Connie Mangilin hosts a panel on the strategies, pitfalls and politics of film festivals. This film festival panel will take place at the Burton Theatre (3420 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201) on Sunday, March 7, 2010, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the Detroit Independent Film Festival.

This is a free panel with purchase of ticket ($5) for “Official Rejection,” a documentary feature following the exploits of a group of filmmakers as they take their independent feature, “Ten “til Noon” along the film festival circuit. “Official Rejection” will screen at 12:15 p.m. on March 7th at the Burton Theatre with the panel discussion to follow immediately afterwards.

Panel topics include:

 How to avoid being rejected by film festivals (what to do in preproduction) – 
By Connie Mangilin
 Which festivals to submit to – By Mike Madigan
 Getting into festivals – By Mike Madigan & Robert Joseph Butler
 What to do when there (how to make the most of the experience) – By Mike Madigan & Chuck Grady
 How to run a film festival – By Connie Mangilin & Suzanne Janik

Local film fest veterans Mike Madigan, Robert Joseph Butler, and Chuck Grady give helpful insights into how to wisely choose which film festivals to submit to, how to make the most of your time and money when submitting to film fests, having realistic expectations going in, and what to bring, who to talk to, and where to find these people when at film festivals.

Film festival organizers, Connie Mangilin (Mitten Movie Project) and Suzanne Janik (Detroit-Windsor International Film Festival, Ferndale Film Festival), lay out the do’s and don’ts of running film festivals, including how to get submissions, how to market your festival, and how to set up festival rules and procedures.

For more information:

Detroit Independent Film Festival • www.detroitindiefest.com
Mitten Movie Project • www.facebook.com/mittenmovieproject
Official Rejection • www.officialrejectiondocumentary.com
Burton Theatre • www.burtontheatre.com

January 5, 2010
the Main Art Theatre

Jamie Surgener in Avobot documentary

Not since September 2007 has a science fiction short headlined the Mitten Movie Project. On January 5th, the Mitten Movie Project returns to form with the gorgeous space odyssey, “Avabot” by Michigan director and College of Creative Studies graduate, Jamie Surgener. Also on the bill are film festival fave, “Retreat,” by Robert Joseph Butler, a previous work by Bryan D. Hopkins (“Qing Lou Nu”) about the loss of a loved one, and the highly amusing shorts, “The Nauga: Home Alone,” “Boy Scout”, and “Roger Star.” The January Mitten Movie Project takes place on Tuesday, January 5th at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067). For presale tickets and more information, go to www.facebook.com/mittenmovieproject

This is a documentary on the making of Jamie Surgener’s short film AVABOT produced in Detroit Michigan at the College for Creative Studies.

This month is particularly special for Travis Seppala, director of the music video, “8 21 1984,” as he is also the director of photography for the thriller, “Pipe Wrench.” “It’s definitely cool to have multiple projects that I had such a heavy hand in screening at the same festival,” explained Seppala.

Last month was a big month for the Mitten Movie Project with the 12/1 Best of the Mitten Movie Project screening and the Short of the Year Award on the line. The winner of the 2009 Short of the Year award was “The Point,” the basketball short directed by Chuck Grady. Also up for grabs were the following awards, the winners of which are:

Best Directing – THE POINT
Best Cinematography – QING LOU NU
Best Art Design – QING LOU NU
Best Editing – QING LOU NU
Best Sound – THE POINT
Best Locations – DRAGGERS & RIP SPOTS
Best Actor – TIE: JONNY VICTOR (FIRST DAY) & MARK WILSON (THE POINT)
Robert Rodriguez Award – TIE: THE POINT & LITERALLY
Should’ve Gotten an Audience Choice Award Award – DARK HEART

The Mitten Movie Project would like to thank the 140+ moviegoers that packed the house during the December 1st Best of the Mitten Movie Project screening, and the many sponsors that made that night possible. The MMP would also like to thank M1 Studios in Royal Oak for its DVD authoring services this month.

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 by e-mailing mangilc@yahoo.com. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at Mr. B’s (215 S. Main Street — within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit the MMP Facebook fan page for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

1/5/10 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT – INDEPENDENT SHORTS – PROGRAM NOTES

Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI – 7:30 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets $8 at www.myspace.com/mittenmovieproject, Door $10

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 by e-mailing mangilc@yahoo.com. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at Mr. B’s (215 S. Main Street — within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit the MMP Facebook fan page for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

FINAL LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hour, 38 minutes. In order of screening:

BARE WITNESS [trailer] – Written & Directed by Jeffery T. Schultz (01:23) (Michigan) (2010) A short tale about a man struggling with his past failures and how they affect others with deadly results. Starring Dan Mahoney Jayden Mansfield and John Anton. www.schultzstudioz.com

THE RED FLAG [trailer] – Gorilla Pictures (01:58) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Oliver Thompson. After the murder of a young 24-year-old girl, Scarlett Selet, investigators discover that the culprit had to be her boyfriend.  Only one problem . . . she had three.  Three stories of three suitors twist, overlap, and unfold to finally determine which one has Scarlett’s blood on his hands. www.fourseventytwo.com

THREE DONKEYS AND A FLOCK OF SHEEP [documentary] – Directed by Anthony Siciliano (01:11) (Michigan) (2009) A heartwarming documentary about donkeys and a herd of sheep.

