MediaRights: News

Frameline Distribution's Spring Sale!

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:11:48 -0500

Frameline Distribution's Spring Sale is on now through May 31st. When you order $500 or more, take 20-30% off your entire order! Frameline is the nation's leading educational distributor of LGBT films, catering to college, university, and public libraries. Order $500 or more, receive 20% off - use coupon code: May20 Order $1000 or more, receive 30% off - use coupon code: May30 Check out our searchable online catalog of over 250 films: http://cart.frameline.org And for more on our newest releases and award-winning titles, visit: http://frameline.org/dispatch/May_2008.html

Call for Applications: New Mexico Media Literacy Project, Albuquerque, NM

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:07:39 -0500

The New Mexico Media Literacy Project is now accepting applications for the 2008 Catalyst Institute (from July 22 to 25, 2008). The Catalyst Institute offers an intensive four-day training experience in media literacy concepts and skills. NMMLP staff and guest speakers lead participants in workshops, exercises and discussions designed to deepen understanding of media issues and provide a solid foundation for media activism. NMMLP offers a limited number of scholarship opportunities.

AMLA Marketplace is Open for Business

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:01:40 -0500

AMLA members receive 5% discount plus FREE Shipping with $50 purchase * Over 200 books, videos, DVDs and curriculum resources for teaching and learning media literacy - kindergarten to college. New titles added regularly. * Selected titles from more than 100 publishers and producers - from the U.S. as well as Canada and England. Send us your requests; we're always looking for new resources. * Multiple Search Options - by grade level, topic or curriculum area as well as title, author, keywords and over 100 educational standards phrases - to help you pinpoint the right teaching tools for your needs. Bookmark our comprehensive "Search&Shop" page and visit often. * Includes classic resources in the media literacy field - by leading authors from around the world - many no longer available in bookstores but important for students and scholars. * Help us build a community of practice: Share your comments, reflections and success stories for specific products or add your ideas on topics suggested by members and customers. * Monthly specials and an inventory clearance section for quality resources at a bargain price! Plus... JOIN or Renew your AMLA membership ONLINE with our new secure e-commerce interface. At last! We can now process memberships (and contributions) with a credit card and a few simple clicks of your mouse. If you've been meaning to join or your membership has lapsed, join today - then visit the Marketplace where you'll qualify for the 5% discount on your total order plus FREE shipping with $50 minimum purchase. In addition to the sliding scale PROFESSIONAL membership, we also have a new STUDENT membership category, a tax-deductible LIFETIME membership and special membership rates for ORGANIZATIONS that wish to ally and support the goals and activities of AMLA. Check out all the membership options at: www.amlainfo.org/membership or click the Membership tab on the AMLA home page.

Call for Entries: IFP's Independent Film Week, New York, NY

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:01:40 -0500

Submit Your Project Now! Emerging Narrative Screenplay - Deadline extended to May 15 Documentary Work in Progress - Deadline May 23 No Borders Domestic Screenplay - Deadline May 23 Formerly known as the IFP Market, Independent Film Week is the oldest and largest forum in the US for the discovery of new projects in development and new voices on the independent film scene. In 2007, more than 1,000 industry professionals attended Independent Film Week. More than 2000 pitch meetings were arranged with buyers. More than $100,000 total value in the form of cash, product donations & services were awarded. Independent Film Week will help you: Connect with financiers & producers Meet distributors, broadcasters and sales agents Network with festival programmers Approximately 150 new works-in-development are accepted into the Project Forum in one of the following three sections: - Emerging Narrative (For writers and writer/directors seeking producers) - No Borders International Co-Production Market (For producers with partial financing seeking additional partners) - Spotlight on Docs (For filmmakers in production or post-production seeking financing partners, broadcast/distribution, and festival invitations) $5,000 - The Kodak Grand Jury Screenwriting Award with Cash Stipend Provided by Artists Public Domain $10,000 - The Fledgling Fund Award for Socially Conscious Documentaries $10,000 – The Fledgling Fund Award for Emerging Latino Filmmakers 8 Panasonic Digital Filmmaker Grants for Emerging Narrative Screenplays Submission Fee: $60 NEW! If your project is selected, your participation is complimentary – no further fees apply! Acceptance includes full registration to the Independent Filmmaker Conference. IFP membership is required prior to submission (minimum level: Interactive Membership at $35 level) For more information, please visit http://www.independentfilmweek.com. Questions: FilmmakerReg@ifp.org or 212.465.8200 x 222.

