Posted by editor@vimooz.com on May 23, 2009 under San Joaquin International Film Festival | 
- Best Narrative Film “Cherry Blossoms” - Dir. Doris Dörrie
The San Joaquin Film Society announced the winning films of the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Jury Awards. Winnings films were selected by a distinguished jury of film artists and industry professionals.
– The winners are:
Best Narrative Film
- Best Narrative Film “Cherry Blossoms” - Dir. Doris Dörrie
- “Cherry Blossoms” - Dir. Doris Dörrie (Germany, Japan)
Only Trudi knows that her husband Rudi is suffering from a terminal illness. It is up to her to tell him or not. The doctor suggests that they do something together, perhaps something they were long planning to do… Trudi decides not to tell her husband about the gravity of his illness and to follow the doctor´s advice. She convinces Rudi to visit their children and grandchildren in Berlin. But once they arrive, they realize that their children are so busy with their own lives that they have no time for them. Then, suddenly, Trudi dies. Rudi is devastated and has no idea what to do next. From his daughter´s girlfriend he learns that Trudi´s love for him had led her to forego the life that she had wanted to live. He begins to see her with new eyes and vows to make up for her lost life. And so he embarks on his last journey - to Tokyo, in the midst of the cherry blossom festival, a celebration of beauty, impermanence and new beginnings…
Best Documentary Film
- Best Documentary Film “D Tour” - Dir. Jim Granato
- “D Tour” - Dir. Jim Granato (USA)
Pat Spurgeon is a professional musician whose dreams of being in a successful rock ‘n’ roll band have come true. But just as his band, Rogue Wave, starts to take off, his kidney starts to fail. “D tour” chronicles the life of a musician with “no back-up plan” as he’s faced with daily dialysis, a grueling tour, and a search for a new kidney. “D tour” will also address issues with the health care system, the lack of affordable insurance, the importance of organ donation, plus much more. Featuring live performances from Rogue Wave, The Moore Brothers, John Vanderslice, Nada Surf, and Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie).
Best Narrative Short Film
- “Memphis Calling” - Dir. Colin Mitchell USA)
Best Documentary Short Film
- “12 Notes Down” - Dir. Andreas Koefoed (Denmark)
Best Animated Short Film
- “Chicory ‘n’ Coffee” - Dir. Dusan Kastelic (Slovenia)
Best Experimental Short Film
- “Slow” - Dir. Kurt Kuenne (USA)
Experimental Short Film Honorable Mention
- “Flying Lessons” - Dir. Rosane Chamecki, Phil Harder, Andrea Lerner (USA)
Best Student Short Film
- “The Watchman and the Little Girl” - Dir. Christoph Englert (Germany)
Members of the jury are:
Narrative Feature Competition
(Director of Acquisitions, Las Américas Film Network)
(Director of Public Relations and Business Development, Global Film Initiative)
Documentary Feature Competition
(Documentary Director)
(Owner, Cut Loose Productions)
Short Films Competition
(Director, Writer, and Producer)
(Documentary Filmmaker and Editor)
– About the Festival
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the flagship annual exhibition of the San Joaquin Film Society taking place May 14 to 23, 2009 - is a glorious world showcase of new and innovative works from emerging talents and seasoned international artists, presented in various venues across the city of Stockton in the heart of California’s Central Valley.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on May 20, 2009 under San Joaquin International Film Festival |
- Italian actor Francesco Mistichelli in Denis Rabaglia’s “Marcello Marcello”
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival of the San Joaquin Film Society honored new Italian actor Francesco Mistichelli with its inaugural Discovery Award at its Opening Night Gala on May 14, 2009 at the historic Bob Hope Theatre. The award was presented to Mistichelli prior to the Northern California premiere of Denis Rabaglia’s “Marcello Marcello,” in which Mistichelli played the memorable leading role in his first feature film performance.
The Discovery Award honors a striking new talent that is being introduced on the international scene.
Born in Pescara, Italy, raised in Palermo and currently works in Rome, Mistichelli was selected from a pool of 1,200 auditions for the leading role. He is slated to appear in Federico Moccia’s next film “Scusa ma ti voglio sposare.”
