UCF FILM SCORES 5 ACCEPTANCES AT AUGUSTA'S SOUTHERN FRIED FLICKS FILM FEST

Here's a nice thought to carry with you through New Year Eve - we just got word that five UCF FILM shorts were accepted for screening at the Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival, happening January 13 & 14 (Friday and Saturday) in Augusta, Georgia. The fest is "designed to showcase independent film created by Southern filmmakers with a special emphasis on local and regional film." Yes, despite what you might have heard, Orlando is part of the South.

The shorts selected for this honor are:

• MR MALIKAI BATTLES THE AEROPLANE (Drew Blatman, '05)
• LOSING TOBY (Drew Lindo, '06)
• LOVE IS DEAF (Andrew Gay, '06)
• ALL THAT REMAINS (Aaron Brownlee, '06)
• SOUTHWEST ORANGE COUNTY VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (Dastoli Brothers, '07)

The first four of the above titles come fresh off the new FIVE STORIES 2005 disc, while the last comes from the filmmaking machine we've come to know and love as Dastoli Digital. (I happen to have a beyond-brief cameo in the Dastoli epic. Perhaps I can scam few tickets to the event?) This fest marks the world debut for MR. MALIKAI and ALL THAT REMAINS and perhaps even SOUTHWEST COUNTY. I'm not sure there.

For those of you considering a quick vacation, Augusta is about 400 miles north of Orlando - a serious but not impossible trip. Please bring back pictures if you go.

FIVE STORIES 2005 GETS FIRST FEST NODS AT SMOGDANCE AND SAN FRAN INTL ASIAN AMERICAN

Well, the easy work is done. The master discs of FIVE STORIES 2005 have arrived at the pressing plant. While we're celebrating Festivus, pressing plant minons will be hard at work stamping out the latest run of FIVE STORIES DVDs. Be proud, UCF FILM. It's going to be another banner year of fun and exposure.

Already, the FIVE STORIES team has scored successes in placing UCF films played at festivals. We're pleased to announce that Smogdance '06, the 8th Annual Inland Empire Film Festival, has invited LOSING TOBY (Drew Lindo, '06) and LOVE IS DEAF (Andrew K. Gay. '06) to screen in lovely (and I surmise, smog-filled) Claremont, California. The big show happens January 20-22 at Harvey Mudd College. The event bills itself as a "unique festival featuring short subjects, documentaries, animation and comedy from emerging filmmakers across the continent and as far away as England. This year we have award-winning films that have been screened internationally. Don’t miss out on raw, uncut, thought-provoking and comic entertainment."

Take that!

Also on the we're so proud agenda, TEARS IN THE RAIN (David Estrada, '05) will make it's world debut at the 2006 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, which runs March 16-26, 2006. This is a major, major event - the largest event in the nation dedicated to screening Asian American and Asian films. The SFIAAFF annually offers approximately 130 films and videos during its eleven-day run spanning three cities and hosts over 200 filmmakers and industry guests in addition to more than 23,000 filmgoers. Screenings take place at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres and the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, Pacific Film Archive Theater in Berkeley, and Camera 12 Cinemas in San Jose.

Kudos to Christy R. for having the insight to submit David's film to this event. Fieldtrip anyone?

Entertainment Partners Supports 2005 Capstone Production

It's been a busy year, but I can't let it close without thanking Entertainment Partners, the fine folks who produce MovieMagic Budget & Schedule, the software we teach and use here at UCF FILM. Entertainment Partners gave a generous gift to UCF FILM this year, providing licenses for Budget and Schedule to the finalists and winner of the 2005 Capstone Production Grant. Many, many thanks to the company and to Albeth Grass, the company contact who worked out the details with us.

Entertainment Partners joins the other fine folks who supported the 2005 Capstone Production Grant - Panavision, Kodak, Continental Film & Tape, Hollywood Rental, ARTI - The Audio Recording Technology Institute of Orlando, The Orlando Film Commision, Digitec Interactive and Chapman Leonard.

Fest Update: Katie & Kasey Out Far!

Katie & Kasey, a Capstone projected directed by Kyla Tomlin ('05), has been accepted into the Out Far! Pheonix International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Now marking its 10th year, the Festival's moniker was actually stolen with wanton disregard by the Festival Director from her aunt's 1974 VW mini-bus license plate. The Festival is also proud to brag that it was named one of the top 10 gay/lesbian film festivals in the country by Chris Gore's Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide.

Fest Update: Cape Chaser Invited To Hammer Museum's Fan Fiction Exhibit

DO I NEED A WEBSITE?

Good question. In this day and age, I think the answer is YES. Not only is it your internet business card, but it's also a way for people to check out your work. And they will check out your work. Take the case of Drew Lindo's CAPE CHASER, which was seen at Drew website by Jamesd Bewley, a visual artist and performer who has presented his work in exhibitions throughout the Bay Area.

With Bewley's interest, CAPE CHASER is now being featured in the Hammer Museum's Fan Fiction exhibit. Check it out by heading to their Calendar, then February. They're even featuring a still of CAPE CHASER in the site! The official word on the exhibit is as follows:

The Fifth World: Fan Films and Fan Fiction
Comic books are supported by legions of loyal fans. This evening celebrates the rapidly expanding genre of fan fiction and customized culture. Hosted by performer and author Beth Lisick, The Fifth World features staged readings of fan stories and a screening of some of the finest fan-films from 1964 through 2005, including three early shorts by fan-film pioneer, Donald Glut.