There was a ton of stuff going on at this year’s festival, I feel like I’ve been running from place to place all weekend! But now that I have the chance to sit down, I think I’ll delve into my personal Festival highlights.

Thursday was opening night, and it began with the opening party at Agua Viva for Ed Hardy: Tattoo The World, a fascinating documentary of Ed Hardy’s rise to fame as a tattoo artist. At the party I met director Emiko Omori, an energetic 71-year-old woman who would later on, during Q&A, show off her tattoos to the audience. The movie revealed the enormous artistic ability of Hardy, starting from a surprisingly young age and still thriving today while he is in his late 60’s.

Unfortunately, Friday night I was stuck doing a group project for school so I wasn’t able to get out and see any movies. However, my friend Margaret Wohler was telling me about the great time she had that night at the happy hour event at Velocity Bike Shop for the movie For Aaron. Apparently, about 20 festival goers biked from Velocity up to the Masonic Temple to catch the movie. Sounded like such a fun night! I really wish I could have been there, but alas….the strenuous demands of junior year won that night.

Saturday, however, I was back in the game and my highlight of the day was seeing Cancerpants, a beautifully done documentary about a woman named Ro Poulson and her battle with stage III breast cancer. I probably would have been sobbing the whole movie if it weren’t for the fact that Ro, who accompanied director Nevie Owens during Q&A, had such an undefeatable sense of humor that shined brilliantly through the camera. It turned out that one minute I’d have tears welling in my eyes, only to find myself breaking into laughing the next.

Sunday was the final day for the festival, and I went to go see OK Buckaroos, another documentary, which followed the life of Jerry Jeff Walker. This film was a highlight for me because, even though I had never heard of Jerry Jeff Walker before, by the end of the movie I had become a fan. Director Patrick Tourville did a great job getting equal glimpses of his performances and interviews from today, while also gathering footage from the 60’s and 70’s which revealed just how important the man was to the music industry.

Those were just my personal favorites, however there were tons of other great films screening this weekend. One in particular that I didn’t get a chance to see was For The Next 7 Generations; I heard great things about it from those who got to see it. Luckily, I met the director, Carole Hart, at the festival reception Sunday night and, after talking for a while, she reached into her purse and handed me a free copy of the movie! That’s definitely one I’ll be watching on my laptop this week.

Before the reception, however, was the greatly anticipated award ceremony. In case you missed it here are the results:

Audience Award went to Ed Hardy: Tattoo the World
Best of the Festival went to Voices From Muriel
Best local film was God & Vodka
Festival Jury Grand Prize winner was Des Indiens Comme Nous (Indians Like Us)

It was truly a great weekend, and plans for next year’s festival are already underway. Hope to see all you movie lovers there again!

 Emma is a high school junior and explores her interest in photography and writing by volunteering with the Alexandria Film Festival. If you’re interested in volunteering  for the Festival, email the Office of the Arts at aca@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5588.

Be sure to friend us on Facebook and follow on Twitter @alexfilmfest for up to the minute Festival happenings.

Brandy volunteers as the social media maven for the Alexandria Film Festival. She is the principal photographer of Modern Toile Photography, a sometimes chanteuse, an unabashed novel reader, a lover of Felini & french press, dance music & dahlias. She loves films for the cinematography citing Bruno Delbonnel’s work on A Very Long Engagement as some of her favorite. ***Brandy failed to exchange digits with new friend Melodie, who promised to apply much needed yoga class peer pressure.

This year’s Festival includes, For the Next 7 Generations, documented by Carole Hart. Though perhaps not a household name,  you’re familiar with her work. Carole Hart experienced success as an Emmy Award winning writer for Sesame Street. Her successes in television and film are trumped by her personal victory over cancer through alternative methods. A diagnosis of terminal lung cancer led her to a Native American healer. This experience deeply connected her with the spiritual power of indigenous peoples and eventually lead to filming this documentary.

Carole Hart tells her story in her own words in a podcast from Merlian News: CaroleHart.mp3

Carol Hart will be in attendance when the documentary, For The Next 7 Generations, screens at the Alexandria Film Festival on Sunday, November 6 at 1 p.m. George Washington Masonic Memorial. $10 tickets are available here.

