FOR IMMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 1997
CONTACT: Margot Gerber
213/466-3456, ext. 115

AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE TO PRESENT THE THIRD ANNUAL LOS ANGELES EXHIBITION OF THE BEST OF THE 1996 UFVA STUDENT FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL MAY 1st AT RALEIGH STUDIOS CHAPLIN THEATER

HOLLYWOOD -- The American Cinematheque, in association with the University Film and Video Association (UFVA), presents the Los Angeles segment of the touring UFVA STUDENT FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL, a one-evening screening of the best of the 1996 UFVA Student Film & Video Festival. Featuring short film and video work in all genres (from animation to documentary, narratives and experimental films, the program will be presented in two installments on Thursday, May 1, 1997 at 7:15 PM (108 min.) and 9:45 PM (94 min.) at the Raleigh Studios Charlie Chaplin Theater, 5300 Melrose Avenue (between Van Ness and Bronson) in Hollywood. Each program features different films. Many of the filmmakers will be present to participate in audience discussions of their work.

"We are extremely pleased to be presenting the Los Angeles leg of our tour with the American Cinematheque," says Dave Kluft, Festival Director. "We're only in our fourth year, but are finding ourselves to be the foremost international and independent all-student festival around, which I suppose says more about the gaping need for such an event than how wonderful we are. We are unique in that we have no restrictions based on school, geography, or format. Our primary concern is a commitment to the support and recognition of student work, the celebration of great film and video, and giving as many people as possible a unique and important viewing experience."

Finalist judges of the festival include independent producer/director Tom Kalin (SWOON, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL); documentarian Les Blank; Oscar nominated filmmaker Christine Choy; San Francisco's Film Arts Foundation founder Robert Hawk; filmmaker Jill Godmilow (WAITING FOR THE MOON, ROY COHN/JACK SMITH); documentarian Allie Light (1991 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary, co-directed with Irving Saraf, IN THE SHADOW OF THE STARS); Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton (THE TUNE); Oscar-nominated animator Bill Littlejohn (THE HOLE, WATERSHIP DOWN); filmmaker Craig Baldwin (SONIC OUTLAWS, WILD GUNMAN); Director for the International Festival Competition of the Council for International Non-Theaterical Events, Jay Gemski and 1993 UFVA First Place Experimental winner Michael O'Reilly (GLASS JAW).

The first program begins at 7:15 pm. The program includes: "Generic Metal Titan" (Narrative/16mm/21 min.), a cautionary tale centering on Neil and Chuck, two black teenagers who have a few differences of opinion in a world where head-banging and homicide rule. Directed by Timothy Naylor (New York University); "Two Parts" (Honorable Mention, Animation/16mm/5 min.), directed by Mac Premo, in which two people relate to each other through mixed mediums, stop-motion photography, replacement animation and painting (Rhode Island School Of Design); "first love second planet" (1st Place, Experimental/16mm/17 min.), in which an incest survivor conjures up a barren planet while making love. Directed by David Munro (San Francisco State University). Also screening is the black comedy "Clinic E" (Narrative/16mm/27 min.) in which a man receives a letter from an ex-lover informing him that he is HIV-positive. Directed by George Grubb and Mark Ward (American Film Institute). "Brothers" (Documentary/16mm/21 min.), winner of the IDA Documentary Award and the Kodak Emerging Filmmaker Award, directed by Jeffrey Reyna is the true story of two Mexican-Amercian brothers struggling to maintain a relationship in the wake of their younger sibling's violent murder (UCLA). Karin Thayer's "Seed" (Honorable Mention, Narrative/35mm/17 min.) is the story of a teenage prostitute who realizes that her life is worth more than the price tag that she puts on it. With Cassavette's stalwart and independent film actor, Seymour Cassell. Discussion with "Seed"'s director Karin Thayer, "Brothers"' director Jeffrey Reyna and George Grubb and Mark Ward, the filmmakers of "Clinic E" will follow the program Films will not necessarily be screened in the order listed above.

The 9:45 pm program includes "Their Own Vietnam" (Documentary/16mm/23 min.), interviews with female Vietnam veterans mixed with rare archival footage and home movies focusing on their experiences in that war. Directed by Nancy Kates. This film was an Official Selection of the 1996 Sundance Film Festival and recipient of a 1995 Student Academy Award (Stanford University). "Genre" (1st Place, Animation/16mm/5 min.) finds a frustrated animator taking his creation, a cartoon rabbit, through the full spectrum of cinema. Directed by Don Hertzfeldt. (UC Santa Barbara). "A Few Good Ken" (Animation/1/2" video/5 min.) is an irreverent and funny look at mass-produced male dolls and their unintentional uses. Directed by Bepen. (University of Auckland, New Zealand). "Ollie's Army" (1st Place - Documentary/Hi-8 video/59 min.), an examination into the collegiate grassroots support behind Oliver North's historic 1994 Virginia State campaign, (NYU). Discussion with "Genre" director Don Hertzfeldt following the program. Films are not listed in the exact order in which they will be screened.

ADVANCE PRESS SCREENINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON VIDEO TAPE AT THE CINEMATHEQUE'S OFFICES IN HOLLYWOOD. CALL MARGOT GERBER (EXT. 115) OR BRIAN GARRIDO (EXT. 116) AT (213) 466-FILM TO SCHEDULE SCREENING TIMES. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. MANY OF THE FILMMAKERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW.

General admission is $7.00 per screening and $4.00 for Cinematheque Members. Students will receive a $1.00 discount at the box office with valid student-ID card. This special student offer is not valid on membership tickets or with any other offer.

Please note that tickets to our programs can be purchased through THEATIX (213) 466-1767. Our number (213) 466-FILM should be listed for further information only!

Founded in 1947, UFVA began as the University Film Producers Association. By 1967, the organization had grown to incorporate teachers, students and others interested in the development of motion pictures as a medium of communication. Today, with video reflected in its title, UFVA is an international professional organization of members concerned with the arts and sciences of film and video. Goals of the organization include: furthering and developing the potentialities of film and video media for instruction, communication and expression worldwide; encouraging the production of films and videos in educational institutions; fostering the intensive study of world cinema and video internationally; encouraging and improving the teaching of film/video production techniques, history, criticism, theory and related media communications subjects; serving as a central source of information on film/video instruction, production, scholarly findings,
festival grants, jobs, and member activities; and film and video research. Established in 1984, the American Cinematheque, is a non-profit, viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture in all its forms. The Cinematheque presents weekly film and video programming which ranges from the classics and world cinemas to the outer frontiers of the art form at the Raleigh Studios Charlie Chaplin Theater and other Los Angeles venues. Exhibition of rare works, special prints within our series, etc., combined with fascinating post-screening discussions with the filmmakers who created the work, are a Cinematheque tradition that keep audiences coming back for once-in-a-lifetime cinema experiences.

The American Cinematheque is currently renovating the historic Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, which, when open in 1998, will become the American Cinematheque's permanent home and offer daily, year-round programming.

For information about this film program call 213/466-FILM. THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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