“8 21 1984” BY THE NEXT ROMANTIC [music video] – Directed by Travis Seppala (04:00) (Michigan) (2008) Detroit alternative rock band, The Next Romantic, play at a party where a girl finds her boyfriend cheating on her and doing drugs, while partygoers get “eaten” by the house. www.myspace.com/thenextromantic

THE PLAY – EPISODE ONE [narrative] – White Knight Films (22:44) (Michigan) (2009) Tessa, a writer, asks her friend Mike, a filmmaker, to help her put on a play she’s written. Together they start the endeavor while trying to deal with their personal lives. Written and directed by David G.B. Brown. www.facebook.com/whiteknightfilms

BOY SCOUT [music video] – Directed by Adam Engler (02:54) (Michigan) (2009) A model Boy Scout, Sean Scarlett, raps about the trials and tribulations that accompany outdoor living, preference of animal companions, and merit badges. www.youtube.com/seanscarlett

PIPE WRENCH [narrative] – Directed by Shane Michaels (13:36) (Michigan) Mike and Jill must resort to stopping at a hole-in-the-wall auto repair shop during a late night drive through the country. Things turn sour when their bible thumping repairman decides he must take it upon himself to cleanse them of their sins.

THE NAUGA: HOME ALONE [narrative] (02:28) (Michigan) (2010) The Nauga is home alone. Directed by Aaron Lebovic. Cinematography by Joe Elrom. Starring Eric Rosenbloom. lebovic.aaron@gmail.com

RETREAT [narrative] – Nu-Wave Films (11:36) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Robert Joseph Butler. Starring Lindsay Rootare and Vikki Gasko. Alexis (Lindsay Rootare) is an alienated teenager who is shy, isolated, and keeps to herself. Disconnected from her family, classmates, and environment, she gravitates to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan to get in touch with her mind and spirit. www.nuwavefilms.com

ROGER STAR [narrative] (4:41) (California) (2009) Directed by Ken Kuykendall, written by Sam Tripoli, and starring Eddie Pepitone. Roger Star is a quick glance at the San Fernando Valley’s original adult film acting coach as he teaches his pupils.

WITHDRAW [narrative] (05:22) (Ohio) A dramatic film directed by identical twin filmmakers, Michael and Daniel Carberry. Starring David Lehre. www.carberrytwins.com

RAT RACE [experimental short] – Directed by Brad Erlandson (02:40) (Michigan)

SLEEPFUL PAINLESS [narrative] – Flood Films and Media (14:00) (Michigan) (2008) Directed by Bryan D. Hopkins. Suffering emotionally from the loss of his wife, within the context of a troubled childhood, a husband dies in his sleep from self-inflicted wounds.

AVABOT [narrative] – Directed by Jamie Surgener (10:00) (Michigan) (2009) A science fiction film short about an astronaut and his robot that find danger while searching for a fabled abandoned star cruiser.

Matthew MCR Ellison of E lectric Otto’s Funk Factory created “Grindhouse Pimps
vs. The Living Dead. His cartoons are influenced by Grindhouse & Blaxploitation
Cinema, Giant Monster Movies, Sci-Fi, African Art, Graffiti Art, Slapstick Comedy
and Sketch Comedy. Though surreal and humorous, the Cartoon is a Social
Commentary/Satire about Detroit.

It’s time for all things zombie at the 2009 ZOMBIE NIGHT! On Tuesday, November 3rd, the Mitten Movie Project hosts the most peculiar lineup of shorts — a curling zombie short, claymation zombies, a Bollywood zombie short, animated zombies, sock puppet zombies, a zombie PSA, silent zombie short, and regular shambling zombies make up the much anticipated night of independent zombie shorts. The 2009 ZOMBIE NIGHT takes place on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067). For presale tickets and more information, go to www.myspace.com/mittenmovieproject or www.facebook.com/pages/Mitten-Movie-Project/159694842605?v=wall

Headlining the night is the fantastically clever curling zombie short, “Deadspiel,” a short from Ontario which is enjoying a successful film festival run. Making a return appearance is the animated claymation figure, Snippy, who gives valuable advice on surviving a zombie apocalypse.

