Indie Watch

FILMMAKER MIXER

The Arizona Production Association is holding its fourth annual Spotlight on Tucson Film Community Mixer from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 6, at Gentle Ben's Brewing Company. Anyone who works in film, television or theater is invited to come and meet others in their respective fields. Other local film organizations will be represented, including the Tucson Film Office, the Arizona International Film Festival, the Loft Cinema, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers and the Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona.

Gentle Ben's is at 865 E. University Blvd. For more information, visit the association's Web site or send e-mail.


CASTING CALL

Tucson's VientoFuego Productions is currently casting for Amor de Lejos (Love From Afar), a feature film that will be shot in Southern Arizona. The producers are currently looking for Spanish-speaking actors age 18 to 35. The film, a dark romantic comedy, will be shot during June and July. Résumés and headshots can be sent by e-mail, or by snail mail to VientoFuego Productions, 1371 E. Louisiana Drive, Tucson, AZ 85706. For additional information, e-mail Ben Lopez, or check the company's Web site.


SENIOR THESIS FILMS

UA's School of Media Arts has its 2008 BFA Thesis Films screening at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 16, at the Fox Tucson Theatre. The annual event, dubbed "I Dream in Widescreen," will screen 12 films by seniors graduating out of the UA Bachelor of Fine Arts program. All but one of the films were shot in and around Tucson using local cast and crew. "I Dream in Widescreen" is made possible by the Fox Tucson Theatre, the UA College of Fine Arts Small Grants Program, the School of Media Arts and the Hanson Film Institute. The Loft Cinema is the official media sponsor for the event. The doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Fox Tucson Theatre is at 17 W. Congress St., and this event is free. For more information, e-mail Jill Bean or call 626-1405, or visit the school's Web site.


THE LOFT AT CINEMA LA PLACITA

Downtown's weekly outdoor film screening, Cinema La Placita, kicks off its ninth season at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 1. Now officially dubbed The Loft at Cinema La Placita, the event offers screenings of classic films every Thursday night from May through October. Opening night will feature a doubleheader of Duck Soup by the Marx Brothers and the motorcycle road-trip comedy Wild Hogs. For a full schedule of films, recorded information is available at 326-5282, or check the La Placita Web site. 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 on the southwest corner of Broadway Boulevard and Church Avenue. Parking is available at the La Placita parking garage between Stone Avenue and Church, just south of Broadway. There is no admission fee, but donations are encouraged.


CALL FOR FESTIVAL FILMS

The fourth annual Tucson Film and Music Festival is now accepting entries. Organizers are looking for features, shorts, documentaries and music videos with a music and/or an Arizona/Southwest focus or aspect. The festival will take place Aug. 30 through Sept. 3. For entry details and submission information, go to the festival Web site.


STREAMING VIDEO

Several hours of free streaming video from the TucsonFilm.com ShortFest is now online, featuring short films from 2005 through 2008. Go to the TucsonFilm.com Web site to check it out.


AMY RUDE VIDEO DEBUT

Local musician Amy Rude's CD-release party gets underway Plush at 9:30 p.m., Friday, May 23, and will include the debut screening of a new music video for her song "Heartbeast." The "Heartbeast" video was filmed and edited by local filmmaker Daniela P. Ontiveros, in collaboration between Access Tucson and Pan Left Productions. Band of Annuals and Golden Boots are also slated to perform.


EVENTS AT THE LOFT

• The First Friday Shorts End of the Year Showdown takes place at 9 p.m., Friday, May 2. Winners from the previous 12 months will compete for the $500 grand prize, and the normal monthly contest will take place afterward; $5.

• Movies With Mom: A Mother's Day screening of the 1939 classic The Women, featuring an all-female cast of 135, happens at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 11; $5.

The Gay Bed and Breakfast of Terror! Writer/director Jaymes Thompson and stars Lisa Block-Wieser and Mari Marks will be at the screening of the camp/horror film at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 15; $5.

• Tucson 48 Hour Film Shootout: Twenty-five teams have 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a film, based on a topic given to them just before shooting starts. The shootout starts at 6 p.m., Friday, May 23, and ends exactly 48 hours later. The grand prize is $500, with the awards screening occurring on Thursday, June 12. Rules and entry forms are available at the Loft box office or at the shootout Web site. The first 25 teams to apply get the available slots; it costs $50 to enter, or $40 for Loft and the Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona members.

Aren't You Even Gonna Kiss Me Goodbye? Director William Richert and star Meredith Salenger will be at the Loft to screen the 1986 film, starring River Phoenix, at 7 p.m., Friday, May 30; regular admission prices.

• Essential Cinema screens a new print of Werner Herzog's Aguirre: The Wrath of God at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 4, and 7 p.m., Monday, May 5. Essential Cinema screenings are free, but donations are encouraged.

The Loft Cinema is at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call 795-7777 or check the Loft Web site for a full schedule and further information.

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