Mobifest Screening at EIFF

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) September 30, 2006 – Mobifest, the world’s largest independent mobile film festival, will screen more than fifty made-for-mobile movies – each under one-minute in length – Sunday, October 1, 2006, from 4:00 to 6 PM, at the Princess II Theatre, 10337-82 Avenue, part of the Edmonton International Film Festival.

In addition to showcasing the winning entries from this year’s Mobifest Mobile Film Festival, the event will preview the mobile serial or "mobisode", The History of Hooch, by Genie Award-winning director, David Ostry.

“Mobile movie making is just like finger painting,” says Ostry. “I get to have fun with a new medium where anything is possible”. Ostry has won numerous awards for his short films, including his most recent Milo 55160. Named by Playback Magazine as “One of the 10 to Watch for in 2006”, he is currently in post-production on the comedy feature, Mr. Gibb, for Kevin Spacey’s Trigger Street Independent.

The screening will be preceded by a discussion with Edmonton Film Festival Chair, Mieko Ouchi, and Mobifest winner, Harley Hay. Hay who is from Red Deer, Alberta won Mobifest’s “Best of Festival” Award for his comedic short, Regurgitation. Duncan Kennedy, Executive Producer of Mobifest, hosts the discussion.

TICKETS:
Tickets to the Mobifest screening are $15 at the door. Reel Deal passes will be honoured. Phone 780-423-0844 or visit http://www.edmontonfilmfest.com for more details.

WHERE TO SEE MOBILE MOVIES:
Winning entries and audience picks from this year’s Mobifest Mobile Film Festival can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.mobifest.ca.

ABOUT MOBIFEST:
Mobifest is Canada’s first mobile film festival. Launched in 2006, it recognizes excellence and innovation in made-for-mobile filmmaking. The festival has two components: an interactive Website where audiences can vote on their favourite mobile movies, and an awards ceremony. This year’s festival, sponsored by Palm, received over 300 submissions from 15 countries and generated over 100 million media impressions. Mobifest is a trademark of Mobigardens Corporation.

ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HOOCH:
The History of Hooch is a mobile serial or “mobisode”, which is co-produced by Shane Kennedy of Edmonton's Lone Pine Publishing and Duncan Kennedy of Mobigardens Corporation, and supported by Telefilm New Media.

Audience Casting Call: A Total Write-Off

From an AMPIA e-mail:

Audience Casting Call
A new half hour variety show entitled: "A Total Write-Off" with host Barbara North

LOCATION/TIME:
Saturday, September 30th,2006
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Transalta Arts Barns, Studio B
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The shows will be taped in Edmonton in front of a live studio audience from October 9 - 15.

CONTACT:
Panacea Entertainment
780.490.1220

U of Alberta Gateway Interviews Nathan Fillion

Meghan Potkins, a reporter with the University of Alberta newspaper, The Gateway, recently interviewed Edmonton-born Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Serenity, Slither.) He speaks about attending University, doing improv, and return visits to Edmonton.

From the interview:

“If I’ve got a giant shopping cart full of groceries and someone comes behind me with only three items and I let them go ahead rather than wait for me, people are so taken aback. It makes me feel great, but it also kind of disheartens me to know that someone would be so taken aback when you just [show] common courtesy,” Fillion explains. “Canadians aren’t afraid to be kind. They’re not afraid to be polite. They’re not offended by everything. It just seems to be more relaxed and easygoing.”

Still, Fillion will probably remain in LA for the time being while he pursues new projects. He has just completed work on an independent film called Waitress with actress Keri Russell, and White Noise: The Light, which will be released sometime in January.

Although Fillion enjoys the challenge of taking on new roles, he hasn’t forgotten the project that first introduced him to wider audiences, and most importantly, he hasn’t forgotten where he got his start. With a few films under his belt and no end to acting in sight, Fillion will always find the time to return home to Edmonton at least twice a year, whether it means reacquainting himself with the Fringe stage, or dropping in to local classrooms to speak about his achievements.

“My best friend from school teaches [in Edmonton]. I go talk to his drama classes all the time when I come back during the school year. My family brings me back. This is where I’m from.”

Check out the rest of the interview at The Gateway.

