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Friday, May 22, 2009
2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival to Honor Director Jon Gunn with Independent Award
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Winners of 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Jury Awards Announced
Friday, May 15, 2009
2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Honors New Italian Actor Francesco Mistichelli with Inaugural Discovery Award
Thursday, April 30, 2009
2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Honors Kimberlee Bassford with Spirit of Humanity Award for Film "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority"
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Nominees of 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Awards Announced
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Bill Plympton to be Honored with El Dorado Award at 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival
Monday, April 20, 2009
2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival to Close with Karen Kingsbury's "Like Dandelion Dust" by American Director Jon Gunn, May 23, 2009, Faye Spanos Concert Hall
Friday, April 10, 2009
2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival to Open with "Marcello Marcello" by Italian-Swiss Director Denis Rabaglia, May 14, 2009 at historic Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thomas Woschitz's "Universalove" is the Centerpiece of the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival
Friday, March 13, 2009
2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Unveils First 100 Films
2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival to Honor Director Jon Gunn with Independent Award at Closing Night
Published: Friday, May 22, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The San Joaquin Film Society will be honoring Jon Gunn, an American writer, producer, director and co-creator of IndieProducer, with the inaugural 2009 Independent Award. The award honors a spirited innovator who empowers independent filmmaking through impactful creativity, exemplary talent and steadfast leadership.The award will be presented following the Closing Night screening of his directorial feature "Like Dandelion Dust" at 7:30PM on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the Faye Spanos Concert Hall at University of the Pacific (3601 Pacific Avenue, Corner of Dave Brubeck way). Director Gunn is expected to be in attendance to accept the award, and take part in a Q&A session with the audience and special guests, after the screening. A Closing Night Party follows at 9:45PM at Centrale (1825 Pacific) with special guests, scrumptious treats and the hot beats of DJ Nica.
Show Tickets
$15.00 General / $12.00 Senior 65+, Student, Member
Party Tickets
$35.00 Show + Party / $25.00 Party Only
Advance tickets available at www.sjiff.org/tickets or www.pacifictigers.tix.com or at Faye Spanos Concert Hall (corner of Pacific and Dave Brubeck Way) on day of show beginning at 1:30PM.
ABOUT JON GUNN
American Writer, Director and Editor Jon Gunn made his feature film debut in 2000 with Mercy Streets. Before being released in theaters, Mercy Streets received the Best Feature Film award at the What You See is What You Get Festival, and the Movie Guide Award for “10 Best Films of 2000”.
His next feature, My Date with Drew, had a worldwide theatrical release in the summer of 2005 and won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival, NY Gen Art Film Festival, and Vail Film Festival. It also swept the 2005 Sonoma Film Festival, winning three awards, including the Jury Prize for Best Feature. My Date With Drew beat Napoleon Dynamite, Super Size Me and Garden State for Best Feature, and was listed on www.the-numbers.com as the fifth most profitable film of all times.
Gunn co-wrote Ian the Vampire and a comedy The Final Four, both currently in development at Fox Searchlight, where he has a blind script deal. He is now writing Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians for Dreamworks Animation.
In 2002, Gunn teamed up with producer Kerry David (Executive Producer, Agent Cody Banks; Producer, upcoming Don Cheadle Miles Davis project) to create Lucky Crow Films. They have produced both film and television projects, optioned numerous literary properties, and are currently in pre-production on a number of feature projects, including Why Beulah Shot her Pistol Inside The Baptist Church, a dark comedy adapted by Gail Gilchriest (My Dog Skip) from the novel by Clayton Sullivan.
Gunn and David also co-own IndieProducer (www.indieproducer.net), a renown, worldwide filmmaking community created to discover, educate and support new and emerging talent in film.
• Film's Official page: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-dandelion.html
• For high-quality images from film: www.sjiff.org/filmstills.html
ABOUT "LIKE DANDELION DUST"
Synopsis of Karen Kingsbury's "Like Dandelion Dust" based on the best-selling novel: "Jack and Molly Campbell (Cole Hauser, Kate Levering) are right where they want to be, enjoying an idyllic life with their six-year-old son Joey (Maxwell Perry Cotton), and the close family and friends who live in their small hometown just outside of West Palm Beach, Florida. Then the phone call comes from the social worker the Campbells never expected to hear from again. Three states away in Ohio, Joey's biological father (Barry Pepper) has just been released from prison. He is ready to start life over with his wife Wendy (Mira Sorvino) but not without their son.
A judge's quick decision deals a devastating blow to the Campbell family: Joey must be returned to his biological parents.
