HOWE GELB AT MOCA
Bill Carter, a Bisbee-based filmmaker (Miss Sarajevo), photographer and author (Fools Rush In, Red Summer) will be interviewing local music icon Howe Gelb (Giant Sand, Band of Blacky Ranchette) at the Museum of Contemporary Art at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18. This free-flowing discussion exploring Gelb's creative process is part of the MOCA Lit series. Gelb is one of MOCA's "Local Genius" award winners. Admission is free for MOCA members, and $5 for nonmembers, at 149 N. Stone Ave. Visit the MOCA Web site for more information.
CASTING CALLS
Tucson's VientoFuego Productions is casting a dark romantic comedy feature film that will be shot in Tucson and Southern Arizona in December and January. The producers are currently looking for male actors age 18 to 30, and female actors age 18 to 35. Theater experience and Spanish-language skills are highly desired but not a prerequisite. Résumés and headshots can be sent by e-mail to VientoFuego Productions.Separately, horror-film star Tiffany Shepis (Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula, Good Boy) will make her directorial debut with the horror-comedy The Devil's Pies, which will be shot in Tucson in January. Auditions will be held on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6. Send headshots and résumés by e-mail for audition appointments and more information. This will be a Screen Actors Guild modified low-budget film. Producers are Tucsonans Brian McLaughlin (Red 71) and Jeremy Womac (Trade In).
IFASA MEETING AND ELECTIONS
The December meeting of the Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona (IFASA) will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 1, at Access Tucson, 124 E. Broadway Blvd. The speaker will be Justin Kreinbrink, who will talk about scheduling a feature film. In addition to directing The Decoy and assistant-directing Trade In, he has been hired to schedule nine feature films, with budgets up to $50 million.Next year's IFASA officers and board members will also be elected at this meeting. All paid members are strongly encouraged to attend and vote. If you would like to run for one of the positions, write to president@ifasa.net. You can also add yourself to the ballot at the December meeting. Visit the IFASA Web site for more info, or e-mail with any questions.
FINAL CUT PRO MEETING
The Tucson Final Cut Pro Users Group will meet Monday, Dec. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the UA Media Arts Marshall Building, 845 N. Park Ave., Room 211. For a complete schedule and directions, go to Users Group Web site.
BEST OF THE FEST
The Tucson Film and Music Festival presents the Best of the Fest from Dec. 12-14 at the Screening Room, 127 E Congress St. Selections were screened at the festival in October and include A Deal Is a Deal, Full Moon Lightnin' and selections from the Music Videorama, including videos from Radiohead, Dengue Fever, INTERPOL, Greyboy Allstars, Tucson's the Mission Creeps and more. For tickets, showtimes and more information, go to the festival Web site. Tickets are $5.
TUCSON: SR77 COMPETITION
Upstairs Film, which produced the Tucson Film and Music Festival, has an open call for entries for the Tucson: SR77 competition. According to Upstairs Film, "Tucson: SR77 challenges Southwestern filmmakers to produce a short film that captures the creative heart and soul of Tucson. Submissions are free and the winning entries will be showcased at a 'Best of the Fest' special screening or as part of the TFMF festival in 2009." Films must be no longer than five minutes, and the deadline for submission is Jan. 15, 2009. For full information on how to submit, send e-mail. Photos from the previous TFMF are on the festival Web site.
EVENTS AT THE LOFT
• David Lean's Oscar-winning 1957 classic, The Bridge on the River Kwai, plays at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 30; $5.• Cartoonist Max Cannon hosts First Friday Shorts, which happens the first Friday of each month. Local filmmakers are encouraged to bring their short films and videos for a public screening. Submissions must be shorter than 15 minutes and on DVD, VHS or mini-DVD. Each month's winner gets $200 and moves on to the Year End Showdown in May, which has a $1,000 prize; 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5; $5.
• Psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips star in and provide all the music for the film Christmas on Mars: A Fantastical Film Freakout, playing Dec. 5-11 at 10 p.m. ; $5.
• Essential Cinema presents Jacques Tati's Playtime at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, and 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8; free.
• The All Souls International Film Festival "serves as a forum for people from all cultures to actively explore the phenomena of death through cinema. Expect one-of-a-kind shorts, animations and other experiments regarding themes of ancestry, global rituals and festivals relating to death, grief, loss, and rebirth." The event includes special performances by David Wright (Not Breathing) at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, and Glenn Weyant (SonicAnta) at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11; $8 each night.
• The Massive Movie Musical Sing-Along features karaoke-style show-tune belting and a costume contest at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13; $5.
• The Festivus for the Rest of Us celebration returns at 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, with a Bad Sweater Parade, an Airing of Grievances, a Bad Festivus Gift Exchange and a 10 p.m. screening of Gremlins; $8, or $5 to see Gremlins only.
The Loft Cinema is at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call 795-7777 or check the Loft Web site for a full schedule of films and events, and for further information.