Tom Gurisko, director of 2008 Zombie Night’s “Snippy Walks With a Zombie”, is “very excited about revisiting the Snippy Zombie story and coming back to ZOMBIE NIGHT. We had a great time last year and have been looking forward to it.” Gurisko and John Mollon began work on this latest Snippy short in early October and are pleased to have it done in time for this year’s festival.

Regarding the value of the Mitten Movie Project to independent filmmakers, Gurisko said, “I can’t help but encourage Connie to continue on with the Mitten Movie Project because it’s an awesome venue for filmmakers who otherwise would have a smaller audience. And you get actual reactions from real people sitting in an audience in contrast to hits on a YouTube video.”

This is Curator Connie Mangilin’s third year booking ZOMBIE NIGHT and she’s “really pleased with this year’s lineup and the diversity of the selections. The program really came together the past few weeks.” The lineup boasts three shorts specially made for the festival – Snippy and the Zombie Apocalypse, Zom-B-Gon, and Sock Puppet Zombies Attack 3D: The Musical. Two of the out-of-state selections – Survivors and Deadspiel — were recommendations from Mitten Movie Project filmmakers who saw those shorts at other film festivals around the country.

ZOMBIE NIGHT is the last chance for a filmmaker to earn a spot in the December 1stBest of the Mitten Movie Project screening event. Zombies will be represented at the year-end competition for the 2009 Mitten Movie Project Short of the Year award. The October MMP Audience Choice Award winner was “Qing Lou Nu,” the Edgar Allan Poe adaptation of “The Tell-Tale Heart” set in a contemporary Chinese brothel.

“Dark Heart,” another Poe adaptation directed by Robert Joseph Butler, and “A Little Knowledge,” this year’s winner of the Detroit chapter of the 48 Hour Film Project, will be part of the Mitten Movie Show and will air on Comcast/WOW from November 4th-28th. The Mitten Movie Show is a public access show featuring some of the best shorts of the Mitten Movie Project. The Mitten Movie Show airs on Comcast Ch. 52 and Wide-Open-West Ch. 18 on Wednesdays at 11 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Oakland Township, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak and Troy. It also airs in Independence Township on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at midnight. The Mitten Movie Show is broadcast to more than 150,000 households.

As an added bonus, moviegoers that dress as a zombie to the screening will receive a free ticket to the December 1stBest of the Mitten Movie Project event. So bring on the zombies!!

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at a location to be announced at the screening (within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieprojectfor guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

Check out the Mitten Movie Project’s new Facebook fan page:
www.facebook.com/mittenmovieproject#/pages/Mitten-Movie-Project/159694842605?ref=nf
Become a fan today as the Myspace page will slowly be phased out and replaced by this Facebook fan page.

he Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at a location to be announced at the screening (within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieprojectfor guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

TENTATIVE LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. In order of screening:

ZOMBIES IN PLAIN ENGLISH [public service announcement] (03:00) Common Craft’s guide to surviving a zombie attack. This video is a satirical explanation created to celebrate Halloween and help protect your brain. www.commoncraft.com/zombies

DEADHEADS [trailer] – FroBro Films (2:35) (Michigan) (2009) A horror/comedy feature that follows the tale of two zombie buddies who embark on a road trip in search of lost love and to unravel the mystery behind their untimely demise. Shot entirely on location in Michigan last summer. Directed by the Pierce Brothers.

GRINDHOUSE PIMPS VS. THE LIVING DEAD [trailer] – Electric Otto’s Funk Factory (01:31) (Michigan) (2009) When the dead walk the earth, pimps will smack you with their right hand and carry a pistol in their left. www.electricottosfunkfactory.com

IN SEARCH OF A HEARTY MEAL [silent short] (01:29) (New York) (2009) Written and directed by Daniel Levinsohn. A story of a famished zombie and his attempts to satiate his hunger.

SOCK PUPPET ZOMBIES ATTACK 3D: THE MUSICAL [narrative] – Directed by Taryn Shick (06:19) (Michigan) (2009) Two sock puppet pirates go fishing and catch more than fish – and they sing! www.atasteforcottonfilms.com

NED AND SUNSHINE [narrative] (02:14) (Michigan) Directed by Mary and Tom Russell. Ned and Sunshine are zombies who play the lottery with dreams of getting rich. facebook.com/tomandmaryrussell

LITTLE PROBLEMS [narrative] – Bad-Mag Films (08:07) (Michigan) Directed by Matt Pearson. “Little Problems” follows an unlikely couple that has managed to survive months of zombie mayhem by looting the carcass of civilization, making a pretty comfortable lifestyle for themselves in the process. While taking possession of an abandoned McMansion for a few days of rest from the apocalyptic grind, their lives are thrown into confusion by the arrival of a cute yet creepy feral girl with a knack for sniffing out hidden munchies.

