African Academy Awards 2011 Poster

African Movie Academy Awards nominees to be announced 2011 February 12 at event in Nairobi, Kenya

Leave a reply

The Seventh African Movie Academy Awards Nomination Night will take place on February 12, 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya. Filmmakers — from all over Africa, and from the African diaspora worldwide — will attend the event at the Safari Park Hotel, which will start Saturday afternoon at four o’clock. Over 300 African motion pictures had been submitted in 2010 for consideration by the Africa Film Academy.

The AMAA Nomination Night will be an all-Africa event: Fifty-three countries will represented at the gathering, which expresses the aspirations of players among the continent’s burgeoning audiovisual media.

The African Movie Academy Awards

The awards recognize and honor excellence among the directors, actors, and writers who create Africa’s audiovisual media. They also promote exemplary works of African filmmaking.

The Seventh African Movie Academy Awards ceremony will be held in Nairobi on March 26, 2011. The glamorous ceremony has become a prestigious event in the African entertainment industry calendar.

Links

[This story is based on reporting by Cinema Minima Correspondent Ogova Ondego in Nairobi. Lilian Baksalevowicz at FilmContact.com in Cape Town, South Africa, also contributed to this story.]

Picture of Mohammed Rasoulof

Iran punishes 2 filmmakers for political speech. Jafar Panahi, Mohammad Rasoulof get 6 years

Leave a reply

BY AUSTIN BURBRIDGE. LOS ANGELES (CINEMA MINIMA) — Two Iranian independent filmmakers were sentenced to six years in prison in Iran on Monday, December 20, 2010. The two directors — Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof — had been arrested at Mr Panahi’s house in March 2010. After incarceration, Mr Panahi, who is fifty years old, will be forbidden for twenty years from making films, writing screenplays, speaking to local or foreign media, and travel abroad.

The sentences were imposed on the two men for the purpose of punishing “assembly and collusion and propagandizing against the régime,” according to a report published in Iran by the Iranian Students News Agency. Each had spoken out against the Iranian government’s regulation of movie making. They had also publicly expressed support for the opposition to the régime during the last national elections.

Jafar Panahi is a well-known director. He has been celebrated for his successes at Berlin, Cannes, and Venice.

Mohammad Rasoulof is a respected writer, director, and producer. However — while Mr Rasoulof’s films have been acclaimed at festivals outside Iran — he is not a celebrity.

There have been many, well-publicized appeals by celebrities — Francis Coppola, Abbas Kiarostami, Martin Scorcese, and Steven Spielberg, among others — for the release of Mr Panahi. Some of the statements mention that Mohammad Rasoulof was hit with the same term of imprisonment for the same crime, and call for his release, as well. A petition is circulating, which has been subscribed by several French institutions, including the Cinémathèque française. It, too, mentions Mr Rasoulof.

However, few headlines or ledes mention that any filmmaker other than Mr Panahi had been sentenced in Iran last Monday. Twitter is littered with messages deploring the injustice to Jafar Panahi and calling for his release. Among the broad strokes of public discourse, the plight of his less-well-known colleague has been, for the most part, omitted, or relegated to the details of the Panahi story.

Although Mohammad Rasoulof is not so well-known as Panahi, he is a respected director of four features, several of which have been exhibited to good notices at international film festivals. His documentary, HEAD WIND, treats Iranian government restrictions on getting international movies and TV from satellite dishes, and restrictions on internet access. His latest film, THE WHITE MEADOWS, was released in 2009.

In his call for the release of the filmmakers, Abbas Kiarostami explained the significance of their work in Persian culture and its importance in a larger context —

Jafar Panahi and Mahmoud Rasoulof are two filmmakers of the Iranian independent cinema, a cinema that for the past quarter of a century has served as an essential cultural element in expanding the name of this country across the globe. They belong to an expanded world culture, and are a part of international cinematic culture.

I wish for their immediate release from prison knowing that the impossible is possible.

