BY OGOVA ONDEGO. NAIROBI, KENYA (CINEMA MINIMA) –

Lola Kenya Screen, eastern Africa’s premier audiovisual media platform for children and youth, has since 2006 showcased more than 1200 films from 71 nations representing all the six continents in various genres, formats and lengths. Additionally, Lola Kenya Screen has helped add 31 child filmmakers, 14 journalists, 13 film judges, 7 MCs, 15 producers of television drama for children and youth and 6 producers of documentary films for children and youth to eastern Africa’s creative and cultural spectrum.

The 3^rd Lola Kenya Screen (August 11-16, 2008), attracted participation from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Germany, Belgium and Holland. All participants came in to watch the wide variety of films from 56 nations and to be equipped with skills for making films, appreciating and judging audiovisual media production, presenting programmes and filing daily reports on the festival.

Established in October 2005 as a movement that uses appropriate and available technologies to deliver audiovisual media content that complements, enhances, entertains and promotes learning among the generation of today and tomorrow—children and youth—in the promotion of literacy, gender equity, independent thought, human rights, environmental responsibility and global health.

Through her programmes, Lola Kenya Screen explores, identifies and nurtures creative talent among children and youth in areas such as journalism, filmmaking, arts appraisal and appreciation, and organisation and presentation of cultural and creative events. This is aimed at equipping children and youth with the skills to understand, appreciate, and create quality audiovisual productions in particular and arts in general.

Lola Kenya Screen places production tools in the hands of children and youth for the advancement of literacy, gender equity, self expression, and democracy in their world through her production workshop, film exhibition, and audiovisual media platform for marketing, promoting and distributing films.

While the Festival Press is aimed at uplifting the standards of creative and cultural journalism in eastern Africa, the Production Workshop empowers children and youth to make at least five quality, low-budget, moving images per year. In 2008, this programme was made possible with the support of Africalia of Belgium.

Out of the recognition that unless adults are sensitised into creating for and with children, the aim of putting children and youth on the public agenda could become a cropper, Lola Kenya Screen 2008 also worked with practising filmmakers in the production of documentaries for children and youth. This was made possible with the support of the Jan Vrijman Fund/IDFA of The Netherlands.

Programme Presentation, as the title suggest, empowers children and youth to organise and present events and programmes. Such children are usually in charge of the programme during the six days of the festival.

The Film Jury, on the other hand, seeks to inculcate in participants skills with which to critically appreciate and appraise creativity in general and film in particular. The jury members watch and award films in competition. The official Lola Kenya Screen Jury consists only of children and youth.

At the end of the six-day festival, Hoppet (Leaps and Bounds), a film by Peter Naess of Sweden, beat a strong field of 24 well crafted, award-winning international films that competed in seven categories, to the coveted Lola Kenya Screen Golden Mboni Award.

Saying this 86-minute Hoppet feature film that revolves around two brothers who flee US-occupied Iraq had spoken to their heart, the official jury, comprising four children from Kenya and Zimbabwe, described Hoppet as being ‘hopeful’.

“Despite their many struggles, the two boys finally achieve their goals and get to their final destination where they are re-united with their parents.”

Siri Raja Siri (King Siri) by Somaratne Dissanayake of Sri Lanka took the Silver Mboni as Subira by Kenya-based Ravneet Sippy Chadha made away with the Bronze Mboni.

Raja Siri Raja, the jury noted, “is a funny, uncomplicated film about a village boy who overcomes the discouragement of poverty.”

The star of the 88-minute film, 11-year-old Sirimal excels in his national examinations to join a star college in he city that other materially well off children can only dream about. Despite encountering lots of social and economic challenges, he succeeds.

Subira, on the other hand, stars a strong-willed 11-year-old girl who rebels against tradition to be as free as her brother who plays freely.

The jury was impressed by the 12-minute film “about a Muslim girl fighting for her rights despite the tyranny of the conservative community she lives in.”

Giving the Best Documentary Award to Journey of a Red Fridge by Lucian Muntean and Natasa Stankovic of Serbia, the jury noted that it “shows us the life of many children in Nepal. It is about a 17-year-old boy who earns a living as a porter.”

Max’s Words, a film by Galen Fott and Jerry Hunt got the Best Animation Film Award for what the jury described as “an inspirational and original film, with beautiful images. It is a truly surprising film!”

