Press Release: The Journal of Short Film Releases Volume 13 (Fall 2008)

for immediate release

The Journal of Short Film releases Volume 13 (Fall 2008)

(December 9, 2008) The Journal of Short Film released Volume 13 (Fall 2008) today. The JSF is a quarterly DVD that, to date, has published over 140 filmmakers from 12 countries. With its thirteenth volume, the JSF has officially come of age. Its place as one of the greatest repositories of short films has been assured.

Volume 13 continues the Journal’s tradition of genre-leaping and eclecticism. Well known festival hits sit next to more underground works. Themes of family history and the uncertainties of youth begin to emerge, but, in the end, the volume’s only unifying quality is the films’ excellence.

Here is the complete list:

1. MY OLYMPIC SUMMER – Daniel Robin (2007, 13:00) Combining suspense with hollowed out nostalgia, my olympic summer is about mothers, fathers, internal and exterior events, ultimately evoking a lyrical truth rather then literal accuracy. 2. CORNER DELANCEY – Neil Ira Needleman (2008, 8:00) A rare disease brings a father and son closer together—even as it pushes them further apart. 3. THE SON OF SAMSONITE – Mike Olenick (2002, 9:33) Composed of memories of other images, The Son of Samsonite is filled with irony and black humor, puns and pop songs, and a troubled relationship unfolding amongst disasters. 4. BY MODERN MEASURE – Matthew Lessner (2006, 5:50) An amateur French sociologist presents his observations on a day in the life of two young Americans who meet by chance outside a Taco Bell. 5. THE GREETING FROM MY MOTHER – Katja Straub (2007, 12:00) The Greeting From My Mother traces the sublime and almost invisible bonds of motherhood, daughterhood, and sisterhood over "one hundred years and two world wars." 6. THE ASTRUM ARGENTUM – Jon Behrens (2006, 6:00) It is mostly a hand-painted and step-printed film. I also created the sound design for this film.

The Journal continues to have a free and open submissions process. Submissions should be sent to The JSF, PO Box 8217, Columbus, OH 43201, USA. The Journal remains ad-free and committed to independent and underrepresented work.

Contact: Karl Mechem, publisher, The Journal of Short Film, contact (at) theJSF.org.

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SCREENINGS: Neil Ira Needleman, Cecelia Condit; now!

We obviously can’t mention every screening by every JSF alum, seeing as how there are 130+ of them, but every now and then we try to highlight a couple. So take a break from politics, hurricanes, the kids, network season premieres, and tuberculosis scares and head out to these venues to see some great work. Or chase these people down online.
Neil Ira Needleman (JSF, Vol.2) continues to screen all over the world, including many new festivals this fall. Boston, Argentina, Washington, Israel, you name it. For the complete schedule and to see samples of his work, visit www.neilneedleman.com.
Cecelia Condit (JSF, Vol.12) is basking in a solo exhibition at the CUE Art Foundation in NYC right now. For more details, visit www.cueartfoundation.org.

Press Release: The Journal of Short Film Releases Volume 12 (Summer 2008)

for immediate release

(August 19, 2008) The Journal of Short Film released Volume 12 (Summer 2008) today. The JSF is a quarterly DVD that, to date, has published over 130 filmmakers from 12 countries. Volume 12 is another example of the JSF’s genre-leaping collections of the world’s best short films.

The Journal was thrilled to have Steven Bognar serve as a guest editor on Volume 12. Most recently, Steven’s feature documentary “A Lion in the House” (along with Julia Reichert) made waves in 2006, landed on many top ten lists, and continues to tour the world. (Visit http://www.lioninthehouse.com)

Volume 12 also benefited from another great relationship: that between the JSF and the Media That Matters Film Festival. Three of the documentaries on Vol. 12 come from the ranks of its winners. Every year, Media That Matters showcases the best short films on social issues and, online and in communities around the world, connects activism to film. (Visit http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org)

