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03.16.2003: National short film finalists to be screened Thursday |
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In its second year, the Wichita-based competition attracts some surprising entries. The Wichita Eagle. Ten finalists have been selected by judges in the second annual Wichita National Short Film Competition, and they will be screened for the public Thursday. The films, running from 4 to 8 ½ minutes, will begin at 8 p.m. in the auditorium at Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Tickets are $7 ($6 for members). "We were really happy with the quantity and quality of the submissions," said Jake Euker, who runs the Center's various film programs. "We received roughly the same amount as last year -- something in the 30 range, including a piece by experimental superstar Leighton Pierce, whose films show yearly at Black Maria (Film Festival)," Euker said. Among the 10 finalists, seven are from the Wichita area, including local filmmakers such as Jason Bailey, Rod Pocowatchit and Wade Hampton, who have made a splash at other film festivals. Also entered this year is last year's top winner, Nick Johnson of Wichita. After the screening, audience members will be invited to stay for a reception with filmmakers to talk about their films. Afterward, Moviegoers will be invited to vote for their favorite, creating a new award for the competition. The top three winners will receive trophies plus $1,000, $500 and $250 cash prizes. The new audience favorite will receive a trophy but no monetary award, Euker said. Cash awards are underwritten by the Galichia Foundation. The competition is the brain child of Kathy Galichia. Winners will be revealed at the competition gala Saturday at the Center. Tickets are $75 per person with cocktails at 7 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 followed by dancing until 11:30. Black tie is optional. Judges this year are film enthusiast Shirley Stark, Lawrence filmmaker Joel Sanderson and Vivian Minshull-Ford, former movie critic for WSU's cable TV Channel 13. Euker said only two of the films contain adult elements that might take a PG-13 rating: "Lost Thoughts" (Daniel Roew, Los Angeles) A young man has a sinister encounter on the highway following a romantic disappointment. "Morning After Blues" (Jason Bailey, Wichita) Computer-animated tale of how love develops after a chance encounter. Other films to be screened Thursday (none of which contain objectionable elements) are: "Relative Pictures" (Kathy Deane, Kingwood, Texas) Lighthearted free-association piece. "Prisoner of Love" (Rich Ambler, Fairway, Kan.) Comic film turns jaded eye on relationships. "The Back Steps" (Leighton Pierce, Iowa City, Iowa) Haunting experimental work built upon abstracted image of two little girls sitting on stairs then running out of sight. "Memories" (Carlyle Grier, Kechi) Impressionist work using family and family memories as its focus. "Dream Requiem" (Nick Johnson, Wichita) Surreal dance piece set in a desert. "Birthday" (Rod Pocowatchit, Wichita) Urban romance told from point of view of a Post-It note artist. "Elijah and Me" (Scotty Barlow, Wichita) 12-year-old girl records her crush on actor Elijah Wood. "Carryout Killer" (Greg Gillenwater and Tim Palmer, Wichita) Preview for an imaginary film in which a killer, loose in a grocery, is pursued by employees armed with hand-held scanners. |
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