Independent Film 1995

This is an exciting time for people like myself who are involved in independent film and video. Independent film is a buzz word of the '90s. Media industry structural changes make independent film an important source of prog ramming even for Hollywood big business. And in southeastern Michigan there are increasing opportunities for experiencing the latest independent film from around the world, and more ways than ever to be nvolved whether you are a filmmaker or not. 1995 GOT OFF to a great start with the Fourth Annual Metropolitan Film Festival, January 25-28. 1 attended the 9 pm Thursday show, which brought about 50 people to 1515 Broadway in downtown Detroit on a cold night to see a program of seven short movies. The four days of prog ramming in theaters in Detroit and Ferndale included pieces from as far away as Japan and two entries from Ann Arbor. Unlike the Ann Arbor Festival, which shows only 1 6mm films, the MFF shows video, 35mm and 8mm film as well. A video or 8mm or 35mm work must be transferred to 1 6mm to be entered into the Ann Arbor Film Fest. Some of the films in shown in the Metropolitan Fest are also entered in Ann Arbor's Film Fest. DETROITS FESTIVAL EXPANDED this year with the help of two new organizations: theDetroit Filmmakers Coalition and the Independent Film Channel. Less than two years old, the Detroit Filmmakers Coalition's purpose is "to provide production support and resources for the local, independent (ilmmaking community; to promote film as an art form through education and exhibition; and to créate a meaningful, vital center for both filmmakers and their supporters." Full members benefit from workshops, a Showcase every second Tuesday of the month at the 1515 Broadway theater, a monthly newsletter, equipment rentáis and discounts, and voting rights in the organization. The next Showcase, Tue. Feb. 14, 7 pm will feature work by House of Toast, Windsor's filmvideo collective. This group has a fine-arts background, resulting in more nonnarrative & experimental work. The Festival was partly funded by The Independent Film Channel and Bravo: The Film and Arts Network. Bravo provided most of the films for the free Wednesday showing at the Detroit Institute of Arts, which had about 380 in attendance. Run by Bravo Cable in Chicago, the Independent Film Channel (IFC) is running features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and student works 24 hours a day in selected markets in the USA - The first and only network completely dedicated to films made outskje the Hollywood studio system." The channel's advisory board includes Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Robe rt Altman, and Steven Soderbergh. Our local Columbia Cable doesn't carry this channel yet. Show your interest n IFC by contacting Richard Allen, Columbia Cable, P.O. Box 998, Ann Arbor Ml 48106 THE ANN ARBOR FILM FESTIVAL (Tue. March 14 through Sun. Maren 19) doesn't get big budget independent films shot on 35mm for theatrical release (the main fareof IFC). But what they do get provides the widest range of film experiences, with artistic exploration that big time nvestors can't afford to gamble with. Many of the great artistic filmmakers of our time work exclusively in 1 6mm, and without a few outlets like IFC you would never see their work anywhere but film festivals. Volunteering to help at the A2 Film Fest is a great way to get involved and introduce yourself to art film. Extra work will earn you a festival t-shirt, but the biggest benefit is being a part of the festival organizaron - meeting the other volunteers, watching films forfree and going to the opening reception and closing party. Most of the volunteer work happens around the time of the festival, but some is going on now. A dedicated group of nve volunteer screeners is spending their even ings watching every minute of every film submitted to the festival, a six-week project. These volunteers must have a 1 00% commitment and are chosen by the second week of January every year. As an art form, film and video have many advantages in pursuing the traditional aims of art, from creating artifacts of exceptional beauty, to undiluted self-expression, to embodying culture in an object. Only performance art and installations compete with film n combining traditional art forms with athe potential of modern technology. To my mind, year after year the Ann Arbor Film Festival is the greatest concentration of good modern art available in Ann Arbor. Volunteer for the Ann Arbor Film Festival, join the Detroit Filmmakers Coalition, or just go watch the movies. It looks like a great year for independent film. ■ BI independent [ ■jfjlm Hchannel The Ano Arbor Film Festival stifi needs: ■ Festival Week Volunteers including ushers and people to sell t-ishirts. ■ Publicity Committee people to put up posters. ■ Hospitality Committee workers to help with food events and the new Silent Auction. (Artists around town are donating work to be auctioned for the benefit of the Film Festival.) ■ Art Committee volunteers to créate and install decorations in the Michigan Theater.