Cucalorus Film Festival

An Evening at the Oscars...

2012-02-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

Cucalorus hosts "An Evening at the Oscars" on February 26th at the Brooklyn Arts Center! We'll be enjoying the Academy Awards in style on giant screens, with food and drinks, Red Carpet paparazzi, a curated Silent Auction, a cash prize Oscar Pool and other fun surprises. Dress is creative black tie - dress like you're going to the Oscars!

Tickets are limited, and can be purchased online at www.cucalorus.org. Dress to the nines and walk the Red Carpet with Cucalorus at the best Oscar Party in town!

CLICK BELOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Nom Nom Noms

2012-01-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

Since most of you weren't up yesterday at 5:30am when the 2012 Academy Award nominations were announced here you go!

Best Picture
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"

Best Actor

Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Best Director
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"

Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Best Animated Feature
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Bullhead (Belgium)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)

Original Score
"The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams
"The Artist," Ludovic Bource
"Hugo," Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse," John Williams

Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Achievement in Art Direction
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"

Best Achievement in Cinematography
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

Best Achievement in Costume Design
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."

Best Documentary Feature
"Hell and Back Again"
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front"
"Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
"Pina"
"Undefeated"

Best Documentary Short Subject
"The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement?"
"God Is the Bigger Elvis"
"Incident in New Baghdad"
"Saving Face"
"The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom"

Best Achievement in Film Editing
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"

Best Achievement in Makeup
"Albert Nobbs"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"The Iron Lady"

Best Animated Short Film
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

Best Live Action Short Film
"Pentecost"
"Raju"
"The Shore"
"Time Freak"
"Tuba Atlantic"

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
"Drive"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Real Steel"
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"

Test your film knowledge in the Oscar pool at Cucalorus presents: An Evening at the Oscars.

Join industry insiders for an elegant evening of entertainment featuring a live broadcast of the Oscars, heavy hors d'oeuvres, stylish cocktails, and a curated silent auction. This year's event takes place at the cleverly renovated Brooklyn Arts Center on North Fourth Street in downtown Wilmington. Dust off your finest fashions and get ready to hit the red carpet. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online or through our office at 815 Princess Street. All proceeds support operating costs for this fall's 18th annual Cucalorus Film Festival. Join us in supporting filmmakers and creating a venue for bold and innovative artists.

Click here to purchase tickets to "An Evening at the Oscars"

Join the Cucalorus team!

2012-01-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

Cucalorus seeks Programming and Communications Coordinator

Cucalorus seeks a Programming and Communications Coordinator to join the staff in preparation for the upcoming 18th annual Film Festival taking place November 8-11, 2012 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Cucalorus has established itself as one of the nation’s finest regional festivals, attracting filmmakers from all over the world for a non-competitive celebration of the artform.

The Cucalorus Film Festival’s headquarters are at Jengo’s Playhouse in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. The Programming and Communications Coordinator’s responsibilities include providing administrative support to the Director, facilitating the acceptance of film submissions for the festival, coordinating the call for entries campaign, supporting and guiding the selection process, planning the festival marketing campaign, maintaining relationships with key media, maintaining the festival website, managing the festival’s social media presence, and researching and writing festival press releases. The candidate will also be responsible for working with staff, volunteers and board members to guide the overall planning and execution of the festival. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, excellent computer skills and be very enthusiastic and outgoing. Prior experience in public relations and marketing preferred. Ideal candidates will have some background in event planning, the film festival industry and the non-profit sector. This is a seasonal, part-time position beginning in February.

TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter, resume, an inappropriate recipe and three references by January 23, 2012 to:

Dan Brawley, Director

Cucalorus Film Foundation

815 Princess Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

Or email to: dan@cucalorus.org

Academy Awards Cucalorus Style

2011-12-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

An Evening at the Oscars...

Join Cucalorus, your favorite film festival, as they put on their third annual Oscar Party fundraiser February 26th! We'll be enjoying the Academy Awards in style on giant screens, with food and drinks, a Red Carpet paparazzi gauntlet, a curated Silent Auction, a cash prize Oscar Pool and other fun surprises.

Tickets are limited, and can be purchased online at www.cucalorus.org. Dress to the nines and walk the Red Carpet with Cucalorus at the best Oscar Party in town!

The 84th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. So far, three Cucalorus 17 selections that have made the short list!

For Best Documentary Feature we have "Semper Fi: Always Faithful" directed by Rachel Libert & Tony Hardmon. Then we have "Daisy Cutter" directed by Enrique Garcia & Ruben Salaza and "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest" directed by Kevin Sean Michaels for Best Animated Short.

FINGERS CROSSED!

CLICK BELOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Congratulations Common Sense Films!

2011-11-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

COMMON SENSE FILMS RECEIVES EMMY® NOD FOR BATTLESHIP NORTH CAROLINA DOCUMENTARY

The Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced their nominations for the 26th Annual Midsouth Regional EMMY® Awards at a November 18^th reception held at BMI’s Nashville headquarters.

Rob Hill of Common Sense Films, the Wilmington, North Carolina television and media company, received a nomination in the category of Best Editor/Program for the documentary, Battleship North Carolina: The Showboat Legacy. Commented Common Sense Films partner and Executive Producer Richard Sirianni, “This is really great news that Rob gets the editing nomination. As an independent filmmaker you do it all, plus some.”

This is Common Sense Films’ and Mr. Hill’s third Midsouth Regional Emmy nomination. In 2008, the team was nominated for the feature documentary The Fort Fisher Hermit in the category of Best Documentary/Historical at the 22nd Annual Midsouth Regional EMMY® Awards. Rob Hill was also nominated for The Rising Star Award in the same year.

Battleship North Carolina: The Showboat Legacy had a May 29, 2011 broadcast premier on UNC-TV. This enlightening documentary explores the history behind this decorated Naval vessel and the monumental task of maintaining it as a National Historic Landmark. The past and present merge as this half-hour program highlights the USS North Carolina’s history and her legacy that continues today.

The Chicago/Midwest Chapter, the Mid-America Chapter based in St. Louis, judged more than 700 entries the Mid-Atlantic Chapter based in Philadelphia, and the New York Chapter resulting in nominations for 65 organizations. Winners will be announced during a live awards ceremony to be telecast from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee on March 17, 2012.

NATAS is a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to fostering excellence in television. The academy has 19 chapters with 15,000 members nationwide. The Nashville/Midsouth Region encompasses the states of North Carolina (except Asheville) and Tennessee, and northern Alabama.

To learn more about Battleship North Carolina: The Showboat Legacy you may visit www.showboatlegacy.com.

Contact:

Rob Hill

robhill_productions@mac.com

Cucalorus 17 Wraps

2011-11-15T14:03:00.000-08:00

Cucalorus 17 closes

Annual celebration featured prophets, music, Norwegians,

local love and Norwood Cheek

The 17^th annual Cucalorus Film Festival came to a close on Sunday night, capping off a record year for the events overall attendance and marking the debut of the NC Retrospective program. The festival hosted 297 artists, including filmmakers, dancers, choreographers, poets, musicians, actors, and one mime from 7 different countries around the world and from cities scattered across the country. Accumulated attendance at the festival’s screenings, parties and educational events totaled 10,515.

The festival’s works-in-progress program branched out to include a weeklong series of engagement events supporting two documentaries: Whistling for Sheep and An American Promise. Seattle filmmakers Kyle Carver and Dana Thompson brought their personal documentary about Ovarian Cancer to the festival – editing footage throughout the week and presenting updated versions to each new audience. Festival director Dan Brawley said, “Kyle and Dana’s work this week really pushes us in a new direction. We’ve always wanted Cucalorus to be a catalyst and a venue for the creation of work – so to have these guys here editing all week and sharing that process is just very special.”