My heartfelt wishes are that artists no longer be imprisoned in this country because of their art; and that the independent and young Iranian cinema would no longer face obstacles, or lack of support and attention, or prejudice.

Since his arrest in March 2010, Mr Rasoulof has been at liberty on bail. During that time he has begun production of new movie. He remains free, pending appeal. He has twenty days from the date of the sentencing, to file an appeal.

Cinema Minima has created a basic Wikipedia article for Mohammad Rasoulof — readers are encouraged to make improvements to it.

B&H Photo Video

Your purchase through this link supports Cinema Minima

director's viewfinder
Director’s Viewfinders

Lola Kenya Screen marks 5 years with critical writing and creative documentary workshops

Leave a reply

BY OGOVA ONDEGO. NAIROBI, KENYA (CINEMA MINIMA) — The Lola Kenya Screen audiovisual media movement for children and youth in eastern Africa held cutting-edge workshops in creative documentary film and critical writing at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi between November 29 and December 4, 2010.

Presented in the framework of the pan African Cinetoile African mobile cinema network, these workshops — that brought together 30 children and youth from Nairobi and its environs — also marked five years since the founding of Lola Kenya Screen as an audiovisual media festival, skill-development mentorship programme and market for children and youth in eastern Africa in October 2005.

The Learn-As-You-Do method

In the spotlight once more are the hugely popular learn-as-you-do skill-development method that has seen 142 children and youth from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe gain skills in creative and cultural entrepreneurship since August 2006; 61 have been trained in filmmaking, and 24 in creative journalism training, 11 in event planning and presentation, and 20 in critical appreciation (judging) of film. Additionally, 26 youth have been equipped with the skills to make television drama and documentaries for children and youth.

So far, 20 short animated films, 12 documentaries, and five dramatic films have been made by children and youth through the annual Lola Kenya Screen film production workshops while many talents from the writing workshops have joined the mainstream mass media organizations in the region.

The November/December training strengthened the creative and cultural sector of eastern Africa further by training many more practitioners and actors for the present and the future.

Outreach

Besides empowering children and youth, Lola Kenya Screen also equips adults working with youngsters with pertinent skills. The movement also promotes the screen culture through the monthly Lola Kenya Screen Film Forum, school/community outreach mobile cinema and the annual Lola Kenya Screen film festival through which more than 1,750 best possible films from 98 countries drawn from all the six continents had been shown by August 15, 2010.

Sharon Mazviha Fortunate of Zimbabwe went through the experience of judging and awarding prizes to films at Lola Kenya Screen as a member of the Children’s jury.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the whole team for making it possible for a person like me to be part of the Lola Kenya Screen audiovisual media initiative for children and youth. I never thought I would one day fly, but I flew. I never thought I would sleep in a hotel, but I slept in one.

I spent an inspiring week at the festival meeting great and highly motivated people; tchildren’s films gave me the opportunity to express and share myself both on a personal level and a cultural level, reaching across borders and continents.

Tracy Muringa, a student at State House Girls’ School in Nairobi, Kenya, who has trained at Lola Kenya Screen in 2009 and 2010, says,

Reading about Lola Kenya Screen is not nearly as satisfying as the real experience. The various areas it trains children in are both educative and fun. The youth may look for fun in bad places but Lola Kenya Screen provides fun in a safe haven.

Bree Tonga Manuel of Zimbabwe says she learnt how to be serious and responsible in life from her experience at the third Lola Kenya Screen in 2008.

I learnt that if you want to get something done, especially in film animation and production, you have to be serious and responsible. I also learnt how to interact with other children from different cultures and backgrounds and I made many new friends, not only from Kenya but from Uganda and Tanzania.

