If you can get away to San Jose (California, not Costa Rica) at the end of this month you will be blown away by their CINEQUEST Film Festival. It is going to be a state of the art digital extravaganza like you've probably never seen. Father Geek and Harry are going to be in San Francisco around that time and you can bet we will be doing our best to work this into our lineup of things we must do while in the bay area.They are going to have a presentation of effects design and execution by ILM... on digital equiptment. They're going to premiere the 100% digitally created film SOLID ONES... on digital projection and sound equiptment, and that's just a taste of what the heart of silicon valley has lined up for all of us. Check it out...
Cinequest San Jose Film Festival announced today an incredible line-up of maverick films, filmmakers and technology that will come together to create the grandest festival the Silicon Valley has ever experienced. Expanding from seven days to ten days and eleven nights, the festival will give festival-goers more choices of screenings (more than double the number from 1999) and more choices of venues. “We wanted to give our festival patrons an experience they won’t forget for our 10th anniversary,” says Executive Director Halfdan Hussey. “Cinequest will have not only more special events and films but also multiple screenings of each film to provide Cinequest’s audience with more opportunities than ever before. Cinequest is very pleased to announce three terrific screening venues: long-time sponsor Camera 3 Cinemas will be joined by the ever popular Towne 3 and the state-of-the-art AMC Saratoga 14. Additionally the Fairmont Hotel and Morris Dailey Auditorium will host special events ”
Following in the red carpet path of past Cinequest guests like Kevin Spacey, Jackie Chan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gus Van Sant, Barry Sonnenfeld, Rod Steiger and John Schlesinger comes Cinequest’s biggest line-up of Maverick Spirit Tributes:
A Conversation with Alec Baldwin Join the gang at the Fairmont Ballroom to listen to and interact with one of the world’s biggest stars.
An Evening with Peter Fonda The Morris Dailey Auditorium at SJ State will host one of the most dynamic actors around. From Easy Rider to Ulee’s Gold, this is one not to miss.
An Afternoon with Wes Craven - Watch one of his favorite films followed by an extensive conversation. This event will be at the AMC Saratoga 14.
A Tribute to Dario Argento: Master of the Macabre Honoring the foremost Italian director of horror movies and thrillers, whose work inspired many horror film directors.
A Tribute to Robert M. Young One of the independent titans, come meet the Man after screenings of two of his best films: Dominick and Eugene and Alhambrista!
From its origins, Cinequest has been about the maverick. Ironically, the Silicon Valley has done as much to foster the spirit of the maverick in movie making over the past few years as the usual suspects (New York, Los Angeles, Europe, Asia). Cinequest's position in the heart of the Silicon Valley has made it the perfect place and event to both display the results of the wonderful fusion between technology and creativity and to also offer a unique and powerful opportunity for film professionals and film fans to meet and exchange ideas with the leaders of the technological revolution. Additionally, Cinequest's Maverick Film & Technology Showcase is also one of the most entertaining and popular aspects of the festival as these digital technologies have empowered storytellers in a fresh and exciting way. Here are some of the highlights:
Mavericks on Film: Digital Cinema Cinequest will present a breathtaking look at the world of digital filmmaking and exhibition. Digital Projection and Sony Electronics are creating a state-of-the art Digital Projection & Sound System for the weekend of March 3-5 at Cinequest. Then on Saturday, March 4th, Laurence J. Thorpe, ground breaking pioneer from Sony Electronics, will lead a team of some of the world’s most daring and brilliant filmmakers to both demonstrate samples of the latest in digital filmmaking on this amazing projection system and also discuss the important issues surrounding digital filmmaking and exhibition.
Industrial Light & Magic and Alex Laurant Present Alex Laurant, ILM's Visual Effects Art Director for The Mummy, will present a detailed tour through the design and execution of the film's wide variety of effects.
D.Film - A hit at last year's Cinequest, Executive Producer, Bart Cheever brings his latest and greatest D.FILM exhibition to San Jose. Mr. Cheever is committed to presenting cutting edge work that utilizes Digital technology to free creativity, regardless of one’s economic resources.
Bel Air (World Premiere) - Christopher Coppola presents, for the first time, his wonderful new all-digital film, Bel Air. This funny and original movie tells a very "L.A." story.
Hanuman - A visually stunning adventure story, Hanuman portrays the meeting of man and the great monkey kings of Asia.
Digimation - This charming and fun series of shorts is a combination of digitally created animation and digitally enhanced independent filmmaking.
Solid Ones (World Premiere) - Last but certainly not least in this year's fabulous film & technology showcase is the Closing Night Gala presentation of The Artists’ Colony's wonderful all-digital film, Solid Ones.
Cinequest is very proud to present the greatest Latino Showcase in our acclaimed ten-year history. Eight great films will be presented with two very special guests. Renowned filmmaker, Gregory Nava (Mi Familia, El Norte, Salena), will be at the screening of his latest film, American Tapestry. Lorena M. Parlee, a female pioneer in the IMAX format, will be our highlighted filmmaker at the main event, the Latino Celebration. Hosted at The Tech Museum of Innovation, the beautiful state-of-the-art museum, the evening will feature the Bay Area premiere of Sol Film’s MEXICO, presented in the immersive Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater. Explore interactive exhibits, experience a 70MM large-format film on a dome screen, and enjoy live entertainment and hors d’oeuvres while you support the arts of Latino origin in the exciting heart of San Jose. Please note, proceeds from this event do not benefit educational or outreach programs of The Tech.
Cinequest’s Opening Night Gala will be the most exciting to date. Start off with a West Coast Premiere of Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito in The Big Kahuna. Kevin Spacey also produced this wonderfully crafted and intense film by first-time helmer, John Swanbeck. After the film, join the gala party at Blake’s Steakhouse and Bar. This will be an event not to miss!
During the festival, films will compete in the Maverick Film Competition. Awards will be given to the top features, documentaries and short films on closing day at the scrumptious Cinequest Awards Brunch.
An explosive finale will bring the festival to a close on March 5th with a world premiere screening of the digital film, Solid Ones, or the award-winning film from Germany Paths in the Night. After the screenings, audiences will join filmmakers from both films at a blowout gala at A. P. Stump’s. This promises to be a great close to a fantastic anniversary!
It was in the spirit of the maverick that Cinequest was founded by filmmakers and Silicon Valley engineers. Through a personable world-class showcase of maverick films, filmmakers and the technology that is reshaping the industry, Cinequest works to inspire and enable mavericks in their creative quests. Cinequest San Jose Film Festival is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley.
Cinequest 10 will occur February 24 - March 5, 2000
www.cinequest.org