ZERO HOUR [narrative] – Equinox Productions (08:22) (Ireland) In a world gone wrong, a viral outbreak has caused millions to perish. Many call this a new beginning, but some call this the end of the world. Sarah fights to survive and battle the odds to search for a new beginning.

ZOM-B-GON [narrative] – Trapdoor Productions (12:15) (Michigan) (2009) When the walking dead infest your home, zOm-B-gOn is only a phone call away. Produced and directed by Daren McNay. Screenplay by Jeff Berndt.

20:12 [narrative] – Directed by James Martinez (07:12) (California) At rapture’s edge we follow one man’s feeble attempt to thwart God’s undead army to save the ones he cherishes most. Produced by Aaron Karns.

SOMBRE ZOMBIE [narrative] – Directed by Adam Macdonald (06:49) (Ontario) (2005) Jon Peter is an everyman anchored to a life of routine, going to and from his office like a drone. But one day, things change. He begins seeing things. Strange figures follow him through the park. Jon Peter is becoming what he fears most.

TALKING DEAD [narrative] – Fulvew Productions (06:55) (Michigan) (2005) Written and directed by Chris Randall. Doctor Clark has invented a machine that allows communication from a corpse. Now he wants Doctor Parker to be the first to hear what she has to say. Created for the Indie Talk online film festival where it took first place.

SURVIVORS [narrative] – Directed by Soham Mehta (12:55) (Texas) A classic zombie tale told with Bollywood bite. The dead are rising and the city has been evacuated, but two survivors remain behind. Rita would not abandon her infected husband, and Sachin refused to leave the memory of his dead wife.  Willing to do anything to avoid dying alone, Rita deceives and seduces her way into Sachin’s life, but soon discovers that tempting his memories is even more dangerous than what’s lurking outside.

SNIPPY AND THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE [claymation] – Skeletons in the Closet Films (03:00) (Michigan) (2009) Written, directed and animated by Tom Gurisko and John Mollon. Snippy gives valuable tips for survival after the inevitable zombie plague.

DEADSPIEL [narrative] – B.B.D. Productions and Two Too Blue Shoes (07:33) (Ontario) The greatest curling zombie film ever! Cultures clash during a championship game between the human Team Olmstead and the zombie Team Romero. Things go horribly wrong when a disputed call tests humans and zombies as players must choose between sportsmanship and bloody carnage. Directed by J. Andrew Molloy. www.deadspiel.com

ZOMBIE NIGHT

A night of independent zombie shorts

TUESDAY • NOV 3 2009 • 7:30 PM • MAIN ART THEATRE • ROYAL OAK

CALL FOR ZOMBIE SHORTS

The Mitten Movie Project is proud to host the third annual ZOMBIE NIGHT, a night dedicated to screening independent zombie shorts, zombie trailers, zombie music videos, zombie documentaries, zombie animations, experimental zombie pieces – basically, anything zombie. ZOMBIE NIGHT takes place on November 3, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067

We are actively seeking submissions for this year’s zombie festival. If you have an independent zombie short or know of someone that does, please mail a screener to the following:

Mitten Movie Project
715 E. Milwaukee
Detroit, MI 48202

Submissions may also be sent by online link (if accepted, the filmmaker will be asked to supply a screener DVD) to Connie Mangilin, Curator of the Mitten Movie Project (mangilc@yahoo.com). Submission is free.

Screeners can also be hand-delivered at the 10/6 Mitten Movie Project at the Main Art Theatre.

The 2008 Zombie Night drew 250+ zombie enthusiasts to the Main Art Theatre. Accepted submissions will be screened on the big screen and included in PR materials sent to over 15,000 film enthusiasts, industry professionals, actors, filmmakers, etc. via mailing lists, forums, facebook/myspace pages, industry listservs, and group sites.

For past Zombie Night lineups, visit The Mitten Movie Project

Curator Connie Mangilin presents the lineup for the July 7th Mitten Movie Project. The most solid and diverse lineup yet for the festival, the July lineup sports animation, a music video, documentaries, and narrative shorts. The July Mitten Movie Project takes place on Tuesday, July 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067). For presale tickets and more information, go to www.myspace.com/mittenmovieproject

The July MMP features hilarious comedies (Adventure Squad 167, Literally), a heartfelt documentary (Thank You for the Music), science fiction (The Columbia Project), an entertainment variety show (Hand TV), shocking dramas (Familiar Faces, The Fix), a Mafia Gangsta video (Mob Wars Detroit), animation (Midwest Weenies 4evr), true-to-life documentaries (This is 12th Street, Party Cab), and a music video (Taking Drugs at the Amusement Park).