In the days that follow the ruling, Jack & Molly Campbell have a desperate and dangerous thought. What if they can devise a way out? They could take Joey and simply disappear... LIKE DANDELION DUST." - www.likedandeliondust.com
ABOUT THE SAN JOAQUIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the flagship annual exhibition of the San Joaquin Film Society taking place May 14 to 23, 2009 - is a glorious world showcase of new and innovative works from emerging talents and seasoned international artists, presented in various venues across the city of Stockton in the heart of California's Central Valley. SJIFF2 will feature: red carpet premieres; new independent American and world films; Animania - a cinematic spotlight on animated cinema; tributes to celebrated and rising filmmakers; an exhilarating collection of the world's top short-length films from new and accomplished directors; educational programs, panels, interactive discussions; family events and programmes; a cultural family day at the museum; guest celebrities, entertainment and industry luminaries, and filmmakers from around the nation and the world; galas and festive parties; and diverse programs for all ages.
Official Festival Website: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09
Films: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/films.html
Tickets: www.sjiff.org/tickets
ABOUT THE SAN JOAQUIN FILM SOCIETY
The San Joaquin Film Society, Inc. (SJFS), home of the San Joaquin International Film Festival, celebrates cinema arts, multi-cultural appreciation, and global outreach through year-round productions of festivals, films, and educational programs. For 2009, in addition to the international film festival in May, SJFS launched an ambitious year of events that includes the 1st San Joaquin Children's Film Festival in January, the 1st California International Documentary Film Festival in the Fall, year-round cinema programs, special events, and educational programs. SJFS is dedicated to celebrating the artistry, diversity, and power of filmmaking; and to bringing the world of cinema to the culturally-rich Central Valley audiences.
Official Website: www.sjiff.org
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Winners of 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Jury Awards Announced
Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The San Joaquin Film Society is proud to announce the winning films of the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Jury Awards. Winnings films were selected by a distinguished jury of film artists and industry professionals.
The winners are:
Best Narrative Feature Film
• "Cherry Blossoms" - Dir. Doris Dörrie (Germany, Japan)
Best Documentary Feature Film
• "D Tour" - Dir. Jim Granato (USA)
Best Narrative Short Film
• "Memphis Calling" - Dir. Colin Mitchell USA)
Best Documentary Short Film
• "12 Notes Down" - Dir. Andreas Koefoed (Denmark)
Best Animated Short Film
• "Chicory 'n' Coffee" - Dir. Dusan Kastelic (Slovenia)
Best Experimental Short Film
• "Slow" - Dir. Kurt Kuenne (USA)
Experimental Short Film Honorable Mention
• "Flying Lessons" - Dir. Rosane Chamecki, Phil Harder, Andrea Lerner (USA)
Best Student Short Film
• "The Watchman and the Little Girl" - Dir. Christoph Englert (Germany)
Members of the jury are:
Narrative Feature Competition
• Misha McLaird, PhD
(Director of Acquisitions, Las Américas Film Network)
• Chris Wiggum
(Director of Public Relations and Business Development, Global Film Initiative)
Documentary Feature Competition
• Kristy Guevara-Flanagan
(Documentary Director)
• Teresa Hagen
(Owner, Cut Loose Productions)
Short Films Competition
• Erahm Christopher
(Director, Writer, and Producer)
• Jessica Sison
(Documentary Filmmaker and Editor)
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Honors New Italian Actor Francesco Mistichelli with Inaugural Discovery Award
Published: Friday, May 15, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival of the San Joaquin Film Society honored new Italian actor Francesco Mistichelli with its inaugural Discovery Award at its Opening Night Gala on May 14, 2009 at the historic Bob Hope Theatre. The award was presented to Mistichelli prior to the Northern California premiere of Denis Rabaglia's "Marcello Marcello," in which Mistichelli played the memorable leading role in his first feature film performance.
Amanda King, Mistress of Ceremony; Francesco Mistichelli, Recipient of SJIFF Discovery Award 2009; Sophoan Sorn, Founder and Creator of Festivals of the San Joaquin Film Society
The Discovery Award honors a striking new talent that is being introduced on the international scene.
Born in Pescara, Italy, raised in Palermo and currently works in Rome, Mistichelli was selected from a pool of 1,200 auditions for the leading role. He is slated to appear in Federico Moccia's next film "Scusa ma ti voglio sposare."
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Honors Kimberlee Bassford with Spirit of Humanity Award for Film "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority"
Published: Thursday, April 30, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The San Joaquin Film Society will be honoring Hawaiian-American director, Kimberlee Bassford, with the 2009 Spirit of Humanity Award, for her documentary film "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority." The award honors a filmmaker who uses film as an important instrument to advance, celebrate, and promote humanity. The screening of the film will take place at 6:00PM on Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Stockton Empire Theatre (1825 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, California 95204). Director Bassford is expected to be in attendance to accept the award, and take part in a Q&A session with the audience, after the screening.
Admission
• $10.00 General
• $9.00 Senior 65+ / Student
• $8.00 Members
Tickets: www.sjiff.org/tickets
ABOUT "PATSY MINK: AHEAD OF THE MAJORITY"
"Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority," a California Central Valley Premiere at SJIFF2, explores the remarkable story of Patsy Mink, an Asian American woman who, battling racism and sexism, redefined American politics. Small in stature but a giant in vision, she began her life on a Maui sugar plantation and rose to become the first Asian American woman and woman of color in the United States Congress. A firecracker and a fighter, she continually pushed the limits of what was acceptable, speaking out against the Vietnam War and entering the 1972 presidential primary, making her one of the first women to seek the nation’s highest office. She transformed America’s schools as the co-author of Title IX, the landmark legislation that opened up higher education and athletics to women.