Cucalorus 17 presented seven films as part of their more mainstream Magnolia program – films that had already received widespread recognition on the festival circuit. Audience buzz centered around Vikram Ghandi’s doc Kumaré – with rumors about the future of the film spreading throughout the festival. Erica Dunton’s feature to.get.her was the clear hometown favorite, featuring a question and answer session that filled the stage at Thalian Hall with dozens of cast and crew.

Cucalorus continued its UK Spotlight program, highlighted by a sold-out screening of Lynne Ramsay’s We Need to Talk About Kevin featuring a tour-de-force performance from Tilda Swinton. British filmmaker Matt Hulse returned to the festival for an intimate presentation about a collaborative community based documentary project with Roll Out, Cowboy (CFF 2010) director Elizabeth Lawrence.

Seventeen of the roughly 78 festival events were completely sold out. The festival’s most well attended events were We Need to Talk About Kevin, Dance-a-lorus, to.get.her, Happy Happy, Kumaré, Restoration, and The Other F Word. Festival director Dan Brawley commented, “Growth isn't really our focus. It’s not like we're not aiming to bust box office records or anything. We really just try to bring artists together for a relaxed celebration. You can see that in our programming, like the retrospective. I think it was a highlight for many of us. Norwood’s longtime connection to the festival and his roots here in North Carolina – a lot of things really just coming together to make this year very special. And I thought Sunday night's sold out screening of the 10x10 project brought the festival to a close on a high note, probably the best closing night we’ve ever had - lots of laughing and dancing and good times.”

The foundation will present the 18^th annual Cucalorus Film Festival next year from November 8-11, 2012. Fundraising for next year’s festival is well underway. Festival staff will be announcing two new grants that have already been secured to support the festival’s Voices and Vanguard programs next week. According to Brawley, “We’re very excited to already have two major funders in hand for next year’s festival. We can’t announce the full details until those organizations make their formal announcements in the coming days, but we can safely say that next year will mark a new era for the festival in terms of our reach in the industry.”

The organization will hold its annual festival fundraiser “An Evening at the Oscars” next year on Sunday, February 26, 2012 featuring a live broadcast of the Oscar ceremony. Tickets for the event went on sale today.

###

Cucalorus Film Festival: Tickets on Sale today!

2011-10-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Cucalorus Film Festival tickets are on sale! Tickets to all events are now available to the general public. Advance tickets are limited, so attendees are encouraged to make plans now. Tickets can be purchased online at etix.com, in person at Jengo’s Playhouse or from the Thalian Hall box office.

The 17^th annual Cucalorus Film Festival will include more than 130 films from all over the world. Highlights include We Need to Talk About Kevin, Tyrannosaur, Turn Me On Dammit!, King of Devil’s Island, Order of Ecstasy: The Tetris Masters, On the Ice and loads of the best films of the year. Special events include Dance-a-lorus, Visual Soundwalls, Norwood Cheek’s 10x10, and Blue Velvet: the Musical.

Pass sales brisk, buy now to save money!

To purchase passes, up-to-the minute news, travel resources, and for a full schedule of films and events, visit www.cucalorus.org. Passes are on sale through the festival’s website and in person at the Jengo’s Playhouse box office. Pass quantities are limited.

Adopt-a-Filmmaker!

2011-10-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

ADOPT-A-FILMMAKER

Hosts needed for 17^th annual Cucalorus Film Festival

Do you want to house an award-winning filmmaker? It's very easy, all you need is an extra room! Cucalorus is bringing in filmmakers by the dozen for the annual cinematic celebration and we need somewhere for them rest their noggins. Most filmmakers will be attending screenings and events all day and night and the festival provides lots of free food and offers transportation to the airport and around town. We just need a warm bed and cheery disposition.

The Adopt-a-Filmmaker program has become a tradition at Cucalorus and many filmmaker hosts become lifelong friends with the visiting artists. It is a great way to help the cultural community and you'll get a couple of free passes to the festival. Contact our development and outreach coordinator (development@cucalorus.org) to find out how you can provide housing for a visiting filmmaker.

Local Businessmen Lead by Example

2011-09-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

The CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL announced today that local business leaders Tobin Geatz and Tom Looney have provided a joint $5,000 unrestricted donation to the 17th Annual CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL. Mr. Geatz is the current CEO of local pharma CRO Inclinix, and an accomplished serial entrepreneur and start-up strategy guru. Mr. Looney worked at Oracle in the 80’s, then worked closely with Apple’s iconic leader Steve Jobs for several years in the 90’s. He retired after leading Microsoft's Homeland Security and Public Safety industry unit for several years after the 9/11 attacks on America.

Locally, Mr. Geatz and Mr. Looney co-created the highly-rated NC 2.0 radio segment heard each week on The Curtis Wright Show on WAAV 980am and other stations in the state. NC 2.0 focuses on the role of private and public sector entities in the 21st century relating to economic growth and job creation. They call for politicians and semi-government non-profit entities to embrace and adhere to basic market economic principles like competition, and stress the urgent need for making data-driven, merit based allocations of hard-earned taxpayer contributions and private donations, especially in the area of economic development. The men also serve as co-founding board members of the acclaimed Entrepreneurship Center at the UNCW Cameron School of Business.

Festival director Dan Brawley says, “Cucalorus is delighted by this demonstration of confidence in our festival and the proven economic impact it makes to the Wilmington area.” He added, “Tobin and Tom told us they hope to inspire other business leaders and private donors to invest in successful non-profits like Cucalorus, and we’re just delighted they’re so supportive of our efforts.” Mr. Geatz said, “The Cucalorus Film Festival has for years contributed to a very positive image for the Wilmington region in the 21st century, and their efficient budget allocation creates a 25X return in local economic activity and therefore worthy of bigger support from the community.” Geatz added, “Tom and I are proud to invest behind their success and urge other local leaders to join us.”

Mr. Looney notes, “The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Cape Fear Future study identified a vibrant arts & cultural scene as critical for ongoing economic success in the area. The report also called for a concerted effort to enhance the region’s “image” in order to appeal to the executives and workforce of the sort of high-growth, successful companies we should strive to attract, because most of the net new job growth in the nation is directly or indirectly tied to these impact firms.” Geatz and Looney insist that all the data suggests that Wilmington will prosper financially if we simply defund chronic poor performers, and double-down on economic force multipliers like Cucalorus, which also integrates with the broader Hollywood East “economic cluster” strategy around the film and entertainment industry. Geatz concludes, “This is no-brainer stuff and Tom and I know no other way to operate.”

Cucalorus is a non-competitive festival focused on supporting innovative artists and encouraging creative exchange. The festival is held each November in historic downtown Wilmington, North Carolina with screenings of 150 films from around the globe. The week-long event brings people from all over the world together to celebrate, discover, and create independent films, as well as to explore the area’s diverse attractions and real estate from Wilmington’s historic river district to the close-by island beaches.

Websites such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo are becoming the method of choice for non-profits, filmmakers, and emerging entrepreneurs to raise funds and awareness on a large scale. Cucalorus falls into this group with their own Kickstarter campaign launching at the end of the month. For more information on contributing to the non-profit Cucalorus Film Festival call Jengo's at 910.343.5995 or visit the web site at Cucalorus.org.

CALLING ALL YOUTH!

2011-09-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Cucalorus Film Festival Seeks Films Made by Kids for Kids

Always wanted to make a movie for the big screen? Now is your chance! The 17th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival is searching for films of all genres made by kids and for kids under the age of 18. Selected films will be showcased at a special youth screening during the annual festival November 10-13, 2011.

Films must be 7 minutes or shorter. Entries are free and should include a dvd copy of the film and a list of the title, runtime, description of film, director's name, age and contact information. Submission must be postmarked by Friday, October 10, 2011 and mailed to:

Cucalorus Film Festival
Youth Screening
815 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

If you have any questions please call 910.343.5995 or email outreach@cucalorus.org

Happy Filmmaking!

