Photo courtesy of the Arizona International Film Festival Neil Mather is flexing some real muscle in his short film, "Fugly." The film plays at The Screening Room April 17 at 9:30 p.m.

Film series shows independent and original visions of future talent

With all the cookie-cutter, lackluster bombs coming out of Hollywood these days, it's easy to lose faith in movies as an art form. Thankfully, the Arizona International Film Festival occurs once a year, with its usual collection of original, heartfelt and truly independent films.

This year, the festival - always offering a blend of films from around the globe - presents pieces from Australia, Bolivia, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Sweden and other countries.

Here are some of the films playing that University of Arizona students took part in making: "Fugly" April 13 8:30 p.m. at The Screening Room "The Ethereal Plane" April 13 10:00 p.m. at The Screening Room "The Bird Feeder" April 17 9:30 p.m. at The Screening Room "The Ball" April 17 9:30 p.m. at The Screening Room "I Was a Teenage Prostitute" April 17 9:30 p.m. at The Screening Room "I Don't Know How it Feels" April 17 9:30 p.m. at The Screening Room Other movies affiliated with Arizona filmmakers in the Arizona Works Series: "Cereous Giganteus" April 17 9:30 p.m. at The Screening Room "Drive-In Chapel" April 17 9:30 p.m. at The Screening Room "Liberata Me" April 12 11 p.m. at The Screening Room "When Dark Falls" April 12 11 p.m. at The Screening Room

The viewer of independent films quickly notices that they are not about big budgets, big-name talent or opening weekend figures. Instead, indie films are about the filmmaker relating his or her vision, telling a story, conveying a message.

"As unknown filmmakers, independent films are our lifelines," University of Arizona alumnus and producer Neil Mather said. "Now the market is more open to those who want to try something totally different."

Mather is the writer, producer and lead actor in "Fugly," one of this year's more outrageous and humorous short films.

"Fugly" tells the story of a man with a problem. Although a newlywed, he is still ogling over females other than his wife. In order to save his marriage, he is hypnotized into thinking that all other women are hideously ugly. His plan backfires, of course - with comedic results.

"This is the first festival that 'Fugly' has been to, the first big screening, so I'm really excited to see the reaction to it," Mather said. "I know that I am really happy with the final result."

According to Mather, the power of indie film lies in its potential for originality. Many of the films are not typical of what people have seen before, offering a taste of something new.

"Independent filmmakers have a goal, a need to make something different," Mather said. "We have to do something that sets us apart from the crowd."

For example, the festival presents "The Bird Feeder," an 18-minute short film by UA alumnus John D. Laben. It is the simple and tragic story of an illegal immigrant who works on a dairy farm and hopes for a better future.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona International Film Festival Brian (Neil Mather) and his buddies engage in one of their favorite pastimes: scoping for chicks.

Almost the entire crew of "The Bird Feeder" consists of talent that came from UA. Laben, the writer, producer, director and editor, was very satisfied with the finished film but said that the creation of it was a harsh learning experience.

"We had some production problems," Laben said. "I had a key actor not show up twice and throw off the whole shooting schedule. It was tough to work around."

Laben says that though the making of "The Bird Feeder" was a challenge, it hasn't detoured him from his dreams of making movies. Rather, it has taught him valuable skills and lessons.

"I've learned so much from this film - how to deal with people and manage everything," Laben said. "I can't wait to do another film so that I can use what I've learned."

Other films that were made by UA students are "The Ball," "I Was a Teenage Prostitute," "I Don't Know How It Feels," "The Ethereal Plane" and "Life Shelter."

Now in its 11th year, the film festival is being presented at two different theaters: The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St., and the Grand Cinema's Crossroads Theater, 4811 E. Grant Road.

The festival starts tomorrow night and runs through April 21. Various admission packets are available to viewers interested in more than one film; single tickets are available at the theaters one hour in advance. For more information, call the festival office at 628-1737, or check the Web site at azfilmfest.com.