The film goes beyond Mink’s accomplishments, however, to reveal a woman whose political journey was lonely and tumultuous. Dispelling stereotypes of the compliant Japanese female, she battled sexism within her own party, whose leaders disliked her independent style and openly maneuvered against her. Her liberal politics, particularly her vocal opposition to the Vietnam War, engendered intense criticism. As Franklin Odo, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, states: “Patsy Mink offers a phenomenal political story, because she was so outside what you would expect of a woman, of a Japanese American and of a member of Congress.” Simultaneously a woman of the people and a pioneer, a patriot and an outcast, her story proves endlessly intriguing, and one that embodies the history, ideals and spirit of America. (54 min., USA, In English)
"Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority" had its World Premiere at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival in October 2008, where it won the Audience Award for Favorite Documentary and was nominated for the Golden Orchid Award for Best Documentary. Earlier this month, it won Best Documentary, Best Hawaiian Film and Gold Kahuna Award at the Honolulu International Film Festival. The film is now running in the Documentary Competition at the 2nd San Joaquin International FIlm Festival.
• Film's Official page: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-patsy.html
• For high-quality images from film: www.sjiff.org/filmstills.html
ABOUT KIMBERLEE BASSFORD
Kimberlee Bassford is an award-winning independent filmmaker from Hawai‘i who has a passion for social issue and cultural stories. She produced, directed, wrote and co-edited "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority" (2008). Most recently, Bassford was a producer on "Unnatural Causes" (2008), a documentary series and public engagement campaign that investigates our disturbing socioeconomic and racial disparities in health. She was also a producer on "The Meaning of Food" (2005), a series that explores the social significance of food in the United States. Her directorial debut, "Cheerleader" (2003), about a squad of young, bright-eyed California cheerleaders on a quest for national championships: aired on HBO Family; won a Student Oscar®; and screened at festivals around the world, including the Kodak Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Festival de Cannes. A graduate of Punahou School, she holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University and a Masters in Journalism from the University of California Berkeley. She owns Making Waves Films LLC, a documentary production company in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
The Spirit of Humanity Award was created in 2008. The previous honoree was Almudena Carracedo (2008) and her Emmy® Award-winning documentary film "Made in L.A."
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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Nominees of 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Awards Announced
Published: Thursday, April 23, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The San Joaquin Film Society is proud to announce the nominated films of the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Awards. Winnings films are selected by a distinguished jury of film artists and industry professionals, and will be honored at the festival's Opening Night Gala during the Opening Ceremony on May 14, 2009 at 7:00PM, at the Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre (242 E. Main Street, Stockton CA, 95202).
The nominated films are:
Best Narrative Film
• "Cherry Blossoms" - Dir. Doris Dörrie (Germany, Japan)
• "Like Dandelion Dust" - Dir. Jon Gunn (USA)
• "Marcello Marcello" - Dir. Denis Rabaglia (Switzerland, Italy)
• "Universalove" - Dir. Thomas Woschitz (Austria, Luxembourg, Serbia)
Best Documentary Film
• "D Tour" - Dir. Jim Granato (USA)
• "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority" - Dir. Kimberlee Bassford (USA)
• "Veer" - Dir. Greg Fredette (USA)
• "The Young Romantic: A Portrait of Yundi Li" - Dir. Barbara Willis Sweete (Canada, China, Germany)
Best Narrative Short Film
• "The Aviatrix" - Dir. Toddy Burton (USA)
• "Haber" - Dir. Daniel Ragussis (USA)
• "Memphis Calling" - Dir. Colin Mitchell USA)
• "Para Asia" - Dir. Fran Borgia (Singapore)
• "The Pond" - Dir. Sonja Phillips (United Kingdom)
Best Documentary Short Film
• "12 Notes Down" - Dir. Andreas Koefoed (Denmark)
• "Anita's Africa" - Dir. Beverley Reid (Canada, Uganda)
• "If A Body Meets a Body" - Dir. Brian Davis (USA)
Best Animated Short Film
• "Chicory 'n' Coffee" - Dir. Dusan Kastelic (Slovenia)
• "Fly Out Blue" - Dir. Jack "Ming-Huei" Shih (Taiwan)
• "Hot Dog" - Dir. Bill Plympton (USA)
• "KuyGorozh" - Dir. Sergey Merinov (Russia)
Best Experimental Short Film
• "Flying Lessons" - Dir. Rosane Chamecki, Phil Harder, Andrea Lerner (USA)
• "Oh, Simone" - Dir. Stuart Gatt (United Kingdom)
• "Slow" - Dir. Kurt Kuenne (USA)
• "Standing Start" - Dir. Adrian McDowall, Finlay Pretsell (United Kingdom)
Best Student Short Film
• "27,000 Days" - Dir. Naveen Singh (USA)
• "Kid" - Dir. Miguel Alvarez (USA)
• "My Dad Ralph" - Dir. Nicholas Wong (Canada)
• "The Watchman and the Little Girl" - Dir. Christoph Englert (Germany)
Members of the jury are:
Narrative Feature Competition
• Misha McLaird, PhD