Adede Hawi Nyodero, a student at The Kenya High School, Nairobi, is a regular participant at Lola Kenya Screen. She says,

Through Lola Kenya Screen, I have had the privilege to speak about children’s welfare and filmmaking on international radio and television networks that broadcast around the world; such networks include M-Net (Multi Choice) of South Africa, and Kenya’s Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Africa Radio Service. I have also been featured in newspapers, magazines and several online (Internet) publications.

I feel that filmmaking can make a great impact in children’s lives and should be introduced in all Kenyan schools.

Craig Kimu of Zimbabwe went through the Lola Kenya Screen creative journalism training in 2008:

It was on a Sunday morning, the 11th of August 2008 when we departed the Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe for Nairobi in Kenya.

At first, I was shocked at the thought that it was really me who was going to Kenya for the Lola Kenya Screen film festival. It was a nice time meeting with other children, youth and adults from other countries. I learnt many things from them and so did they.

As children, we could speak openly about what life holds in filmmaking.

I’d never been in a plane before and that was my first time. I hope it’s not the last time.

I also want to thank them for raising the standard for my life.

As an empowering force for children and youth, Lola Kenya Screen gives exposure to children to interact with the world through international audiovisual media networks such as festivals, markets and awards.

Simon Onyango, a student at Jamhuri High school who participated in the Lola Kenya Screen film jury and DISCOP Africa Market, says of his experience:

I had never understood how filmmakers get back their huge investments. Thanks to Lola Kenya screen, I finally got to learn this after attending the fourth edition of the annual Distribution and co-production (DISCOP Africa) markets at Hilton Hotel in Nairobi.

I highly regard the existence of Lola Kenya Screen for the exposure that they have given me. If I had been shown I might have forgotten; if I had been told, I might not have remembered the exact words; but because I received the first-hand information and made some sense from it — I can never forget.

Partners

This training is offered by Lola Kenya Screen in conjunction with Africalia, Belgian Development Cooperation, European Union, ComMattersKenya, and ArtMatters.Info.

To achieve its goals over the past five years, Lola Kenya Screen has worked with visionary organisations and individuals across the world. They include –

  • Prince Claus Fund For culture and Development (The Netherlands)
  • Jan Vrijman Fund/IDFA (The Netherlands)
  • Africalia Belgium (Belgium)
  • Communications and UNESCO (France)
  • ComMattersKenya (Kenya)
  • Goethe-Institut (Kenya)
  • Danish Film Institute (Denmark)
  • Artmatters.info (Kenya)
  • DW-Akademie/Berlin International Film Festival (Germany)
  • Prix Jeunesse International (Germany)
  • Finnish Film Foundation (Finland)
  • Alliance Francaise (Kenya)
  • Embassy of France (Kenya)
  • Southern Africa International Film & Television Market
  • Sithengi/Cape Town World Cinema Festival (South Africa)
  • Michael Auret
  • The Cradle Children’s Foundation (Kenya)
  • and Kenya film Commission (Kenya)

Mentors

The following professionals have helped mentor children and youth in the various skill development programmes over the years –

  • Antonia Ringbom (Finland/Sweden)
  • Maikki Kantola (Finland)
  • Meikke Statema (The Netherlands)
  • Florence Sipalla (Kenya)
  • Signe Zeilich-Jensen (The Netherlands)
  • Eid Abdel Latiff (Egypt)
  • Duco Tellegen (The Netherlands)
  • Fina Sensada-Boixader (Spain)
  • Rut Gomez Sobrino (Spain)
  • Anette Tony Hansen (Denmark)
  • Emily Wanja (Kenya)
  • Wanjiru Kairu (Kenya)
  • Vincho Nchogu (Kenya)
  • and Ogova Ondego (Kenya)

Support Lola Kenya Screen

Lola Kenya Screen appeals for support from other well wishers in helping shape the destiny of Kenya, Africa and the world through mentoring children and youth. Any organisation or individual in any part of the world interested in sharing our vision and responsibilities to the present and future generations of young people in any way may contact the Directorate of Lola Kenya Screen through —

