Great article on the state of news

Here's an article that I ran across on Boing Boing about an insider's report on the state of news in this country. This details a lot of the reason behind why I made Filter, and what I feel is inherently wrong with the American news media.

http://www.technologyreview.com/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=19845

Longbaugh showtimes

The schedule of films has been posted and we're playing with Shorts 1. The showtimes are:

Friday, March 30th, 7:20pm - Laurelhurst Theater
Saturday, March 31st, 3:45pm - Living Room Theaters

Things are looking sketchy for us going up there as I've just started cutting another feature and we've still to finish up the Darfur piece. We shall see ...

Longbaugh accepts Filter

Just received word that the Longbaugh Film Festival in Portland, Oregon, has scheduled Filter as part of the 2007 lineup. Longbaugh is not your mainstream festival and prides itself in programming real independent films "that live and breathe not because some executive thought it would make a lot of money over Memorial Day weekend, but because someone had something deep down inside of them that they had to express. And in the process of making that expression-of reaching into their soul-they manage to touch the souls of other people." ... cool!

If there is one thing I've always said about Filter is that it is not a traditional film. It is more of a participation in a discussion about society and media. And in making the film we tried to have a number of layers for people to enjoy from the base story to the specific comments laced in the graphics. Not everyone may agree or wish to participate or explore the film, but those who have certainly do enjoy it.

The schedule hasn't been announced yet, but the dates are March 29th - April 1st. Stacey, Ozlo and I will be driving up to visit friends in Portland and have a great time at the festival. See you there ...

In the meantime, the festival website is http://www.longbaugh.com

1st place ... Rogue Ale

So it is indeed confirmed, I was trolling and came across the Barbary Coast Films website where they outlayed the winners of the Rogue Ale Short Film Festival. We took 1st place and are greatful for their consideration. Second place went to Edmund Heaven's The Organist and third to Brady Baltezore's The Country.

We also received a nice nod from Hilda Beltran who I ran across at BendFilm. Apparently she had run across someone who told her Filter was their favorite of the festival.

Rogue Ale update

So back to SF and I came to find out that I believe we won the Rogue Ale Short Film Festival. I have limited reports (on the phone while I was in Bend) that we walked out on top that evening. I think it would only be appropriate to share the wealth with the cast and crew that worked so hard. So here's to drinking up our riches ...

BendFilm update

So I've been busy in Bend, Oregon, enjoying the fine hospitality of the festival. They were truly gracious hosts and made sure the filmmakers had a great time. There was no pretense in the air and all of the filmmakers we're warm and chatty. Of course that may have been the free booze.

I was excited to learn that we received three extra screenings at the festival, including with the closing film. The Bend audience was exactly in line with the message of the film. At one screening, we received three rounds of applause and a hoot after all was said and done. I think they were ready for someone to put on the screen what has been on their minds.

I had a lot of fun with the cats I ran into on the plane heading into town: Todd Grossman (Men of Action), Drew Lindo (In the Details), Jesse Wheeler (Just), Bryan Nest (Til Death Do Us Part). And I can't forget to bust the balls of Mark Daviau (Searching For Mise en Place) for the wonderful job he did on the emerging technology panel. (He knows what I'm talking about.)

I tried my best to snap a few pics here and there and I've culled the best and tossed the rest. So here's a taste of BendFilm 2006.
BendFilm 2006 photos

MVFF opening

Went to the opening night for Filter at the Mill Valley Film Festival and am very happy with our reception. The audience was quite responsive to the film and at times clamoring at the content ... excellent! Had a great talk with a number of the filmmakers afterwards at the meet and greet. It was nice to see the diversity of stories that brought forth the films at the festival.

We also got to dig Cinematographers Style which has the greatest collection of cinematographers telling their collective story. There was no example footage intermixed, but the interviews themselves were simply beautiful.

And ... BEER!

The Rogue Ale Short Film Festival in San Francisco also has picked up Filter. It seemed like a fun festival that would be a great experience ... watching shorts and drinking beer. But ... it is on October 12th, the same day as the second screening of Mill Valley and the day I'm flying up to Bend, Oregon for their festival.

So, sadly, no beer for me that night ... at least at the Rogue Ale House. But please check it out. It's on the corner of Stockton and Union in North Beach and they have a great selection of handcrafted beers. Plus, since Filter's screening is at 9:45pm, you can go to both MVFF and the Rouge Ale House! (I know I would, and not just because I'm the director.) If you want to see the whole program (or get a seat) then the show starts at 8pm.

And off to Brazil ...

Just received word that the 30th São Paulo International Film Festival has invited Filter to screen. The festival runs from October 20th to November 2nd in one of the world's largest cities. Especially a bonus for our grip Bruno Ewald who comes from just south of São Paulo.

Festival links -- Updated

Here are the links to the Mill Valley and BendFilm festival pages:

Mill Valley - description of the selection of short films titled Truth Be Known.
Showtimes are Friday the 6th at 5pm at the Sequoia;
and again Thursday the 12th at 5pm at Rafael.

BendFilm - general festival page.
Filter is playing on Friday the 13th with The Slanted Screen at 3:30pm at the McMenamins #2;
and again on Saturday the 14th with The Damnedest, Finest Ruins at 10:30am at the Regal Cinemas.

The pages have good descriptions of the programs and links to buy tickets. The BendFilm links in to the general page. You'll have to navigate through to the Documentary section for the two films.

I've adjusted my schedule to make it to as many film events as possible. Unfortunately that means I have to miss the second MVFF screening to make my way to Bend. Bend is an all-weekend affair but I'm ducking out on the 15th to make it back home to Ozlo (the new baby).