(Director of Acquisitions, Las Américas Film Network)
• Chris Wiggum
(Director of Public Relations and Business Development, Global Film Initiative)
Documentary Feature Competition
• Kristy Guevara-Flanagan
(Documentary Director)
• Teresa Hagen
(Owner, Cut Loose Productions)
Short Films Competition
• Erahm Christopher
(Director, Writer, and Producer)
• Jessica Sison
(Documentary Filmmaker and Editor)
- For details on Opening Night Gala and Party, featuring "Marcello Marcello," visit www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-marcello.html
- For tickets, visit www.sjiff.org/tickets or www.bobhopetheatre.com
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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Bill Plympton to be Honored with El Dorado Award at 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival
Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The San Joaquin Film Society announces that Academy Award-nominated, "Indie Animation King" Bill Plympton will receive the inaugural El Dorado Award at the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2, May 14-23). The El Dorado Award honors an exceptional artist whose artistry, creativity, and originality has made a tremendous impact on independent cinema. The award will be presented to Mr. Plympton at the Central Valley Premiere screening of his latest animated feature "Idiots and Angels," on Saturday, May 16, 2009, 6:30PM, at the Stockton Empire Theatre (1825 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202).
The next morning, Mr. Plympton will present a Master Class at the festival's annual Filmmakers and VIP Brunch on Sunday, May 17, 2009, 10:00AM at the Matinée Movie Lounge. At the in-depth seminar, Mr. Plympton will share his artistic and business experiences in animated cinema, demonstrate with live drawings, screen exclusive short films from his repertoire, and interact in a Q&A session with the audience.
Admission
El Dorado Award / "Idiots and Angels"
• $10.00 General
• $9.00 Senior 65+ / Student
• $8.00 Members
Filmmakers and VIP Brunch
• $25.00 General / Senior 65+ / Student
• $20.00 Members
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 24, 2009 online at www.sjiff.org/tickets
ABOUT "IDIOTS AND ANGELS"
Synopsis: Angel is a selfish, abusive, morally bankrupt man who hangs out as his local bar, berating the other patrons. One day, Angel mysteriously wakes up with a pair of wings on his back. The wings make him do good deeds, contrary to his nature. He desperately tries to rid himself of the good wings, but eventually finds himself fighting those who view the wings as their ticket to fame and fortune. (USA, 2008, 78 minutes)
Screening at major festivals around the world - "Idiots and Angels" had its World Premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. It was honored with a Special Distinction Award at the prestigious 2008 Annecy International Animation Festival in France. In Porto, Portugal in March 2009, the film was awarded the Grand Prize at FantasPorto, one of the biggest film festivals in Europe. The El Dorado Award screening of "Idiots and Angels" at SJIFF2 in Stockton will be the film's first presentation to an audience in California's 400-mile Central Valley.
• Film's Official page: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-iangels.html
• For high-quality images from film: www.sjiff.org/filmstills.html
ABOUT DIRECTOR BILL PLYMPTON
Bill Plympton was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He moved to New York City, upon graduation from Portland State University in Graphic Design. He began his career creating cartoons for publications such as New York Times, National Lampoon, Playboy and Screw. In 1987 he was nominated for an Oscar® for his short Your Face. After producing many shorts which appeared on MTV and Spike and Mike's, he turned his talent to features. Since 1991 he's made 9 feature films, 6 of them, The Tune, Mondo Plympton, I Married A Strange Person, Mutant Aliens, Hair High and Idiots and Angels. In 2005, Bill's received another Oscar® nomination, this time for a short film Guard Dog.
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival to Close with Karen Kingsbury's "Like Dandelion Dust" by American Director Jon Gunn, May 23, 2009, Faye Spanos Concert Hall
Published: Monday, April 20, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the ten-day flagship festival of the San Joaquin Film Society, will wrap with the California Central Valley premiere of Karen Kingsbury's "Like Dandelion Dust," based on the best-selling novel and directed by Jon Gunn: A heart-warming film from Downes Brothers Entertainment starring Academy Award-winning Mira Sorvino, Barry Pepper, Sacramento-born Kate Levering, Maxwell Perry Cotton, and Cole Hauser - about the struggle of the blue-collar Porter family and the privileged Campbell family as their lives intersect for the love of a little boy. "Like Dandelion Dust" will screen at the Closing Night of the California Central Valley's biggest film festival, beginning at 7:30PM on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the majestic Faye Spanos Concert Hall at University of the Pacific (3601 Pacific Avenue - Corner of Pacific and Dave Brubeck Way - Stockton CA, 95211, USA).
Red Carpet Welcome at 6:30PM. Director Jon Gunn, Producer Kevin Downes, Producer Bobby Downes, Producer Kerry David, Executive Producer Chris Morrow, among others are expected to be in attendance.
