Shanece’s Compass Festival of The Worlds

The best part of this job is that I get a sneak peek at some of the exciting entries to this year’s festival. This past weekend, I curled up on my couch and watched two documentaries, a short animation, and one feature film. I’m biased towards the horror/thriller genre, so my personal fave is “Dirty Step Upstage.” Director Amber Moelter keeps the viewer guessing: is it a real documentary or a fictional thriller? It reminded me of Jacob Aaron Estes’ gritty and brooding “Mean Creek” (2004). Both films share a sense of suspense and mystery that ooze through the films. The characters are ominous, secretive, and oblivious, driven by obsession, fame, and revenge. With all the proper thriller elements in place, a slow documented pace adds an underlying tension to the film. The visuals are supplemented by a soundtrack that is both memorable and infectious.

“But Some Are Brave,” an animated short, reminded me of the films shown on PBS. Grace Channer added raw and dark elements to her animation that would probably prohibit it from being aired on TV. Definitely more appropriate for a mature, adult audience. The short is vividly colorful with no dialogue, and the sounds recall the drumming often heard during folklore storytelling. Channer’s animation has the cool appearance of moving paintings. Without words, the viewer is left to interpret each scene in his or her own way.

The documentaries transport the viewer across seas to Germany and Lebanon. Gerburg Rohde-Dahl’s “Expansive Grounds” documents the construction of the massive Holocaust memorial in Berlin, Germany, and explores the current German perspective about the Holocaust. Behind the lens is the daughter of a Nazi supporter. The documentary provides a channel for her and other adolescents of the Nazi regime to express their disillusions and ignorance regarding the Holocaust. Like the massive memorial, the documentary represents another symbol for the German guilt.

Deborah Harse’s “Marathon Beirut,” also touches on political unrest and how people learn to cope. Footage and interviews illustrate the motivation behind the creation of the marathon, and how the love for Lebanon keeps the marathon going. This documentary inspires hope and demonstrates love for a country.

August is over, and having just graduated this spring, I’m facing the uncertainty of what’s next, asking myself that scary question: What do I want to do when I grow up? For right now, I’m pretty pumped about being a part of the chashama Festival of the Worlds because it represents the new stage of life that I’m at: indulging in my passions (film and writing), honing my skills and exhibiting my work to an interested audience (that’d be you!).

The Festival of the Worlds reaches out to up-and-coming filmmakers. It welcomes all genres, budgets and levels of filmmaking experience. To me, the festival is like a movement of films that are uninhibited, unlimited, free to be controversial. This manner of self-exploration and discovery is evident in the films, because they raise issues that concern the filmmakers.

These films voice diverse opinions, present international views and contemplate very topical issues of our world today. As a young person in the world, who just spent the last four years learning about different people and what makes the world go round, I find that the Festival of the Worlds offers a remarkable platform for investigations of human nature. We are pushing boundaries by sharing our diverse toolbox of experiences, our struggles and triumphs.

It’s so refreshing to see how the chashama Film Festival is dedicated to educating young filmmakers and the importance they place on youth outreach. We, too, have a voice. And it is great to know there is a platform dedicated to giving us the stage.

Hello World!

Some people call me unconventional. Others say I’m creative, quirky. But everyone can agree that I’m obsessed with the art of filmmaking. Filmmaking is a visual expression of emotions and states of being. It’s a beautiful thing to stay in (or go out, whichever you prefer) watch a movie that speaks to you and complements your mood of the moment. Or a movie that inspires you to act, or stimulates you intellectually. A movie can do all that for you.

I enjoy watching movies of all kinds: comedies (oh, Seth Rogen), horror movies (the more blood-curdling the scream, the better), and, of course, action-packed thrillers (car chases are kind of a big deal). But the ones that I find most fulfilling are the movies that have a message and serve as a platform to help educate and motivate change. The movies that are meant to bring the international community together and foster an educational relationship. The movies that will open our eyes about one another’s cultures and make us more aware of other ideologies of the world.

Sound familiar? I am referring to the provocative, thought-provoking films submitted to the chashama Film Festival. And I hope you readers are as excited as I am to see what these filmmakers have to offer. Leading up to and throughout the festival, I’ll be bringing you a weekly dose of commentaries and interpretations of the featured films. No spoilers, regurgitations of detailed plot summaries, or verbose posts that make it pointless to watch the movie in the first place. Instead, look to me as a guide to your viewing experience. I am here to help you get more out of the chashama Film Festival.

Welcome to the chashama experience.

CHASHAMA FILM FESTIVAL New York, New York – USA October 22 to 26, 2009
In the Spotlight this week is the 2nd Annual CHASHAMA FILM FESTIVAL (cFF), an intimate event dedicated to cultivating a better understanding of different cultures, taking place in the heart of Manhattan.
After a successful inaugural Festival that showcased 54 films including GARE D’AUSTERLITZ, the Emmy-nominated HOME, and PUSSYFOOT, cFF’s theme for 2009 is “films the world needs to see.” A significant portion of this year’s program will be devoted to films that explore Philosophy, Sociology, and Politics, tackling such topics as social institutions, inequality, ethnocentrism, social action, history, government, and justice.
The top honor at cFF is for the best film made on a budget of $10,000 or less, granting the winner over $1,000 USD in prizes, an article on the Festival’s website, and the chance to direct the commercial spots for cFF 2010. The Best Feature award bears a $1,000 cash prize, and the Festival also honors winning short films, documentaries, and music videos.
UPCOMING DEADLINE July 21, 2009 – Regular Deadline Upgraded projects save $5 off this deadline
MISSION AND OBJECTIVE By screening films that voice diverse opinions and present international views, cFF hopes to move the world one step further from disassociation in the direction of a unified whole. Its goal is to “not only push boundaries, but to erase them.”
MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Self-declared a “small festival in a big city,” and hailed by alum Dawn Scibilia as “one of the most exciting new film festivals in New York,” cFF gives special consideration to low budget films, and works that may not normally be invited to screen before audiences.
Exhibiting filmmakers are invited to the Opening Night and Closing Night ceremonies, and receive all-access passes to screenings, soirees, panels, and the filmmaker lounge. Filmmakers receive discounted accommodations, and are taken on a river party and tour of NYC with industry pros. Local industry that attended last year’s event include John A. Gallagher (THE DELI), Sylvia Caminer (LOVE N’ DANCING), reps from the Museum of the Moving Image and various NYC film festivals, as well as professors from local universities, film schools, and acting programs. Last year’s theme was “Films that other festivals are afraid to show.”
In their own words: “At this time of widespread economic and political instability, when the world is breathing for change, for unification and for peace, we know our action is essential. Our action is art.” Submit to chashama Film Festival today!
www.chafilmfest.com/submission.html

We just partnered up with Hit and Run productions and Dogfish Head!

Park City Main

I had a great time in Park City, Utah, the energy was great, the movies were great and everyone I talked to seemed to like the idea of chashama Film Festival.  I met people from all over the world, which helps our cause (to explore cultures by continent and how they become what they are).  

I am now back in New York City getting ready to email everyone that I received a business card from.  Although I am pretty rundown from non-stop networking/movie watching and feel a sickness coming on…..I will fight through it and expand this festival to my utmost ability.

 I willl attend next year and be more prepared for what the town has to offer!

Who else was there?  ANybody got any great stories they want to tell?

Will begin its year by attending Sundance and Slamdance 2009. The Director, Rick Kariolic, will be there meeting and greeting industry professionals, letting them know about chashama Film Festival 2009. Which is October 22 – 26, 2009. Call for entries is now open. The deadline is July 21, 2009. Check it out at chafilmfest.com/2009/submissions.html