Another story of hope comes to the Festival in Cancerpants. Spirited 36-year-old Ro Poulson’s battles to survive stage III breast cancer. With her partner Julie, they engage friends and family in their journey. Cancerpants screens Sunday, November 6 at 5 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and last week I attended a taping of the Martha Stewart show when she focused on prevention. I wanted to share a short slideshow of images I photographed during my trip to NYC.

Martha Stewart Breast Cancer Hour

Brandy volunteers as the social media maven for the Alexandria Film Festival. She is the principal photographer of Modern Toile Photography, a sometimes chanteuse, an unabashed novel reader, a lover of Felini & french press, dance music & dahlias. She loves films for the cinematography citing Bruno Delbonnel’s work on A Very Long Engagement as some of her favorite.

Can you tell us a bit about your movie?

God and Vodka is a short film completed in March 2011. It was shot in Brunswick MD, Manassas VA, and Rancho Palos Verde CA.  I wanted to create a short film that spans an entire relationship so that you get to know the characters like you would in a feature-length film.

God and Vodka is the story of a writer’s final attempt to capture the words and memories, both touching and comedic, of a relationship that ended all too soon. The main characters, Evelyn and Ben, grew up in a small Maryland town and have shared a quirky on-again, off-again relationship ever since their childhood years. They found interesting company in one another, most often in the belfry of her father’s church. It was there, and throughout their sleepy railroad town, where they forged a bond both expected to last a lifetime. Through the power of Evelyn’s written words, she pieces together the millions of moments they shared, while creating an entirely new scene – perhaps their last – that will bring them together for one more day.

God and Vodka is currently being submitted to numerous film festivals around the world. Since its launching 5 months ago on the film festival circuit, it has been an official selection of over a dozen festivals and has received numerous Jury and Audience Choice Awards and nominations.

How did you hear about the film festival, and why did you decide to enter? 

Since we filmed in Maryland and Virginia, we always knew we wanted to screen at the Alexandria Film Festival, and this seemed like the perfect one for a State premiere. Also, Northern Virginia is like home to me. While I grew up in a military family and moved around a lot, I spent some years here and graduated from Oakton High School. I went on to college in NC and now live in Los Angeles, but my parents settled in Manassas. We were very honored to learn that it had been selected in the Alexandria festival.

Will you be attending the festival?

I have been trying to work that out, but I live in Los Angeles, and we are in pre-production for a new feature that I am directing, so schedules have been very challenging. I know that our producers are planning to come.

Why and where did you film locally?

Most of it was filmed in Brunswick, MD. While I was in college, I was doing a road trip with friends and found Brunswick by accident (we were looking for the Blair Witch in Burkittsville but took a wrong turn). We went to this great coffee shop called “Beans in the Belfrey”.  I was intrigued with the belfry and the town, and it seemed like the perfect setting for an idea I had for a film. We also filmed in Old Town Manassas with scenes in Prosperos Antique Book store and the Trinity Episcopal Church. I have always loved those settings. We really have to thank everyone involved for their warm hospitality and flexibility. It was all of their support that helped to make this film a reality.

Tell us about Rushaway Pictures.

Rushaway is based in Manassas, Virginia and Los Angeles. My parents and I developed the company in 2010 in direct response to a queue of scripts and story concepts that were accumulating fast in our family. I had finished college where I studied film, moved to Los Angeles and was fortunate enough to meet a lot of talented people in the industry. We always loved the independent filmmakers who could develop and control their own scripts and make their own movies. We needed a structure to get that started, and now we have been able to expand our network to make it happen. We hoped that God and Vodka would serve as a kind of “calling card” to show the industry and investors that we could develop a great story and produce a professional film that would appeal to audiences.

What’s Next?

I am currently working on several films. Two of them are produced by Rushaway Pictures. One is a feature film – a psychological thriller that I wrote and will direct. It’s called Mannin Bay and takes place at a remote Bed and Breakfast. We are scouting locations along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay as well as the North Carolina coast. Another film is The Championship Rounds that I will direct. It is written by M.D. Walton and is about a young, talented, African American boxer born deaf. Both scripts are getting a lot of positive attention, so we are excited to see where it leads.

God and Vodka screens at the Friday Night Shorts showcase November 4th beginning at 7 p.m. at the Athenaeum. $10 tickets include all 7 shorts.  All-Access Passes are also available.