At 7:00PM, follow the red carpet to an memorable Closing Night Gala, opening with a special presentation of souvenir images and footages from SJIFF2 and the festival Audience Awards to winning films selected by the festival patrons. The crown jewel of the evening is the premiere presentation of "Like Dandelion’s Dust."
At 9:30PM, the Closing Night Party kicks off at the sparkling new open-sky promenade of Centrale Kitchen and Bar (1825 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204) for a star-studded evening of scrumptious appetizers, cool drinks, and lively entertainment and dance!
• Film's Official page: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-dandelion.html
• For high-quality images from film: www.sjiff.org/filmstills.html
Admission:
- Closing Night Show Only: $15.00 / $12.00*
- Closing Night Show + Party: $35.00
- Closing Night Party Only: $25.00
Opening Night tickets go on sale Friday, April 24th via www.pacifictigers.tix.com or by phone at (209) 946-2474.
Tickets can now be reserved online at www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-dandelion.html
*Denotes admission cost for: Members, Students, Seniors 65+ / Disabled Person.
For all SJIFF2 tickets sales and ticket updates, visit www.sjiff.org/tickets
ABOUT "LIKE DANDELION DUST"
Like Dandelion Dust (2009): Based on the best-selling novel by America's leading inspirational novelist Karen Kingsbury, the film is a compelling drama that explores the different meanings of being a parent through the grittily realistic lives of the struggling, blue collar Porter's, and the privileged Campbell family. Their lives intersect, intertwine and collide, all for the love of a little boy. This film is wonderfully acted, bravely exposing the humanity in each character and reminding us that we each have the potential to be the best and worst versions of ourselves at any time. (Downes Brothers Entertainment, 100 mins., USA, English)
"Like Dandelion Dust" held its World Premiere at the 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival in January 2009, and was selected for its Best of Fest programme. The film went on to be feted with the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Sedona International Film Festival, the Grand Jury Best Feature at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Feature at Vail Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Sonoma International Film Festival, and the Audience Award and Grand Jury Best Feature at the Las Vegas International Film Festival. The film comes to its first presentation to an audience in California’s 400-mile Central Valley at the Closing Night Gala of SJIFF2.
ABOUT DIRECTOR JON GUNN
American Writer, Director and Editor Jon Gunn made his feature film debut in 2000 with Mercy Streets. Before being released in theaters, Mercy Streets received the Best Feature Film award at the What You See is What You Get Festival, and the Movie Guide Award for “10 Best Films of 2000”.
His next feature, My Date with Drew, had a worldwide theatrical release in the summer of 2005 and won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival, NY Gen Art Film Festival, and Vail Film Festival. It also swept the 2005 Sonoma Film Festival, winning three awards, including the Jury Prize for Best Feature. My Date With Drew and was listed on www.the-numbers.com as the fifth most profitable film of all times.
Gunn co-wrote Ian the Vampire and a comedy The Final Four, both currently in development at Fox Searchlight, where he has a blind script deal. He is now writing Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians for Dreamworks Animation.
In 2002, Gunn teamed up with producer Kerry David (Executive Producer, Agent Cody Banks; Producer, upcoming Don Cheadle Miles Davis project) to create Lucky Crow Films. They have produced both film and television projects, optioned numerous literary properties, and are currently in pre-production on a number of feature projects, including Why Beulah Shot her Pistol Inside The Baptist Church, a dark comedy adapted by Gail Gilchriest (My Dog Skip) from the novel by Clayton Sullivan.
Gunn and David also co-own IndieProducer (www.indieproducer.net), a renown, worldwide filmmaking community created to discover, educate and support new and emerging talent in film.
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival to Open with "Marcello Marcello" by Italian-Swiss Director Denis Rabaglia, May 14, 2009 at historic Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre
Published: Friday, April 10, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the ten-day flagship festival of the San Joaquin Film Society, will kick-off with the Northern California premiere of Denis Rabaglia's "Marcello Marcello": A heart-warming romantic comedy that follows a teen boy's frantic adventure to find a gift for the father of a beautiful young woman he adores. "Marcello Marcello" will screen at the Opening Night of the Valley's biggest film festival, beginning at 7:00PM on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the historic Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre (242 E. Main St. Stockton CA, 95202, USA).
At 7:00PM, follow the red carpet to an extraordinary evening with: a special compilation of clips from SJIFF2 films; presentation of prizes to award-winning films of SJIFF2 selected by a distinguished jury; the Opening short film "Para Asia" (USA Premiere) by Spanish-Singaporean director Fran Borgia; and the presence of celebrated filmmakers and innovators from around the world - all leading up to the Northern California Premiere of "Marcello Marcello."
At 9:30PM proceed to the theatre's mezzanine for a Mediterranean-inspired night of glitz, glamour, and glorious times at the annual "With the Stars" Opening Night Party. Experience festive live music, dance and entertainment. Savor a collection of scrumptious international cuisine, appetizers, desserts, and cocktails from Downtown Stockton restaurants - paired with the finest wine from vineyards of the San Joaquin Valley.