  • Email director@lolakenyascreen.org
  • Mobile 254 733 703374
  • Mobile 254 722 486531
  • Mobile 254 752 745423
  • Telephone 254 20 315258
  • Telephone 254 20 2213318

One may also follow the progress of Lola Kenya Screen at

FYRO Macedonia Still from MOTHERS

European Film Promotion screens 13 Oscar contenders 2010 November 3-10 in Beverly Hills

Leave a reply

BY AUSTIN BURBRIDGE. LOS ANGELES (CINEMA MINIMA) — European Film Promotion — a consortium of 32 European film organizations — will host industry screenings for 13 feature films which are up for consideration to be nominees for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 83rd Academy Awards.

European Film Promotion poster image

The films — from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Macedonia, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland — will be shown in Beverly Hills (Los Angeles) 2010 November 3–10, in afternoon and evening screenings for film professionals, selected press, and Academy members. The screenings coincide with the American Film Market, in order to give the films exposure to the many buyers who come from all over the world to do business there.

“These screenings are a great chance to highlight some of Europe’s best films during the Oscar campaigns, and also, for the buyers who attend the AFM,” observed Éva Vezér, who is President of EFP, and General Manager of the Hungarian film organization Magyar Filmunió. “We are extremely pleased to be able to present 13 of our films this year — a big increase compared to the eight in 2009 and six in 2008. This shows that more and more members of our EFP network want to make use of this opportunity and spotlight the films where the decision makers meet.”

Guide to EFP Screenings

For the convenience of Cinema Minima’s readers the entire screening schedule is presented here in chronological order, and with handy indices, by country, and by title.

All screenings will take place at the Wilshire Screening Room → Map.

Screenings: Index by country

Screenings: Index by title

Schedule of screenings

Each entry includes –

  • A still from the film, which is linked to its handbill
  • A link to its entry in the EFP Film Database
  • A link to professional information about its director
  • A link (if available) to its website or trailer
  • A link to its handbill. Each handbill — which is in Adobe Reader (PDF) format — is a complete résumé of the film, with sales information for buyers. These handbills are superb productions. They testify to the high standards and excellence of the EFP’s Film Sales Support organization.
2010 November 3 Wednesday 6:15 PM
Still from MAMA GOGO Iceland — MAMMA GÓGÓ by Fridrik Thór Fridriksson.
Trailer. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 3 Wednesday 8:00 PM
Still from TIRZA The Netherlands (Holland) — TIRZA by Rudolf van den Berg.
Website. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 4 Thursday 8:00 PM
Still from EVEN THE RAIN Spain — TAMBIÉN LA LLUVIA | EVEN THE RAIN by Icíar Bollain.
Website. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 5 Friday 5:00 PM
Still from 9:06 Slovenia — 9:06 by Igor Šterk.
Trailer. Handbill.
2010 November 6 Saturday 2:30 PM
Still from THE BORDERSlovak Republic — THE BORDER by Jaro Vojtek.
Website. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 6 Saturday 4:00 PM
Still from LA PIVELLINA Austria — LA PIVELLINA by Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel.
Trailer. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 6 Saturday 6:00 PM
Still from THE BLACKS Croatia — CRNCI | THE BLACKS by Zvonimir Jurić and Goran Dević.
Trailer. Handbill.
2010 November 7 Sunday 4:00 PM
Still from LA PETIT CHAMBRE Switzerland — LA PETITE CHAMBRE by Stéphanie Chuat and Véronique Reymond.
Website. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 7 Sunday 6:00 PM
Still from THE ANGEL Norway — ENGELEN | THE ANGEL by Margreth Olin.
Website. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 9 Tuesday 6:15 PM
Still from SIMPLE SIMON Sweden — I RYMDEN FINSS INGA KÄSNLOR | SIMPLE SIMON by Andreas Öhman.
Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 9 Tuesday 8:00 PM
Still from BIBLIOTHEQUE PASCAL Hungary — BIBLIOTHÈQUE PASCAL by Szabolcs Hajdú.
Trailer. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 10 Wednesday 6:15 PM
Bulgaria. Still from EASTERN PLAYS Bulgaria — EASTERN PLAYS by Kamen Kalev.
Trailer. Handbill (PDF).
2010 November 10 Wednesday 8:00 PM
FYRO Macedonia Still from MOTHERS FYR of Macedonia — MAJKI | MOTHERS by Milcho Manchevski.
Handbill (PDF).

