The 2013 AMAAS Conference in Waterton is coming. Spaces are limited. To register please download the conference registration e-form (registration_2013) and email it to Kirsten Christopherson (conference@amaas.ca) our Waterton Conference Coordinator.
See you there!
AMAAS recently asked festival producer Brenda Lieberman some questions about the upcoming Calgary Underground Film Festival, running April 15-21 at the Globe Cinema in Calgary. Check out this year’s fantastic line-up (and buy tickets early to avoid disappointment…).
Brenda Lieberman, CUFF Festival Producer
[click image for recent FFWD article on CUFF: photo by Josh Naud]
B) Like a huge accomplishment… and super exciting. I feel really proud of ourselves. When we started we weren’t sure if the festival had an audience for what we wanted to do, and now we wish we could do more all year round.
A) How would you describe the festival today? Has the description changed from year one?
B) We originally wanted to have more horror films when we started, but ended up being much more diverse in our genres. Mostly realizing there were lots of quirky, provocative … and diverse festival films we can screen that were not getting an opportunity to screen in Calgary otherwise. So now we focus on a wide variety of genres, styles and basically international films that target a range of niche audiences.
A) Can you pick one highlight from the last 9 years that you are especially proud of?
B) I’d have to say the 25th Anniversary of RAD, the movie from 1986. Such a huge weekend of events, guests and fan love. It was a massive undertaking and meant so much to so many people from around the world – but mostly Calgarians. Hard to express what an amazing feeling it was, and how many people it impacted. Plus the collaborations were incredible.
A) What is the role of a festival like yours in Calgary and Alberta?
B) To constantly challenge, entertain, connect and provide! To be a festival our audience (and potential audience) can look to for the best in new independent genre films, exposing them to works they may otherwise overlook and be able to follow through with what they want to see presented. In the end, we always make sure to create a fun festival environment, that is social, collaborative & innovative.
A) What will CUFF look like at 20?
B) A much bigger version of today!!
A) Thanks Brenda! We wish you and the CUFF gang an excellent festival – and don’t forget to eat! [official Provincial Arts Service Organization advice to all festival programmers...]
FAVA FEST 3D: Film and Video Arts Festival
March 18-23 2013
Those of us who are connected to Alberta media arts centres know that there are hundreds of individual artists toiling away, finishing countless projects in darkened editing rooms every year. In 2012, FAVA decided to celebrate these individuals who are the raison d’etre of the centre.
“It’s a great excuse to make some noise once a year and screen our best work,” says Melissa Thingelstad, Director of Communications and Membership Services. This year’s festival takes place March 18-23 at FAVA and Metro Cinema to recognize the films and artists who have completed work this year.
All of the submissions to the Awards of Excellence will be screened from Monday to Friday evening, with programs highlighting shorts, documentary, features, experimental, animation, and music video. But a receptive audience isn’t the only reward: the exciting thing for most of the filmmakers is the opportunity to be recognized with a little cash.
“We’re able to give money to artists — we’re giving $20,000 to our members,” says Thingelstad. “We’ve doubled the amount since last year, which was our inaugural FAVAFest.”
It’s also a chance for gearheads to get together and talk shop. This year’s trade show theme is 3D, with demos and screenings of the latest 3D technology.
For the creatives, FAVA will be bringing in one of its distinguished alumni, Todd Cherniawsky, a production designer and art director who received much of his formal (BFA from the University of Alberta) and informal training here in Edmonton.
Saturday is the big gala soiree, with admission is by donation. There will be a silent auction, an installation called Le Show de Peep, 3D work and the award ceremony featuring the premiere screening of Mike McLaughlin’s Heels, one of last year’s production award winners. FAVA invites members from all other AMAAS member organizations to attend; this is a great opportunity to network and socialize to the sounds of Goldtop and afterparty dancing with Amy van Keeken’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Singalong.
The full schedule is at:
http://www.fava.ca/30th/index.php/programs/events/50-fava-fest
Gallery of Alberta Media Arts (GAMA) presents:
EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts is proud to partner with the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society to present a selection of short films and video created by Geraldine Carr, Rosanna Terracciano and Chris J. Melnychuk.
In her short film, Carr shares a tale about Maud Mary of Liverpool, who missed her planned voyage on the infamous Titanic. Terracciano examines the artistry of flamenco and the evolution within its structured, traditional form while the late animator Melnychuk documents his battle with cancer with the help of 19 collaborators.
The Gallery of Alberta Media Arts (GAMA) is an initiative to provide support and ongoing prominent screening space for Alberta media artists and curators.
Title: Gallery of Alberta Media Arts (GAMA)
Location: On EPCOR CENTRE’s three video monitors:
• +15 near CKUA; second level of Jack Singer Concert Hall west end
• West end of Jack Singer Concert Hall main floor foyer
• Near Baraka Café and the stained glass window
Dates: Ongoing from Februrary 1, 2013 to April 30, 2013.
Artist reception in EPCOR CENTRE’s Centre Court on Thursday, February 7 from 5 – 8 pm
A special thank you to the following organizations for their support: EMMEDIA Gallery and Production Society, Calgary Arts Development, Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA), National Film Board of Canada and Quickdraw Animation Society.
AMAAS (Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society) invites filmmakers, videographers, documentarians, and animators to submit their recently completed works to Prairie Tales, an annual touring program of short works by Albertan media artists.
In its 15th consecutive year, the Prairie Tales Tour celebrates the diversity of work created by media artists in our province. Artists whose work is included in the program will be paid the CARFAC rate for multiple film/video screenings. There is no submission fee.
*The deadline for submissions is 5:00pm on January 31, 2013.
For further details and application information click: here. 