Brandy volunteers as the social media maven for the Alexandria Film Festival. She is the principal photographer of Modern Toile Photography, a sometimes chanteuse, an unabashed novel reader, a lover of Felini & french press, dance music & dahlias. She loves films for the cinematography citing Bruno Delbonnel’s work on A Very Long Engagement as some of her favorite.

I have always been amazed by the abilities of some of my friends who are involved in drama. The only time I’ve ever been on stage was for my church’s Christmas pageant when I was probably about six years old, and even then I had stage fright! Yes, I personally am much more comfortable expressing myself via paper and pen and from the comfort of my bedroom, that way I don’t have to deal with hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at me… yikes.
Well anyway, like I said before, I know quite a few kids from my high school, T.C. Williams, who are much braver than I. In fact, the majority of them say that the stage is where they feel most comfortable, as it is a place where there is no limitation of emotion in which they can use.

Although I am not directly involved in the T.C. drama department, I have gotten a pretty good idea of the environment it provides for students from talking to some of my friends who are very active members. The overall consensus is that it is a tremendously friendly environment, as the student cast really gets to bond over a production. There is definitely a “drama kid” crowd, but students who want to try out for a play as a change of scenery from their usual schedule are welcomed with open arms. What connects them is a common passion for theatre and performance. And these kids really take their performance seriously. Almost everyone, involved in the department or not, knows of the infamous “hell week” proceeding every show. During this week it’s non-stop preparation, with kids staying at the school until 10 o’clock each night.

It may sound a little intense, but as an avid T.C. William’s playgoer, I can tell you that their work always pays off. The department directors, Michelle Bachman and Leslie Jones, sure know how to bring out the utmost enthusiasm in students for their roles. It’s absolutely incredible what I’ve seen my peers accomplish.

But don’t take my word for it, go see for yourself! The T.C. drama department usually puts on two main stage productions a year, the fall play and spring musical, as well as the winter “one-acts”. This year they are putting on “The Laramie Project” for their fall play.  If you haven’t heard of it, it’s basically a docu-drama comprised of interviews of residents of Laramie, Wyoming. Laramie was where Matthew Shepard was murdered in 1998, and the interviews are from community members who either directly, or indirectly knew Matthew, or were somehow involved in this incident. The play will be showing the 11th, 12th, 18th, and 19th of November at 7:30pm and you can buy tickets at the door.

But also don’t forget to go see the D.C. premiere of Shakespeare High on November 5th at 8:30pm at the Athenaeum, it’s definitely one you don’t want to miss!

Emma is a high school student who volunteers for the Alexandria Film Festival.

Tell us a little about yourself. What kinds of things do you do for purpose and pleasure?                                                                                                                                 I work as a park naturalist at Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County. I teach school and scout groups, and do a lot of art and drawing for them. Right now, I’m illustrating a dragonfly field guide that we will publish in 2012…it’s fun! I also teach art as a volunteer, and love all nature studies. I’m also an avid distance runner and have run 12 marathons, 1 ultra, and 4 triathlons.

How long have you been with the Film Festival and what is your role?            I’ve worked with the Film Festival since the first one and I’ve always done sort of low level work that was needed…for this FF I’m the coordinator for the VIP Handlers.

What is your favorite film of this season and why?                                                 I’m a big cyclist, so I loved “For Aaron”,  and  who doesn’t love Buster Keaton in “The General”? With Andrew Simpson playing the organ…wow, it’ll be a terrific evening!

 Yet,  I think the most important film out there, now, is the Van Velzen twins’ “Weapon of War”. It’s a beautiful film about a horrible topic: the systematic use of rape as a weapon of terror in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These Dutch filmmaker-sisters started making documentaries in the DRC while they were still college students and, perhaps because they were so young and such unlikely directors, they received unprecedented access to former soldiers, victims, families, and militia leaders, all of whom speak honestly about how this use of rape has changed their lives. The film follows one tortured soldier on his path to reconciliation with one of his victims; it’s very moving. I think this topic, of how women’s issues must be involved in global conflict for real change to happen, is so timely right now, especially with Leymah Gbowee, of Liberia, sharing the Nobel Peace Prize. She was featured in “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”, a film festival favorite by Abby Disney. It’s a terrific example of how film, truly, can disseminate ideas and change the world!

