Experiments in Cinema v13.6, Albuquerque’s world-class experimental film and video festival, continues at the Guild Cinema and the African American Performing Arts Center through Saturday, April 14. This year’s festival, subtitled “Black Materials Edition,” features a special emphasis on the emerging experimental film scene of Africa and the African diaspora. To that end there will be a special “Black Material Film Making Workshop” at the UNM Arts Lab (1601 Central Ave. NE) on Friday, April 13. Kevin Jerome Everson, associate professor of art at the University of Virginia, will be there to teach his method of filmmaking—including the processes of 16mm filmmaking, distribution strategies, creative concepts, methods of research and visual expression. The workshop takes place from 9am to 12:30pm. For more information go to experimentsincinema.com or finearts.unm.edu/venues/arts-lab.
Reel World: In Remembrance In Remembrance
Congregation Albert marks Holocaust Remembrance Day this Sunday, April 15 with a screening of four student-created short films in which Holocaust survivors share their experiences and struggles. The films were created as part of Behind the Lens: Student Portrayals of a Troubled World, a Holocaust education outreach program of the Holocaust & Intolerance Museum of New Mexico in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of New Mexico, New Mexico Human Rights Projects and local teachers. The screening is part of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day, and takes place starting at 2pm at Congregation Albert (3800 Louisiana Blvd. NE). A public reception with students, teachers and survivors takes place after the screening. Admission is free. For more info go to nmholocaustmuseum.org.
Reel World: Doc On The Rocks Doc On The Rocks
Una Nueva Tierra is a locally made documentary set in the desert just outside of Albuquerque. There, atop Pajarito Mesa, a small, off-grid community has formed living off the “trash” that others leave behind. On Sunday, April 15 filmmakers Jackie Munro and Jesse Fisher appear at Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center (6500 Coors Blvd. NW) to screen the film and to participate in a post-film Q&A. The film starts at 2pm. Admission is free, but seating is limited. To guarantee a seat, call 897-8831.
Reel World: New Blood New Blood
On April 4 Mayor Tim Keller announced a new film liaison at the Albuquerque Film Office. Current Film Liaison Ann Lerner, who has served in the position for 15 years, is retiring. Lerner was instrumental in building the local film industry, and worked closely with a number of high-profile Hollywood productions—from The Avengers to “Breaking Bad.” Alicia Keyes (not Alicia Keys the singer-songwriter) will now take over the position. Keyes has been producing local New Mexico film under her production banner AJK Films for several years (2013’s Blaze You Out, for example). Before that, Keyes was the executive director of worldwide acquisitions and co-productions for the Walt Disney Company. She is currently serving on the Governor’s Council on Film and Television for the State of New Mexico. The city’s film liaison promotes the use of New Mexico as a filming location within the entertainment industry, works to secure jobs for local film industry professionals and serves as a catch-all “concierge” for Hollywood productions.