“I’m very pleased at the selections this month. The production quality of the shorts are getting better and better. It’s great to see such a diverse lineup of films. And almost all of them are from Michigan, which is all the better and shows that we have the talent and drive to create great films,” said Curator Connie Mangilin.

THE ILLYRIANS – Illyria Entertainment

Headlining the night is “Thank You for the Music,” a documentary focusing on the benefits of music therapy on mentally challenged persons, and in particular, the Michigan State University Music Therapy Department’s fight to save the program from budget cuts.

The winner of the June Mitten Movie Project Audience Choice Award was the Michigan State University documentary, “Selling Our President: A Barackumentary.” For winning the June MMP Audience Choice Award, “Selling Our President” will be part of the Mitten Movie Show and will air on Comcast/WOW from July 8th to August 2nd. Screening alongside “Selling Our President” is second and third place winners, “Cockney Rhyming,” another solid and very funny Michigan State University documentary, and “Cadence,” an art piece by Five Clover Films. The Mitten Movie Show is a public access show featuring some of the best shorts of the Mitten Movie Project. The Mitten Movie Show will air on Comcast Ch. 52 and Wide-Open-West Ch. 18 on Wednesdays at 11 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clarkston, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Independence Township, Oakland Township, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak and Troy to reach more than 140,000 households.

The Mitten Movie Project is sponsored by Williams F. White International (www.whites.com) — the largest dolly/grip equipment rental company in Canada and M1 Studios (www.m-1studios.com) who provided DVD authoring services.

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held on the outdoor deck at Memphis Smoke (100 S. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067 – ages 21+) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

7/7/09 Mitten Movie Project Independent Shorts Program Notes

Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI – 7:30 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject, Door $10

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held on the outdoor deck at Memphis Smoke (100 S. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067 – ages 21+) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

FINAL LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hr, 32 mins. In order of screening (subject to change):

THE ILLYRIANS [trailer] – Illyria Entertainment (00:45) (Michigan) An intense graphic drama documentary about the history and culture of the Illyrians, Europe’s greatest forgotten people who contributed to the formation and development of Western civilization. www.illyriaentertainment.com

IT CAME FROM DETROIT [trailer] – Plus One Production (02:01) (Michigan) “It Came From Detroit” is the ultimate fan’s look at the city’s internationally renowned “garage rock” scene. Produced over five years, the documentary chronicles the scene before and after the spotlight that came to town as the White Stripes rose to fame. Featuring The Gories, The White Stripes, The Von Bondies, Electric Six, The Dirtbombs, Demolition DollRods, The Hentchmen, and many others. www.itcamefromdetroit.com

TAKING DRUGS AT THE AMUSEMENT PARK [music video] – Directed by Katie Barkel (03:30) (Michigan) Critically acclaimed Detroit musicians, The Silent Years, visit the School of Rock in Rochester, Michigan, to teach a group of miniature rock n’ rollers how to play the first track off their new EP, “Let Go.”

THIS IS 12TH STREET [documentary] – Directed by Katie Barkel (02:50) (Michigan) Short documentary pieced around old newspaper photographs, contemporary photographs, and a woman’s memories of the 1967 Detroit riots. Winner of “Best Documentary” at the University of Michigan, Winter 2008. July is the anniversary month of the 1967 Detroit riots.

THE FIX [narrative] – Directed by Harry C. Arnold (07:14) (Michigan) On a lonely night in a motel room, a young lady awakens to the reality that her life has been forever changed. Starring Cherwanda P. Arnold.

MIDWEST WEENIES 4EVR [animation] – Directed by Joe Lachajczyk (12:34) (Iowa) (2009) Originally made on 16mm film. Two
Waterloo, Iowa, girls find themselves under a lot of stress when they attempt to thwart the neighborhood bully (based on the personality of Iowa City’s own beloved 4EYES from THE SCHOOL OF FLYENTOLOGY!!) AND appease a demanding bluebird that they nurtured back to health after a rainstorm knocked it out of its nest.

THE COLUMBIA PROJECT [narrative] – Directed by Colin Rich (07:21) (Michigan) In an alternate present day, a deranged war veteran questions his identity in this ominous science-fiction short. Shot in Ypsilanti, Michigan, entirely with Michigan cast and crew. Partially funded by the University of Michigan.

PARTY CAB [documentary] (04:31) (Michigan) Michigan State University documentary about the Party Cab, a safe but fun way to go partying in East Lansing. Produced by Diego Attanasio, Eric Eding, Kris Sundburg, Matt Robison, and Kevin Taratuta.