May 17: FREE tickets for Film Distribution Class, New York, NY

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:59:03 -0500

Do you have a completed film that needs distribution? Are you almost complete with your project? If so, email us and tell us why your film is unique and special. If we pick your project, we'll offer you FREE admission (worth $350) to our Film Distribution Class on Saturday May 17th, at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City Email your entry to: info@PassionRiver.com We're only giving away 3 FREE tickets. Contest expires tomorrow, May 10th! Winners will be announced & notified on May 12th. Good Luck! For more info on the class, visit: www.MarketMyMovie.com

Arts Engine's Fiscal Sponsorship News!

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:55:07 -0500

Congratulations to Gini Reticker for winning the "Best Documentary Feature" award at the Tribeca Film Festival with Pray the Devil Back to Hell. Arts Engine is proud to be a fiscal sponsor for Gini and wish her continued success as she exhibits her powerful film. We also extend our praise for Daria Sommers and Meg McLaren, whose Lioness received the Center for Documentary Studies Award at the Full Frame Festival, in North Carolina, this past April. We also wish to welcome Ross Kauffman, Jeff Zimbalist, Isaac Brown, and Richard Barber to our stellar roster of fiscally sponsored filmmakers. For more information on our fiscal sponsorship program please contact Felix Endara at felix@artsengine.net.

Next DocuClub: May 21, 7 p.m.

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:19:50 -0500

Our next DocuClub screening will be on Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m., at Goldcrest Post (799 Washington Street, between Horatio and Gansevoort), in New York City's West Village. Our moderator will be Liz Ogilvie, Head of Programming for Docurama Films. Join us as we watch Personality by Vinay Chowdry and Sarita Khurana. In the film, a Bollywood background dancer tries to make it in the film industry in India. The young man moves from his village in northern India to Mumbai to achieve his dreams of stardom, only to find out that although he is talented, he lacks what is known as "personality," a euphemism for being light-skinned and confident in a newly globalized India. The film is in Hindi, with subtitles. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to: docuclub@artsengine.net.

Passionate about environmental issues?

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:11:52 -0500

I am seeking a passionate filmmaker that is interested in directing and producing a documentary that will raise awareness about genetically modified foods by focusing on organic and sustainable farming. You would gain recognition as the director and producer of the documentary, which you would have collaborative creative control. This is an amazing opportunity for you to apply and experiment with various filming techniques and styles. I would provide room and board and funding for some equipment (negotiable). Please contact me for more information at pittsfieldinterns@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Eric Nakamura's Shortlist

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:09:09 -0500

The Shortlist article series is your opportunity to learn about the films that inspire intellectual, artistic and activist leaders — leaders like Eric Nakamura. We asked Eric to share his favorite films and his thoughts on the power of documentary to change the world. So what films Eric Nakamura's Shortlist? Keep reading to find out.

