The White Sands International Film Festival has worked hard to build itself up over the years. The festival—which moved from Alamogordo to Las Cruces in 2009—takes place Wednesday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Aug. 26. This year’s Opening Night Showcase kicks it off with Bringing Up Bobby , a drama about a European con artist and her son who find themselves stuck in rural Oklahoma. The film is directed by actress Famke Janssen, who will be in attendance. Other invited guests include the film’s main stars, Milla Jovovich and Bill Pullman. Emmy-nominated actor Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”) will present his one-man show / seminar on “Performing Your Life.” Other workshops and panel discussions include one on independent filmmaking and a look back at “100 Years of Movie Making in New Mexico.” Noted screenwriter and award-winning playwright Mark Medoff will present “Screenwriting: The Hero’s Journey.” More than 100 features, shorts and documentaries will be screened over the course of the five-day event. Things culminate on Sunday night with the re-screening of the award winners for Best Feature, Best Documentary, Audience Award and Best Director. Events will take place at the Black Box Theater, the Rio Grande Theater and the Cineport 10.
Reel World: Bubonic Plays Bubonic Plays
The Bubonicon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention returns to Albuquerque this weekend, giving fanboys and fangirls ample excuse to hang out and mingle at the Marriott Uptown (2101 Louisiana NE). As always, the emphasis is on literature. But movies and TV will be well-represented. For example: Adam Jarmon Brown will be there in full force, hosting his usual collection of late-night films and shorts. On Saturday, Aug. 25, he’ll be premiering Chris Dillon’s low-budget, locally shot zombie apocalypse comedy Desolation . Dillon ( Cross, In Trouble ) will be there in person for the after-hours shenanigans.
Reel World: Powers To The People Powers To The People
The Santa Fe Railyard Park closes out its summer movie series with a screening of Mike Myers’ comedy classic Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery . The free show will take place on Friday, Aug. 24, just after sunset (around 8 p.m.). Bring your lawn chairs, but leave the booze at home. [Insert obligatory Austin Powers quote.]