European Film Promotion

European Film Promotion (EFP) organizes the screenings. It is an international network of organizations from 32 European countries, which promotes and markets European cinema around the world.

Each member organization employs experts in promoting and marketing its own national cinema; and they coöperate to promote European cinema.

EFP was founded in 1997. It is supported by the European Union’s Media Programme and by its member organizations.

EFP Film Sales Support

EFP FSS logo Film Sales Support (FSS) — which will have an umbrella office at the American Film Market — is EFP’s support scheme for the promotion of European films outside of Europe.

FSS financially supports up to 50% of the marketing campaigns of European sales agents — or production companies in cases where films are not handled by a sales agent — at selected non-European film festivals or markets. In 2009, FSS backed 165 films at FILMART, the Asian Film Market, and the AFM.

For more information

The EFP Project Coordinator is Luisa Graeve

Lola Kenya Screen hosts two cutting-edge mentorship programs for children and youth

Leave a reply

BY OGOVA ONDEGO. NAIROBI, KENYA (CINEMA MINIMA) — The Nairobi-based Lola Kenya Screen — audiovisual media festival, skill-development mentorship program, and market for children and youth in eastern Africa — marks five years of service to children and youth in November 2010 with two cutting-edge skill-development mentorship programs.

Workshops: Documentary Filmmaking, Critical Writing

Consequently, Lola Kenya Screen is inviting children and youth in Nairobi and environs to apply to the mentorship programs in Documentary Filmmaking and Critical Writing, scheduled for 2010 November 29 through December 4 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The training is scheduled for November and December, to enable form-four students, and standard-eight pupils who will have done their national examinations, to participate and to gain the life skills required at the next stage of their formal education.

Lola Kenya Screen has, since 2006, showcased some 1,750 best-possible films for children, youth and family, from 98 nations; and has helped train 61 children in filmmaking, 23 in journalism, 19 in events organization & presentation; and 20 in critical appreciation of creativity. Those trained have come from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Many more children have been exposed to media literacy through the Lola Kenya Screen’s school outreach program.

Apply to participate in workshops

To celebrate five years of service, Lola Kenya Screen calls upon interested candidates to apply for consideration in either its critical writing workshop, or its documentary filmmaking workshop.

These — as is usual with the ever popular Lola Kenya Screen programs for children and youth — will be intensive, six-day, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM learn-as-you-do programs, that will be faciltated by renowned international experts specializing in issues related to children, youth, mass media, culture, and development.

Although preference will be given to applicants who have already participated in any of Lola Kenya Screen programs (2005-2010), anyone interested in the November–December training should apply without exception.

Every application, written by the child/youth and specifying the program in which one is interested, must include:

  • Intention
  • Expectations
  • School
  • Age
  • Email address
  • Telephone, preferably cell/mobile number
  • Physical address
  • Letter of permission from parent/guardian

The applicant must be 6-16 years old (9-18 for production workshop). She (or he) must be both knowledgeable and interested in audiovisual media. The applicant must have the ability to understand, speak, and write in English; and must be able to compose, type, and submit articles of 500–1,200 words daily. The candidate must be ready to work under strict deadlines; and should be supported by parents or guardians.

Deadline for Applications 2010 October 30

The application material is to be sent to director@lolakenyascreen.org. The DEADLINE for application is 2010 October 30 at 5:00 PM East African Standard Time | 14:00 GMT.

Admission to the workshops is on the first-come, first-served basis.