McCulloch to attend CIFF’s Gala Presentation of Comeback Season

From the CIFF press release:

Calgary, AB – Alberta’s Bruce McCulloch (director of Dog Park, Superstar and Stealing Harvard) will be in attendance at the Western Canadian Premiere Gala presentation of his newest film, Comeback Season, on Saturday, September 23, during the 2006 Calgary International Film Festival.

A cheating husband and an injured high school football star both try to make the most of second chances in Bruce McCulloch's marital comedy Comeback Season. Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) stars as Walter Pearce, whose confession of infidelity gets him kicked out of the house. Embittered, Ray’s wife rallies her daughters, destroys Walter’s possessions and empties the joint-accounts.

After a night of misbehaving, Walter finds himself sharing a jail cell with Skylar Eckerman (Shaun Sipos, also seen in Mel Gibson’s Complete Savages), the town’s football star who has recently been sidelined by a knee injury. Despite a troubled history, a truce is established and the men end up as roommates. Their shared experience allows them to overcome their challenges of injury and a broken family.

Starring with Liotta and Sipos in Comeback Season are Glenne Headly (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Rachel Blanchard (Road Trip) and Brooke Nevin (Strange Days.)

Comeback Season shot on location in Calgary and Edmonton in the late spring of 2005.

Comeback Season is written and directed by Bruce McCulloch who, in addition to his award winning work with “The Kids in the Hall,” has directed Dog Park, Superstar and Stealing Harvard. The producers are Susan Cavan (Stealing Harvard, Superstar) and Shirley Vercruysse (Radiant City, A Problem With Fear.)

Comeback Season will be screened at the CAMERA Gala on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at the Uptown Stage & Screen at 7:00pm. Gala Reception to follow at Hotel Arts, 119 - 12th Ave S.W.

The 2006 Calgary International Film Festival will run from September 22 – October 1, 2006, at select theatres.

For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com.

Cold Case Star Talks About Alberta Visit

Cold Case star Kathryn Morris recently commented on part of her experience in Alberta to film Resurrecting the Champ:

I did a movie this summer, which was incredibly fun, and when I had days off I drove around Calgary (Alberta), to these small towns, and people were approaching me and saying, "What are you doing here all by yourself? Why is Lilly Rush in Calgary?" They couldn't wrap their minds around the fact that I brought my camera and took pictures of Lake Louise, with no tourists to ruin the shot. I had on a pink jacket, and they were all saying, "Why is Lilly Rush wearing a pink jacket?" Someone said, "You look really nice in that; why don't you wear it on the show?" The look of our show is a lot of navy and gray; that's the palette, so these people couldn't conceive of me in pink. But I liked it.

Full article at the Witchita Eagle.

Photo: CBS.com

Mini-Series Wounded Knee Seeks Extras

The production of the mini-series Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is seeking more extras.

The show needs male amputees — both arm and leg amputees, who are ages 18 to 60 — to play dead soldiers.

The cast includes Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall, Third Watch), Anna Paquin (X2: X-Men United, Almost Famous), and Adam Beach (Windtalkers, Skintalkers.)

LOCATION/TIME:
September 23, 2006
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Radison Hotel
2120, 16th Ave. NW
Calgary, Alberta

Source: Calgary Sun

Cash Crunch Threatens Global Visions Film Festival

Vue Weekly reports on the 25th anniversary of the Global Visions Film Festival and how the lack of once-available federal grants have provided planning difficulties for this year's festival:

“We need $25 000,” explains Laskiwsky, the producer of Global Visions, although he notes with a wry laugh that the number may drop slightly, mostly because “we’re all working for nothing at this point.”

Despite dire and alarmist reports in the local media (a recent Edmonton Journal story on the festival sported the headline “the canary is dead”), Laskiwsky can confirm that the festival will not be cancelled outright because of budgetary shortfalls.

“We’re moving ahead—we had a board meeting last night and we still feel that we have to put this on somehow,” he reiterates, explaining that a number of circumstances have led to the festival’s current woes.

“There are several factors influencing our finances,” Laskiwsky explains. “One is growing pains: two years ago we had a 60 per cent increase in attendance so we had to develop a larger infrastructure and we need bigger venues, so it costs more to produce the festival.

“Another factor is that this year the Canada Council decided not to fund us,” he continues. “For the last three years they’ve given us $20, 000 [per year], and for the two years before that it was a little less.”