Cocktails, Cucalorus and UK Cinema

2011-08-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

September 17th @ 7pm -- Satellite Bar & Lounge:

Join us for a special screening of Terry Gilliam's 'Brazil' in celebration of the UK Spotlight program at Cucalorus. Be among the first to purchase your festival pass and get a preview of what's to come!

Click here for the facebook event page

Sponsored by South Front Apartments, Wilmington's newest, urban green community.

Cinematique presents.... 'The Trip'

2011-08-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of the Cucalorus Film Festival's UK Spotlight Program (November 10 - 13, more details at cucalorus.org), Cinematique and Cucalorus present an EXTENDED RUN of The Trip.

Playing loose versions of themselves, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon reunite with acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom for an acerbically witty, largely improvised ride through the English countryside. Tapped by The Observer to review fine restaurants throughout the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, Steve finds himself without a traveling companion after being turned down by everyone else he knows. Steve extends an invitation to Rob, and together the pair attempt to navigate the winding back roads of rural England, impersonating popular celebrities such as Michael Caine, Woody Allen and Liam Neeson (among many others) and bickering along the way. "The film is a wickedly funny joy ride that offers keen, unflatteringly honest insights on fame, midlife crises and the rivalrous nature of male friendship." - Minneapolis Star Tribune.

1 hr. 47 min. unrated.

Information:

Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St.
Monday-Saturday
Sept. 5-10 @ 7:30pm
Admission $7

Sunday Matinee
September 11
In the Studio theater
at 3:00pm

Ticket information:

Thalian Hall Box Office
910.632.2285 (Mon.-Sat., 2-6pm)
www.etix.com

'Loves Her Gun' would love your support!

2011-08-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Cucalorus alum and friend, Geoff Marslett, seeks support from cultural explorers and philanthropists for feature film "Loves Her Gun".

“Loves Her Gun” is a cautionary tale of transformation, crime, guns, and hipsters. The narrative film follows Allie as she leaves Brooklyn, New York running away from a violent attack and an uneasy social life. She hooks up with an absurd band of karate rock musicians from Austin and embarks on a fast paced road trip across the south. Once she settles into the slower paced slacker lifestyle of central Texas, she finds new friends, work with her hands, a crummy place to live on the east side, cool water to tube in, and several new love interests. Despite all this some of the same old problems follow her. After the BBQ’s and skinny dipping parties, there is still crime, and possible violence against women is a legitimate fear anywhere. As Allie struggles to find new ways to feel strong and in control here in her new environment, she walks the fine line between reasonable self preservation and paranoid withdrawal. As she spends more time on the shooting range than she does in her apartment, can she maintain healthy relationships, or will the weapons she uses to protect herself actually cause new problems worse than the ones she was fleeing?

Help this über talented filmmaker reach his goal.

Call for Volunteers

2011-07-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Raise your hand if you want to be a Cucalorus volunteer!

With only four months until the 17th annual Cucalorus Film Festival, staff at the organization’s headquarters are seeking creative and dedicated individuals to join the passionate team of ambidextrous do-gooders for a wide range of positions.

Openings in the following departments are available:

Screenings

Box Office

Transportation

Hospitality

Outreach

Tech

Bold, courageous individuals should RSVP by e-mailing your resume (or a poem) to Lexi Lefkowitz at programming@cucalorus.org.

True Adolescents

2011-07-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Cucalorus alum Craig Johnson has an exciting announcement!
His film, True Adolescents, is having it's limited theatrical release from July 29th-August 5th, 2011 at the reRun Gastropub Theater.

Opening Night Q&A with Mark Duplass, Director Craig Johnson, and Producer Thomas Woodrow.

Available August 30 on VOD, digital and DVD.

Order the DVD.

See the distribution press release.

Amelia Earhart visits Cucalorus!

2011-07-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Our friend Amelia came out of hiding to fly around the world and gather a diverse batch of film submissions for Cucalorus.

Madrid, Spain
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Chicago, Illinois
Tel Aviv, Israel
Brooklyn, New York
Los Angeles x 4
New York, New York x 2
Montreal, Canada
Portland, Oregon
Berlin, Germany
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Astoria, New York
Seattle, Washington

Stick those films in the mail today-
Submission deadline: July 14th!

The film fairy strikes again!

2011-07-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today's film submissions came from:

Wailuku, Hawaii
Los Angeles, California
Bakersfield, California
New York City
Boulder, Colorado

Keep 'em coming everybody!
Wilmington, North Carolina locals can submit up to three films for FREE!

High Seas Films presents....

2011-07-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Sight|Sound

Jengo's Playhouse

July 8th-7pm & 9pm

SIGHT|SOUND from High Seas Films on Vimeo.

Surfing is supposed to be an individual act. It’s supposd to illicit creativity and take place in a natural environment. It’s supposed to have moments familiar and original. It’s supposed to be both elegant and raw. Surfing isn’t supposed to be choreographed.

The surfer and board do what they want. Let them be seen as they want to be seen; let them be heard through only their motions. Let them surf in climates warm and cold, on waves big and small, on boards long and short, in countries near and far. Let the camera capture what it can.

Let there be Sight|Sound.

From the surfer-director of Picaresque, is another film without dialogue. Another group of talented individuals doing what they do best, with an eclectic soundtrack mixed-in to enhance the vibe.

Starring: Chris Del Moro, Justin Quintal, Kassia Meador, Alek Parker, Ryan Burch, Mikey DeTemple, Scotty Stopnik, Jared Mell, Daniel Thompson and Tyler Warren

Try Queensboro - Support Cucalorus - It's Free!

2011-07-07T16:06:00.001-07:00

Try a Free Queensboro premium quality 100% two ply pima cotton polo,
custom embroidered with your logo, and for giving us the opportunity
to show you how good we are, we will make a donation to Wilmington’s
award winning Cucalorus Film Festival.

Some conditions apply.
Offer for new customers only.
Please click here for full details.

Thanks for the opportunity and thanks for supporting
The Cucalorus Film Festival, November 10-13, 2011.

800-847-4478

Sincerely,
Fred Meyers, President and Founder Fredm@queensboro.com

Dispatch from the Golden City: Edinburgh Film Festival 2011

2011-06-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

Travel stories from Dan's trip to the

Edinburgh International Film Festival

True evidence that the global film community is sometimes quite small, I sat next to New York-based filmmaker Jarred Alterman on my flight from Newark to Edinburgh. On my recent trip to the Maryland Film Festival, I was lucky enough to catch a screening of Jarred's film Convento at the Maryland Institute College of Art. I took it as a good sign that I had a friendly fellow traveler to help kick off my trip to the 65th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Jarred's film Convento is graceful documentary about an odd family of artists who live on an old monastery in Portugal. Keep an eye out for news about Convento at Cucalorus 17 - might make the final mix - but Who? Knows!

Something about dropping down in Scotland's capital at 10am in the morning makes my heart ache. My love affair with Edinburgh began more than ten years ago when I worked in the print traffic department at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. In many ways, it was that time spent hustling prints from the Filmhouse on Lothian Road to the Cameo Picturehouse that drew me deeply into the world of film festivals. I already had a couple of years under my belt working with Cucalorus, but it was the combination of international exchange and Scottish hospitality that really locked me down. So my annual pilgrimage to Edinburgh becomes more and more of a homecoming as my friendships and memories there grow deeper.

Just like a lot of festivals around the world, the Edinburgh Film Festival is facing major budget challenges. So it's no surprise that festival leaders were looking for change in 2011. With the departure of Artistic Director Hannah McGill last year, the festival apparently went looking for business skill over artistic experience in order to give new life to the festival's budget. The result - still a work in progress - was a hot topic at the Filmhouse bar and in the Scottish media. Some friends of mine even circulated an open letter to the media, seeking signatures on a letter urging the festival to hire an artistic director to insure the continued integrity of the longest continually running film festival in the world.

