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The Five Must-See Films In Park City This January

December 4, 2008 at 10:15 AM | 0 Comments

Take it from Sundance veterans like us: No matter how good your intentions, you won't be able to catch that many flicks at the Park City festival. Between traffic, parties, "gifting lounges," ticket lines, velvet ropes, celeb spotting and art gawking, you'll just run out of time.

Don't beat yourself up: No one else is going to see movies either. But if you do want to catch a film at the, uh, film festival, we'd suggest these five off the recently released line up:

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Laurence Fishburne Lights Up The Bahamas

November 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM | 0 Comments

Film buffs should slather on the sunblock for a trip next month to the Bahamas International Film Festival, taking place in and around Nassau December 4-11. In its 5th year, the festival celebrates both international films and Bahamian works. A nice perk in this economy? Tickets to individual showings are just $5.

This year Laurence Fishburne will receive the Career Achievement Award and Anna Faris will be honored with the festival's Rising Star Tribute. Films scheduled to be screened include "Appasionata," a German short made up of moments in which soldiers try to escape the demons of war, "Artists of the Bahamas," a documentary film that explores the lives and artistic works of eleven of the seminal visual artists of the Bahamas, and "The Deep," based on a poem written by Eric Best for his daughter while he was sailing alone from Hawaii to San Francisco.

Spring for the "Producer" package to the festival ($2,500) and you'll get passes for four to about everything including the Chopard VIP Opening Reception, Gala Celebration, Career Achievement Tribute Ceremony, backstage events and Closing Ceremony. Hotel options offering deals with the festival in Nassau abound at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau ($150 a night), Comfort Suites Paradise Island ($125 a night) or Bay View Suites ($135 a night).

Related Stories:
· Datebook: Nassau, The Bahamas [NYT]
· Bahamas International Film Festival [Official Site]

[Photo of the 2007 fest: BIFF]

Back of the Envelope Guide: Riviera Maya Underground Film Festival

October 8, 2008 at 3:30 PM | 0 Comments

Finally, a film festival where the weather and location compete with the films for top billing. Celebrating its third year, the Riviera Maya Underground Film Festival will run October 15-19. Although the festival is young, organizers hope the beautiful setting of Playa del Carmen will help attract the masses.

More tha 250 short films will be on display as the festival seeks to highlight both Mexican and international filmmakers. Composer Leonardo Heiblum who has scored films such as "Maria Full of Grace," and "Maldonald's Miracle," will be on hand to answer questions and to encourage those who are looking to make a name for themselves in movie music.

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Financial Fallout Travel: Escape to the Bangkok Film Festival

September 25, 2008 at 10:05 AM | 0 Comments

Nothing eases tension during times of turmoil like an escape to a dark theater: The Great Depression of the 1930s also saw the Golden Age of Film. And nowadays, what better way is there to avoid thinking about your vaporized stocks then repeated viewings of "Step Up 2"? In Bangkok, cinophiles will convene to screen 78 films, Thai and otherwise, at this year's Bangkok International Film Festival.

Fantasy dominates the schedule. Famed Thai director Nonzee Nimibutr's film opened the festival: "Queen of Lankasuka," originally called "Queens of Pattani," includes sea creatures, pirates, magic and martial arts. No room for thoughts of an ousted prime minister left!

The event runs through September 30 and also includes workshops and seminars.

Related Stories:
· Bangkok International Film Festival [Official Site]
· Bangkok Travel coverage [Jaunted]

Back of the Envelope Guide: Austin Film Festival

September 24, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

We're less than a month away from the Austin Film Festival, which kicks things off on October 16 and runs through October 23. Besides the usual offerings of first-run films and hits from other festivals, the AFF also offers a conference in the days leading up to the main event.

Directors, screenwriters and producers alike will take part in discussion panels about the filmmaking process and maybe even give you the opportunity to meet someone that can help you get your foot in the door.

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Back of the Envelope Guide: Vancouver International Film Festival

September 17, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

The film festivals keep on rolling in. In fact, the Vancouver International Film Festival is only about a week away: It starts September 25 and runs through October 10.

Now in its 27th year, the festival is set to show more than 300 films from more than 60 countries. Organizers were certainly overwhelmed this year, as the festival received over 150,000 admissions, making it one of the largest to take place in North America.

The VIFF seeks to stand out from the rest by screening the largest number of East Asian films outside that region. Also, it has one of the largest collections of Canadian films in the world as well as a documentary program called Nonfiction Features.

