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Saturday, January 7 – 10:30 AM

Sunday, January 8 – 10:30 AM

FOCUS ON FEMALE DIRECTORS

While the number of women directing major motion pictures continues to drop at an alarming rate (down from 11% in 2000 to the current 5%), some of the most exhilarating films in recent memory (WHALE RIDER, LOST IN TRANSLATION, YOU AND ME AND EVERYONE WE KNOW) were helmed by women. This program celebrates the early work of today’s most talented female directors and shines the spotlight on the next generation of talented filmmakers. A discussion will follow the screening with several of the directors, along with a raffle of deluxe "director kits" empowering members of the audience to join the filmmaking ranks. Book signing before the screening with authors Andrea Richards (Girl Director) and Kim Adelman (The Ultimate Filmmaker’s Guide to Short Films).

Series Compiled by Andrew P. Crane, Kim Adelman and Andrea Richards.

Sofia Coppola’s "Lick The Star" (14 min., USA, 1998) A clique of schoolgirls embark on a secret mission. Miranda July’s "The Amateurist" (14 min., USA, 1998). July stars as both a professional observer and the object of her study: an "amateur" woman. Niki Caro’s "Sure To Rise" (15 min., New Zealand, 1994) An unlikely relationship develops between a child-like beachcomber and a broken man she stumbles across in the sand. An official selection of the Cannes Film Festival. Andrea Arnold’s "Wasp" (22 min., UK, 2004). An evening out at the local pub with an old flame proves irresistible to a young single woman with four children. Academy Award Winner 2005. Martha Colburn’s "Cosmetic Surgery" (2005, 8 min). Cosmetic Emergency explores the idea of beauty through a collage of live action and lyrical animations. Afree-form take on the current trend of cosmetic obsession and the immortal quality of painting, the film searches for "what’s on the inside". Topical news stories (such as the US military offering free cosmetic surgery) and musical film sequences are created with paint-on-glass animation, found footage and documentary techniques. The music was commissioned for the film. Selected musicians, including New Zealand’s Hip-Hop artist, "Coco Solid" and "Half Japanese" founder Jad Fair, wrote and recorded humorously cynical songs about the cosmetic craze. Also included is a rare appearance by the Dutch Ambassador of Cosmetic Surgery, Marijke Helwegen. Tamra Davis’ Kool Thing" (Music Video, Sonic Youth, 3 min) & "It’s Funky Enough" (Music Video, DOC/NWA, 3 min). Gail Dennis’ "City Paradise" (6 min., UK, 2005). A Japanese girl arrives in London to learn English and discovers a hidden, underground city. Wondrous, beautiful combination of Live-action, computer and hand-drawn animation. Music by Joanna Newsome. L.A. Premiere! Christina Beck’s "So Hot For You" (6 Min., USA, 2005). Modern day Los Angeles is the setting for this newly divorced woman’s journey into her new life in which director Beck stars. Emily Dell’s "B-Girl" (12 min., USA, 2004). A glimpse into the world of a young female breakdancer who is an outsider in this all-male world. Book-signing before the screening with authors Andrea Richards Girl Director and Kim Adelman The Ultimate Filmmaker’s Guide to Short Films. A discussion with filmmakers Emily Dell ("B Girl) and Christina Beck ("So Hot For You") will follow the screening to be followed by a reception for all in the lobby.

STAY UNTIL TOMORROW, 2004, USA, 94 min. “This unpredictable comedy is a refreshingly real look at a young woman seeking exotic and erotic possibilities." - Brattleboro Film Festival
This kaleidoscopic and humorous travelogue follows restless traveller Nina (Eleanor Hutchins, MARGARITA HAPPY HOUR) on a pitstop home. Not quite ready to give up her wild youth, she stays with a childhood friend, now a librarian (Barney Cheng, WASABI TUNA), and creates a bit of havoc in his community, while she examines her life through memories of the people and places she’s seen. Workshopped at the Sundance Directing and Screenwriting Labs, this prize-winning film ("Best Independent Feature," "Special Jury Prize in Directing," "Festival Director's Award," and two "Best Actress" awards for Hutchins) finally comes to Los Angeles for a special screening. Directed by Laura Colella. Discussion following with cast & crew to be announced.
Prior to the feature, Paul Marashlian's short film "A Life In The Day" (10 min., 2004) will screen. Trevor sets out to make a video-diary for his wife on their anniversary. Torn between an idyllic past and decaying future, his daylong journey forces him to confront reality and the ultimate choice...