I was more interested in watching films than chatting about the inner workings of the festival staff and leadership, so I settled into one of the big red velvet chairs at the Cameo to watch Dominic Allan's CALVET - a touching documentary about French artist Jean Marc Calvet and his journey to make peace with his past. Jean Luc was once a struggling drug addict and night life junkie who finds peace through painting. The film follows Calvet for several years as he recounts his wild and selfish downfall. The filmmaker gets deeply involved in Jean Luc's personal life and clearly has an impact on the choices that lead him to confronting some of the loose ends of his life. CALVET is an epic tale - just as profoundly large and moving as Jean Luc's canvases.

The opening night film "The Guard" starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle was well-attended but certainly not sold out. None of the stars from the film were in attendance either - both of these facts were pointed out repeatedly by the Scottish media - who seemed intent on criticising the work of new director James Mulligan. I was a little more forgiving - the red carpet spectacle is not one of my favorite things about the film industry and it was actually quite nice to see directors, editors and composers getting a little bit more of the spotlight. No red carpet is a good thing in my mind. On the other hand, the opening night film itself was a bit too campy for my taste. Inconsistent edits and some petty, unnecessary racism added to the unfortunate result - a film with serious issues that never could figure out what it wanted to be - which might have been the perfect metaphor for this year's festival.

The UK jailhouse drama Ghosted was another mediocre entry - a well constructed drama about the intensely political maneuverings inside a scottish prison. Good enough, but nothing special.

One of the best films on the schedule had already received its fair share of praise - "Our Day Will Come" (starring Vincent Cassel) was just the kind of disorienting and disturbing mind scramble that one expects from a well programmed festival. Terrific performances and a singular vision from director Romain Gavras (well known for his music videos - like M.I.A.'s 'Born Free') resulted in a nihilistic joy ride full of bizarre and unexplainable situations.

One of the reasons I travel to the Golden City every year is to see my friend Matt Hulse. Matt is undeniably one of the more inventive and challenging artists in Edinburgh or anywhere for that matter. Matt's films, like Polskie Buty CFF '03 and Follow the Master CFF '09, have screened at Cucalorus for nearly a decade now. At Cucalorus last year, Matt brought a grab bag of odd offerings, including the Audible Picture Show and the world premier of his short A Pilgrimage. Most importantly though, Matt has been busy finishing principal photography on his feature project Dummy Jim - which we hope will be ready for some kind of unveiling in the not too distant future (wink, wink - get to work Matty!). Matt's dog Tippy (the star of Follow the Master) looks like a slightly larger version of the new Jengo's pup Izzie. Matt and I are scheming and planning for a project based on his childhood band the Hippies with the vague hope to have bands cover Hippies songs for a new documentary to be partially made during Cucalorus. Again, might happen, but Who? Knows!

Matt and I took a stroll through the meadows and even visited the historic Warrender Swim Centre for a quick swim one afternoon. I attempted to drag Matty to a couple of festival screenings - especially the hilarious Aussie doc "Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure." One of many strong docs in the EIFF lineup, Matthew Bates documentary is a careful and at times subtly sophisticated recap of the cult phenomenon started by roommates Eddie Guerriero and Mitch Deprey when they started to record their relentlessly loud, arguing neighbors in San Francisco.

The majority of my trip was filled with short strolls down Lothian Road to catch screenings at the Cameo and the Filmhouse - with a few naps in the Meadows to keep my eyes well rested in between. I saw a host of strong narrative international features -- Bill Nighy perfectly cast in the political drama Page Eight, Ewan McGregor looking good falling in love in David McKenzie's Perfect Sense, Agnieszka Lukasiak's (Forgotten CFF '07) perilous refugee drama Between 2 Fires, and the Icelandic coming of age tale Jitters. A host of guest curators brought older films to the festival lineup - but without the coherent context of a retrospective or some thematic program - these selections just seemed to jam up the festival schedule and create less room for deserving contemporary artists.

Of course, the films are usually just an excuse to curl up at the Cameo with a tastie beverage and to visit my Edinburgh friends Loren Slater, Angie Jennings, David Drummond, Lucy Brown, Matt Hulse, and Tippy. Right now we're busy making future festival travel plans at Jengo's. We're dialing in our google maps to downtown Toronto for a wee journey in early September.

The film fairy visits Cucalorus!

2011-06-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

The film fairy traveled far and wide this weekend! 

Today's film submissions came from: 

Maryland

Australia x 2

Venice, California

Ithaca, New York

Wilmington, Delaware

Wisconsin

Georgia

Los Angeles x 3

Waterloo, Iowa

Brooklyn x 2

Chicago

Keep 'em coming everybody!

Cucalorus Doggie Style

2011-06-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Cucalorus Doggie Style is an event for families, dogs and hip cats happening at Jengo’s Playhouse, July 10th at 5pm. Resident canine, Izzie, will greet you and your best friend then take you into the backyard. There will be food and Cucalorified drinks available for humans and plenty of activities, treats and toys for our furry guests. Let your dog show off their newest tricks with new pals while you sit back and relax. Who knows, might even have a few tricks up our sleeves as well! Members get in for free. You can also purchase tickets for $8 online or for $12 at the door. Tail wagging space is limited so we encourage you to get your tickets online. See you there!

Click here to buy tickets online
Click here to become a member
Click here to RSVP to facebook event

Local Focus: Meg Lansaw

2011-06-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

About Meg Lansaw

Meg Lansaw is a native West Virginian, Ohio State alumnus, vegetarian and filmmaker residing in Wilmington, North Carolina where she owns and operates Kissin’ Cousins Productions.

Lansaw has written, directed and produced numerous short films including "wait..." and "80 Windows" which have screened at festivals throughout the country including Charlotte, Appalachian, Cucalorus, LunaFest and LA Shorts Fest. She also received the 2nd place Screenwriting Award at the Appalachian Film Festival in 2008 for the feature film script "11:11", which is currently in pre-production.

In addition, she has worked as a production assistant on various projects: Eastbound and Down, Hart of Dixie, Bolden!, The Secret Life of Bees, Nights in Rodanthe, Cabin Fever 2, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution etc...

Event Details:

Screenings start at 7pm. Snacks will be served. A specialty Cucalorified drink and beer will be available as well. Members get in for free or tickets will be available online for $8 and at the door $12. The proceeds will be shared between the filmmaker and Cucalorus Film Foundation.

Click here to buy tickets online
Click here to become a member

Event Program:

The Lost Cause
A confederate soldier’s commitment to his cause takes a heavy toll on his family life.

80 Windows
Casper, a former rock star, has lost everything; his band, his girlfriend, and now his house. In one evening, four estranged friends unexpectedly reunite and are forced to confront the past.

Musical Chairs
Time Lapse commercial promoting Cucalorus 12, where a variety of films duke it out for the last seat at the festival!

wait...
Paige Turner is a reclusive writer with an overwhelming fear of the outside world. Every evening she drafts definitions to the word 'wait' repeatedly, as she envisions the brutal attack of two sisters. This psychological thriller was inspired by actual events.

CucalorBus
How many peeps from all walks of life can fit on a bus to the Cucalorus Film Fest? There's ALWAYS another seat on the bus!

Chip & Sally
Chip loves Sally. Sally loves Chip. Chip proposes to Sally, but cannot afford to celebrate with a nice meal. They stumble upon a woman offering a coupon including complimentary Chips and Salsa. Little do they know what's for dinner...

11:11 Footage
"11:11" is a narrative ensemble piece about the interconnectivity of lives and the effects timing and decision making have on destiny. These clips include footage of the Flashbacks and Dream sequences that will be intertwined in the final cut of the film.

See you there!

Local Focus: Benedict Fancy

2011-06-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

About Benedict Fancy

Ben is an award winning filmmaker who has relocated from England and has been teaching film studies and video production elective classes at Cape Fear Academy. He is also a Grip in the local film industry. His current film project is a feature-length documentary about the 25th Anniversary of American absurdist filmmaker David Lynch's cult classic 'Blue Velvet', which was shot in Wilmington, NC in 1985. The documentary is titled "It's a Strange World - The Filming of Blue Velvet" and is currently in production.

