SURRENDER) (2007, 115 Minutes, Video)
A troubled teenage gang member from one of the toughest female gangs in NY is sent to a 'Scared Straight' program to meet the reformed leader who created it 25 years ago.
Wednesday, December 30th
Anthology Closed / No NewFilmmakers Program
* NewFilmmakers Alumni
