In spite of the shaky economy and the loss of some critical
sponsors due to bankruptcy, Cinequest Film Festival
– Feb. 27 to March 9 – met the challenges of 2002 and re-emerged
stronger than ever.
In spite of the shaky economy and the loss of some critical sponsors due to bankruptcy, Cinequest Film Festival – Feb. 27 to March 9 – met the challenges of 2002 and re-emerged stronger than ever. Cinequest’s 2003 program is one of its most powerful and dynamic to date, in large part due to this year’s 28 percent increase in submissions.
The 2003 program includes 64 feature films – 20 world premieres and 12 United States premieres – more than the festival has ever screened. Cinequest also expects over 150 film artists to attend the festival to see their Maverick works exhibited and share in the excitement of Cinequest. Attendance is also expected to climb close to 55,000.
“Cinequest has made some amazing accomplishments this year. It’s been a tough year economically, yet we are stronger than ever,” said Cinequest Executive Director, Halfdan Hussey.
Features of the Cinequest 2003 program include:
• Maverick Competition: This year’s Maverick Competition includes film selections from 19 countries. The program consists of 15 features, 11 documentaries and 62 shorts; rousing films that offer a firsthand look at the top cinema of today as well as the highly adventurous film artists of tomorrow.
• Emerging Mavericks/New Visions: This section includes some of the most audacious, ground-breaking and imaginative works offered in the festival. Emerging Mavericks/New Visions focuses on two groups of international film artists – first- and second-time storytellers who reveal maturity beyond their peers. Comprised of 22 feature films and two shorts, Emerging Mavericks/New Visions is proud to offer many world and United States premieres, new visions from 10 different countries and 24 very distinct stories.
• Maverick Spirit Awards: An Evening with Ralph Bakshi – A World of Color and Imagination Few artists can say they have lent their talent to The Rolling Stones, Heckle and Jeckle, Deputy Dawg and Mighty Mouse, and masterminded the X-rated 1972 cartoon, Fritz the Cat. Bakshi to the festival where he will be recognized with a Maverick Spirit Award. This special event at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at Camera One will include a screening of Bakshi’s controversial Coonskin followed by a Q&A with the legendary animator.
• An Evening with Lupe Ontiveros: Passion From Within: Celebrating the diversity of the Latino culture has been a great passion of Cinequest for the past eight years. In return, the Latino community of the Bay Area has been a stalwart supporter of the festival. Cinequest presents An Evening with Lupe Ontiveros: Passion From Within on Wednesday, March 5 at 7 p.m., at Camera One, (366 S. 1st St.).
This Latino Celebration will begin with a screening of one of Ontiveros’ films and will be followed by a reception at the Mexican Heritage Plaza (1700 Alum Rock Avenue) where Ontiveros (Real Women Have Curves, Chuck & Buck) will be presented with a Maverick Spirit Award. A discussion moderated by Kathryn Galan, executive director of NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers), will follow the award presentation.
After last year’s exciting debut, Cinequest brings back the Applied Materials Global Landscapes section for a return performance. The Applied Materials Global Landscapes program focuses on select cultures, regions and territories that showcase significant filmmaking achievement.
This year’s program includes two sections: the Latino Celebration Film Program and the Pacific Basin Showcase. The Latino Celebration Film Program will present five brilliant feature films demonstrating passion, extraordinary dramatic range, and unique filmmaking talent from Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico and Spain.
The Pacific Basin Showcase will spotlight film selections from the diverse countries of Asia and the Pacific Rim. This year’s Pacific Basin Showcase exhibits the work of seven contemporary film artists from China, India, Japan and Vietnam.
Cinequest Film Festival opens on Thursday, Feb. 27, with the world premiere screening of The Movie Hero, a heartwarming, offbeat and hilarious tribute to cinema. The film stars Jeremy Sisto (HBO’s Six Feet Under), Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers) and indie favorites Carlos Jacott (Kicking and Screaming) and Alexis Arquette (The Wedding Singer).
Cinequest will welcome director Brad Gottfred and his team of acting and filmmaking Mavericks to Camera 3 at 8 p.m. and to Camera One at 8:30 p.m. in downtown San Jose for his film’s debut. An opening night party will follow at A.P. Stump’s (163 West Santa Clara St.).
Cinequest will draw the curtain on its 2003 festival with a screening of 100 Mile Rule at the San Jose Repertory Theatre in downtown San Jose. This black comedy, with a stellar cast including Jake Weber (HBO’s Mind of the Married Man), Michael McKean (Best in Show, Spinal Tap) and Maria Bello (Coyote Ugly, Permanent Midnight), exposes the dark side of traveling salesmen through the twisted yet hilarious escapades of a trio of conventioneers. The evening will also include Cinequest’s award presentation and will be followed by a closing night party at Blake’s Steakhouse (17 N. San Pedro St.).
Patrons can buy tickets online at www.cinequest.org or by phone at (408) 295-FEST.
Cinequest expands its venue choices for this year’s festival to include the state-of-the-art Camera 7 at the Pruneyard in Campbell. The Camera 7 Pruneyard will complement Cinequest’s already hefty downtown San Jose presence of film festival venues, which include Camera One, Camera 3 and the San Jose Repertory Theatre. Additionally, more screenings and events have been added to Cinequest’s downtown venues.