The San Joaquin Film Society also honored Hawaiian-American director, Kimberlee Bassford, with the 2009 Spirit of Humanity Award, for her documentary film “Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority.” The award honors a filmmaker who uses film as an important instrument to advance, celebrate, and promote humanity.
About the Film
“Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority,” a California Central Valley Premiere at SJIFF2, explores the remarkable story of Patsy Mink, an Asian American woman who, battling racism and sexism, redefined American politics. Small in stature but a giant in vision, she began her life on a Maui sugar plantation and rose to become the first Asian American woman and woman of color in the United States Congress. A firecracker and a fighter, she continually pushed the limits of what was acceptable, speaking out against the Vietnam War and entering the 1972 presidential primary, making her one of the first women to seek the nation’s highest office. She transformed America’s schools as the co-author of Title IX, the landmark legislation that opened up higher education and athletics to women.
The film goes beyond Mink’s accomplishments, however, to reveal a woman whose political journey was lonely and tumultuous. Dispelling stereotypes of the compliant Japanese female, she battled sexism within her own party, whose leaders disliked her independent style and openly maneuvered against her. Her liberal politics, particularly her vocal opposition to the Vietnam War, engendered intense criticism. As Franklin Odo, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, states: “Patsy Mink offers a phenomenal political story, because she was so outside what you would expect of a woman, of a Japanese American and of a member of Congress.” Simultaneously a woman of the people and a pioneer, a patriot and an outcast, her story proves endlessly intriguing, and one that embodies the history, ideals and spirit of America. (54 min., USA, In English)
“Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority” had its World Premiere at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival in October 2008, where it won the Audience Award for Favorite Documentary and was nominated for the Golden Orchid Award for Best Documentary. Earlier this month, it won Best Documentary, Best Hawaiian Film and Gold Kahuna Award at the Honolulu International Film Festival. The film is now running in the Documentary Competition at the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival.
– About the Festival
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the flagship annual exhibition of the San Joaquin Film Society taking place May 14 to 23, 2009 - is a glorious world showcase of new and innovative works from emerging talents and seasoned international artists, presented in various venues across the city of Stockton in the heart of California’s Central Valley. SJIFF2 will feature: red carpet premieres; new independent American and world films; Animania - a cinematic spotlight on animated cinema; tributes to celebrated and rising filmmakers; an exhilarating collection of the world’s top short-length films from new and accomplished directors; educational programs, panels, interactive discussions; family events and programmes; a cultural family day at the museum; guest celebrities, entertainment and industry luminaries, and filmmakers from around the nation and the world; galas and festive parties; and diverse programs for all ages.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 22, 2009 under San Joaquin International Film Festival |
The San Joaquin Film Society announced that Academy Award-nominated, “Indie Animation King” Bill Plympton will receive the inaugural El Dorado Award at the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2, May 14-23). The El Dorado Award honors an exceptional artist whose artistry, creativity, and originality has made a tremendous impact on independent cinema. The award will be presented to Mr. Plympton at the Central Valley Premiere screening of his latest animated feature “Idiots and Angels,” on Saturday, May 16, 2009, 6:30PM, at the Stockton Empire Theatre (1825 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202).
The next morning, Mr. Plympton will present a Master Class at the festival’s annual Filmmakers and VIP Brunch on Sunday, May 17, 2009, 10:00AM at the Matinée Movie Lounge. At the in-depth seminar, Mr. Plympton will share his artistic and business experiences in animated cinema, demonstrate with live drawings, screen exclusive short films from his repertoire, and interact in a Q&A session with the audience.
ABOUT “IDIOTS AND ANGELS”
Synopsis: Angel is a selfish, abusive, morally bankrupt man who hangs out as his local bar, berating the other patrons. One day, Angel mysteriously wakes up with a pair of wings on his back. The wings make him do good deeds, contrary to his nature. He desperately tries to rid himself of the good wings, but eventually finds himself fighting those who view the wings as their ticket to fame and fortune. (USA, 2008, 78 minutes)
Screening at major festivals around the world - “Idiots and Angels” had its World Premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. It was honored with a Special Distinction Award at the prestigious 2008 Annecy International Animation Festival in France. In Porto, Portugal in March 2009, the film was awarded the Grand Prize at FantasPorto, one of the biggest film festivals in Europe. The El Dorado Award screening of “Idiots and Angels” at SJIFF2 in Stockton will be the film’s first presentation to an audience in California’s 400-mile Central Valley.