Event Details

Screenings start at 8pm. Snacks will be served. A specialty Cucalorified drink and beer will be available as well. Members get in for free or tickets will be available online for $8 and at the door $12. The proceeds will be shared between the filmmaker and Cucalorus Film Foundation.

Click here to buy tickets online
Click here to become a member

Event Program

Time and the Hour Run

Haunted by visions of his late wife, an Indian immigrant in rural America must confront the purpose of his life's journey or else succumb to his maddening grief.

The Calming

After an argument with his wife, a harried working-class businessman succumbs to images of himself killing his wife when he turns the clock back an hour for Daylight Savings. Insomnia accompanied by a massive thunderstorm aids his journey into the possibilities of premeditated murder.

Whittaker Bay

7 minute montage of scenes directed by Benedict from the Wilmington filmed 'Whittaker Bay' television show that premiered in 2008.

Never Separate, You Fool!

A 3-minute short that proves the tight knit bond between a Bag of Chips and a Jar of Salsa. Whatever you do, don’t separate them!

Nar-Co-Lap-Sy

A comedic look into the day in the life of a suffering narcoleptic. Mowing the lawn? Bad idea. Nar-Co-Lap-Sy: The ineptness of handling a narcoleptic.

This Silent House

Shot on an iPhone 3GS using the NexVio Inc. 8mm Vintage Camera App this 4-minute experimental/narrative short depicts the aftermath of a households tragedy.

Test Sequence 480

Shot using a handheld standard definition camera and a desktop projector, this 4 minute experimental short explores the landscape of fractured light in its primary additive colors, set to the sounds of The Kaplinsky Noise Generator who scored Ben’s first short film, The Calming.

Lamaze of the Dead

A zombie outbreak interrupts a couple’s first trip to Lamaze class. As the stress of being eaten alive becomes a threat, their already fractured relationship crumbles as the group of preggers runs for their lives.

It's a Strange World - The Filming of Blue Velvet

A short excerpt from Ben's current in-production feature-length documentary that celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the filming of David Lynch's cult classic 'Blue Velvet', that filmed in Wilmington, NC in the summer of 1985.

Local Focus: Hank & Jed Movie Pictures

2011-06-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

About Hank & Jed Movie Pictures

Hank and Jed Movie Pictures was established in 2005 by Brent Triplett, Nate Panning Bryan Mahoney, Ryan Risley and 2008 joined with Sheila Brothers, Jon Etheridge and Tony Schnur. They are known for their original, clever and comical storytelling combined with action. Hank and Jed Movie Pictures will be completing the animated feature Toonstone Summer 2011.

Event Details

Screenings start at 7pm. Guest performance by the band After School Special. Snacks will be served. A specialty cucalorified drink and beer will be available as well. Members get in for free or tickets will be available online for $8 and at the door $12. The proceeds will be shared between the filmmaker and Cucalorus Film Foundation.

Click here to buy tickets online

Click here to Become a member

Click here to check out After School Special

Event Program

Whoopie Shu Pink
There's telepathy and then there's Whoopie Shu Ping.
Super Sam
When Super Sam’s arch enemy breaks up with him, it makes him appreciate the relationship they used to have.

Return of the Rednecks:
A Star Wars Spoof: Darth Vader has killed every Jedi in the universe, except for two, Hank and Jed.

Kill Yourself the movie:
Suicide rates are up, but are they really suicides. One girl runs for her life as everyone around her dies by their own hand.

World Interrupted
Two hikers discover they can magically speak to the entire world.

Wrong Number
A heated wrong number leads to chaos.

Warped Galaxy
Doug was abducted by aliens years ago. Now they’ve come back, but their intentions have nothing to do with science.

Andy Biscuits
Andy explains what's wrong with the world, like why bamboo and penquins don't get along. And why Optimus Prime shouldn't be a leader.

Doraleous & Assoc.
This most epic and awesome thing you will ever see.

Hank and Jed Movie Pictures
A Sketch comedy pilot originally shot for CMT

See you there!

Convento

2011-06-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Convento is screening at The 65th annual Edinburgh International Film Festival. Director Jarred Alterman shepherds the audience to this inspirational sanctuary, leading them by the eyes. Throughout the film’s body he weaves micro-narratives: scenes that are uniquely lit, filmed, edited, and scored, fortifying each with its own personality, and providing the Zwanikkens with their own personal visual diaries. Alterman’s concern for an honest and faithful representation of this incredible place is obvious. His frames have the composition, color, and complexity of paintings, except his move. Not one fountain’s spray or one sculpture’s gaze unfelt, not one birdsong unheard. He creates an intoxicating serenity through motion, allowing the audience to meditate upon what they are seeing and hearing as it is happening.

Watch the trailer:

C O N V E N T O / trailer from Jarred Alterman on Vimeo.

Visit their blog

Local Focus: Dylan Patterson

2011-06-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

About Dylan Patterson

Dylan Patterson teaches creative writing, composition, and literature at Cape Fear Community College. His films include THE OTHER ROAD, a documentary about 3 single mothers living together with their 3 daughters; AMERICAN PRIMITIVE, a dark comedy about a young suburban couple who decide to "experiment" with a couple they meet on-line; and THE CHRISTMAS WAR, an experimental meditation on war and childhood. He is currently in preproduction on ANHEDONIA, a modern fairy tale about a CEO who offers a fortune to whoever can restore his daughter's will to live.

Event Details

Start time is 7pm. Snacks will be served and wine and beer will be available. Raffle tickets will be given with each ticket for a chance to win some Cucalorus goodies. Members get in free and tickets are available online for $8 and at the door $12. The proceeds will be shared between the filmmaker and Cucalorus Film Foundation.

Click here to purchase tickets online!
Click here to become a member and get in for free!

Event Program

Bubblegum Card: Shot in grainy B&W Super 8 circa 1994, this music video for the song "Bubble Gum Card" by Wilmington indie band Emily's Porch tells the timeless story of unrequited adolescent love and how skateboarding almost makes it all better.

The Other Road: A documentary about three Wilmington single mothers who choose to live together with their daughters in one small house. By joining forces, they find strength, companionship, and heal from the wounds of the past. Features the music of Rusted Root.

The Christmas War: Fellini meets Salinger in this meditative short in which a precocious child contemplates the battles waged between men, or, at least the battle between her brother George and his best friend Oskar.

To Whom it May Concern: Created as part of Cape Fear Community College's ARTS POETICA 3, this film is an adaptation of Wilmington poet Jada Ach's poem of the same name. The director hopes it be a lesson to every bored literature student (or instructor).

Turn to Thin Air: In 1996, the director traveled from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC with a Super 8 camera and a bag of film. 15 years later, he edited the footage into this video that originally screened as part of Dance-a-Lorus 2010.

Sadie's Waltz: ANHEDONIA cinematographer M. Shawn Lewallen shot this haunting story of grief and transcendence. A young woman trapped in a home destroyed by tragedy suffers her father's tyrannical abuse until a strange vision inspired by a comic book advertisement shows her an unexpected path to liberation. (Written & Directed by Edward Tyndall)

See you there!

Summer Series

2011-06-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Dance with local lovelies in Jengo’s backyard

June 5th-August 6th, 2011

The Cucalorus Summer Series kicked off June 5th at Jengo's Playhouse with Austin-based band Loves It! As the duo crooned away in the backyard people played cornhole, sipped on moonshine and picked a few crispy drumsticks down to the bone. The core of Summer Series highlights Wilmington-based filmmakers who have feature films in production as Cucalorus re-introduces the “Local Focus” program. Leading off is Shannon Silva (June 18) followed by Dylan Patterson (June 23), Hank & Jed Movie Pictures (July 1), Benedict Fancy (July 16) and Meg Lansaw (July 23). A portion of the proceeds will go towards the development of the artists current projects.