For “a film we found well made in every aspect–story, sound and image,” the jury gave the Best Short Film Award to Porque Hay Casa Que Nunca Se Olvidian (There are Things You Never Forget). “The plot was humouristic and the end had a surprising twist that made us laugh.”

This 13-minute film made in 2008 by Lucas Figueroa, is set in Naples, Italy, in 1950, shows boys exacting their revenge on for an unforgivable crime: The destruction of their foot ball by a ‘vengeful old woman’.

Hello Spring, a lyrical and philosophical 7-minute film directed by Masoone Jafari of Iran grabbed the Most Experimental Film Award at a two-hour ceremony held at the Kenya National Theatre in the Nairobi central business district. “This film is a musical adventure with the message that we should not be obsessed with the way we look. We are perfect!”, the jury intoned.

The Child Rights Award went to Quamar (Working to Live), a 24-minute film by Preeya Nair of India.

The jury said the film “shows the struggles of a girl being exploited by a shopkeeper where she works because she can’t count. She would like to go to school but her mother doesn’t think this is necessary for girls.”

For the second time since 2007 when Films by Children for Children won the Grand Prize at the 5^th World Summit on Media and Children/Kids for Kids Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, a Lola Kenya Screen production described by the jury as “a funny and educational film with a clear message that makes you just want to learn. It is a film for and by children”, took the Kids for Kids Africa prize at the 2^nd Kids for Kids Africa held in the framework of the 3^rd Lola Kenya Screen.

The film, Little Knowledge is Dangerous, was written, animated, shot and directed by Samora Michelle, Adede Hawi NyOdero and Karama K Ogova during the 2^nd Lola Kenya Screen film production workshop conducted by Maikki Kantola of Finland for Project Anima of Denmark in 2007.

Some eight films from Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe were in the 2^nd Kids for Kids Africa Competition. They were Uncovering Secrets of the World by Mia Dupper of South Africa (2008);  Ingwazi Jive by Abigal Mlotshwa, Fight Against Poverty by Tinashe Maravanyika, Ndaifara by Mercy Mafudze and Craig Kimu, and Oh Mama by Thelma Maduma of Zimbabwe made under the Postcards from Zimbabwe compilation (2006); and Little Knowledge is dangerous by Adede NyOdero, Samora Michelle and Karama Ogova, Manani Ogres by Joseph Hongo, Marcus Joseph, Norrick Joseph and Samuel Musembi, and The Wise Bride by Alexandria Ngini, Aysha Satchu and Layla Satchu (2007).

Some of the resource people at Lola Kenya Screen 2008 were Signe Zeilich-Jensen, Duco Tellegen, and Meike Statema (Holland), Eid Abdel Latif (Egypt), and Florence Sipalla (Kenya).

Lola Kenya Screen 2008, held on the theme of “Peace-Building for  a Sustainable Future”, attracted some of the best possible films for children and youth in the world from 56 nations.

Lola Kenya Screen accepts and showcases a film only if its content is creative and demonstrates artistic and technical mastery, speaks positively to children of diverse backgrounds and cultures and provides strong role models for both boys and girls.

Additionally, such a film is expected to be child-driven and the stories culturally authentic, timely, and of universal appeal.

Films and videos submitted to Lola Kenya Screen are made by, with and for children and youth rather than about children and youth.

The theme of Lola Kenya Screen 2008 was Peace-Building for a Just and Sustainable Future out of the realisation that tension and conflict are inevitable in healthy human relationships but that they need not result in the wanton destruction of life, property and livelihood.

Presented by ComMattersKenya in collaboration with Goethe-Institut in Kenya, Lola Kenya Screen 2008 was supported by Africalia of Belgium, and the Jan Vrijman Fund/IDFA of The Netherlands.

The next edition of Lola Kenya Screen, the fourth one, will run in Nairobi, Kenya, 2009 August 10-15.

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At the Alternative Film Guide, I’ve been posting a number of photos from the 2008 Venice Film Festival, which, by the way, has for the most part been a flop among critics who have complained about the low quality of most of the films in competition.

Among the images I’ve recently added are those of Emmanuelle Beart, in Venice to promote the supernatural thriller VINYAN; Charlize Theron, in Venice promoting THE BURNING PLAIN; and Stefania Sandrelli, who has a supporting role in A PERFECT DAY, which is vying for the Golden Lion.