The film is a 2004 UK-Canada-US co-production and the narration was performed by Alastair Mackenzie. Key creative collaborators were DP Alec Boehm, editor Stephanie Argy, and producer Daniel Ratushny. It was shot on 24p MiniDV in and around London and filmed-out as a 35mm print through EFILM and Deluxe Labs. "A Life In The Day" was inspired in equal parts by Powell's PEEPING TOM and Kieslowski's CAMERA BUFF along with Bunuel's l'amour fou from EL (THIS STRANGE PASSION). Discussion following with director Paul Marashlian.

Sunday, January 15 – 1:00 PM FREE

Golden Globe Foreign Language Nominees Seminar. Discover the best of new foreign films with the five foreign language nominees for the Golden Globe Award. Please join us for a FREE Round Table seminar with the filmmakers. All five films will screen at the Aero Theatre Jan. 9-13.

Participating directors: Hany Abu-Assad (PARADISE NOW); Stephen Chow (KUNG FU HUSTLE); Christian Carion (JOYEUX NOËL); Chen Kaige (THE PROMISE (MO GIK); Gavin Hood (TSOTSI).

Reception to follow in the Courtyard of the Egyptian Theatre.

WILLIAM EGGLESTON IN THE REAL WORLD, 2005, Palm Pictures, 87 min. Dir. Michael Almereyda. In 1976, William Eggleston's hallucinatory, Faulknerian images were featured in the Museum of Modern Art's first one-man exhibition of color photographs. He has been called "the beginning of modern color photography" (John Szarkowski, MoMA) and "one of the most significant figures in contemporary photography" (Charles Hagen, NY Times). It is rare for an artist of such stature to allow himself to be shown as unguardedly as Eggleston does in Michael Almereyda's intimate portrait. The filmmaker tracks the photographer on trips to Kentucky, Los Angeles and New York, but gives particular attention to downtime in Memphis, Eggleston's home base. The film shows a deep connection between Eggleston's enigmatic personality and his groundbreaking work, and also reveals his parallel commitments as a musician, draftsman and videographer. Eggleston, age 65, has become an icon and inspiration to artists worldwide.

ANIMATION A-GO GO: ONE NIGHT WITH BRUCE TIMM

While he began his career toiling away on various staples of 80’s animation — assistant animator on THE SECRET OF N.I.H.M , doing layout on "The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse" — it was Bruce Timm’s penchant for superheroes that made his autograph so sought-after. As co-creator/producer of "Batman: The Animated Series", he infused sophistication and style into a Saturday Morning line-up that regarded the spandex-clad characters of comic books as campy and uncool. Timm’s Dark Knight was grim, daring, and unafraid of critics who thought cartoons were a genre best left to slapstick and schlock. But like Bakshi before him, Timm — along with his brazen, talented crew — proved animation is merely a medium where anything can be achieved. He continued this pattern with respectful comics-to-animation adaptations like "Superman: The Animated Series," "Justice League," as well as a sly reinvention of The Caped Crusader, "Batman Beyond," never letting his compounding success overshadow his fanboy intentions. As consistent as his tenure at Warner Bros. — nearly 15 years and counting — you can always find him at his local comic bistro on New Comic Wednesday, buying piles of monthlies in search of his next heroic venture.

Series compiled by Jon M. Gibson

Sunday, January 29 – 6:00 PM

ANIMATION A-GO GO: A NIGHT WITH BRUCE TIMM. From Buster Bunny to The Dark Knight, this one-night tribute spans Timm’s gallant career in animation, comprised of his favorite episodes and clips from "Batman: The Animated Series", "Justice League", and other personal picks. Complete with never-before-seen rarities that you won’t find on any DVD, as well as some other very special guests, think of this as a Comic-Con education in the comfort of an air-conditioned theater (minus the blood, sweat, and crowds). Bruce Timm will appear for discussions in-between clips and an extended Q&A after the program, moderated by animation writer Jon M. Gibson.