RAISED ALONE [trailer] – Samer K Production (01:50) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Sam Kadi. Obsessive workaholic Murad Bandley has focused on his family’s financial security at the expense of a relationship with his son, Adam, who is a gifted violinist. As Adam performs a spectacular solo, he bestows upon us a glimpse at his childhood attempt at reconciliation. Starring Alex Safi, John Duffey Leo, Vikki Gasko, and Jordan Brun. www.samkproduction.com

HAND TV [variety show]– 1Root Productions (16:37) (Michigan) (2009) The first episode of Hand TV, a new webcast variety show focusing on the entertainment industry and showing the positive effects of Hollywood coming to Michigan. Produced by Sharon Roggio and Tara Plizga. www.1rootproductions.com

LITERALLY [narrative] – Whitewood Films (06:29) (Michigan) Written and directed by Tommie Green. “Literally” is an outlook on two guys that haven’t quite caught on to the exact meanings of current slang terminology. Starring Noah Sife, Dave Chaney, Bretony McGee, and Ryan Brady. www.myspace.com/whitewoodfilms

MOB WARS DETROIT [promo vid] – Directed by Mike Zawacki (02:20) (Michigan) (2009) Video contest submission for Facebook browser game, Mob Wars. Written and directed by Mike Zawacki. Starring Rob Levitt as The Don, Ben Fineman as Consigliere, Tevis Marcum as Capodecima, Craig Jarvis as Gun Goon, Stevie Robinson and My-Ishia Cason-Brown as The Mafia Molls, and John Rodgers as the Door Guard. Also featuring Tish O’Malley as the Mom, and Eric Levitt as the Kid.

FAMILIAR FACES [narrative] – Day to Day Films (09:45) (Michigan) (2009) Written and directed by Tom Novell. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Starring Geanette Davidson and Dickie Ciggs. WARNING: This short contains graphic violence.

ADVENTURE SQUAD 167 [narrative] – Cock Block Productions (05:10) (Michigan) Directed by Ken Kuykendall. The origin story of five out of place superheroes from Detroit.

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC [documentary] (08:37) (Michigan) Documentary about the benefits of music therapy with mentally challenged persons and the fight to save the Music Therapy program at Michigan State University. Produced by Alex Beachum, Peter Dean, and Stephanie Sparks.

The World Premiere Of “First Day,” A Sock Puppet Porno, And A Documentary From Academy Award Winner, Sue Marx, Headline The April 7th Mitten Movie Project

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Another great set of shorts for the April 7th Mitten Movie Project! This month features the world premiere of “First Day,” the latest in the sock puppet series — a sock puppet porno! — and another documentary from Academy Award filmmaker, Sue Marx. The April Mitten Movie Project takes place on Tuesday, April 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067).

The Mitten Movie Project is proud to host the world premiere of “First Day,” a local short written and directed by Chris Lepley which stars Jonny Victor, Grace Anne Rowan, Vincent Rasnick, Jordan Brun, Erica Lupiloff and Phil Sholtes. Lepley explained that “First Day” is a comedy and actually a prequel for a feature film that she’s currently working on.

When asked about her choice of premiering her short at the Mitten Movie Project, Lepley said, “I’m very excited. I think that the Mitten Movie Project is definitely a great opportunity for people who don’t have the resources to put on a four wall screening of their work — to show their work and have people come out. Most people making short films don’t have the means to show their work outside of someone’s living room. The chance of seeing a short film on the big screen is incredible and very rare.”

Also screening on April 7th is “Face Full of Sock,” the latest in the sock puppet series from director Taryn Shick. This time around, Shick decided to tackle something a bit more different – a sock puppet . . . porno!?!?

Back again this month is Academy Award Winner, Sue Marx, with the documentary, “John Voelker (alias Robert Traver): Anatomy of an Author.” This documentary profiles the former Michigan Supreme Court justice and author of the book, “Anatomy of a Murder,” which was originally published in 1958 and later made into a movie starring James Stewart.

In other news, the Mitten Movie Project is pleased to announce a new aspect to the festival — the Mitten Movie Show. The Mitten Movie Show is a new public access show featuring the Audience Choice Award winner from the previous month’s MMP selections. This new phase of the festival is the brainchild of Connie Mangilin, Curator of the Mitten Movie Project, and Jeff White, producer for the Community Media Network, and conceived over drinks at the March Mitten Movie Project afterparty. It was a natural combination of resources for the two to create the Mitten Movie Show.

The Mitten Movie Show will be broadcast on a weekly basis for one month following the Mitten Movie Project (broadcast schedule TBA) on Comcast Ch. 52 and Wide-Open-West Ch. 18 in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Oakland Township, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak and Troy to reach some 140,000 households. Audience members will vote for an Audience Choice Award each month and that selection will be given the opportunity for broadcast on the Mitten Movie Show.