In addition to the Local Focus events, the festival will host the first ever “Cucalorus Doggie Style,” an event for families, dogs and hip cats. (No tickets needed for canines – bones will be provided – taking place on July 10.) The last portion of the summer series is dedicated to the Cucalorus Summer Film Camp (August 1-4). Budding filmmakers ages 10-14 spend one week with industry professionals working in tight knit groups to make music videos for local bands. In addition to an influx of artistry, campers will get to see their accomplishments in action at the Red Carpet Screening Party August 6th.

The Summer Series supports local film and highlight the benefits of becoming a Cucalorus member. As a member you can get into the events for free. If you're not don’t you worry, become one at the party! Tickets can be purchased for $8 online or for $12 at the door. Live music, dog parties, backyard barbecues, Cucalorified drinks, film screenings and film camp all help Jengo’s Playhouse live up to its name this season. A complete list of the events can be found on our website. See you all there!

Local Focus: Shannon Silva

2011-06-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

About Shannon Silva

Shannon Silva is an Assistant Professor in the UNCW Film Studies Department. As anexperimental and documentary filmmaker, her principal interests include issues of gender, fan culture, consumerism, and community-building creative initiatives.

She holds a BFA in Art from Texas State University and an MFA in Film and Video Production from the University of Iowa.

In addition to directing over 30 short films and videos, which have screened at festivals internationally, she has worked as Screenplay Competition Director for the Austin Film Festival and as Associate Producer for the 35mm feature "Monster Hunter" (Asylum Home Entertainment). Her community work includes directing the VISIONSFilm Festival and Film Scholars Conference, as well as supervising the UNCW Reel Girls Project (a joint filmmaking project between the Film Studies, Sociology and Women's Studies programs in which college girls teach middle schools girls about making their own films, assessing media with a critical eye and telling their own stories).

Currently she is in the final stages of post-production on the feature experimental documentary film, "MKA: Buy, Buy Love, Buy, Buy Happiness"(working title) which looks closely, and critically, at the evolution of the girl's tween market and therole of Dualstar (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s company)in the market's explosion.

EVENT DETAILS

Start time is 7pm. Snacks will be served and wine and beer will be available. Raffle tickets will be given with each ticket for a chance to win some Cucalorus goodies. Members get in free and tickets are available online for $8 and at the door $12. The proceeds will be shared between the filmmaker and Cucalorus Film Foundation.

Click here to purchase tickets online!
Click here to become a member and get in for free!

EVENT PROGRAM

The Unbelievable Act of Totally Disappearing (2003) - 5 minutes
Using animation, hand-manipulated film techniques and original home movie footage from the day I was first brought home from the hospital, this 16mm film explores physical, temporal and emotional family distance in the age of technology.

Color Coded (2001) - 3 minutes
A southwestern, meditative, super-8 travel log.

To the Dead Girl, Thank You (2004)- 3 minutes
A direct address video letter to the filmmaker's deceased great aunt. The video questions the importance of family resemblance, individual identity and having a sense of belonging.

29 Places I Once Called Home (2006)- 20 minutes
A 20-minute, experimental, documentary, which explores the multi-layered connections between poverty, gender, frequent relocation, substance abuse, family violence and memory instability.

And Happiness Everywhere (2004)- 7 minutes
Shot on Super 8 and 16mm film, this four-month, intimate journal considers my conflicting emotions about being a newly married, thirty-something woman trying to negotiate between being an artist, being a wife, and, potentially, becoming a mother

JumpaJumpa (2009) -4 minutes
Shot on black and white, 16mm, hand-processed film, and vibrant, color, digital video Jumpajumpa is a musical love letter to the filmmaker’s first-born child after years of dealing with infertility.

Too Bare or Too Bush (2009)- 4 minutes
There was a time when refusing to shave your legs was an act of rebellion...oh, how times have changed. Keep an eye on the latest beauty rag and eventually you’ll see that it’s big to be completely bare “down there.” With great sincerity, many twenty-something women are claiming cleanliness/tidiness and yes, liberation, as their inspiration for shaving or waxing their pubic areas. But is this just another attempt to keep women in a childlike, youthful state? Could it be yet another damaging trend that only encourages more body disorders?

Ichthyopolis clip (2008) - 3 minutes
Ichthyopolis is a 10-minute psychedelic technomation, which delves into a mythical cosmology of fish and their human caretakers.

WIP Buy, Buy Love, Buy, Buy Happiness: MKA, Dualstar and the Girls'Tween Market Explosion clips (2011) - 15-20 minutes

Using expert interviews, animated reenactments, historical research and found footage, this feature lengthexperimental-pop culture-documentary-collage will look closely, and critically, at Dualstar (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's company) and its role in the girls' tween consumer market explosion.

Run time: 69 minutes

Trailers for Pink Sheep Film Festival

2011-06-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

This Friday at Jengo's Playhouse is the first ever Pink Sheep Film Festival. There will also be an after party in the backyard of Jengo's after the screenings! Queer music videos will be projected during the party (curated by HOMOGROUND).

Films start at 7pm
$10 @ the door
$7 in advance (Available @ Edge of Urge)
$5 for pride pass holders

Short Film Block:
Bedfellows
Punch Me
Back to Life
Pay No Attention to the man in a Bear Suit
Cappuccino
The Love Permit

Features:
Put This on The Map
Whistlin’ Dixie

WATCH THE TRAILERS

Cappucino

The Love Permit

Punch Me

Bedfellows

Put This on the Map

PUT THIS ON THE {MAP} trailer from PUT THIS ON THE MAP on Vimeo.

Whistlin' Dixie

Whistlin' Dixie: Queer Sounds, New South Trailer from Meredith Heil on Vimeo.

Axis Dance seeks Female Dancer

2011-05-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

Seeking a highly motivated female dancer to join our team
 Strong Modern Dance, Contact Improvisation, Partnering Skills
 Stage speaking and singing skills
 Passion for physically integrated dance
 Genuine interest in dance education and teaching experience is preferred


Upcoming projects for 2011 include a new work by UK choreographer Marc
Brew as well as understudying roles in work by Joe Goode, David
Dorfman, Sonya Delwaide and others. AXIS creates, performs and teaches
year-round locally and throughout the US. Rehearsals are two to five
times a week.

AXIS provides a competitive year round salary, company healthcare
plan, as well as monthly stipends for professional development and
transportation.  Interested Company members also have opportunities to
choreograph on the Company.

Contract begins July 31, 2011 or sooner tbd and requires a minimum
commitment through 2013.  For more information about AXIS visit us at
www.axisdance.org

**In order to be invited to attend audition, you must apply online at
http://www.axisdance.org/about_jobs.php or submit your resume with
YouTube or Vimeo links by May 31, 2011 to Christy at
info@axisdance.org

If invited, Audition will take place Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 5-8pm
at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St.,
Oakland, CA 94612 in Studio E, 3rd Floor. Audition will be 3 hours and
consist of a warm up, repertory, improvisation, partnering, speaking
and singing. Dancers may be asked back for additional audition or time
with Company at a later date TBD.

BATTLESHIP NORTH CAROLINA; The Showboat Legacy

2011-05-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

Premieres Sunday - May 29th - 6:30 PM
Only on UNC-TV!

Experience seven decades of history through one-of-a-kind interviews, rare photographs and vintage film footage in BATTLESHP NORTH CAROLINA; The Showboat Legacy, premiering on UNC-TV, Sunday, May 29, at 6:30 PM. This enlightening documentary, from Wilmington filmmaker Rob Hill explores the history behind this decorated Naval vessel and the monumental task of maintaining it as a National Historic Landmark. In this half-hour documentary past and present merge as this program highlights the USS North Carolina’s history and her legacy that continues today.

