By
Angela Orlando
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Annual fest turns its focus to animation while still giving other genres a standing chance
It's a chance for aspiring filmmakers to meet their heroes, and for the public to bask in the darkened-theater glow of cinematic creativity.
Starting this evening, the Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St. - along with the Arizona Media Arts Board - present the 10th annual Arizona International Film Festival.
The festival, which runs for a week-and-a-half, features independent movie screenings, workshops and award ceremonies.
Various Tucson venues will show more than 140 films, some of which will premiere in the city for the first time on the big screen. This year, the festival is focusing more on animation than in previous years.
While Nina Welch, a media arts senior and the festival's intern publicist, said the festival will not focus entirely on animated films, the award recipients at the dinner banquet seemed to take the animation lead.
"This year's Independent Film Award is going to (animator) Bill Plympton ('The Toon")," Welch said. "Plympton is getting the award because he's truly independent."
Erin Copen, media arts junior and director of the festival's television and radio publicity, emphasized that because a film is independent does not necessarily mean it is artsy.
"Independent just means that the film was not produced by a major company," she said. "People get their start at festivals like this one. 'Braveheart' was independent, and so were 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'The English Patient.' No matter who you are or where you're coming from, there will be a film for you at the festival."
For example, she said, Brian Singer, director of "The Usual Suspects" and "X-Men," got his start at the Arizona International Film Festival, with his short film, "Public Access."
"It was a springboard for him," Copen said.
This year's premiere showcase features filmmakers introducing their features, documentaries and experimental works-in-progress.
"It's amazing," Copen said. "You have filmmakers coming to Tucson from all over the world. It's a great chance to meet them and see what they're all about."
At the end of the festival, Plympton will present awards to the most innovative independent films in the categories of features, documentaries, animation and experimental flicks.
This year's workshop series, led by professional independent filmmakers, includes topic discussions such as "How to Make a Film Abroad" and "The Art of Visual Design."
The festival's copywriter, media arts and creative writing junior Gareth Hedges, said he is very excited about the workshop series.
"The workshops give people a chance to meet their favorite filmmakers and discuss their products from a variety of angles," he said. "There's nothing more encouraging for young filmmakers than that kind of interaction."
The popular "Movies at Midnight" series presents controversial films for the late-night crowd. UA alumni Greg Fitzsimmon and David Mun will show their film, "Bookie Dilemma," which was filmed on campus.
Also, the festival's "Cine Chicano" series has changed its name to honor the numerous up-and-coming independent Chicana filmmakers.
"Cine Chicano/a" welcomes Maria Elena Chavez, niece of Cesar Chavez, who will show her short film, "Es Piritu."
"I love the energy," Welch said. "Just seeing these people so excited about their art is what it's all about."
