LOS ANGELES – MOXIE! The Santa Monica International Film Festival, announced its 2001 Film Festival Program. This year’s event will take place February 14-19, 2001 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, California.
The Festival is an annual accolade awarded to all filmmakers that participated in the Festival competitions and the monthly X-Series throughout the year. This year’s Festival celebrates Science Fiction, and will pay tribute to Ray Bradbury, Forrest Ackerman,
(with a retrospective on) Ray Harryhausen — jointly known as the “Fathers of
Science Fiction.” The Festival will host an intimate venue, “Breakfast with
Forrest Ackerman,” for attendees to meet and greet with Science Fiction
writer, editor and actor, Forrest Ackerman. Also, actor Martin Landau will be
honored with the MOXIE! “Lifetime Achievement” award.
Over the five-day Festival, 23 features, 13 animated films and 58 shorts
will be screened. The Festival will open on February 14 at the Fairmont
Miramar in Santa Monica. Screenings will be held at various theaters and
locations around Santa Monica, California including: Laemmles Monica 4,
AERO Theater, AMC Theater, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica Library and
Santa Monica Place.
“2001 celebrates a new, and truly independent Hollywood demonstrating
innovative ways to create, produce and distribute independent film,” said
Albert de Quay director of the MOXIE! Santa Monica International Film
Festival. “We are very ecstatic to see the amazing response of international
filmmakers to the festival. As part of the MOXIE! Santa Monica International
Film Festival’s continuing effort to promote international filmmaking, we have
included many international entries to all of our competitions,” added de
Quay.
This year’s Festival competition will consist of six categories: Dramatic,
Comedy, 100% Documentary, Animation, Experimental Shorts and Contemporary
Shorts. Awards honoring Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director,
Best Producer, Best Film, Best Cinematographer, Best Writing, and an Audience
Award (favorite film chosen among moviegoers during the Festival’s year-long,
X-Series) will also be given.
The Dramatic competition will consist of 12 films: BOROUGH OF KINGS,
directed by Ellyse Lewin; THE RISING PLACE, directed by Tom Rice;
THE TESTIMONY OF TALIESIN JONES, directed by Martin Duffy; ABSOLUTE GIGANTIC,
directed by Sebastian Schipper; THE BREAD, MY SWEET, directed by Melissa
Martin; NOW CHINATOWN, directed by Steven Dunning; ON THE BORDERLINE, directed
by Michael Oblowitz; ORDINARY MADNESS, directed by Bernardo Gigliotti;
THE PHOTOGRAPHER, directed by Jeremy Stein; THE SANDSTORM, directed by
Jagmohan; SUNSHINE HOTEL, directed by Michael Dominic; and UNDERESTIMATING
JAKE, directed by Sam Taybi.
The Comedy competition will consist of 6 films: PASSING STONES, directed
by Robert Majkowski; SAM THE MAN, directed by Gary Winick; NEWTOWN, directed
by Justin Whiteman; THE HOMEBOY, directed by David Gebroe; SLEEP EASY,
directed by Hutch Rimes; and THE WOMAN EVERY MAN WANTS, directed by Gabriela
Tagliavini.
The 100% Documentary competition will consist of 5 films: A FIGHT TO THE
FINISH: STORIES OF POLIO, directed by Ken Mandel; A FORCE MORE POWERFUL:
A CENTURY OF NONVIOLENT CONFLICT, directed by Steve York; THE DREAM PIONEERS,
directed by Chris McCartney; ESTRA, directed by Topher Straus; and
THE LAST STAND: ANCIENT REDWOODS & THE BOTTOM LINE, directed by Holiday Rose
Phelan.
The Animation competition will consist of 9 films: DOWNPOUR, directed by
Aaron Woodley; JERSEY, directed by Joe Alter; LINT PEOPLE, directed by
Helder K. Sun; NAROPA, directed by Cameron Baity; PUMP-ACTION, directed by
Phil Captain; DRINK, directed by Patrick Smith; QUICKSHOT, directed by
Chris Litten; WHERE MONSTER LIE, directed by Ann LaVign; MAN OVER THE HILL,
directed by Richard Turke. The Animation Flash subcategory will consist of
4 films: THE GOD AND DEVIL SHOW, directed by Aubrey Ankrum; JOHNNY GANGA SEED,
directed by Miles O. Peter; ROCKETPANTS, directed by Andy Murdock; and
THUGS ON FILM directed by Barbara Bayne.
The Experimental Shorts competition titled, “One Step Beyond” will consist
of 7 films: AUTIST, directed by Michael Frank; AYAHUASCA – JOURNEY INTO
ANOTHER REALITY, directed by Thomas Miklautsch; FUNKYTOWN, directed by Matthew
Janzen; HAPPINESS, directed by Ken Perko; 24>50, directed by Marek Swito;
BLISS, directed by Gavin Carlton; and PURGATORY, directed by M. Frank.