Laskiwsky comments on corporate sponsorship of the festival as well:

“Documentary films, in general, are controversial, and films that deal with social or environmental issues are even more controversial, so we don’t really attract huge corporate sponsors, so we are looking at local small businesses and people who care about their community,” he says, adding that he still remains optimistic that the financial challenges faced by the festival will be overcome.

You can read the rest of the article at this link.

Garage Sale Fundraiser:

LOCATION/TIME:
September 21 - 23
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Garage Sale Fundraiser
8217 - 151 Street (Lynnwood Area)
Edmonton, Alberta

CONTACT:
http://www.globalvisionsfestival.com/

Global Visions Festival
#202, 10138 81 Ave
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T6E 1X1
780-414-1052
info@globalvisionsfestival.com

2006 Calgary International Film Festival Begins Tomorrow

7th Annual Calgary International Film Festival to kick off Friday, September 22, 2006

Calgary, AB – Canada’s fourth largest film festival, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF), will kick off on Friday, September 22, 2006, and run until Sunday, October 1, 2006.

The 2006 Festival officially begins with the Gala presentation of The Journals of Knud Rasmussen on Friday, September 22 at 7:00pm at the Uptown Stage & Screen. The Journals of Knud Rasmussen is written and directed by Norman Cohn and Zacharias Kunuk, the same filmmaking team known for their critically acclaimed, multi-award winning feature film, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner).

With a record number of almost 1,000 submissions, CIFF boasts a line-up of 412 titles including features, documentaries and shorts. Films screening at CIFF fall under 19 separate categories including Canadian FilmWorks, American Independent, Contemporary World Cinema, and the Films for Family series. Special series also include a Spotlight on India and a celebration of Québécois filmmaking, with the Québec Spotlight.

This year’s festival brings several new initiatives such as the debut of Cowboy Cool: a special series of talks and events designed to pay homage to the Western genre and the Alberta film industry. In conjunction with the Cowboy Cool initiative, CIFF inaugurates Into the Western, a yearly retrospective screening series designed to showcase the rich cinematic heritage of the Western genre.

The Gala events begin on the Festival’s opening night, Friday, September 22, with the LIGHTS Gala featuring The Journals of Knud Rasmussen by filmmakers Norman Cohn and Zacharias Kunuk . On Saturday, September 23, the CAMERA Gala will focus on Comeback Season, directed by Bruce McCulloch and starring Ray Liotta. CIFF’s ACTION Gala on Wednesday, September 27, will be a presentation of The Last Door starring Andy Garcia, Frances O’Connor, and Angela Bassett in a psychological drama that prominently features scenes shot in Alberta. Saturday, September 30 will see the party to end all parties with CIFF’s Closing Ceremonies event and the WRAP PARTY Gala. Four films will make up the WRAP PARTY Gala including Volver, acclaimed director Pedro Almodóvar’s newest film starring Penélope Cruz; Snow Cake, a Marc Evans’ drama starring Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and Carrie-Anne Moss; Hot Tamale, directed by Michael Damian, featuring Randy Spelling, Diora Baird, Jason Priestley, Carmen Electra, and Mike Starr; and The Hamster Cage by legendary Canadian director, Larry Kent.

The Galas are not the only parties that will occur over the 10-day, two weekend festival. There will also be upwards of twenty parties and receptions involving sponsors, special guests, VIPs and over 150 delegates from Canada and around the world.

With an ongoing schedule of great films, many of which screen at the same time, CIFF is pleased to announce that Sunday, October 1, will be dedicated to The Best of the Fest, with a line-up featuring encore presentations of many festival favourites.

LOCATION/TIME:
September 22 to October 1, 2006
Select theatres
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

TICKETS/CONTACT:
www.calgaryfilm.com
Program Guide: $5.00 at CIFF Box Office at Eau Claire Market and participating Calgary Starbucks' locations
(403) 422-CIFF

Big City Filmed in Alberta

The Sofia News Agency comments on Big City, a western movie produced by French media company Gaumont. After recently filming in Alberta, the production has moved on to Bulgaria to continue shooting:

The filming of Big City started in the lush landscapes of the Canadian Rockies in southern Alberta, where the acclaimed and controversial Brokeback Mountain was shot. The team moved to Sofia suburbs at the end of August, to wrap it up at the end of October.

