The Dolls Times Two!—Closet Cinema, organizers of the Southwest's premiere gay and lesbian film festival, will be having a one-shot, must-not-miss fundraiser this weekend. On Sunday, July 31, at 1 p.m., there will be a screening of the late, great Russ Meyer's camp classic Beyond the Valley of the Dolls at the Guild Cinema in Nob Hill. Taking the mainstream trash appeal of Jacqueline Suzann's Valley of the Dolls to its ne plus ultra extreme, director Russ Meyer (Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!) and writer Roger Ebert (yes, that Roger Ebert) created a psychedelic stew of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll–a classic, minus the class. To make this screening extra unforgettable and supremely outrageous, Closet Cinema has recruited Albuquerque's very own drag troupe The Dolls as hosts. This special engagement is being sponsored by the City of Albuquerque's Film Office to help promote the upcoming Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (Sept. 16-22). Miss it, and you'll hate yourself in the morning. In the immortal words of Z-Man (paraphrased years later by Austin Powers), “This is my happening, and it's freaking me out!”
Reel World
Shootout Showdown—Don't forget that the Duke City Shootout ends this Saturday. Seven film crews from right here in New Mexico have been sweating and swearing their way through a gruelling week of filming, all in an effort to shoot and edit seven short digital video films in only seven days. On Saturday, July 30, at 7 p.m., the Premiere Night Awards Ceremony & Party will be held at the Kiva Auditorium (401 Second Street NW). This is your opportunity to see what kinds of films came out of this year's festival. A post-party will be held in the courtyard at the Sheraton Old Town. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster or through the Duke City Web site (dukecityshootout.com). Admission is $18 general, $15 student or $25 day of show at the Kiva box office.
Reel World
Young Auteur Alert—The second annual Desert Light Film Competition, open to middle school and high school students throughout New Mexico, is accepting entries for this year's competition. Categories include: Real-Life (drama, documentary, comedy, etc.), Animation, Music Video, Journalism and “The Environment.” Each category will be judged in two divisions: high school and middle school. Entry deadline is September 2, 2005, and there is a $5 entry fee. To download entry forms, criteria and other information, visit filmotero.com.