The Contemporary Shorts competition will consist of 58 shorts
(both Drama and Comedy). The dramatic portion will consist of 21 shorts:
AMAMI, directed by Guglielmo Zanette; BEAT, directed by Fredrick Johnson;
BIRDS DIE, directed by Garth Twa; CAUGHT IN THE RAPTURE, directed by
Mick LeGrande; FAIR PLAY, directed by Joanie Wread; HERE, directed by Brenden
Donovan; THE LAST GUNSHOT, directed by Gabriela Tolman; LOST GIRL, directed by
JiWon Shin; SHUTTER, directed by Jannu Goldschmidt; SYLIA, directed by
Trevin Matcek; THE WALL, directed by Sotiris Dounoukos; ARE YOU LUIGI?,
directed by Stephan Bruggenthies; BED AND BREAKFAST, directed by
Aaron Woodley; THE CALLER, directed by Jeremy Lewis; CURTAIN CALL;
DUAEL, directed by Phillipe Mach; GAMBLIN’, directed by Wayne Orkline;
GRANDFATHER’S BIRTHDAY, directed by Gayle Knutson; NANTASKET ROADS, directed
by Lawson Clarke; RUPPY, directed by Vem Yenovkian; and STAY CLEAN, directed
by Mitch Brian. The comedy portion will consist of 37 shorts:
SOUTH OF HEAVEN; SWIMMING OUT HOLLY, directed by Jesse Peyronel; BLACK SHEEP,
directed by Philip Botti; BOXING’S BEEN GOOD TO ME, directed by Temple Brown;
C! THE TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY: LIFE OF JACKIE, directed by Craig Antioco;
CLOUD NINE, directed by Nicole Bettauer; CRUSH, directed by Mat Sheldon;
DIAMOND NOSE, directed by David Bezmozgis; DIRTY LAUNDRY; DOG DAYS, directed
by Ellie Lee; EYEWITNESS, directed by Bert Van Bork; GAMEDAY, directed by
Michael Ruane; THE GREAT AMERICAN URBAN JUNGLE, directed by Patrick Lacho;
THE HANGED DOG TREE (LARBRE AU CHIEN PENDU), directed by Olivier van
Malderghen; HAVOC, directed by Ori Greenberg; HITCLOWN, directed by
Chris Mancini; IN GOD WE TRUST, directed by Jason Reitma; INTERFACE, directed
by Ally Garrett; JESUS & HUTCH, directed by Paul Harrison; THE LAST PARODY;
THE LAST REAL COWBOYS, directed by Jeff Lester; LIGHT IN THE FRIDGE, directed
by Leif Larson; MELTING GLASS, directed by Patrick Henry Grandaw;
MENTAL HYGIENE, directed by Lori Silverbush; MERRY CHRISTMAS, directed by
Paul Marashlian; MOMENT ONE, directed by Benno Nelson;
NEW YORK IS DISAPPEARING, directed by Heiko Kalmbach; ODESSA OR BUST, directed
by Brian Herskowitz; THE OFFICE PARTY, directed by Chiara Edmonds; PUPPY LOVE,
directed by Sid Montz; RICHARD ROE, directed by Ian Truitner;
ROCK, PAPER SCISSORS, directed by Cameron Thor; ROSA, directed by
David Vegezzi; TWINKLE TOES, directed by Keith Milton; THE VISIT, directed by
Todd Snyder; WHAT’S THE HOLD UP?, directed by Bryce Gubler; and WORD UP,
directed by Rich Wilkies.
Over the years, the MOXIE! Santa Monica International Film Festival has
become the premiere testing grounds for unique independent films. Previous
films awarded and found distribution through the MOXIE! Santa Monica
International Film Festival include THE INDESCRIBABLE NTH, SHADOW BOXERS,
SPACE BETWEEN US, HI-LINE, DUMBARTON BRIDGE, and WHERE’S MARLOWE?
Premiere sponsors for the 2001 MOXIE! Santa Monica International Film
Festival include Adelphia, Apple Computer ATOM-BOMB.com, Dr. Rawstock, GUESS?,
and JAGUAR. Sponsors of the event include: Artists Rights Organization,
awestruckPR!, BARCO Projection Systems, Ebillboards, Film & Video Magazine,
KCRW 89.9 FM, Kirin Beer, maxpop.com, Moviemaker Magazine, odwalla,
Peet’s Coffee, Perrier, Pittman Law Group, Red Bull, Scenario Magazine,
Supply Curve and Writers’ Boot Camp.
MOXIE! Is the spirit of the Santa Monica International Film Festival – an
homage to the sheer guts and perseverance that independent filmmakers have in
order to succeed in an extremely competitive and challenging industry. The
Santa Monica International Film Festival is a year-round film festival that
culminates into a week-long film and music festival, taking place on
February 14-19, 2001. The event is a launch pad for all undistributed films,
with a monthly series showcasing projects that are entered into competition.