• Film's Official page: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-marcello.html
• For high-quality images from film: www.sjiff.org/filmstills.html
Admission:
- Opening Night Show Only: $20.00 / $18.00*
- Opening Night Show + "With the Stars" Party: $45.00 / $45.00*
- "With the Stars" Party Only: $30.00 / $30.00*
Opening Night tickets go on sale Friday, April 17th via www.bobhopetheatre.com or by phone at (209) 337-4673.
*Denotes admission cost for: Members, Students, Seniors 65+ / Disabled Person.
For all SJIFF2 tickets, visit www.sjiff.org/tickets
ABOUT "MARCELLO MARCELLO"
Marcello Marcello (2008): Based on an original novel entitled Marcello's Date by British-born musician and author Mark David Hatwood. "The setting is Italy, 1956. In the picturesque island of Amatrello, a unique custom keeps the young men of the village busy: when a girl turns eighteen, every boy is invited to bring a gift for her first date. However the gift is not for the girl, but for the father... who will ultimately determine which boy takes her on her first rendez-vous! Eighteen-year-old fisherman's son Marcello does not care about this tradition until he sets eyes on the enchanting Elena, the daughter of the Mayor, who has returned to the island and - according to the tradition - has come of age. As time runs out and competition rises, Marcello comes up with the perfect gift for the Mayor. But getting that gift isn't easy... Soon, he is forced to barter with the entire village, as everyone seems to want something from someone else... Marcello's frantic quest ensues, evolving into a process of reconciliation among the village's inhabitants." (C-Films Production, Switzerland, Germany, Italy; In Italian with English Subtitles)
"Marcello Marcello" held its World Premiere in front of 8,000 spectators on August 12, 2008 at the breathtaking open-sky Piazza Grande cinema of the 61st Locarno International Film Festival, one of the world's leading film festivals, held in Switzerland. The film went on to receive theatrical release across Switzerland in October 2008. In January 2009, it made its North American Premiere at the prestigious 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it was among the Best of Fest selections. Recently, the film made its East Coast Premiere at the 18th Philadelphia Film Festival. The Opening Night screening of "Marcello Marcello" at SJIFF2 in Stockton will be the film's first presentation to an audience in Northern California.
ABOUT DIRECTOR DENIS RABAGLIA
Italian-Swiss director Denis Rabaglia, born in 1966, has been making short and medium-length films since he was 15 years old. A well-known director for the big and small screens, he has made two comedies for Swiss television: Grossesse Nerveuse (1994) with Tom Novembre and Patrick Braoudé, which won him the Prix Max Ophüls, and Pas de Panique (2007), with Frédéric Diefenthal and Roland Giraud, which took the Best Swiss TV Film prize at the Geneva Cinéma Tout Ecran. With theatrical feature films, he has directed: Azzurro (2001), which was a popular success worldwide and garnered numerous prizes, including Best Swiss Fiction Film. His latest feature work is Marcello Marcello (2008).
After 1,200 auditions for the cast of Marcello Marcello, Director Denis Rabaglia selected professional actor Francesco Mistichelli from Pescara, Italy, who took extensive vocal training to master the Neapolitan accent as needed for the film.
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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Thomas Woschitz's "Universalove" is the Centerpiece of the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival
Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2) of the San Joaquin Film Society, is proud to announce that its Centerpiece film will be the West Coast USA premiere of "Universalove," directed by Austrian filmmaker Thomas Woschitz, featuring original music by Austrian indie rock band Naked Lunch. At the heart of the festival, the film selected for the Centerpiece program, is a cinematic story that captures the essence of humanity, power of expression, and universality of cinema arts. "Universalove" will screen at 3:30PM on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at the Stockton Empire Theatre (1825 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, California 95204).
Film details: www.sjiff.org/sjiff09/f-universalove.html
For high-quality images from film: www.sjiff.org/filmstills.html
ABOUT "UNIVERSALOVE"
"Universalove" is a global love story. Six episodes in six different places of the world are told in a symbiosis of modern story-telling and popular music. "Universalove" is an experiment - a global love story. The interwoven storylines are located in Brooklyn, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Belgrade, Marseille and Luxembourg. The laconic narrative style captures moments that set the viewer on a journey around the globe and deep into the emotional worlds of very different characters affiliated with different cultural spheres and languages. In Marseille, Julie's heart beats wildly when thinking of Rashid. In Tokyo, Satoshi dreams about his adored one who works in a soup restaurant but who doesn't even know who he is. In Rio de Janeiro, Maria falls for a Telenovela star. In Belgrade, a couple fight for their very existence. In Brooklyn, the thoughts of a black taxi driver lead him into the emotional abyss of jealous love. In Luxembourg, a well-settled gentleman finally comes around to showing his true feelings for a young man... Love happens. Love takes place. Strange love. True love. Crazy love. Desperate Love. Everywhere, every moment.