But Vol. 12 has more than just documentaries, of course. Half of the films are narratives, several are experimental, and at least one includes a stop-motion animated piece of bread “following his heart.” As always, some of the films are major festival winners, and some are ones you won’t see anywhere else. Here is the complete list:

1. DRAKE – Christoph Rainer (2006, 5:00) “Visually striking, appealingly radical, and painfully recognisable!”--Ronald Simons, Rotterdam Film Festival 2. SUNBEAM HUNTER – Jonathan Schwartz (2006, 3:00) From 33 1/3 Series (an album of eleven 'in-camera' 16mm films), with the sound following, echoing. 3. THE SECOND LINE – John Magary (2007, 20:00) After MacArthur's savings are stolen from his FEMA trailer, he and his cousin Natt take work gutting a house. 4. GARBAGE DREAMS – Mai Iskander (2007, 8:00) Media That Matters presents: Egypt’s resident garbage recyclers, the Zaballeen are struggling as Cairo modernizes its waste disposal system. 5. MAN – Myna Joseph (2007, 15:00) Maggie and her sister form an unusual bond during an encounter with a young man. 6. HOMESLICE – Dan Olsen (2007, 10:30) BE YOURSELF! ALL OF THE TIME! 7. REVIEW – Jenny Perlin (2004, 2:25) This silent animated film connects a daily experience of tragic news with a subsequent escape into cinematic entertainment. 8. ON THE ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT – Adam Keker (2008, 6:00) This top-secret government file is to be viewed only in the event of the President's death by assassination. 9. A VERY SMALL TRILOGY OF LONELINESS – Bogdan George Apetri (2006, 7:00) Three vignettes look upon the same moment in time. A single moment, three people, the same feeling. 10. A GIRL LIKE ME – Kiri Davis (2006, 7:00) Media That Matters presents: Color is more than skin deep for young African-American women struggling to define themselves. 11. SOMETHING OTHER THAN OTHER – Jerry A. Henry and Andrea J. Chia (2005, 7:00) Media That Matters presents: Jerry and Andrea have endured their share of discrimination and have higher hopes for their newborn son. 12. ANNIE LLOYD – Cecelia Condit (2008, 17:45) A daughter’s intimate portrayal of the creativity and wisdom of old age.

The Journal continues to have a free and open submissions process. Submissions should be sent to The JSF, PO Box 8217, Columbus, OH 43201, USA. The Journal remains ad-free and committed to independent and underrepresented work.

Contact: Karl Mechem, publisher, The Journal of Short Film, contact (at) theJSF.org.

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Review: Volume 11, The Portland Volume

Erik Henriksen gave Vol.11 a nice review in the Portland Mercury last week. Check it out HERE. Its only shortcoming was in failing to mention Karl Lind, our guest editor, Portland fixer, and NE-side luminary. (Read Karl's blog HERE.)

Press release: JSF releases Vol.11, The Portland Volume

for immediate release

The Journal of Short Film releases Volume 11 (Spring 2008), The Portland Volume

The Journal of Short Film released Volume 11 (Spring 2008) this week. Vol.11 is the long-awaited Portland Volume, featuring 24 filmmakers from Portland, Oregon. The JSF is a quarterly DVD that, to date, has published over 120 filmmakers from 10 countries.

The Journal was thrilled to have Portland filmmaker Karl Lind serve as guest editor for Vol.11. The collection maintains the JSF's normal wild diversity while highlighting one of the most singular, lively art scenes in the country. This is the Journal's first geographically themed volume, and, through Lind's work and Portland's amazing depth of talent, the result is impressive.