I’ve also added images of Marco Pontecorvo’s PA-RA-DA, Fabrice Du Welz’s VINYAN, Joel and Ethan Coen’s BURN AFTER READING, and Jose Mojica Marins’ cult horror flick EMBODIMENT OF EVIL.

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At the Alternative Film Guide, I’ve posted a q&a I did with actor-filmmaker Brian Pera, in which we discuss his highly impressive film debut, THE WAY I SEE THINGS.

THE WAY I SEE THINGS has been screened at US festivals, including Outfest in Los Angeles.

Brian Pera interview

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PRESS RELEASE:

August 26, 2008 - Virtual Venues Network (VVN), a pioneering media company that produces high-definition, virtual concert experiences at clubs and theaters, has introduced an exciting new opportunity for independent filmmakers, music documentary producers and makers of alternative content. "Indie Roadshow" will provide an alternative to traditional theatrical presentations with a new, state-of the-art digital showcase environment offered to nightclubs and college music venues. The "Indie Roadshow" will be offered exclusively through the Virtual Venues Network beginning October 2008.

"This is an entirely new channel for independent distribution" says CEO Michael Horne, "In addition to the great concert footage that has been submitted for inclusion in our "Virtual Concert Experience" environment, we’ve received great documentaries and indie projects that are perfectly suited to the college and nightclub audience." The Indie Roadshow will feature pre-release exclusive screenings and stage DVD release events city to city, on tour, all year round.

The Virtual Venues web site is http://www.virtualvenuesnetwork.com/

VVN books high-definition music content onto nightclub stages, replicating the live concert and bringing national touring acts into smaller markets they would not reach on tour. VVN is currently outfitting nightclubs and college venues with projectors, their patented, ClubLyncTM digital players and installing life-size screens on-stage at each venue. They are currently coordinating a 60-city tour with "Hi-Def From Red Rocks featuring The String Cheese Incident." While The String Cheese Incident is no longer touring live, the three hour, twenty minute Virtual Concert Experience is reuniting fans in hometown venues across the country.

Visit www.virtualvenuesnetwork.com for programming info and upcoming Virtual Concert and Indie Roadshow screenings.

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Turner Classic Movies‘ "Summer Under the Stars" series continues until Aug. 31. Throughout August, TCM has been dedicating each day to one star. The series is a great way to see how a performer evolved (or sometimes devolved) throughout the years (sometimes, decades) — say, how one actor’s technique became more naturalistic, or how, after years of success, one actress simply stopped bothering to act.

The remaining Summer Under the Stars subjects are Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, Charlton Heston, Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy.

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In the early 1930s, Ann Dvorak was an up-and-coming Hollywood star. Real stardom, however, eluded her. Even so, Dvorak played opposite some of the most important names of the period — among them, Bette Davis, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Paul Muni — and worked with several top directors, including Mervyn LeRoy, Howard Hawks, and Michael Curtiz.

At the Alternative Film Guide, I’ve posted a lengthy q&a I did with Ann Dvorak collector/biographer Christina Rice.

Ann Dvorak q&a

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PRESS RELEASE

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has awarded a $50,000 grant to underwrite the Telluride Film Festival’s Guest Director program. Slavoj Zizek, the Slovenian political philosopher and cultural critic, will preside as guest director of the Festival’s 35th show when it kicks off this week.

For more than two decades, Telluride has welcomed numerous prominent filmmakers and personalities as guest directors, including two-time Academy Award®-nominated writer-director Peter Bogdanovich, director J.P. Gorin, film curator and archivist Edith Kramer, Oscar®-winning documentarian Errol Morris, author Salman Rushdie, Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, and filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier.

The Academy’s cultural and educational wing – the Academy Foundation – annually grants more than $1 million to film scholars, cultural organizations and film festivals throughout the U.S. and abroad. It is also through the Foundation that the Academy presents a rich assortment of screenings and other public programs each year.

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PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, September 2, is the deadline for filmmakers to submit their short subject and feature documentaries to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for consideration for the 81st Academy Awards®.

Each completed entry form must be accompanied by supporting materials, including an English-language synopsis of the film, a list of film credits, filmographies of the director(s) and/or producer(s), 25 DVD copies of the film, and proof of a seven-day qualifying exhibition.