ABOUT DIRECTOR BILL PLYMPTON
Bill Plympton was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He moved to New York City, upon graduation from Portland State University in Graphic Design. He began his career creating cartoons for publications such as New York Times, National Lampoon, Playboy and Screw. In 1987 he was nominated for an Oscar® for his short Your Face. After producing many shorts which appeared on MTV and Spike and Mike’s, he turned his talent to features. Since 1991 he’s made 9 feature films, 6 of them, The Tune, Mondo Plympton, I Married A Strange Person, Mutant Aliens, Hair High and Idiots and Angels. In 2005, Bill’s received another Oscar® nomination, this time for a short film Guard Dog.
ABOUT THE SAN JOAQUIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2) runs May 14 to 23, 2009 in various venues across the city of Stockton, California, and will feature over 120 films from 40 countries.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 21, 2009 under San Joaquin International Film Festival |
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the ten-day flagship festival of the San Joaquin Film Society, will wrap with the California Central Valley premiere of Karen Kingsbury’s “Like Dandelion Dust,” based on the best-selling novel and directed by Jon Gunn: A heart-warming film from Downes Brothers Entertainment starring Academy Award-winning Mira Sorvino, Barry Pepper, Sacramento-born Kate Levering, Maxwell Perry Cotton, and Cole Hauser - about the struggle of the blue-collar Porter family and the privileged Campbell family as their lives intersect for the love of a little boy. “Like Dandelion Dust” will screen at the Closing Night of the California Central Valley’s biggest film festival, beginning at 7:30PM on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the majestic Faye Spanos Concert Hall at University of the Pacific (3601 Pacific Avenue - Corner of Pacific and Dave Brubeck Way - Stockton CA, 95211, USA).
ABOUT “LIKE DANDELION DUST”
Like Dandelion Dust (2009): Based on the best-selling novel by America’s leading inspirational novelist Karen Kingsbury, the film is a compelling drama that explores the different meanings of being a parent through the grittily realistic lives of the struggling, blue collar Porter’s, and the privileged Campbell family. Their lives intersect, intertwine and collide, all for the love of a little boy. This film is wonderfully acted, bravely exposing the humanity in each character and reminding us that we each have the potential to be the best and worst versions of ourselves at any time. (Downes Brothers Entertainment, 100 mins., USA, English)
“Like Dandelion Dust” held its World Premiere at the 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival in January 2009, and was selected for its Best of Fest programme. The film went on to be feted with the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Sedona International Film Festival, the Grand Jury Best Feature at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Feature at Vail Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Sonoma International Film Festival, and the Audience Award and Grand Jury Best Feature at the Las Vegas International Film Festival. The film comes to its first presentation to an audience in California’s 400-mile Central Valley at the Closing Night Gala of SJIFF2.
ABOUT DIRECTOR JON GUNN
American Writer, Director and Editor Jon Gunn made his feature film debut in 2000 with Mercy Streets. Before being released in theaters, Mercy Streets received the Best Feature Film award at the What You See is What You Get Festival, and the Movie Guide Award for “10 Best Films of 2000″.
His next feature, My Date with Drew, had a worldwide theatrical release in the summer of 2005 and won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival, NY Gen Art Film Festival, and Vail Film Festival. It also swept the 2005 Sonoma Film Festival, winning three awards, including the Jury Prize for Best Feature. My Date With Drew beat Napoleon Dynamite, Super Size Me and Garden State for Best Feature, and was listed on www.the-numbers.com as the fifth most profitable film of all times.
Gunn co-wrote Ian the Vampire and a comedy The Final Four, both currently in development at Fox Searchlight, where he has a blind script deal. He is now writing Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians for Dreamworks Animation.