According to Director Thomas Woschitz: "Universalove is a love story. It's a journey around the world with all kinds of people, sharing the same feelings. Everything is possible everywhere at the same moment. But, after all, it’s a musical for people who would never watch a musical.“ (source: www.kgp.co.at)
"Universalove" held its World Premiere in the Vanguard program of the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. In January 2009, it screened at the Berlin International Film Festival. In February 2009, it was awarded the prestigious Max-Ophüls Preis at the 30th Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis in Saarbrücken, Germany - a festival regarded as "the most important forum for promoting new talents from Germany, Austria and Switzerland." Recently, "Universalove" made its USA Premiere at the 2009 Miami International Film Festival. The Centerpiece screening of "Universalove" at SJIFF2 is the film's western America debut.
Admission for the Centerpiece Film program is $15.00 General and $12.00 Student / Seniors 65+ / Disabled Person. Tickets: www.sjiff.org/tickets
ABOUT THOMAS WOSCHITZ
Born in Klagenfurt, Thomas Woschitz studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome, Italy. He directed several short films, such as “People’s Pockets and Bleeding Noses” (1995) and “Blindgänger - Duds” (1996) and the medium-length film “Girls and Cars (2004), which have all been shown at numerous festivals, including Venice, Locarno and the Festival de Cannes. He also realized experimental film installations like “Oil Film” (1994) and “Loop’s End” (2003), or the imaginative sound film “moving landscape©“ (2002). In 2005, in collaboration with the band Naked Lunch, the music film “Closing Time” was created. Woschitz has also worked as a film editor on “La Capa Gira” and „Mio Cognato“, both by Alessandro Piva. After “Universalove”, he is now working on the feature film "The Robbers – Reloaded."
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Unveils 100 Films
Published: Friday, March 13, 2009
Stockton, California, USA - The San Joaquin Film Society (SJFS) is proud to announce the first 100 films of its flagship 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), set to take place May 14 to 23, 2009 in the city of Stockton, California. The festival will ultimately present over 120 works from 36 countries during its 10-day run. Opening Night Film, Closing Night Film, Centerpiece Film, tributes and select special programs are yet to be announced.
World Panorama
- "1000 Journals" - Dir. Andrea Kreuzhage, 88'
- "Cherry Blossoms" - Dir. Dorris Dörrie, 127'
- "Donkey In Lahore" - Dir. Faramarz K-Rahber, 117'
- "Goodnight Irene" - Dir. Paolo Marinou-Blanco, 99'
- "Katrina's Children" - Dir. Laura Belsey, 85'
- "Lullabye Before I Wake" - Dir. Nate Pantumsinchai, 107'
- "Martha and Her Flying Grandfather" - Dir. Christian Schwochow, 60'
- "Megunica" - Dir. Lorenzo Fonda, 82'
- "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority" - Dir. Kimberlee Bassford, 54'
- "Personality" - India, 85'
Animania - Features
- "Idiots and Angels" - Dir. Bill Plympton, 78'
- "Sita Sings the Blues" - Dir. Nina Paley, 82'
With an emphasis on supporting new and rising filmmakers, the San Joaquin Film Society has curated a highly-selective collection of some of the world's most celebrated short films and newest discoveries in filmmaking.
Special Programme Shorts
- "Bombay Skies" - Dir. Rita Rani, 21'
- "For Asia"- Dir. Fran Borgia, 7'
Animania - Shorts
- "The East Wind (Der Ostwind)" - Dir. Kohl Glass, 11'
- "
Hot Dog" - Dir. Bill Plympton, 6'
- "The Inquisitive Snail, Dir. Flemish Beauty, 1'
- "KuyGorozh" - Dir. Sergey Merinov, 14'
- "Lavatory-Lovestory" - Dir. Konstantin Bronzit, 10'
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"Like Me, Only Better" - Dir. Martin Pickles, 6'
- "Veterinarian" - Dir. Signe Baumane, 7'
Animania - Shorts II
- "Chicory 'n' Coffee" - Dir. Dusan Kastelic, 9'
- "Heather" - Dir. Ed Suckling, 6'
- "Dog Days" - Dir. Geoffroy de Crécy, 16'
- "Blue Fly Out Blue" - Dir. Jack (Ming-Huei) Shih, 13'
- "Last Time in Clerkenwell" - Dir. Alex Budovsky, 4'
- "Mexican Standoff" - Dir. Bill Plympton, 4'
- "Sebastian's Voodoo - Dir. Joaquin Baldwin, 5'
Discovery
- "Haber" - Dir. Daniel Ragussis, 34'
- "Oh, Simone" - Dir. Stuart Gatt, 10'
- "On the Line" - Dir. Reto Caffi, 30'
- "Tell-Tale Heart" - Dir. Robert Eggers, 21'
Discovery II
- "155 Mile" - Dir. Lee Hyung-Suk, 25'
- "Beijing Haze" - Dir. J.P. Chan, 10'
- "Dugong" - Dir. Erin White, 18'
- "Sikumi" - Dir. Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, 15'
- "Terminus" - Dir. Trevor Cawood, 9'
- "Under My Garden" - Dir. Andrea Lodovichetti, 20'
Live, Love, Laugh!