Eric Nakamura

Who is Eric Nakamura? Eric graduated from UCLA with a degree in East Asian Studies. He got his start in magazine making through a stint at Larry Flynt Publications and working on numerous zines in the early '90s. In addition to publishing issues of Giant Robot, curating the art galleries and picking products for the shops, Nakamura has made an independent movie called Sunsets, shot photos for punk rock bands and designed t-shirts. Recently, Nakamura curated a museum show, "Giant Robot Biennale" at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, and continues to work on projects outside of GR for different communities and entities. Eric Nakamura on the Power of Film Documentaries are often creative, involved and are like dissertations in that they're filled with content about a subject that is often overlooked. They tell a real and often vibrant story which otherwise may never be told. Documentaries can lead to better understanding of others in almost any realm and, in cinema, might be the most important story-telling format. In 1997, while in the early stages of Giant Robot magazine, I got together with a cousin and wrote, directed, produced and edited a narrative film entitled Sunsets. Funded by us, it was a crash course into the world of cinema, film festivals and the marketing machine around it. Since then, I've delved into short subject documentaries as well. The effort it takes to make any film, which often times won't see much light on any day, is tremendous and expensive, and documentaries are often both of these, but also time consuming. Yet, the rewards are satisfying, often in the same way as writing a good story for our own magazine, which also takes time, research and getting involved with the subjects so you can tell their story accurately. Thankfully I have the experience in narrative, documentary and even journalism to know that documentaries are often produced, yield the least financial results and are often unseen. Although entities such as YouTube, Revver and many online channels are now giving a lot of weight and heed to short documentaries which often yield the best results in a three to five minute format. Eric Nakamura's Film Picks After Innocence: People who are locked up wrongfully when they're innocent has to be one of the greatest nightmares ever. Imagine losing all of your freedom for no reason and spending 30 years behind bars. We take our own freedom for granted and I think almost everyone takes the many who are wrongfully imprisoned for granted as well. See who's involved, who's being freed and how they adjust to their new lives. The best part about this documentary is that it's just the beginning. It's been rocking the judicial system. Another State of Mind: This is a punk rock documentary from 1984 and it features some of the best bands in America. Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, Fugazi and a few others make this a time capsule, but also captures the nation's ills toward punk rock in the early '80s, while now, it's commonplace. I saw this in the '80s and it was one of the things that turned me on to punk, documentaries and the DIY attitude. I remember it showed on television on a cable station. How it got there I have no idea. When We Were Kings: Muhammad Ali's experiences go far out of the realm of most athletes and most people for that matter. When I see this, which is just a portion of his life, I'm dwarfed by the grandeur of his struggles, his triumphs and how much more of a rounded person he was than just a boxer. The film captures so much of his personality and gives you just a partial insight into him. Can anyone be such a hero today? Fahrenheit 9/11: It's hard to get too preachy about this project. It's one point of view by Michael Moore who I'm not exactly a fan of since he puts a little too much of himself into every project. But maybe that's what makes them sell. It was important to have a documentary about the events and lives of those who were involved in 9/11. It was too large of a subject not to cover as a feature length film. The movies didn't quite cut it, although one can't deny that they're just as important. Michael Moore's look into it captures a side that much of us don't want to admit may be true. For that reason alone, I think it's important. But if it's all wrong, I'm still okay with his efforts to put together a project like this. The others often just fall off the wayside. Michael Moore has the power to make his films important. I'd give some honorable mentions to the conspiracy theorists who have made numerous documentaries which are available free online. If they get even one new point right, then they'll have made a great contribution. Woodstock: I've seen this many times. Why would I include it? I think for a kid like me, who was born in 1969, Woodstock is the originator of the Lollapaloozas, All Tomorrow's Parties, Coachella, etc. Its imprint on today's culture is powerful. The lifestyles, fashions and effort put forth to make the event memorable for generations to come: that's cool. It was made with care, effort, budget and it's a marker of rock 'n' roll. Its influences even make it into Wayne's World. Hoop Dreams: The idea of following basketball kids from junior high into their high schooling and even college is a daunting task, but this picture paints two pictures. One is of a kid with a clear path to success, and the other is of a kid who has to work hard to gain every inch. But who comes out ahead and how does he get there? This isn't a story of success. It's more about the process of what the dreams of kids are all about. An Inconvenient Truth: There's not too much to say but "wow." Somehow the "next President of the USA" became an Oscar winner with this documentary and made a better contribution to society than maybe any recent President. Finding a way to contribute and make a film that hopefully will change at least some peoples' viewpoints of our planet is maybe the ultimate gift. This could be the most important documentary ever made. Super Size Me: This film is funny, humorous and shocking. Morgan Spurlock eats himself into getting fat by submitting his body to the ultimate test: junk food in the Super Size variety. How he can eat so much is already a miracle, but to see his body change and the ill effects it had are what made this film a success. It's sort of like things you may have seen on Jackass, YouTube and a blog melding together into a documentary. Wings of Defeat: Kamikaze pilots who didn't die? This documentary tells the story of the forgotten pilots who were often depicted as being crazy zealots but were, in actuality, afraid to die. The picture tells the story of the war and the desperation of the Japanese military who chose to force young pilots into the ultimate sacrifice, even though it was a losing proposition. The film uses old footage reels and newspaper articles that you'll never see again. The living paint an untold story that will help people understand the psyche of what happened during World War II. Travelling with Yoshitomo Nara: One of the world's greatest contemporary artists, Yoshitomo Nara, is the subject and this film won't poke holes or dig up dirt from his personal life, but it will follow him and demonstrate his artistic process. It's heartwarming at times, and in others it's humorous. You witness this often lone artist grow as a person to collaborate with others. But in some solitary moments you see that he gets along best with children and animals.

