Indie Watch

SHORTFEST STREAMING VIDEO

Local filmmaker and musician Timothy Gassen has launched a free streaming video channel featuring work from the TucsonFilm.com ShortFest. The 3 1/2 hours of material currently available includes films from last April's ShortFest, new submissions and films by Gassen's Purple Cactus media production company. Films are available online as Flash video at www.tucsonfilm.com.

The next TucsonFilm.com ShortFest will be in April 2007; submission guidelines can also be obtained from www.tucsonfilm.com.


NALIP WANTS YOU!

Ben Lopez from the local chapter of the National Association of Independent Latino Producers (NALIP) has issued a casting call for two local productions. They need extras for a party scene for the comedy Sex, Drugs and Money, to be filmed in mid- to late-August. Also needed are Spanish-speaking actors for the feature film La Venganza, in September. Address queries and résumés to Ben at ben.lopez@vientofuego.com.

NALIP is also hosting the Latino Producers Academy, an "intensive 10-day professional-development workshop for Latino producers and directors." The academy runs Aug. 8-18 in various spots around Tucson. For more information, contact Ben, or check www.nalip.org.


FILMWEST WORKSHOPS

The FilmWest Professional Filmmakers Workshop series continues in late July and August with five Saturday workshops: "Video and Audio Villages for Set and Location" on July 29; "Managing Craft Services and Catering" on Aug. 5; "Introduction to Stunts" on Aug. 12; "Transportation, Location and Production Management" on Aug. 19; and "How I Got Fired and Set Protocol" on Aug. 26. This is an ongoing series of workshops designed to increase the number of qualified production personnel in Arizona. The series is being held at Old Tucson Studios, 201 S. Kinney Road. Registration questions can be directed to Elizabeth Lohman at filmwestworkshops@earthlink.net. Contact Frances Causey at 990-8172 for additional information; for information on Old Tucson Studios, check www.oldtucson.com.


EVENTS AT THE LOFT

· Crisis screening: The Southern Arizona Society of Professional Journalists is presenting a screening of the 2005 documentary on media manipulation and "spin" Our Brand Is Crisis at noon on Sunday, July 30. A post-screening discussion will be held with ex-Arizona Gov. Raul Castro and Paul Eckerstrom, former head of the Pima County Democratic Party. $10.

· First Friday Shorts: Tucson cartoonist Max Cannon ("Red Meat") hosts the First Friday Shorts film contest at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4. Winners receive a $100 prize and automatic entry in the End of the Year Showdown in May 2007. $5.

· Stuart Gordon: Famed horror filmmaker Stuart Gordon will be at the Loft on Friday, Aug. 18, to screen two films. New film Edmond (with William H. Macy) will screen at 7 p.m., and his 1985 film Re-Animator will screen at 10 p.m. Edmond is $10 general admission or $8 for Tucson Film Society members; Re-Animator is $5.

· Lance Weiler: Indie filmmaker Lance Weiler of The Last Broadcast fame will be at the Loft at 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, to screen his new film, the psychological horror thriller Head Trauma. $5.

· Lord of the Rings Trilogy Middle Earth Marathon: The Loft will screen all three of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, starting at noon, on Saturday, Aug. 26. Admission is $10.

The Loft Cinema is at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call 795-7777 or check www.loftcinema.com for a full schedule of films and events and further information.


OTHER SCREENINGS

Films at BICAS: The BICAS bicycle collective shows films the last Saturday of each month. There is a community ride at 6 p.m., followed by a film that always features a bicycle, around 7:30. The Linguini Incident will screen on Saturday, July 29; August's film is TBA. BICAS is at 44 W. Sixth St., and the phone number is 628-7950. There is no charge.

Cine Mariachi: The Fox Tucson Theatre is presenting three films on Sunday, July 30 as part of the 25th Anniversary of the Tucson International Mariachi Conference: El Mariachi Canta, Rogaciano El Huapanguero and Dos Tipos de Cuidado. Tickets are $10 for individual films or $25 for all three, and include live music. Tickets can be purchased at the Fox box office at 17 W. Congress St. or through Ticketmaster. The films screen at 2:30, 4:30 and 7 p.m. Check www.tucsonmariachi.org for further information.

Films at Monkey Box: The Monkey Box's next monthly screening takes place 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17. Hadji Banjovi will show more films from his 16-mm collection of home movies, educational films, miscellaneous obscure reels, etc., at no charge. The Monkey Box is at 100 N. Stone Ave.; 623-3500.

Films at Dry River: The Arizona Indymedia Center generally screens films twice a month at the Dry River Collective. The Dry River Info Shop recently moved to 740 N. Main St. Films are usually the first and third Thursday of each month; check www.arizona.indymedia.org and www.dryriver.org for film listings and a calendar of all events.


IFASA MEETING

August's monthly meeting of the Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona (IFASA) features a talk by screenwriter Steve Barancik. A film and TV professional since 1992, his credits include The Last Seduction, No Good Deed, Domino and the upcoming Killshot with Diane Lane and Mickey Rourke. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7, at Access Tucson, 124 E. Broadway Blvd. Contact IFASA president Brian Mulligan at 349-8249 or mclaff9@earthlink.net for additional information.

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