BATTLESHIP NORTH CAROLINA; The Showboat Legacy is a production of Common Sense Films. The Wilmington, NC, film company spent Eighteen months developing and producing a documentary that captures the true spirit of this unique local attraction. Common Sense Films began production in late 2009, after much research and meeting with museum historians, they began collecting interviews over a 10-month period. By July 2010, Rob Hill had collected almost 25 hours of interviews, over 500 photographs, as well as a collection of never before seen 16mm film footage. He is also the producer of The Fort Fisher Hermit: The Life & Death of Robert E. Harrill.

INVEST IN THE FEST!

2011-05-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Celebrate the 17th year of Cucalorus through sponsorship and reach 10,000 attendees during the festival! Your logo can appear on our website, festival passes, magazine ads, banners, and on the big screen, providing you with full exposure prior to and during the event. Custom packages are available.

Experience Cucalorus, support the arts, imprint your company's brand...

AND HAVE A GOOD TIME DOING IT!

BECOME A SPONSOR!

Cucalorus Loves It!

2011-05-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Joining us straight from Austin, TX for the Cucalorus Summer Series Kick Off is- Love's It!

Loves It! is two best friends, Vaughn Walters and Jenny Parrott. Together they travel the world singing songs. Their music rests somewhere between folk, country, indie pop and swing. Word on the street (a.k.a facebook) is that the live show features claw hammer banjo, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, and heart felt inspired singing.

Make sure you don't miss the fun. Come hang out with us and Loves It! at Jengo's Playhouse June 5th from 5-8 p.m. Music, food, drinks & backyard dancing... What more could you ask for? Tickets are $8 online and $12 at the door. Cucalorus members enter for free- Have you renewed your membership?

Loves It!
Facebook Event

Purchase tickets
Become a member

Seeking Emerging Student Filmmaker for Outreach Residency Scholarship

2011-05-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

(Outreach Resident Artist, Michelle Byron at Media Literacy)

(Outreach event for Kids-a-lorus)

The Cucalorus Film Festival seeks applications for the Outreach

Residency Scholarship for the 2011 festival. The successful candidate will be enrolled in an institution of higher learning with a concentration in film, have a high GPA, have a working knowledge of the technical aspects of filmmaking, a background in working with youth, and a passion for the arts! The Outreach Resident Artist works primarily with the educational programs during the festival week of November 7-13. The resident artist will develop and lead a hands-on filmmaking workshop for elementary school students that will result in a 30 second short film or commercial, as part of the Media Literacy program. A Cucalorus alumni filmmaker will mentor the Resident Artist throughout the process. To apply please submit a resume, a workshop proposal and a DVD of one or more of your films. Proposals should take into account a time frame of 40 minutes and work with a group of approx. 75 youth and include objectives, materials, and technology requirements. Submissions can be sent to: outreach@cucalorus.org. Deadline for submissions is Friday, July 15 2011. Finalists will attend an interview with Cucalorus staff in August and the final Scholarship winner will be announced in late August 2011. The Resident Artist will be awarded a one-time scholarship in the amount of $1000.

Cucalorus brings people together to celebrate, discover and create independent films. The annual festival provides a non-competitive environment to honor and support filmmakers.

Say Whaaat?! Cucalorus Summer Film Camp!

2011-05-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

Cucalorus is pleased to announce our first-ever Summer Film Camp for budding artists ages 8-14. Packed with behind the camera training, this summer camp will explore the creative world of music video production and editing. This four-day intensive camp promises to be a one-of-a-kind Cucalorus experience.

With industry professionals at the helm, students will spend one week working in tight knit groups creating music videos for local bands. Hands-on instruction from award-winning filmmakers will be paired with demonstrations from local industry veterans. Each camper will have an opportunity to work with cameras and editing software. Local bands will be performing live at Jengo’s Playhouse so that campers can experiment with concert style filming and meet the members of the bands. In addition to an influx of artistry, campers will get to see their creative accomplishments in action at the super-special Red Carpet Screening Party at Jengo’s Playhouse.

The Summer Film Camp will run 9 a.m. - 3 p.m, August 1-4, 2011. Space is limited so apply today! Camp enrollment is $495 and includes: Lunch and snacks for all 4 days, a dvd copy of the finished music video, and 5 tickets to the Red Carpet Screening Party at Jengo's Playhouse on Saturday August 6th.

Contact Jill Tefft development@cucalorus.org or 910.343.5995 with questions or for an application

Cucalorus tested- Audience approved

2011-05-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Cucalorus selection "Any Given Friday" is having it's Southport Premiere!

Support local filmmakers and mark off your calendars for Sunday- May 15th- 3pm

Attention NC Artists!

2011-04-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

State of the Art/Art of the State

Call For Entries

Drop off your artwork: May 6, 5:00pm through May 7, 5:00pm [24 hours]

Exhibition Runs: May 8- Oct, 30, 2011

No Jurors, No Fees

Organized by the Cameron Art Museum, this exhibition focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina. Artists are invited to bring a single work of art to be installed in the museum, delivering the work within a 24-hour period (between 5:00 pm Friday, May 6 and 5:00 pm Saturday, May 7, 2011). During this timeframe, an internationally renowned curator will be present to greet each artist, shake his/her hand, and direct the exhibition installation. All participating curators will attend the exhibition opening on Saturday May 7, 2011 from 6:00-9:00 pm. The design of this project provides any participating artist equal opportunity to meet a significant curator working in the field of contemporary art today and have their work seen by all visiting curators.

The Four Times (Le Quattro Volte) at Carolina Theater

2011-04-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

Did you miss The Four Times (Le Quattro Volte) screening at Cucalorus 16?

Don't worry check it out this week at The Carolina Theater...

Screening times:

April 26th & April 28th

7:20pm & 9:15pm

Aww, shucks... Thanks MovieMaker Magazine!

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hip hip hooray, Cucalorus was written up in the spring issue of MovieMaker Magazine! Not only were we included in the list of "25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2011", but we were also featured in a sweet little article. Pick up the issue on newsstands or wait to check out the articles online. MovieMaker Magazine, we love you.

Tar Heel Shorties Comin' at Ya

2011-04-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

Last week we posted about Tar Heel Shorties; this week it's happening. So- grab some friends and some tunes for a nice drive to Pittsboro, NC. There you will find your film fix with several short films that previously screened at Cucalorus Film Festival.

TUE. APRIL 19TH, 2011: FEARRINGTON VILLIAGE BARN, PITTSBORO.

7:00 PM - $5 AT DOOR.

Here is a peek at what's going down...

Notes by Marc Russo

www.marcrusso.com

Frame by frame, stop motion, and pixilation animation all happening at the same time, oh yeah - and a lot of post it notes. "Notes" won the Faculty Feature Catogory "2008 Governor's Challenge Podcast Tournament" hosted by University of Tennessee-Martin.

Daphne 2.0 by Francesca Talenti & Marc Russo

www.daphne2.com

In Greek mythology, Daphne asked her father to turn her into a tree after growing tired of being chased by an unwanted lover. In Daphne 2.0, the classic myth gets a modern update: stop motion animation reveals a world of electronic scraps where Daphne, faced with a part-human, part-electric life, considers the material possibility of becoming a tree. In this imagistic short, animators Francesca Talenti and Marc Russo use an old myth to ask new questions about nature versus technology, human versus non-human, and what kind of bodies we want to live in.

Treading Water by Russ Roe

www.Russroe.com

Treading water is a short experimental animated documentary showing the perspective of different male surfers at different points in their lives. Animator Russ Roe is a graduate of the film studies program at UNCW.

Ringo by Dave Monahan

This experimental musical Western starring John Wayne and Roy Rogers tells a classic love story: Cowboy finds gunslinger, cowboy loses gunslinger; cowboy becomes gunslinger. Set to the tune of Don Robertson’s 1964 hit song of the same name. Dave Monahan is the Chair of the film department at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

1. Stop 2. Jump 3. Go by S. Cagney Gentry

www.thisismediafilms.com

The story of a person obsessed with numbers, measurements, and calculation. These compulsions help one to make order out of the disorder of life. But, when even the regimented day to day becomes too much, how do we escape the counting?