What is your favorite moment from seasons past?                                                      I organized a fundraiser for the film festival two years ago which featured filmmaker Robin Smith’s civil rights film, “Come Walk in My Shoes”, in honor of Alexandria City’s significant contributions in African American history. We invited the Ebenezer Women’s Ecumenical Choir to sing civil rights hymns from that time and they basically blew the roof off with spirit. It was amazing!  I was so happy to bring these local women before audiences who understood the civil rights struggle, especially since Alexandria City has featured so prominently: the first non-violent sit-in strike in the USA was conducted on August 21, 1939 at the Beatley Library on Queen Street. It was a good moment, especially now, since I’m reflecting on how the film introduced me to lesser known civil rights leaders, like the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who died this week. I wouldn’t have paid attention, except for knowing his name through the Alexandria Film Festival.

Netflix: stream or dvd? What’s at the top of your queue?                                            Sadly, DVD. I’m also ashamed to say that I tend to be fidgety, cold-blooded, and never see films in commercial theaters; they’re too cold! I do, however, go to film festivals since they’re more aware, intellectually and thermostatically.

Halloween is coming up. If you were to dress up as a movie character, who would it be and why?                                                                                                           I was Flava-Flav a few years ago, but I guess that doesn’t count since he’s TV…..hmmmm. My favorite movie of all time is ‘Harvey” so I would like to be him: the “puka” rabbit. I love the ending line from Jimmy Stewart, “I prefer you, too”
What is your favorite spot in Alexandria?                                                              Good question! I love anywhere in Delray, especially the outdoor pools in the summer and the DelRay Artisans’ gallery…perfect combo, if they can get the pool back in action! My kids learned to swim there so it’s particularly sweet for me.

Which is your favorite AFF venue and why?                                                            Fave AAF venue, for sure, is the main auditorium at the Masonic Memorial Temple with the player organ..how weirdly great is that?? I saw “Nosferatu” near midnight, one or two years ago, at the Alexandria Film Festival, with Andrew Simpson, the Library of Congress organist, playing the score…and it was magic. Thanks to Alisa Carrel for making that unforgettable experience work.

Brandy volunteers as the social media maven for the Alexandria Film Festival. She is the principal photographer of Modern Toile Photography, a sometimes chanteuse, an unabashed novel reader, a lover of Felini & french press, dance music & dahlias. She loves films for the cinematography citing Bruno Delbonnel’s work on A Very Long Engagement as some of her favorite.

The Alexandria Film Festival is pleased to announce The Creative Coalition has selected Something Ventured as part of their Spotlight Initiative, which supports independent films aiming to positively contribute to society. The Creative Coalition is the premiere non-profit, non-partisan, social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance, primarily public education, the First Amendment, and arts advocacy. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s President.

Something Ventured screens Saturday, November 5th at 5 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial Auditorium located at 101 Callahan Drive. Following the screening, from The Motley Fool, Associate Advisor, Charly Travers will be on hand to discuss investing. Advance tickets are available on our website. $10 per film or showcase. All Access Fest Passes are $75 or $60 when purchased by October 14. Family/Group Discounts: Purchase 3+ tickets to same film and receive 20% Off.

• SOMETHING VENTURED

However, there comes an age when dressing up in costumes and knocking on doors for free candy becomes less than endearing… last year my friends and I got turned away several times during the night as skeptical parents asked us questions like, “shouldn’t you be studying for a geometry test?” Alas my holiday spirit will never be crushed by these Halloween grinches. However, I will admit that this year my adolescent friends and I are going to need to find another way to celebrate…

So, this year I’ve decided to embrace this holiday all month long by watching some of my favorite horror movies, and trust me, I have a lot! From zombie thrillers and supernatural suspense to cheesy 80′s slashers and creepy comedies, I’ve got a list that’ll take your mind off all your disgruntled neighbors who think that Halloween is just for kids.

1) Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Yeah, yeah, it’s a cliche, but a classic nonetheless! Seriously, if you haven’t seen this one, don’t let this month slip by without putting it in your Netflix queue. It has the perfect combination of absolute mania alongside a dash of heroism. The director, George A. Romero, does a killer (no pun intended) job of documenting each character’s reaction to their town being over taken by zombies. The emotional breakdown of these characters is almost as disturbing as the flesh eating monsters themselves! But don’t worry, if you’re a little squeamish you can probably still handle this movie. I mean, let’s be honest. It was made in the 60′s, so it’s not like the effects are too realistic or anything.

2) Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Speaking of emotional breakdowns, no scary movie shows it better than Roman Polanski masterpiece. I can imagine that childbirth is pretty tough, but try giving birth to the spawn of Satan! This movie not only has an aura of total freakiness (due in large part to an eerie soundtrack) but it also divulges into these crazy, almost pyschedelic dreams that give this movie its own peculiar twist.

3) Phantasm (1979)

If you’re looking for a lesser known title, one of my favorite cult-horror films is this one, which takes us on a curious kid’s adventure inside the local funeral home where he soon comes in contact with evil alien-like dwarfs who want to take over the world. Although a little cheesy at times, I still have a special place in my heart for its quirky plot and mind-bending scenes.

4) Friday the 13th (1980)

This is an old favorite of mine, somehow it never gets old. Although it’s less likely that anyone would really take this slasher movie seriously, it still convinced me at a young age to stay away from summer camp. You’d think that a murder about every 10 minutes would get a little old after a while, but the genius in this film is the creativity, as gruesome as that may sound. Yup, who would have thought one maniac would have so many different ways to kill his or her victims…. and in such a short amount of time! This is a good one to watch with friends (especially if the date happens to be Friday the 13th).

5) Beetlejuice (1988)

This may be my childhood in a movie. I’m hoping to pop this in the old VCR this weekend because it’s been sooooo long since I’ve watched it, so I can’ t really remember too much about it. All you need to know is that Tim Burton is genius and for an enchantingly twisted comedic-horror, this is a no-brainer.

I hope you all get to fill October with these and other scary movies. Happy Halloween!

Emma is a high school student who volunteers for the Alexandria Film Festival.

A WEEKEND CELEBRATION OF CINEMATIC ART

TO LAUNCH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION AT AGUA VIVA IN OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA

______________________________________________________________________

ALEXANDRIA, VA – “The fifth Annual Alexandria Film Festival will kick off a four day celebration of cinematic arts, featuring emerging and established filmmakers from all over the world Thursday, November 3rd through Sunday, November 6th,” said Pat Miller, Chair of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts when making the announcement today.

“We’ve had more than twice as many submissions for this year’s festival,” Miller said. “More than 200 high quality, independent, short and feature length films, documentaries, animation and narrative entries from 25 countries were received—some from as far away as China and Australia—which underscores the Alexandria Film Festival’s growing reputation on the world stage of cinematic competitions.

Making its Washington, D.C. debut will be “Ed Hardy Tattoo the World,” an engaging film about Pop Icon Ed Hardy’s unexpected rise to cult status and his phenomenal influence on pop culture. The film will be shown at special opening night events for patrons on Thursday, November 3^rd, with a kick-off party at AguaViva Restaurant (ticket to Ed Hardy Tattoo the World or a Film Fest Pass required for entry), film screening at the Old Town Theater on King Street, followed by discussions with Director Emiko Omori.  An opening night after party will follow at Red Rocks Pizza Napoletano. All events are within one block of each other.

Two new locations will be added to this year’s festival; the Alexandria Black History Museum and the Four Mile Run Community Center. The Alexandria Black History Museum will feature Checkers at 9th & S about a checkers club whose members gather for camaraderie, trash talking, and competitive checkers playing. Meet The Shark, Chicago, The Stealer, Boy Wonder, The Weasel, Johnnie Cool, The Hawk and The Master of Disaster, among others.  Special guests include Director Peggy Fleming and the men from The Capital Pool Checkers Club. Q&A with audience.

The Four Mile Run Community center will feature a first time outdoor celebration with an exciting lineup of Latino films Friday, November 4th at 7 p.m.  This special event is free and open to the public.

The festival will conclude Sunday, November 6^th with a celebration of this year’s Festival Jury Prize Winner Des Indiens Comme Nous, (Indians Like Us), a quirky and touching film about a group of French people who share an obsession for everything Native American. When they finally arrive in the United States, they discover the reality is quite different from their idealized vision.

The 2011 Film Festival, organized and presented by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Alexandria Office of the Arts, Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities exhibits both curated and juried films that range in length from 5 minutes to 2 hours and cover a wide range of subject matter.  For more information, visit our website at AlexandriaFilm.org.