This training, part of the Pan African Cinetoile mobile cinema, will be offered by Lola Kenya Screen in conjunction with Africalia of Belgium, the Belgian Development Cooperation, the European Union, ComMattersKenya, and ArtMatters.Info.

Support Lola Kenya Screen

Lola Kenya Screen appeals for support from other well wishers interested in helping shape the destiny of Kenya, Africa, and the world through mentoring children and youth. Any one interested in sharing this vision in any way may contact the Directorate of Lola Kenya Screen through:

  • director@lolakenyascreen.org
  • Mobile telephone: 254 733 703374
  • Mobile telephone: 254 722 486531
  • Mobile telephone: 254 752 745423
  • Telephone: 254 20 315258
  • Telephone: 254 20 2213318

More about Lola Kenya Screen

Incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Kenya as a charity, Lola Kenya Screen is an international audiovisual media festival, skill-development mentorshop programme and market for children and youth in eastern Africa.

Lola Kenya Screen operates in eastern and southern Africa, helping train children and youth in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar island, and Zimbabwe.

The annual Lola Kenya Screen film festival is held every second week of August to showcase the best possible international productions for children, youth and family alongside learn-as-you-do skill-development metorship programmes in film production, film appreciation, creative journalism, event planning and presentation, and media literacy.

Lola Kenya Screen also gives awards to the best children’s film (Golden Mboni Award), the best youth film (14-Plus Award) and the Kids For Kids Africa Festival Award.

Lola Kenya Screen conducts a mobile cinema programme to schools in and around Nairobi throughout the year and mentor pupils and youth in filmmaking, film appreciation, media literacy, event organisation & presentation.

Lola Kenya Screen runs a monthly Lola Kenya Screen Film Forum (LKSFF), a discussion platform aimed at critiquing, encouraging and exploring ways of how to integrate film production in Kenya and eastern Africa with other socio-cultural and economic sectors in order to come up with a vibrant film industry.

Held in conjunction with Goethe-Institut in Kenya, LKSFF enables audiovisual media practitioners to watch and discuss short films from eastern Africa, to exchange ideas, and to network every last Monday of the month throughout the year. This forum is often one of the first places where new films can be seen and young talent spotted.

Since December 2005 when the first LKSFF was held, more than 100 films have been shown: films from Willie Owusu to Just A Band, from Wanuri Kahiu to Judy Kibinge.

LKSFF is part of the annual Lola Kenya Screen audiovisual media event.

Follow the Lola Kenya Screen progress:

  • lolakenyascreen.org
  • FaceBook
  • Twitter/LolaKenyaScreen
    • Picture of Manoel de Oliveira wearing hat and parka

    Director Manoel de Oliveira postpones visit to São Paulo Film Festival

    Leave a reply

    < BY AUSTIN BURBRIDGE. LOS ANGELES (CINEMA MINIMA) -- Centenarian filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira — whose feature, O ESTRANHO CASO DE ANGÉLICA|THE STRANGE CASE OF ANGELICA opens the 34th São Paulo International Film Festival — will not attend its opening night screening.

    On advice from his physician, the 102-year-old Portuguese director has postponed his visit to São Paulo, Brazil, for eight days while he recuperates from the replacement of a cardiac pacemaker, according to Folha.com. A spokesman for the festival says that the director “likes the São Paulo festival, and he promises to come before it closes” on 2010 November 4.

    Manoel de Oliveira filmed by Wim Wenders

    Having written and directed eleven features and seven short films in the last ten years, Manoel de Oliveira is the not only the oldest active filmmaker in the world, he is also one of the more active of any filmmakers working today. Born in Portugal in 1908, he made his first film, a documentary, in 1931; his first feature in 1942. The Alternative Film Guide offers summaries of films which had been screened in a retrospective of his work at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

    DVD ECCENTRICITIES OF A BLONDE HAIRED GIRL by Manoel de Oliveira Although hardly known in the United States, de Oliveira is an international director of the first rank, whose reputation is secure among filmmakers and audiences worldwide. Read Randall Johnson’s appreciation of his career in Senses of Cinema.

