APA MIXER
The Arizona Production Association is holding its third annual Spotlight on Tucson Film Community Mixer from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 1. Anyone who works in film, television or theater is invited to come and meet others in their respective fields. Several other local film organizations will be represented, including the Tucson Film Office, the Arizona International Film Festival, the Tucson Film Society, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers and the Independent Filmmakers Association of Southern Arizona. IFASA will not be holding its usual monthly meeting, so members can attend the mixer. It takes place at Gentle Ben's Brewing Company, 865 E. University Blvd.; there is no charge. For more information, contact Sarah Sher by e-mail, or visit the association Web site.
BACK ALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
The ninth annual Back Alley Film Festival returns to Tucson on Saturday, May 26. The festival screens independent films from the United States and around the world. It's an outdoor festival that projects films onto a 30-by-50-foot screen painted on the side of a building off Fourth Avenue. The free festival is held in the parking lot behind Bison Witches Bar and Deli, 326 N. Fourth Ave., from 7 p.m. until midnight. For further information, e-mail Back Alley or check the festival Web site.
CINEMA LA PLACITA RETURNS
The weekly outdoor Cinema La Placita kicks off its eighth season at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 3. Cinema La Placita screens classic films every Thursday night from May through October. The opening film is the Marlon Brando biker classic The Wild One on May 3, followed by Some Like It Hot on May 10, The Third Man (an Indie Watch favorite) on May 17, Funny Face on May 24 and Can't Buy Me Love on May 31. Chairs are available, but filmgoers are also welcome to bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Alcohol is not permitted on the La Placita plaza.La Placita Village is located downtown, at Broadway Boulevard and Church Avenue. Parking is available in the La Placita parking garage between Stone Avenue and Church, just south of Broadway. There is no admission fee, but donations are greatly appreciated. Recorded information is available at 326-5282; e-mail or check the Web site for more information.
GADABOUT FILM FESTIVAL
Tucson's Dry River Collective presents the Gadabout Traveling Film Festival starting at 6 p.m., Friday, April 27. According to the festival Web site: "Independent in every sense, these films share the same willingness to challenge the conventions set for filmmaking. The Gadabout is a distribution avenue for truly indie filmmakers that distrust Hollywood and the commercial film festival circuit." More than 20 short films from around the world will be shown; there will also be acoustic music by Eric Ayotte and an art show.Dry River is at 740 N. Main St.; there is a suggested donation of $5. Check the festival Web site and the Dry River Web site for more information.
JOHN WAYNE AT OLD TUCSON STUDIOS
A locally produced documentary on John Wayne and his body of work that was shot at Old Tucson Studios, John Wayne's Life and Legacy at Old Tucson Studios, debuts at Old Tucson on Saturday, May 26. The film was made by Frances Causey, the film manager of Old Tucson, and is narrated by the legendary Robert Shelton, the longtime owner of Old Tucson. It includes rare Wayne photos from the Old Tucson archives and interviews with his friends and cohorts here in Tucson. The film will screen at the Grand Palace Saloon at 11 a.m., and replay throughout the day.Old Tucson is located at 201 S. Kinney Road; regular admission is $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for children 4-11. For further information, visit the Old Tucson Web site.
MENTOR LUNCHEON
At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 4, the UA's Department of Media Arts is holding its fourth annual Film and Television Interns in the Industry Luncheon. The guest of honor will be Jim Arnold, vice president and general manager of KOLD Channel 13, who is receiving the department's Mentor of the Year Award. The luncheon honors companies and industry professionals who support the media arts student-internship program. Seats are available for $35, or $500 for a table. For information or to reserve a space, call 621-4373. The luncheon will take place at the UA's Student Union, in the Tucson/Catalina rooms on the second floor.
EVENTS AT THE LOFT
· Fight Club screenwriter: At 8 p.m., Friday, April 27, Jim Uhls, screenwriter of Fight Club, will visit the Loft. He will discuss his work on Fight Club and forthcoming 1projects, and he will do a Q&A following a screening of the film; $5.· First Friday Shorts End-of-the-Year Showdown: At 9 p.m., Friday, May 4, all 12 previous winners from the monthly screenings will be shown, and the audience will vote for the yearly overall winner. The grand prize is $500; the winning film will get a red-carpet premiere, and will be screened before a regular feature at the Loft for at least a week. The regular First Friday Shorts screening will be held following the awarding of the grand prize; $5.
· Inland Empire: David Lynch's new film Inland Empire opens at the Loft on Friday, May 11. The Loft will be the only theater in Arizona screening this film. See the Loft Web site for showtimes.
· The Found Footage Film Festival: At 8 p.m. on Monday, May 21, film archivists Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher bring their collection of found films to the Loft. Materials include films scavenged from Dumpsters, thrift stores and yard sales; regular admission prices apply, and DVD copies will be available.
The Loft Cinema is located at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call 795-7777 or check the Loft Web site for a schedule of films and events, and further information.
