Manhattan Shorts Comes to Urban 15

From George Cisneros over at URBAN-15...

For the third year, the URBAN-15 Group has united with The Manhattan Short Film Festival and over 80 other venues across Europe, Canada and the US, to create the world’s largest short film festival to be held throughout two continents this September.

WHAT: The 2006 Manhattan Short Film Festival
WHEN: Friday, September 22^nd, 8 p.m. and Saturday, September 23^rd,
4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
WHERE: The URBAN-15 Studios 2500 S, Presa
PRICES: $7.50 Adult; $5 Students, Military & Seniors w/ID,
CONTACT: URBAN-15 at 210.736.1500

Over the span of a week, venues from Russia to Ireland in Europe, four provinces in Canada along with 35 states will screen a selection of twelve short films that have made the cut into this prestigious event. In the past, the Festival’s finalists, who have gone on to win Oscars and move into the Hollywood mainstream, were judged by a celebrity panel which featured Susan Sarandon, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz, Tim Robbins and a host of studio reps. This year, the Festival has thrown the judging out to audiences, who will be handed a voting card upon entry to each venue and asked to vote for their favorite film. Votes will be tallied and the winner announced in New York City’s Union Square Park on Sunday, September 23rd.

The Manhattan Short Film Festival is growing in more ways than one. As technology advances and the medium of filmmaking becoming more readily available, the Festival is enriched by stories that might otherwise not be told. “When the festival first started back in 1997, the overwhelming majority of the shorts we received were from filmmakers who were based in major cities such as New York, LA or London,” said Festival founding director Nicholas Mason. “Virtually every entry we got back then was shot on 35mm. Now with the evolution of digital filmmaking, filmmakers are shooting their stories and then editing and finishing their shorts on their home computers. We are now getting films from literally every corner of the world, so who better to judge them than a global audience.”

A special Youth Media Screening is being offered for students of film and media from the San Antonio region on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The event will include a presentation of the twelve MSFF films and followed by a panel discussion of student and experienced media producers.

For more information visit the Festival’s website at www.MSfilmfest.com or www.urban15.org.

This event is supported by the City of San Antonio Office of Cultural Affairs, The Texas Commission on the Arts, The National Endowment of the Arts, American Sunrise, VuTURE ART and the generosity of Friends of URBAN-15.

Say Sí Screening Tonight

"Bon Voyage ... and All That Lovely Stuff" will screen tonight at UTSA Downtown (Buena Vista Theater) at 7:00 PM . Admission is Free. For more information about the student filmmakers at Say Sí, go to SaySi.org.

"Ash Wednesday" Trailer now online

Ricardo Mendoza's next feature, "Ash Wednesday" is in the can and he already has a trailer online. Check it out at Digital Work Studios.

More Stills from "Land of Another"

Jumping Off Bridges SCREENING

In conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Week, the independent film, jumping off bridges, will screen in 15 – 20 cities across the United States from August through November. Storie Productions will partner with local and national suicide prevention organizations, mental health awareness groups and organizations that deal with grief and loss to use jumping off bridges in an outreach effort to spread awareness.

One of the first screenings kicks off in San Antonio, TX at the Historic Guadalupe Theater on
September 30th at 7pm
in association with the Bexar County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Inspired by invincible friendships, junior high journal entries, heart breaking crushes and the complexities of losing loved ones, jumping off bridges follows a carefree, adventurous group of four best friends deep in the trenches of adolescence. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker, Kat Candler (cicadas, Roberta Wells), the film features Michael Emerson (Henry Gale on the hit television series LOST), Bryan Chafin (cicadas, The Patriot), Glen Powell Jr. (Spy Kids 3, Into the West) and Rhett Wilkins from the Sundance darling, The Puffy Chair. Since its festival premiere at the 2006 South By Southwest Film Festival, jumping off bridges has enjoyed sold out screenings and rave reviews. Lauded by the Moving Pictures Magazine as "an emotional smart movie".

"Sad, genuine and beautiful. The issues surrounding grief, guilt, depression and sadness are uneasy and beautifully rendered in your story and your actors' performances."
Lisa Sargese, M.T.S.
Adjunct Professor, Dept of Philosophy & Religion;
Counseling & Human Services
Montclair State University

"I commend you, your staff, cast and film crew on your sensitive portrayal of the family/community impact of suicide in your film."
John Draper, Ph.D.
Director, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

A Q&A panel of experts will follow the screening to discuss suicide and mental health issues, statistics, warning signs and preventative measures. The panel will be moderated by the Bexar County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

The script was a finalist in the 2002 Chesterfield Fellowship, a participant in the 2002 IFP Market (Emerging Narrative) and a Semi-Finalist in the 2002 Sundance Screenwriter's Lab. The film was a recipient of a 2005 Texas Filmmaker's Production Fund Grant and a participant in the 2005 IFP Rough Cuts Lab.

To learn more about the film, jumping off bridges, or to download a press kit, please visit our website: www.jumpingoffbridges.com

MovieMaker Magazine needs your Feedback

CALL FOR FEEDBACK: MovieMaker Magazine

MovieMaker Magazine is seeking editorial content from San Antonio-area moviemakers for our upcoming "On Location" column.

The question being asked is: How has living in your individual city informed your work and increased your knowledge as a moviemaker? How has the city itself participated in your education as a visual artist? Why is living in your city an education in itself?

Comments must be no more than 50 words. Deadline: September 13, 2006.

Selected entries will receive: editorial, e-mail and possible photo publication in an upcoming issue of MovieMaker Magazine, as well as a complimentary copy of the issue. Please e-mail all entries to: onlocation@moviemaker.com and use "On Location: SAN ANTONIO" as the subject line.

SA Locations Shine

Director Luis Vélez is making use of historic locations in downtown SanAntonio for his feature film "Land of Another", now shooting. And quite a few local hires as well. This is what makes San Antonio such a great location for filming - OUR PEOPLE and OUR LOCATIONS.

"Land of Another" Lands in SA

The Mexican film "Land of Another" started shooting yesterday in San Antonio, with stars Ludwika Paleta and Rib Hillis.

Directed by Luis Vélez and produced by Rosanna Arau.

Kat and Stacy's Workshop

WORKSHOP: Developing The Low Budget Feature Script

Storie Productions presents "Developing The Low Budget Feature Script"
a full day workshop

Kat Candler and Stacy Schoolfield have written, directed and produced narrative features, documentary features and short films. Candler's second feature film, "Jumping Off Bridges" debuted at SXSW and Schoolfield's documentary, "Rescue Me" has been used across Texas in an outreach effort for animal rescue.

They will talk about choosing scripts, scaling major scenes down to manageable proportions, casting, music clearances, budgeting, scheduling, fundraising, distribution ...

TIME & LOCATION & FEE:
August 5th (Saturday)
10:00am - 4:00pm
Media Arts Lab
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Galeria & School
723 Brazos @ El Paso
San Antonio, TX 78207
$60 - Class Fee

Reserve your spot today. Either pay with paypal at www.storieproductions.com or by sending a check to:

Storie Productions
PO Box 301463
Austin, TX 78703 (*include your phone and email with your check so we can contact you to confirm your reservation and provide further details.)

For more information, contact us by email at info@storieproductions.com or phone at 512.771.5863.

To learn more about Storie Productions, visit www.storieproductions.com,
www.jumpingoffbridges.com, www.rescuemedocumentary.com