Following is a list of the films in Volume 11:

1.SPHERES Jeremy Bird (1:00) 2.TO WATCH IN PREPARATION OF THE DEEP FALL Mack McFarland (1:30) 3.THE FOREST John Bacone (3:00) 4.COSMOS Randy Wakerlin (4:30) 5.BLOBSQUATCH Carl Diehl (3:30) 6.SILENCE IN 60 SECONDS Andy Mingo (1:15) 7.STRATEGERY Jim Lowry (2:30) 8.PLANET EARTH: OUR RESPONSE Arman Bohn (10:00) 9.LITTLE ATOMIC BOMB Adam Long (2:00) 10.TO WATCH WHILE SMELLING SUMMER Mack McFarland (1:30) 11.DARKCLOUD Gretchen Hogue (1:00) 12.LE PUZZLE Uli Beutter (5:00) 13.FOREST OF THE FLOWERS Gretchen Hogue (2:00) 14.3 OUT OF 4 Stephen Slappe (00:45) 15.STEVE WINWOOD IS HUNGRY FOR BREAKFAST Jesse England (1:45) 16.TEST ANTHEM Michael Paulus (3:30) 17.50 YEARS LATER Matt McCormick (3:00) 18.ROPPONGI CROSSING Brian Libby (3:00) 19.BEN: A TRUE STORY Melanie Brown (4:00) 20.TWO Hart Ryan Noecker (4:45) 21.KEITH Evan Stroum (6:00) 22.VERTIGO CORE SAMPLE Ron Mason Gassaway (3:00) 23.FURNESS Cat Tyc (6:00) 24.TO REMEMBER THAT OUR SKIES ARE THE SAME SKIES Chris Lael Larson (2:30) 25.MAGIC HOSTESS, THE ELECTRIC CAN OPENER Rob Tyler (4:00) 26.CIRCLE OF PURITY Liz Haley (2:00)

The Journal continues to have a free and open submissions process. Submissions should be sent to The JSF, PO Box 8217, Columbus, OH 43201, USA. The Journal also remains ad-free and committed to independent and underrepresented work.

Contact: Karl Mechem, publisher, The Journal of Short Film, contact (at) theJSF.org.

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Pangea Day

As most of you know, the Pangea Day screenings are happening all over the world this Saturday. The project is led by Jehane Noujaim and involves an afternoon of international film, live music, and other fun stuff. We wanted to plug our local event--led by JSF comrade Kenny Ruffin--here in Columbus: see details HERE. You can also watch the event online and on Current TV.

UPCOMING JSF EVENT: NWFC, Portland, OR, 5/28/08

We know Volume 11 hasn't been released yet and is just an itchy figment of your imagination right now, but that's all about to change. Vol.11 will be the Journal's first geographically themed collection, highlighting the filmmaking hotspot that is Portland, OR. It will be released in May, but the big news of the dayis that the volume will premiere at the Northwest Film Center in Portland.

THE DETAILS: May 28th, 7:00 PM, Whitsell Auditorium, NWFC, Portland, OR.

Portland filmmaker Karl Lind has been essential in the creation of Volume 11 and got the ball rolling on the premiere, as well. Thanks go to him and to the folks at the NWFC.
The screening will include: SPHERES by Jeremy Bird ; TO WATCH IN PREPARATION OF THE DEEP FALL by Mack McFarland ; THE FOREST by John Bacone ; COSMOS by Randy Wakerlin ; BLOBSQUATCH by Carl Diehl ; SILENCE IN 60 SECONDS by Andy Mingo ; STRATEGERY by Jim Lowry ; PLANET EARTH: OUR RESPONSE by Arman Bohn ; LITTLE ATOMIC BOMB by Adam Long ; TO WATCH WHILE SMELLING SUMMER by Mack McFarland ; DARKCLOUD by Gretchen Hogue ; LE PUZZLE by Uli Beutter ; FOREST OF THE FLOWERS by Gretchen Hogue ; 3 OUT OF 4 by Stephen Slappe ; STEVE WINWOOD IS HUNGRY FOR BREAKFAST by Jesse England ; TEST ANTHEM by Michael Paulus ; 50 YEARS LATER by Matt McCormick ; ROPPONGI CROSSING by Brian Libby ; BEN: A TRUE STORY by Melanie Brown ; TWO HART by Ryan Noecker ; KEITH by Evan Stroum ; VERTIGO CORE SAMPLE by Ron Mason Gassaway ; FURNESS by Cat Tyc ; TO REMEMBER THAT OUR SKIES ARE THE SAME SKIES by Chris Lael Larson ; MAGIC HOSTESS, THE ELECTRIC CAN OPENER by Rob Tyler ; CIRCLE OF PURITY by Liz Haley. (100 min)
Buy tickets HERE.