The Mitten Movie Project would like to thank its sponsors, Williams F. White International (www.whites.com) — a dolly/grip equipment rental company — for its support of local independent films, and M1 Studios (www.m-1studios.com) for its program DVD authoring services.

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067). Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10. A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at Mr. B’s Pub (215 S. Main Street – 2 blocks south of the Main Art Theatre) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

[Program notes on next page]

4/7/09 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT – INDEPENDENT SHORTS – PROGRAM NOTES

Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI – 7:30 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject, Door $10

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10. A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at Mr. B’s Pub (215 S. Main Street – 2 blocks south of the Main Art Theatre) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

FINAL LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hr, 33 mins. In order of screening:

TRANQUILITY [trailer] – Directed by Carlo J. Frierson (00:57) (Michigan) Marie has a dilemma, Manuel doesn’t; they’re a couple . . . or are they? Starring My-Ishia Cason-Brown and Anthony Velazquez.

BROKEN FIDELITY [trailer] – Nu-Wave Films (01:30) (Michigan) Directed by Robert Joseph Butler. A surreal drama about a wife, Diane, who receives a mysterious videotape that contains footage of her affair. Meanwhile, a photographer is watching her every move inside a movie theater. “Broken Fidelity” is an abstract film about mistaken identity, the creative process, the manipulation of art, guilt, and blackmail. www.nu-wavefilms.com

OBSCURA – Directed by Lauren Warkentien (17:10) (Michigan) Obscura is a short suspenseful film about a woman’s life being turned upside down after losing her eye. In a time of struggle and distress, the woman tries to find acceptance and trust while keeping a secret. The only one who knows her secret is looking for the same thing.

GHOST CONTINUUM – Directed by David Moroski (02:45) (Michigan) The metamorphosis of perpetual decay and renewal are interpreted in this animated film. Original score written and performed by Peter White. Created and animated by David Moroski.

FACE FULL OF SOCK – Directed by Taryn Shick (08:52) (Michigan) An adult film with sock puppets. Kitty and Muffy are bored. Thankfully, Dick and Rod stop by to liven things up. Dick livens things up too much and gets Kitty pregnant. Warning: Graphic birth scene.

STICKY FINGERS: ROAD TRIP! – Bargain Basement Productions (03:20) (Michigan) Written and directed by Jason Roth. Guy and Girl hit the road, with hilarious and tragic consequences. Animated hijinks for the whole family — if your family is the Manson Family.

COLD HEAT – Directed by Kurt Piekarski (06:04) (Michigan) Cold Heat is an experimental montage that pays homage to the cop films and television shows of years past. Long takes, gritty Detroit imagery, and a thunderous funk soundtrack all lend to the feel of the film.

THE NEXT STEP – Directed by Mike Allore (07:38) (Michigan) A guy and a girl are on a date in a coffee shop. He wants to take their relationship to the next step. A typical situation with an atypical response.

JOHN VOELKER (alias ROBERT TRAVER): ANATOMY OF AN AUTHOR – Sue Marx Films (20:00) (Michigan) Portrait of the famed, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice who wrote “Anatomy of a Murder.” Filmed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we see Voelker as a curmudgeon, writer, piano player, trout fisherman, philosopher, hunter of wild mushrooms, environmentalist, and expert cribbage player. Emmy Award, American Film Festival finalist. This screening commemorates the 50th anniversary of the bestselling novel, “Anatomy of a Murder,” which was originally published in 1958 and later made into a movie starring James Stewart. www.suemarxfilms.com

FIRST DAY – Directed by Chris Lepley (25:00) (Michigan) It’s Jonah’s first day at his new job, and he’ll need all the help he can get to fit in. Luckily, he has a plucky HR rep to show him around the office, and the sage advice of seen-it-all coworkers to put him on the right track. Starring Jonny Victor, Grace Anne Rowan, Vincent Rasnick, Jordan Brun, Erica Lupiloff and Phil Sholtes. Produced by Five Clover Films and Tri Omega Productions, in association with Bad Aunt Films. www.fivecloverfilms; www.myspace.com/triomega

Where: Landmark Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak

When: 7:30PM

Tix: $10.00 at the door

www.mittenmovieproject.com

www.fivecloverfilms.com

Linking talent and resources together for Michigan movies.
 Saturday, April 4, noon to 6 p.m.
The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac, MI (admission limited to the first 1,100)

Representatives from the Michigan Film Office, Michigan Chapter of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Real Style Casting (Detroit’s premiere casting company), Taro Entertainment (music Supervision and licensing), Mitten Movie Project, Michigan Marquee (TV show), On The Rocks Detroit (publicity/events), Pontiac DDA, OHM Creative Group, Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, UHY (financial advisors) and many more.