May 4-5th: Seven free screenings of the seventh annual Media That Matters Film Festival in Indiana.

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:17:49 -0500

The Lotus Petal Cinema, located in Nashville, Indiana, will be screening the seventh annual Media That Matters Film Festival. Showtimes: Sun May 4 at 1pm, 3:30pm, 6pm & 8:30pm Mon May 5 at 3:30pm, 6pm & 8:30pm This is a FREE EVENT, limited seating on first come basis. Click here for directions.

May 20th Deadline: AFL-CIO's First Ever Online Video Contest to "Turn Around America"

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:29:06 -0500

"What's wrong with America and what will you do to change it?" That's the question the AFL-CIO is looking for you to answer in their first ever "Turn Around America" video competition. The contest will feature the winners in television ads in part to engage voters and 2008 political candidates in a national dialogue about what is necessary to get America back on track. The video contest, found at www.turnaroundvideocontest.com, is part of a larger AFL-CIO initiative to "Turn Around America" which will run through the summer. The "Turn Around America" initiative will feature major events in battleground states and build grassroots momentum to elect leaders who will fight for health care, good jobs and an economy that works for all. Participants will be invited to submit online videos in any creative form that will answer the question of how to turn around America. The contest will run April 10 through May 20 and winners will be announced in early June. The winning videos will be featured on national and local television. The categories include a national winner, who will receive $2,000 and the chance for the video to appear in national TV ads. City winners will win $1,000 and may be featured at AFL-CIO rallies and on local television. A "young activist" category will also be awarded to the best video made by someone between the ages of 14 and 25. The contest is open to the public. The judges include Gillian Grisman, director and producer of Grateful Dawg and Keeping Time: New Music from America's Roots; Robert Greenwald, director and producer of Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism and Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price; Barbara Kopple, director of Shut Up and Sing; and more. For official jury lineup and bios, visit www.turnaroundvideocontest.com/judges.php.

Call for Entries: Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:05:56 -0500

NEW DEADLINES: JULY 7, 2008 and FEBRUARY 5, 2009 Each year, the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program awards more than $1.5 million in grants to support documentary films focused on contemporary social issues. Films supported have included My Country, My Country; Why We Fight; Born Into Brothels; Iraq in Fragments; The Inner Tour; The Devil Came on Horseback; and Everything's Cool. In a world where truth is stranger than fiction, we can help you tell the stories that must be told. If you believe that creative non-fiction filmmaking is vital to society, and you are an artist with passion for the work of storytelling, we want to hear about your project. Tell us what you see. For the rest of the story or to apply online, visit: www.sundance.org/documentary or www.sundance.org/DocSource

May 10th: Asian American short films at Brooklyn Museum, 2pm

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:10:48 -0500

The Brooklyn Museum's Elizabeth A. Sackler's Center for Feminist Art is hosting a screening of short films made by Asian American filmmakers. Curated by Arts Engine's Filmmaker Services Coordinator Felix Endara, the films include Media That Matters Film Festival winner Karen Lin's expansive visual interpretation of a Kelly Tsai spoken word performance, surrealist animation of Erica Cho, and experimental fiction of Larilyn Sanches and Riza Manalo, among others. A question-and-answer session follows the screening. Screening is free with general museum admission. Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238

