BestFest America student film festival runs this weekend
November 3rd, 2009 by Scott Marks
“We help film students achieve their dreams on the big screen,” said Claudia Title, marketing coordinator for BestFest America (BFA).
Now entering its 11th year, BFA is the only film festival in the nation to showcase short films by both high school and college film students. Prizes are awarded in each of the seven categories in both divisions.
The festival runs Saturday, November 7 at UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley Hazard Center from 10:30 am to 7 pm followed by a reception at the neighboring Double Tree Hotel.
One of the hallmarks of BFA is that they return the judging sheets to every single filmmaker entered in competition offering critiques and providing positive suggestions to help encourage and develop their talent.
Mark Title is the treasurer and past president of the Visual Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization that puts together BFA. Mark is very proud of this educational component because, “instructors report back to us that they use our annual collection of award winning films as teaching tools in their in their own film courses.”
Mark tells EC, “I’ve seen an amazing amount of growth in terms of quality and depth as I have followed them from their early HS films through their graduate work in college.”
This year’s special guest is Chris Brinker, producer of the cult film “The Boondock Saints.” Brinker will be giving a lecture and show previews of the upcoming sequel “The Boondock Saints: All Saints Day.”
Here is a complete list of the morning and afternoon lineup.
What: BestFest America Student Film Festival
When: November 7th 2009
Where: UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley, 7510 Hazard Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: All day passes run $20 for adults and $10 for students.
Website: www.bestfestamerica.com
Highlights from last year’s BestFest America
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This article originally appeared on SDNN.com
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EC revisits ‘Star Wars’
October 19th, 2009 by Scott Marks
I have sinned against you, my readers. Marty forgive me for what I’ve done. Saturday night found me neck deep in enemy territory where I actually chatted up Chewbacca! It was for a good cause, so I can’t be too mercenary, but it did take its toll on this reporter. That plodding John Williams theme continues to wreak havoc on my cerebral cortex.
Normally the CommCinema crew (both of us) is the first to arrive for an outdoor show, but when I rolled up to the 4S Ranch on Saturday afternoon the place was already teaming with hundreds of “Star Wars” junkies. I reached for a Zanax, but the cupboard was bare.
Tonight’s show was going to be more than an average screening. It was a benefit to help raise money for Olivia’s Fund. Earlier this year 7-month old Olivia Susan Ferrandi was diagnosed with a neurological disorder known as Canavan Disease. This rare debility (less than 300 reported cases in the U.S.) makes it impossible for the child to crawl, walk, sit or talk.
According to MyLocalNews.com, “in most cases the children’s ancestry includes Ashkenazi Jews from eastern Poland, Lithuania and western Russia, or a Saudi Arabian heritage, the disease can affect all ethnic groups.
There is no cure for the disease, but there are treatments available to potentially help improve the quality of life and prolong Olivia’s lifetime. If you are in any position to throw a few bucks Olivia’s way it would be greatly appreciated. To donate to Olivia’s Fund click here.
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All right. I did my mitzvah for the decade, now let’s have some fun.
Continue reading EC revisits ‘Star Wars’
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