First Sunrise by Kenneth Price

www.pricefilms.com

Betham is an American teaching in Japan, immersed in the work of daily life while learning a new culture. When she takes a trip to the Pacific Ocean to witness the first sunrise of the year, she begins to feel the stir of acceptance. Subtle and beautifully shot, First Sunrise captures the small breaks in routine that can take us in new directions.

Plastic Bag by Ramin Bahrani

www.raminbahrani.com

Struggling with its immortality, a discarded plastic bag ventures through the environmentally barren remains of America as it searches for its maker. In a not too distant future, a Plastic Bag goes on an epic journey in search of its lost Maker, wondering if there is any point to life without her. Hailed by many as the best film ever narrated by Werner Herzog about a plastic bag. Bahrani is a Winston-Salem native and one of a small group of North Carolina filmmakers like David Gordon Green who is making an impact on the international scene. Roger Ebert listed his feature "Chop Shop" as the 6th best film of the decade and declared Bahrani as "the filmmaker of the decade."

Pickin’ and Trimmin’ by Matt Morris

www.mattmorrisfilms.com

Down at The Barbershop in the small town of Drexel, North Carolina, the atmosphere is laid back and the music is a cut above the rest. For over 40 years, Lawrence Anthony and David Shirley have been cutting hair and providing a gathering place for all who yearn for the good ol’ days. Every weekend, musicians gather in the back room to play bluegrass, while others come in to hang out, tell jokes, and eat with their friends. PICKIN' & TRIMMIN' captures a piece of small town America where if it wasn't broke, they didn't fix it.

Icthyopolis by Andre Silva

www.silvacine.com

Ichthyopolis is a 10-minute psychedelic technomation, which delves into a mythical cosmology of fish and their human caretakers. What if the reality over which you thought you had some control, began to dissolve? Such is the case for the Fish Queen and the Fish Wrangler, who manage their worlds with routine precision untill a disturbance in the order leaves them helpless. Somewhere between the occult and the absurd lies Ichthyopolis, a universe consisting of two complemetary worlds that can't help but eventually merge. Andre Silva currently teaches film production classes at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as an Assistant Professor.

Fin.

Film Productions in Wilmington Gathering Steam

2011-04-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

With EIGHT productions either filming or wrapping in Wilmington the buzz is getting louder. Several oscar-nominated celebrities have been spotted around town and some have even been tweeting about their stay. The word is spreading fast about a comeback in the Cape Fear region and locals are excited. The film industry is crucial to our community so let's hope this up swing flies high ya'll!

Tar Heel Shorties

2011-03-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

Going through Cucalorus withdraws? We feel your pain. ChathamArts Sustainable Cinema Series has your film fix. They will be presenting "Tar Heel Shorties"- a super cool sampling of some fun short films from Cucalorus Film Festival. Mark your calendars now, it's going to be great!

Call for Entries

2011-03-31T04:27:00.000-07:00

The time has come to submit your work for the 17th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival! Happening November 10-13th, 2011 in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Just complete our online entry form and send us your work. Don't forget your inappropriate collage! Click here for more details.

!! BRAND NEW !!

Submissions are FREE for locals of Wilmington, NC!

Visions Film Festival & Conference

2011-03-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out Lumina Theater Friday!

Visions is an undergraduate, peer-reviewed film festival and conference designed, managed, programmed, and hosted by undergraduate students just like you.

CLICK HERE for the full schedule.

Wilmington Arts Council - Let's Make It Happen!

2011-03-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

Click here to get informed

Click here to get involved

New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Meeting

March 14th, 2011... 3pm

Meeting Place: New Hanover County Courthouse

24 N. Third Street, Room 301, Wilmington, NC 28401

BE THERE!

God of Love wins Oscar!

2011-03-08T09:23:00.000-08:00

God of Love screened at Cucalorus 16 and goes on to win Best Live Action Short Film at the 2011 Academy Awards.

God of Love is a comedic short film written and directed by Luke Matheny. The story follows the adventures of lounge-singing darts champion Raymond Goodfellow, whose prayers are answered -- literally -- when he receives a package of darts that make girls fall in love with him.

Congratulations Luke, it was a pleasure having you at Cucalorus Film Festival!

Pink Sheep Film Festival

2011-03-01T10:12:00.000-08:00

Call For Submissions

The Pink Sheep Film Festival in Wilmington, NC is dedicated to showcasing LGBT- themed films. They strive to program works that positively portray the lives of LGBTQ people. The film festival is the Friday night event of Wilmington's PRIDE week.

CLICK HERE for submission form.

Find them on Facebook

Cucalorus Alumni at SXSW

2011-02-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

Look who we found at SXSW....

Joe Swanberg

SXSW Film: Silver Bullets

Cucalorus Films: Hannah Takes the Stairs, Young American Bodies

Michael Tully

SXSW Film: Septien

Cucalorus Film: Cocaine Angel

Todd Rohal

SXSW Film: The Catechism Cataclysm

Cucalorus Film: Hillbilly Robot, Knuckleface Jones, The Guatemalan Handshake

COOL!

Cucalorus Oscar Ballot

2011-02-15T10:56:00.000-08:00

It's the Cucalorus Oscar Ballot! Think you know who will win for Best Picture? How about Leading Actress? Test your telepathic tendencies by filling out our Oscar ballot. Over 20 categories for you and your friends to take a stab at. See how many you can answer correctly. Scoop up your ballots at the event or print from home. It's easy, fun and a great way to show love for Cucalorus.

Click Here for printable ballot!

Cucalorus Oscar Party

2011-02-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

Join Cucalorus, your favorite film festival, as they put on their second annual Oscar Party fundraiser at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside on Sunday, February 27th at 7:30pm! We'll be enjoying the Academy Awards in style on giant screens, with food and drinks by manna, a Red Carpet paparazzi gauntlet hosted by Style Girl Jess James, a curated Silent Auction, a cash prize Oscar Pool and other fun surprises. Tickets are limited, and can be purchased online at www.cucalorus.org. Dress to the nines and walk the Red Carpet with Cucalorus at the best Oscar Party in town!

A special thanks goes out to our lovely sponsors for the evening...

The Hilton . Manna . PPD . Digieffects . Screen Gems . Jess James . Piedmont . Coca Cola . L & L Tent rentals . Encore Magazine . Greater Wilmington Business Journal .

Cucalorus Reaches Out to the Community

2010-10-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Bet you didn't know about the hundreds of kids who pile into theater seats every year to screen shorts and talk with visiting international filmmakers for the Cucalorus Outreach Program. They do!

Over 700 area elementary-school kids flock to Media Literacy to screen age-appropriate shorts and learn critical thinking skills to help them understand the media all around them.

At the same time Global Perspectives offers a space for area high-school students to screen international shorts from Cucalorus as well as meet the visiting filmmakers. These international subjects and artists help bring a world-wide perspective right here to the Cape Fear Region and to these young scholar's doorstep.

Thanks to the Landfall Foundation and North Carolina Arts Council for making these 2010 programs possible.

Test Drive Cucalorus in October

2010-09-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

Curious about what Cucalorus is all about? Need something to get your feet wet before you are rocketed in to this year's festival? Now there is a simple way to test drive that feeling! Join us for a screening at the Nutt Street Comedy Room on October 7th. We will be showing I Am Comic, a hilarious documentary about the art and occupational hazards of stand-up comedy. The screening will begin at 7:00pm and it cost $5 at the door. Stick around after the film to enjoy Nutt's Street's weekly open mic stand-up!

What: I Am Comic
Where: Nutt Street Comedy Room
When: October 7th, 7:00 PM, $5

Already in the front seat? Don't forget to purchase your passes before they sell out!