In 2002, Gunn teamed up with producer Kerry David (Executive Producer, Agent Cody Banks; Producer, upcoming Don Cheadle Miles Davis project) to create Lucky Crow Films. They have produced both film and television projects, optioned numerous literary properties, and are currently in pre-production on a number of feature projects, including Why Beulah Shot her Pistol Inside The Baptist Church, a dark comedy adapted by Gail Gilchriest (My Dog Skip) from the novel by Clayton Sullivan.
Gunn and David also co-own IndieProducer (www.indieproducer.net), a renown, worldwide filmmaking community created to discover, educate and support new and emerging talent in film.
ABOUT THE SAN JOAQUIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2) runs May 14 to 23, 2009 in various venues across the city of Stockton, California, and will feature over 120 films from 40 countries.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 11, 2009 under San Joaquin International Film Festival |
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the ten-day flagship festival of the San Joaquin Film Society, will kick-off with the Northern California premiere of Denis Rabaglia’s “Marcello Marcello”: A heart-warming romantic comedy that follows a teen boy’s frantic adventure to find a gift for the father of a beautiful young woman he adores. “Marcello Marcello” will screen at the Opening Night of the California Central Valley’s biggest film festival, beginning at 7:00PM on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the historic Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre (242 E. Main St. Stockton CA, 95202, USA).
At 7:00PM, follow the red carpet to an extraordinary evening with: a special compilation of clips from SJIFF2 films; presentation of prizes to award-winning films of SJIFF2 selected by a distinguished jury; the Opening short film “Para Asia” (USA Premiere) by Spanish-Singaporean director Fran Borgia; and the presence of celebrated filmmakers and innovators from around the world - all leading up to the Northern California Premiere of “Marcello Marcello.”
At 9:30PM proceed to the theatre’s mezzanine for a Mediterranean-inspired night of glitz, glamour, and glorious times at the annual “With the Stars” Opening Night Party. Experience festive live music, dance and entertainment. Savor a collection of scrumptious international cuisine, appetizers, desserts, and cocktails from Downtown Stockton restaurants - paired with the finest wine from vineyards of the San Joaquin Valley.
ABOUT “MARCELLO MARCELLO”
Marcello Marcello (2008): Based on an original novel entitled Marcello’s Date by British-born musician and author Mark David Hatwood. “The setting is Italy, 1956. In the picturesque island of Amatrello, a unique custom keeps the young men of the village busy: when a girl turns eighteen, every boy is invited to bring a gift for her first date. However the gift is not for the girl, but for the father… who will ultimately determine which boy takes her on her first rendez-vous! Eighteen-year-old fisherman’s son Marcello does not care about this tradition until he sets eyes on the enchanting Elena, the daughter of the Mayor, who has returned to the island and - according to the tradition - has come of age. As time runs out and competition rises, Marcello comes up with the perfect gift for the Mayor. But getting that gift isn’t easy… Soon, he is forced to barter with the entire village, as everyone seems to want something from someone else… Marcello’s frantic quest ensues, evolving into a process of reconciliation among the village’s inhabitants.” (C-Films Production, Switzerland, Germany, Italy; In Italian with English Subtitles)
“Marcello Marcello” held its World Premiere in front of 8,000 spectators on August 12, 2008 at the breathtaking open-sky Piazza Grande cinema of the 61st Locarno International Film Festival, one of the world’s leading film festivals, held in Switzerland. The film went on to receive theatrical release across Switzerland in October 2008. In January 2009, it made its North American Premiere at the prestigious 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it was among the Best of Fest selections. Recently, the film made its East Coast Premiere at the 18th Philadelphia Film Festival. The Opening Night screening of “Marcello Marcello” at SJIFF2 in Stockton will be the film’s first presentation to an audience in Northern California.