    [Source Cineasta Manoel de Oliveira cancela presença na abertura da Mostra de Cinema de SP - Folha.com]

    Director’s Supplies

    Director's viewfinder

    Get your director’s viewfinder at B&H Photo Video.
    Your purchase through this link supports Cinema Minima.

    Independent filmmakers panel at TromaDance Press Conference at American Film Market 2010

    Leave a reply

    afm_diary1.png

    BY AUSTIN BURBRIDGE. SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (CINEMA MINIMA) — A panel of independent filmmakers — headed by director Lloyd Kaufman, and including actress Jaime King, producer Richard Saperstein, director Darren Lynn Bousman, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson, writer-director Adam Rifkin, and FilmThreat publisher Chris Gore — will convene at the 2010 American Film Market to discuss the state of independent art and filmmaking during the TromaDance Film Festival press conference.

    Filmmakers are invited to attend the event, which will start at 3 o’clock in the afternoon of November 4, 2010, in the Press Room of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, California. Space is limited; filmmakers who wish to attend should RSVP to Anne Koester at anne@troma.com as soon as possible.

    The annual event promotes the TromaDance Film Festival as a beacon for truly independent cinema. Each year, the fest showcases groundbreaking new films, and new and talented filmmakers — all for free.

    Besides the filmmaker panel, the conference will –

    • Present the Soul of Independence Award, bestowed upon one young, deserving filmmaker for embodying the spirit of TromaDance.
    • Present the break-out filmmakers Astron-6 — Adam Brooks, Jeremy Gillespie, Matt Kennedy, Conor Sweeney, and Steven Kostanski — who were discovered at TromaDance 2010, and who have been hired by Troma Entertainment to make their first feature, FATHER’S DAY.
    • Explain why the TromaDance Film Festival has moved from Park City, Utah, in the western part of the United States, to Asbury Park, New Jersey, in the northeast.
    • Announce the latest news about the 2011 TromaDance Film Festival.
    • Sceen a new TromaDance Public Service Announcement

    Inspired by Trey Parker and founded in 1999 by Lloyd Kaufman, TromaDance is the first film festival wholeheartedly devoted to filmmakers and fans.

    Unlike every other film festival, TromaDance does not charge filmmakers a fee to submit their films. Entrance to all screenings is free and open to the public. The organizers of TromaDance believe that films are meant to be seen, especially when it comes to new filmmakers.

    The TromaDance Film Festival Committee is now accepting submissions for TromaDance 2011. Deadline for submissions 2011 February 11. [Entry form].

    As the largest film market for independent films, the American Film Market complements the ideals of TromaDance; it serves as a meeting ground for contemporary independent minds. In previous years, the TromaDance panel at the AFM has boasted the contributions of Jenna Fischer, Fred “The Hammer” Williamson, James Gunn, Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor, Penelope Spheeris, and The Toxic Avenger, among others.

    Josh Olson received an Academy Award nomination for his adaptation of the graphic novel A History of Violence for David Cronenberg’s A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. He contributes to Joe Dante’s Trailers From Hell. He is preparing to direct an adaptation of the Dennis Lehane story, “Until Gwen.”

    Adam Rifkin wrote, produced, and directed LOOK, The Series for the American cable-TV network, Showtime. Based on his film of the same name, the series explores America’s camera-crazed and surveillance-based culture. Rifkin wrote DreamWorks’ MOUSEHUNT and SMALL SOLDIERS, and directed DETROIT ROCK CITY.

    Lloyd Kaufman — celebrated as a co-founder of Troma Entertainment — is the director of THE TOXIC AVENGER and TROMEO AND JULIET. He is the chairman of the Independent Film & Television Alliance, which produces the American Film Market.