May 17th: Film Distribution Seminar and Workshop; NYC

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:04:58 -0500

Learn How To Get Distribution For Your Film Class: Distribution Seminar & Workshop Date/Time: May 17th, 2008, 9 AM - 5 PM Location: Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), D- Building, Room D-207, 7th Avenue & 27th Street, New York, NY Fee: $350, $50 discount for MediaRights users, use coupon code "Iamcheezy2" Register at: Class Description: Learn the trade secrets and nuts and bolts of film distribution in this unique seminar and workshop taught by distribution executives with combined marketing and title release experience from over 350 titles. Join President of Passion River Films Allen Chou and Expert Film Distribution Consultant Josh Levin as they discuss each step for getting a film to the right distributor and media outlet whether theatrical, TV, DVD, or Internet. Allen and Josh will also teach topics that include: "The top 10 mistakes to avoid when making a film distribution deal", "How to develop a profitable film distribution plan"; as well as "How to find your audience and make money with Self-distribution and Non-traditional distribution models". Join these experts as they share the secrets behind the real world of film distribution and marketing in this unique and valuable seminar. At the end of the lectures, they'll also workshop your titles. This is normally a 2-day workshop, but the lectures will be squeezed into a 1-day only event. Before you hire a producer's rep, or sign your first distribution deal, you must attend this class- or else you could lose thousands of dollars on a bad deal! Distribution Executive Bios: Allen Chou is President of Sales and Acquisitions at Passion River Films, a NJ based company that distributes over 300 documentaries, arthouse films, and special interest titles for the US home video and international sales market since 1998. Many of his titles have landed retail shelf space in stores such as: Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Blockbuster Video, Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery, Best Buy, and many more… In 2005, Allen established a distribution partnership with Netflix, resulting in the release of over 180 titles on their site; as well as other retail outlets. Internationally, he has attended Film and TV markets such as the American Film Market in Santa Monica, CA and Cannes Film Market in Cannes, France, where he marketed and licensed films and documentaries worldwide to broadcasters and foreign home video distributors. Recently he started the College Speaker and Public Performance Program; as well as the New Digital Sales and Electronic Delivery division. Allen Chou received his BA in Film from the University Of Maryland, and also attended NYU. Josh Levin is a film marketing and distribution executive who has brought more than 30 feature films to the US marketplace, including top award winners from Cannes, Sundance, Venice, Berlin, Toronto and Tribeca. As Chief Marketing Officer for Film Movement, Josh learned how to get hard-to-place films in front of the eyes of filmgoers across the country “by any means necessary,” from theatrical premieres in New York City to library screenings in Butte, Montana — while also learning how to get filmmakers paid for their art. Working with films with tiny or non-existent marketing budgets is Josh’s forte. Since starting Gallant Films in 2007, Josh has also begun working in production financing and consulting. Josh got his MBA from Columbia Business School, and his BA from the University of Michigan. To register or learn more about this distribution seminar and workshop, visit: www.marketmymovie.com, or call 732-321-0711 ext 135 If you would like to help advertise for this class, we are more than happy to help you out with a greater discount. Looking forward to see you all there!!

Apply for the Brower Youth Awards!

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:00:30 -0500

We’re looking for individuals ages 13-22 with the power and persistence to create environmental change. The Brower Youth Awards honors six young people annually with a $3000 cash award and weeklong trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. Past winners have protected Native sacred sites from development, restored wetlands, spread awareness about threatened sea turtles, coordinated student networks pushing for a clean energy future, and more. Their impact doesn't stop there. They continue as environmental change agents, writers, organizers, visionaries, and speakers, supported by Earth Island Institute's New Leaders Initiative. Join them. Apply today for the 2008 Brower Youth Award at www.broweryouthawards.org. Applications for the 2008 awards are due May 15. But what if you're just getting started? You’ve got a great idea for a new environmental organization or project and you’ve got peers and supporters who are as dedicated as you are. What do you do now? The Youth Venture - Lorax Challenge can give you the support you need to launch your idea, including up to $1000. Earth Island Institute has partnered with Youth Venture and Dr. Seuss Enterprises to give youth in the U.S. and Canada ages 12-20 support to launch new environmental ventures. Find out more at www.newleadersinitiative.org; the deadline for Action Plan submissions is May 31st.