SCREENING: Potter-Belmar Labs, Western Tour, May '08

How can film & video predict your future? When it's created right in front of you, that's how. Join Potter-Belmar Labs (Leslie Raymond and Jason Jay Stevens, JSF, Vol.1) for their traveling improvised cinema show as they perform audience fortune-tellings in motion & sound.

Catch "Fortune" in Roswell, Albuquerque, Venice, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, Eugene, Portland, and Seattle on dates throughout the month of May. Go to their website for details, including venues and times.

SCREENING: Sasha Waters Freyer, Madison, WI, Apr. 4

Sasha’s (JSF, Vol.10) new documentary is screening at the Wisconsin Film Festival on Friday, 4/4, at 7pm. It’s called This American Gothic and is “a history of one of the most famous paintings in the world and a quirky portrait of Eldon, Iowa, population 998, site of the house that inspired it.” The hour-long film explores not just the painting as a symbol but the deep and sometimes strange [my word] importance of rural America to the national identity. For more info and to watch a trailer, visit her website.

Press release: The Journal of Short Film Releases Volume 10 (Winter 2008)

for immediate release

Columbus, OH (February 19, 2008) The Journal of Short Film released Volume 10 (Winter 2008) today. The JSF is a quarterly DVD magazine of today’s best, peer-reviewed short films. To date, the JSF has published over 100 filmmakers from 10 countries.

Volume 10 lives up to the Journal’s reputation for diversity, with three of its films coming from Eastern Europe and half of its filmmakers being women. As always, the collection contains most genres of film, including narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and, for the first time, 3-D film.

Following is a list of the films in Volume 10:

1. CONVERSION – Nanobah Becker (2006, 9:00) CONVERSION portrays a Christian missionary’s dubious influence over a little girl and her family in the remote Navajo desert, circa 1950. 2. GUM AND TEA – EE Miller and Samuael Topiary (2005, 4:45) A collaborative meditation on intimacy and U.S. currency. 3. MILKY WAY – Ivana Mladenovic [Romania] (2006, 10:00) While Romania enters the E.U., Titinel and Mihai, two shepherds, live by their own rules in the outskirts of Bucharest. 4. PAPER – Elliot Blanchard (2006, 2:00) A man wakes up to unexpected new guests—and they have their own ideas about who should be in charge. 5. SCENIC HIGHWAY – Evan Mather (2007, 17:00) Baton Rouge’s colorful history is exposed in this darkly affectionate memoir. 6. HOME – Paul Negoescu [Romania] (2007, 14:00) On Christmas Eve, a taxi driver takes home a man returning from working abroad. 7. SISTER CITIES [3D] – Joe Merrell (2006, 10:15) Non-local awareness on a 3D walk through Los Angeles. 8. PAINTER OF THE LAND – Joel Fendelman (2004, 8:00) A glance at a man of a dying culture of farmers and how he uses the earth as his canvas. 9. WAR NEXT DOOR – Péter Politzer [Hungary] (2005, 10:00) It is Christmas night. The war is already raging in the neighboring city. 10. A WILD BEETLE CHASE – Sarah Jackson (2007, 13:10) Dr. Ivie searches for a beetle in Italy and shows that failure is just another step in the process. 11. HER HEART IS WASHED IN WATER AND THEN WEIGHED – Sasha Waters (2006, 12:45) When you die, everything you know disappears. A love letter to the abject beauty of human frailty. In three short acts.

The Journal continues to have a free and open submissions process. Submissions should be sent to The JSF, PO Box 8217, Columbus, OH 43201, USA. The Journal remains ad-free and committed to independent and underrepresented work.

Contact: Karl Mechem, publisher, The Journal of Short Film, contact@theJSF.org

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