Congratulations are in order for everyone at Fat Man Media, the New Mexico-based film production company behind the short film “On the Bus.” The film received five awards at the Indie Distribution Festival, a virtual film festival based out of La Jolla, Calif., earlier this year. Late last month (Feb. 21-24), the short was screened at MAGA, the Macon Film & Video Festival in Georgia. The dramatic short, about a mentally disturbed man riding a city bus, was written and produced by Jonathan Harnisch & Maureen Cooke and was directed by Willie Ford. For more info on the production, log on to fatman.net.
Reel World More Shorter, More Better
“On the Bus” isn’t the only Albuquerque-based short making the festival rounds. “Tinkerin,” the winner of the 2008 Albuquerque 48 Hour Film Project, will screen at the 48 Hour Film Project Filmapalooza–part of the Miami International Film Festival–on the weekend of March 13. “Tinkerin” was made by The In-Famous El Guapos, led by director Matt Page, in just two short days. The film stars Ravenna Fahey, Christopher Dempsey and Hugh Elliot and was shot on location at the famed Tinkertown Museum outside Albuquerque. At Filmapalooza, the short will be competing against 69 other films from 15 countries on four continents for the title of Best Film of last year’s 48 Hour Film Project. The top prize includes $5,000 cash, so best of luck to El Guapos. For more information on the filmmakers, check out riffraffentertainment.com.
Reel World Showing Off Shorts
The New Mexico Professional Filmmaker’s Showcase will take place this Friday, March 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at UNM’s Continuing Education building (1634 University NE). Among the local shorts to be showcased are “An American Hero, Floyd Red Crow Westerman” by Brad Stoddard, “Ron’s Gift” by Anne Stirling, “A Sh’mal World” by Laureen Ricks, “Undying Love” by Stanley Ray, “Edgar’s Journey” by Tony Estrada, “Water Torture” by Marc Calderwood & Cindy Kemp, and “Days of Grace” by Tim Boughn. This showcase, sponsored by Friends of Film, Video and Arts, kicks off the Spring Digital Arts Conference at UNMCE. Tickets are $19 at the door. For more info on the screening, log on to filmvideoarts.org. UNMCE’s annual Digital Arts Conference (this year subtitled “The Road to Creative Success”) will get underway the following day on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The one-day conference will explore trends in graphic design, web design, digital photography, filmmaking and animation. Tyler Lee, executive director of Sony Pictures ImageWorks Interactive, is the special guest. Cost is $139 general or $99 for full-time students. For more details, or to register for the conference, log on to dce.unm.edu/digital-arts-conference.htm.