- "Cinema Paradise" - Dir. Kim Tai-Yong, 4'
- "Feelings and Stuff" - Dir. Samuli Valkama, 12'
- "The Humberville Poetry Slam" - Dir. Emily C. Chang, Dan De Lorenzo, 18'
- "The Job" - Dir. Jonathan Browning, 4'
- "Memphis Calling" - Dir. Colin Mitchell, 12'
- "Song of Slomon" - Dir. Emmanuel Shirinian, 16'
- "Sombrero" - Dir. Nathaniel Atcheson, 12'
Rite of Passage
- "Ancestor's Eyes" - Dir. Kalani Queypo, 15'
- "As I Lay Dying" - Dir. Ho Yuhang, 10'
- "Reflections" - Dir. Ho Tzu-Nyen, 14'
- "The White Dress" - Dir. Vanessa Gildea, 4'
Rite of Passage II
- "Dolls" - Dir. Randy Caspersen, 10'
- "Kid" - Dir. Miguel Alvarez, 13'
- "Megatron" - Dir. Anca Puiu, 15'
- "The Pond" - Dir. Sonja Phillips, 16'
For Kids of All Ages
- "Anita's Africa" - Dir. Beverley Reid, 18'
- "Dorme" - Dir. Sylvia Binsfeld, 7'
- "Goldfish" - Dir. Joe Wein, 13'
- "Love in the Summertime" - Dir. Paul Wie, 14'
- "My Dad Ralph" - Dir. Nicholas Wong, 11'
- "The Moth and the Firefly" - Dir. Aron Epstein, Daniel Stedman, 5'
- "Papiroflexia" - Dir. Joaquin Baldwin, 3'
- "Stella and the Storks" - Dir. Sheri Hagen, 21'
- "Triple Concerto in D. Minor" - Dir. Daniel Mitchell, 8'
- "The Watchman and the Little Girl" - Dir. Christoph Englert, 10'
True Stories
- "If a Body Meets a Body" - Dir. Brian Davis, 20'
- "John" - Dir. Eveleen Hsu, 18'
Film + Art + Lab
- "A Taste of Home" - Dir. David Yun, 8'
- "Angelica Fuentes: The Schindler's House" - Dir. Sasha Pirker, 11'
- "Flying Lessons" - Dir. Rosane Chamecki, Phil Harder, Andrea Lerner, 5'
- "P.S. Beirut, Chapter One" - Dir. Michael H. Shamberg, 8'
- "The Pain with Being Thirsty" - Dir. David Yun, 7'
- "Remote Intimacy" - Dir. Sylvia Schedelbauer, 15'
- "Slow" - Dir. Kurt Kuenne, 8'
Broken and Torn
- "The Blind Revolution" - Dir. Alvaro Zendejas, 17'
- "Bookie" - Dir. Bao Tran, 18'
- "Catching Rats" - Dir. Vero Shamo-Garcia, 14'
- "Hirsute" - Dir. A.J. Bond, 14'
- "The Kolaborator" - Dir. Chris Bessounian, 14'
- "Short Term 12" - Dir. Destin Daniel Cretton, 22'
Passionate Trouble
- "27,000 Days" - Dir. Naveen Singh, 10'
- "Appassionata" - Dir. Mirko Echghi-Ghamsari, 16'
- "The State of Sunshine" - Dir. Z. Eric Yang, 23'
- "The Tournament" - Dir. Velia Giannuzzi, 15'
Power of Love
- "Cry Me a River" - Dir. Jia Zhangke, 20'
- "Fortune Hunter" - Dir. Thom Harp, 20'
- "Just Make Believe" - Dir. Jadrien Steele, 12'
- "Struck" - Dir. Taron Lexton, 7'
- "Watching It Rain" - Dir. Elisa Miller, 13'
Power of Love II
- "364 Cranes" - Dir. Vincent Lin, 15'
- "The Aviatrix" - Dir. Toddy Burton, 10'
- "Goodbye Variations" - Dir. Luka Rukavina, 8'
- "The Phone Book" - Dir. Kurt Kuenne, 22'
- "Side Effects" - Dir. Chuck Rose, 8'
- "Tony Zoreil" - Dir. Valentin Potier, 20'
An Evening with Kimuak
- "7:35 De La Mañana" - Dir. Nacho Vigalondo, 8'
- "Asämara" - Dir. Jon Garaño, Raúl López, 9'
- "Berbaoc" - Dir. Taller de animación de Arteleku, 5'
- "Éramos Pocos" - Dir. Borja Cobeaga, 16'
- "La Primera Vez" - Dir. Borja Cobeaga, 11'
- "Not a Good Idea" - Dir. Ugo Sanz, 13'
- "Taxi?" - Dir. Telmo Esnal, 6'
-- Abridged, Info on San Joaquin International Film Festival and San Joaquin Film Society removed. See first press release of this page.
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