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Back of the Envelope Guide: Woodstock Film Festival

September 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM | 0 Comments

Cashing in on the leaf-peepers headed to the Hudson Valley and Catskills in the fall, the town of Woodstock, New York, offers the 2008 Woodstock Film Festival from October 1 to 5.

This year's "fiercely independent" festival is offering up 43 premiers, including 10 world premiers. This year's 2008 honorary maverick award will go to filmmaker Kevin Smith--and his film, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," will close the festival.

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Adventuring Vicariously: Reel Rock Film Tour

September 3, 2008 at 11:30 AM | 0 Comments

As you know, there's not much we like more than movies and adventure travel, so when we heard about the Reel Rock Film Tour, we were naturally pretty excited.

A traveling film festival devoted to flicks about rock climbing and other adventure sports, Reel Rock is screening movies about bouldering in South Africa, rafting through the Grand Canyon and a bio on legendary aerialist Dean Potter.

The tour sticks to its roots, kicking off Wednesday night in the mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado, with a grand opening September 10 in Boulder and then continues over the next two months across the country, hitting up mostly smaller and mid-size cities, like Santa Cruz, Boise and Asheville.

Related Stories:
· Real Rock Film Tour [Official Site]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Film Festival Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Reel Rock Film Tour]

Back of the Envelope Travel Guide: San Diego's Women's Film Festival

August 27, 2008 at 2:00 PM | 0 Comments

If you're looking for a good excuse to head to San Diego for a girls-only weekend, then the San Diego Women's Film Festival is probably a great one. The well established event is celebrating its sixth year of supporting female filmmakers and this year looks to welcome over 400 independent films.

From October 2 to 5, the festival seeks to illustrate positive messages about relevant social issues. The films will focus on ideas relating to ethnicity, class, culture and gender. Be sure to note your favorite, as the festival has screened some films that have gone on to win Oscars. The events begin on Thursday with a preview party at the Reading Cinemas' Gaslamp Stadium 15 and continue there throughout the weekend. An all access pass is $50.

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Film Festival Travel: Brief Glimpses at the São Paulo Short Film Festival

August 19, 2008 at 2:00 PM | 0 Comments

Now that a combination of big-budget blockbusters and sunstroke has sapped our attention spans, we feel violently resistant to sitting still in the dark for the last few weeks of summer. But television premiere season is just around the corner! We found our perfect bridge in the São Paulo Short Film Festival, opening Thursday and presenting eight days of Latin American short works.

The fest, held at the Associação Cultural Kinoforum which screens Brazilian and other directors' works year-round, will pack in hundreds of movies which compete for audience awards and a jury prize. They aren't just home movies either: Six out of the 10 movies nominated for Oscars for best fictional and animation shorts last year were screened at Kinoforum first.

Between programs, mix and mingle with your fellow film fans at daily Cinemateca happy hours. And if your attention span has improved enough, see one of three classic documentaries about Brazil at the Cachaça Cinema Club.

Related Stories:
· São Paulo Short Film Festival [Official Site]
· Brazil Perfects Islands, Dental Floss Swimwear [Jaunted]
· Cubicle Dreamin': Perfection in São Paulo [HC]
· Brazil Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: samhiscox]

LGBT Travel: Gay Black Film in Oakland

August 13, 2008 at 2:05 PM | 0 Comments

It's by no means an exaggeration to say that the Bay Area has an arts festival for just about every genre, sub-genre and sub-sub-genre, so it's no surprise that there's an Oakland International Black LGBT Film Festival.

This year's festival runs August 14-17 and includes "Shirts and Skins," a documentary about a gay basketball team, an opening night screening of the 1975 Diana Ross movie "Mahogany" and a Saturday performance from Donna Summer.

The movies all screen at the Parkway Theater, a classic-style 1920's movie house on Park Boulevard where you can grab pizza and beer while you watch.

Related Stories:
· Oakland International Black LGBT Film Festival [Official Site]
· Film Festival Travel coverage [Jaunted]

Back of the Envelope Guide: San Sebastián International Film Festival

August 13, 2008 at 12:45 PM | 0 Comments

Bring your best cool-guy attitude as you attend this year's San Sebastián International Film Festival, which runs September 18-27. Feature films from around Europe and the world will be on view, including "Frozen River," the winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize directed by American Courtney Hunt.

The seaside town has plenty to offer besides the films, too, including cool architecture, pintxos and the chance to mingle with the stars. Say hi to jury chair Jonathan Demme for us!

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