Full article available at the link above. English translation of the film's premise is available by clicking here.



In addition: An interview with the film's producer reveals his thoughts on Bulgaria's film industry, which in the future, could compete and collaborate with Alberta's film and television production industry.

Bulgarian production photos: Yana Blajeva / Sofia News Agency.

AMPIA and Partners Group Address Film and TV Emergency Funding Issue

In 2 recent documents: a Key Messages letter to the media and AMPIA members, and an Open Letter to the Government of Alberta, Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association and the Partners Group have responded to the provincial government's decision to NOT support the industry by providing 'emergency funding' requested by the Alberta film and TV industry. A positive decision would have ensured that new productions in Alberta would not have to wait 2 years (the period now required to catch-up) before seeing a financial return, and therefore, be reviewed and approved promptly.

With other Canadian provinces (and American states) receiving governmental support, catch-up funding (in addition to increased financial incentives) would ensure Alberta is not dismissed as a production location and help foster continued growth in what is becoming one of Alberta's key industries.

The key points regarding the issue are:

The Alberta film and television industry has proven to be a wealth generator for the Province.

The provincial film and television investment program is not a subsidy. It’s an investment that delivers a 100% direct return to the Province through provincial taxes paid as a result of production activity in Alberta.

The Alberta film and television rebate is designed so that the return of the Province’s investment is not just guaranteed, but actually occurs prior to the investment being made.

Alberta’s film and television rebate has attracted such prestigious projects as Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain, The Assassination of Jesse James starring Brad Pitt, and Steven Spielberg’s Into the West. These blockbuster films and television programs attract tourism dollars to every region of the province in addition to returning 100% of the province’s investment in the film.

The recent international attention from the likes of Brokeback Mountain and the filming of Jesse James with Brad Pitt puts Alberta in a great position to market. Coming off of many award nominations from Brokeback Mountain and the most Emmy nominations for any program this year. Many going to our local crew.

Alberta’s film and television industry employs over 3,000 highly skilled professionals. We are continuing to lose a substantial amount of these professionals to busier jurisdictions, such as Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver.

The Alberta film and television industry is environmentally friendly and provides revenue for rural areas and small towns as well as urban centers.

Since its inception, Alberta’s film and television rebate has triggered steady annual growth in the industry, creating new jobs, new infrastructure, and new opportunities for related businesses in the province. That is no longer the case.

Alberta’s film and television incentive was an effective trigger for the industry when it began eight years ago, but is now critically under financed.

Alberta is losing a significant amount of film and television production to other provinces, states and countries where more competitive incentives exist. With that loss of production activity there is a loss of tourism and related business infrastructure, and the departure of our highly trained crews, cast and production companies.

2006 is the second consecutive year of contraction in Alberta film and television industry, based on the current oversubscription of the film and television rebate program.

The Alberta film and television industry has lost nearly $50 Million in production activity in the first eight months of 2006 due to inadequate investment by the Province in the rebate program.

Film and television production is highly mobile and ruled by financing. Alberta cannot effectively utilize its breathtaking locations, world-class crews, or established production companies because it can no longer compete in the world marketplace.

The Alberta film and television industry needs an immediate investment in its rebate program in order to pay out current production rebate obligations, for which the Province has already received a 100% financial return.

In addition to an immediate investment to cover the Province’s current obligations, the Alberta film and television industry needs to have its Three Year Strategic Business plan, which was developed in concert with Alberta Economic Development, implemented within the next six months in order to regain its competitive advantage, ensure the stability of the industry and begin to rebuild what has been lost.

Based on the competitive incentive environment developing globally, producers have many location options. Internationally governments are recognizing the economic and spinoff benefits of film, and new programs continue to emerge

We have developed an industry here – there is a complete infrastructure in place for film & television production. The investment from the Province is all that we need to flourish.

You can read the Open Letter by reading the PDF file this link.

While the immediate issue is the emergency funding, the 'bigger picture' is that of solidifying the industry, making sure it continues to thrive while offering production, training, and employment options for local and foreign film and television productions.

I would further urge companies, film and TV professionals, and those looking into careers in film and TV production to write the Government of Alberta through Alberta Connects and/or contact your MLA to voice your concerns.

Film and TV production was once a key industry in Alberta. With your support, it can be again.

Thanks.