To be eligible, documentary features must have completed a seven-day commercial run in at least one theater in both Los Angeles County and in the Borough of Manhattan in New York, between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008.

Documentary short subjects must have completed a seven-day commercial run in a theater in either Los Angeles County or in the Borough of Manhattan in New York, between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008.

Members of the Academy’s Documentary Branch will determine the nominees for both the Documentary Short Subject and Documentary Feature categories.

Additional information about the documentary awards may be obtained by contacting Assistant Awards Coordinator Michelle Ayala at (310) 247-3000, ext. 117; via e-mail at mayala@oscars.org; or by visiting http://www.oscars.org/81academyawards/rules.

The 81st Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

At the 80th Academy Awards, FREEHELD and TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE won in the Documentary Short Subject and Documentary Feature categories, respectively.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

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A week of rock ‘n roll films will be presented at the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Calif., beginning August 28. Among those are Jonathan Demme’s NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD, Richard Lester’s A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, and the Los Angeles premiere of PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE (above), directed by Steven Sebring.

Rock ‘n roll screening schedule

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Press Release:

The JOURNAL OF SHORT FILM released Volume 12 (Summer 2008) today. The JSF is a quarterly DVD that, to date, has published over 130 filmmakers from 12 countries. Volume 12 is another example of the JSF’s genre-leaping collections of the world’s best short films.

The Journal was thrilled to have Steven Bognar serve as a guest editor on Volume 12. Most recently, Steven’s feature documentary A LION IN THE HOUSE (along with Julia Reichert) made waves in 2006, landed on many top ten lists, and continues to tour the world. (Visit http://www.lioninthehouse.com)

Volume 12 also benefited from another great relationship: that between the JSF and the Media That Matters Film Festival. Three of the documentaries on Vol. 12 come from the ranks of its winners. Every year, Media That Matters showcases the best short films on social issues and, online and in communities around the world, connects activism to film. (Visit http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org)

But Vol. 12 has more than just documentaries, of course. Half of the films are narratives, several are experimental, and at least one includes a stop-motion animated piece of bread “following his heart.” As always, some of the films are major festival winners, and some are ones you won’t see anywhere else. Here is the complete list:

1. DRAKE – Christoph Rainer (2006, 5:00) “Visually striking, appealingly radical, and painfully recognisable!”–Ronald Simons, Rotterdam Film Festival 2. SUNBEAM HUNTER – Jonathan Schwartz (2006, 3:00) From 33 1/3 Series (an album of eleven ‘in-camera’ 16mm films), with the sound following, echoing. 3. THE SECOND LINE – John Magary (2007, 20:00) After MacArthur’s savings are stolen from his FEMA trailer, he and his cousin Natt take work gutting a house. 4. GARBAGE DREAMS – Mai Iskander (2007, 8:00) Media That Matters presents: Egypt’s resident garbage recyclers, the Zaballeen are struggling as Cairo modernizes its waste disposal system. 5. MAN – Myna Joseph (2007, 15:00) Maggie and her sister form an unusual bond during an encounter with a young man. 6. HOMESLICE – Dan Olsen (2007, 10:30) BE YOURSELF! ALL OF THE TIME! 7. REVIEW – Jenny Perlin (2004, 2:25) This silent animated film connects a daily experience of tragic news with a subsequent escape into cinematic entertainment. 8. ON THE ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT – Adam Keker (2008, 6:00) This top-secret government file is to be viewed only in the event of the President’s death by assassination. 9. A VERY SMALL TRILOGY OF LONELINESS – Bogdan George Apetri (2006, 7:00) Three vignettes look upon the same moment in time. A single moment, three people, the same feeling. 10. A GIRL LIKE ME – Kiri Davis (2006, 7:00) Media That Matters presents: Color is more than skin deep for young African-American women struggling to define themselves. 11. SOMETHING OTHER THAN OTHER – Jerry A. Henry and Andrea J. Chia (2005, 7:00) Media That Matters presents: Jerry and Andrea have endured their share of discrimination and have higher hopes for their newborn son. 12. ANNIE LLOYD – Cecelia Condit (2008, 17:45) A daughter’s intimate portrayal of the creativity and wisdom of old age.

The Journal continues to have a free and open submissions process. Submissions should be sent to The JSF, PO Box 8217, Columbus, OH 43201, USA. The Journal remains ad-free and committed to independent and underrepresented work.

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