Indie Watch

IFASA NEWS

The January meeting of the Independent Filmmakers Association of Southern Arizona (IFASA) will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 8, at Access Tucson, 124 E. Broadway Blvd. It will feature a roundtable discussion on what IFASA should do for its members in the upcoming year. All local filmmakers are welcome to give their input on how IFASA can best serve the local film community. Everyone is welcome; there is no cost, and IFASA does not charge any dues.

IFASA held elections for its 2007 board of directors in December. The new Board: Patrick Roddy, president; Kim Braun, vice president; Debra Rollinson, treasurer; Alan Barley, secretary; and members-at-large Al Graham, Stephanie Joyce, Justin Kreinbrink, Dean Lachiusa and Larry Lain.

Contact IFASA president Brian Mulligan at 349-8249 or mclaff9@earthlink.net for additional information, or check www.ifasa.net.

TUCSONFILM.COM SHORTFEST

Starting on Jan. 1, submissions will be accepted for the Second Annual TucsonFilm.com ShortFest. There are no submission fees for Arizona filmmakers, but the festival will feature thousands of dollars in prizes. The ShortFest will be held in April; the date and location will be announced in February. Star Trek writer/producer Andre Bormanis will be the keynote speaker at the event. The final postmark deadline for submissions is March 24. Check www.tucsonfilm.com for complete information on submissions, etc.

LOCAL FILM AT SUNDANCE

Jonathan Pulley, a Tucson native and 2006 graduate of the UA media arts program, has had his senior-thesis film, Move Me, selected to be part of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The 16-minute film is one of 71 short films playing at the festival, chosen out of 4,445 submissions. The film was acted and produced by locals and UA alumni, with a major role by Pulley's father, John Pulley. It will screen five times between Jan. 19-28; it will also screen online as part of the Sundance Online Film Festival. Sundance runs Jan. 18-28. For further information and to confirm the screening times and locations, please contact Nate Buchik at movemefilm@gmail.com. Sundance information is available at festival.sundance.org/2007. Also, check out TQ&A in this week's issue.

EVENTS AT THE LOFT:

· First Friday Shorts: It's the monthly contest where local filmmakers pit their films against each other and the will of the audience, who can "gong" a film after three minutes. Each month's winner gets a $100 prize and moves on to face 11 other monthly winners at the End of the Year Showdown in May 2007. This year's grand prize is $500 and a red-carpet premiere screening of the winning film at the Loft; 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 5; $5. Hosted by local cartoonist and filmmaker Max Cannon of "Red Meat" fame.

· Buffy Sing-Along: The third Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sing-Along will feature two episodes, including the musical "Once More With Feeling" episode. Tickets are $5, and Buffy Goodie Bags are $3; 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13.

· The Magic Flute: Check out a special, one-time-only screening of a film of a New York Metropolitan Opera performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute, directed by stage director and filmmaker Julie Taymor, who directed The Lion King on Broadway; time TBA, Monday, Jan. 15; $18 general admission, $15 students, seniors and Tucson Film Society members.

· Gordy Hoffman in person: Gordy Hoffman--screenwriter of Love Liza and brother of the actor Philip Seymour Hoffman--will present his debut film, A Coat of Snow; 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 17; regular admission prices.

· Iskash*taa premiere: The Loft is scheduled to host the world premiere of Iskash*taa: An Invitation to Community on Wednesday, Jan. 31. This is a new documentary on the work of the Tucson-based Refugee Harvesting Network (RHN), and RHN founder Barbara Eiswerth will attend the screening. Somali Bantu music, food and crafts will be featured before the screening. Check www.iskashitaa.org for additional information; time and cost is TBA.

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.

MORE SCREENINGS

· Films at The Fox: The Fox Tucson Theatre is screening three films in January. They celebrate the first anniversary of the Fox's reopening with two screenings of The Wizard of Oz at 4 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6. On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Fox will show a film (title and time TBA) as part of the Dillinger Days celebration downtown. And on Saturday, Jan. 27, the Fox will screen Buster Keaton's classic The General with live piano accompaniment. Most tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students, seniors and active military personnel. They are available in advance at the box office at 17 W. Congress St., online www.foxtucsontheatre.org or at the door.

· Films at Monkey Box: Hadji Banjovi has his monthly screening from 8 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 18. He shows a diverse collection of 16-mm films (cartoons, burlesques, home movies, etc.). The Monkey Box is at 100 N. Stone Ave.; free.

· Indymedia: Arizona Indymedia regularly screens social and politically themed films; check www.arizona.indymedia.org for updates on what's showing.

· Dry River: The Dry River Radical Video Night Series runs the first and third Thursday of each month, at the Dry River Community Center, 740 N. Main Ave. All films are at 7 p.m. and are free. Check www.dryriver.org for screening information.

· Films at BICAS: The BICAS bicycle collective shows films the last Saturday of each month, following their community ride at 6 p.m. January's film is scheduled for 27th, and is TBA. BICAS is at 44 W. Sixth St. (turn off Ninth Avenue), and the phone number is 628-7950. There is no charge.

By Film...

By Theater...