Representatives from Michigan-based production houses Greenestuff Productions, Kinetic Post and Orlando Entertainment
Anchor Bay Entertainment – a leading independent home video/DVD entertainment company with a library of critically acclaimed movies will be providing complimentary DVDs and promo items to the first 50 attendees.
“Michigan Movies in Action” Panel – featuring representatives from the above listed companies will participate in a lively and informative interactive discussion about what it takes to “make it” in the Michigan movie industry.
Exhibitors will feature products and services from a variety of businesses involved in Michigan movies. Limited vendor space is still available. Contact Lew Smith – lew@vanirent.com.
DIGITAL DIRECTORY – Complimentary digital directory including contact info of all attendees, participants and vendors will be emailed to attendees following the event.
       Invited: Anyone interested in the film industry in Michigan –  producers, investors, directors, stagehands, screenwriters, distributors, actors, actresses.
       What to Bring: Portfolios, resumes, video clips and plenty of business cards
Cost: Tickets for the Michigan Film Networking Event are $20 at the door or on www.ticketweb.com. Those interested in displaying at the event should contact Lew Smith at (586) 615-3504 or e-mail to lew@vanirent.com.
More information on The Michigan Movie Networking Event is available here (WEB SITE)
ABOUT:
Since the 2008 passage of the Michigan film tax credits, there’s never been an opportunity like the Michigan Movie Networking Event. The event will bring together industry professionals from throughout the Midwest to network, discuss and learn about the opportunities the Michigan film industry has to offer.
Special attempts have been made to bring both investors and distributors to this important first-of-its-kind event. Investors are looking for opportunities to benefit from the film industry in Michigan and distributors are looking for production houses with a catalog of movie products.
“This is an opportunity for everyone – from someone with an idea for a movie or an actress, to a bank with money to lend for a project – to come together, exchange cards and portfolios, network and get ideas off the ground,” says Alex Greene, Emmy- and Telly-award winning Creator of the children’s TV program “My Bedbugs” and Executive Producer of Greenestuff Productions, one of the event’s speakers.
“This area has needed this event,” adds Lew Smith, chief operating officer of Vanir Entertainment, Inc., partners with The Crofoot Ballroom on the Michigan Movie Networking Event. “People have been so desperate to connect with others. This is a chance to get everyone in the room at the same time and on the same page – to grow the film industry in this state.” Smith said that from early promotion of the event, he’s already received commitments from people as far away as Traverse City, Chicago and Grand Rapids who plan to attend. Professionals from across four states have been invited. He added the Michigan Movie Networking Event is modeled after events of this type in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville.
Dan McGowan, of The Crofoot Ballroom, said, “This is one of those clean-everything-else-from-your-calendar events. It’s a chance to bring a hundred business cards and come back with a hundred business cards from people you might never have met otherwise.”
The Michigan Movie Networking Event is hosted by Vanir Entertainment, a Rochester Hills-based multi-media entertainment company, and The Crofoot Ballroom. Vanir kicks off its contributions to the Michigan film industry in April with the debut of the “Michigan Marquee” TV show on WTVS, Detroit’s Public Television station. The weekly, half-hour “Michigan Marquee” will feature interviews with industry insiders and up-to-date reports on film projects across the state. Portions of the first episode of “Michigan Marquee” will be filmed at the event!
The Crofoot Ballroom is located at 1 South Saginaw Pontiac MI. www.thecrofoot.com

Below Snippy visits the kitchen and gives valuable safety tips.

Also screening on March 10th is the “The Silencer,” the winner from the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival 48 Hour Film Challenge; the latest short from Tommie Green, “Too Much Information”; and a couple documentaries from the East Lansing area, “Can Man” and “High Step: A Story of the MSU Marching Band.”

The west side of the state is represented this month with three shorts from Holland’s The WigWam Tribe (“Angels & Demons”, “Hosea”, and “Urban Bankruptcy”) and Grand Rapids native, Walter R. Lodes, III, for “Got the Life.”

In other Mitten Movie Project news, the February 3rd Mitten Movie Project was well received with over 130 moviegoers filling the 175-seat theatre at the Main Art. Also, while the Mitten Movie Project is ordinarily the first Tuesday of the month, due to technical difficulties, the March Mitten Movie Project has been pushed to the second Tuesday (March 10th).

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film night dedicated to screening independent films (normally) the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at www.myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10. A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at Mr. B’s Pub (215 S. Main Street – 2 blocks south of the Main Art Theatre) to end the night’s activities.