ABOUT DIRECTOR DENIS RABAGLIA
Italian-Swiss director Denis Rabaglia, born in 1966, has been making short and medium-length films since he was 15 years old. A well-known director for the big and small screens, he has made two comedies for Swiss television: Grossesse Nerveuse (1994) with Tom Novembre and Patrick Braoudé, which won him the Prix Max Ophüls, and Pas de Panique (2007), with Frédéric Diefenthal and Roland Giraud, which took the Best Swiss TV Film prize at the Geneva Cinéma Tout Ecran. With theatrical feature films, he has directed: Azzurro (2001), which was a popular success worldwide and garnered numerous prizes, including Best Swiss Fiction Film. His latest feature work is Marcello Marcello (2008).
After 1,200 auditions for the cast of Marcello Marcello, Director Denis Rabaglia selected professional actor Francesco Mistichelli from Pescara, Italy, who took extensive vocal training to master the Neapolitan accent as needed for the film.
ABOUT THE SAN JOAQUIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2) runs May 14 to 23, 2009 in various venues across the city of Stockton, California, and will feature over 120 films from 40 countries.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on December 23, 2008 under San Joaquin International Film Festival |
The San Joaquin Film Society announces the 2009 SJFS Spring Gala and the Official Selection of Cinema Italia series, to take place February 21 to 23, 2009 at the Stockton Empire Theatre.
SJFS Spring Gala will be held on the Opening Night of Cinema Italia, on February 21, 2009, and will be an exquisite celebration featuring the highly-anticipated announcement of The Official Selection of the first 100 films of May 2009’s San Joaquin International Film Festival, the California Central Valley’s premier celebration of global cinema. Guests at the Gala will be treated to complimentary Italian-American appetizers and fine wine.
Experience three nights of Cinema Italia, from February 21 to 23, 2009: Opening with Silvio Soldini’s “Days and Clouds,” (pictured above) the 5-time, David di Donatello Award-nominated (Italian Oscar®) drama about a well-to-do Italian family in a time of economic hardships after the breadwinning husband is fired from his high-paying job; a retrospective screening of Ferzan Ozpetek’s “Facing Windows,” about a married bookkeeper’s constant desire for her handsome neighbor and a friendship with a Jewish Holocaust survivor who changed her life; Agostino Ferrente’s keepsake of the heart-warming, cross-cultural creation of “The Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio;” and Il Film Corto, a rare and riveting, discovery collection of six short films from rising and new Italian directors making USA and California premieres, including Andrea Lodovichetti’s “Under My Garden” - winner of Spike Lee’s 2008 Babelgum Online Film Festival Looking For Genius Award, about a boy’s passion for insects and desire to solve a local murder mystery.
The eclectic collection share the themes of family, immigration, romance, friendship, cultural exchange, globalization, the economy, history, coming-of-age, sports, and ethical issues.
Feature Films
1. “Giorni e nuvole / Days and Clouds” by Silvio Soldini (Italy, Switzerland - 2008) Spring Gala - Opening Night
2. “La Finestra di fronte / Facing Windows” by Ferzan Ozpetek (Italy, Turkey, Portugal, UK - 2003)
3. “L’Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio / The Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio” by Agostino Ferrente (Italy - 2006)
Il Film Corto - Italian Short Films Discovery Programme
4. “Il Malato / Sick of It” by Antonello Schioppa (Italy - 2007) USA Premiere
5. “Lo Zio / The Uncle” by Duccio Chiarini (Italy, 2008)
6. “Oggi ho altro da fare / Today I Have Something Else to Do” by Antonello Schioppa (Italy - 2007) USA Premiere
7. “Sotto il mio giardino / Under My Garden” by Andrea Lodovichetti (Italy, 2007) California Premiere
8. “Voci di donne Native e Migranti / Voices of Native Italian and Migrant Women” by Rossella Piccinnio (Italy, 2008) USA Premiere
9. “Wanted in Rome” by Rossella De Venuto and Ji Un Choi (Italy, 2008) USA Premiere
Tags: Agostino Ferrente, Andrea Lodovichetti, Babelgum Online Film Festival, Cinema Italia, Days and Clouds, Facing Windows, Ferzan Ozpetek, Holocaust, Il Film Corto, Jewish, Looking For Genius Award, San Joaquin Film Society, San Joaquin International Film Festival, Silvio Soldini, Spike Lee, The Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio, Under My Garden, v