------ Forwarded Message
From: SLAMDANCE <mail@...>
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 12:56:54 -0800
To: <mail@...>
Subject: SLAMDANCE PRESS RELEASE

December 18, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: MARGOT GERBER
Phone: 323 466 1786

Slamdance Announces Special Screenings, Anarchy Online Global Competition &
$99 Specials for 2002

13 Moons To Open Eighth Annual Festival

Los Angeles - Slamdance 2002 opens at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 11th
with a special screening and world premiere of director Alexandre
Rockwell's, 13 MOONS, starring Steve Buscemi. A total of three feature
films and four shorts will screen in the Special Screenings category
together with a special Slamdance edition of "Spike & Mike's Twisted
Animation Festival,"the nine finalists in the year round "Anarchy Online
Global Competition," and the nine Slamdance "$99 Specials." The majority of
the festival will take place at the Silvermine in Park City (1.5 miles south
of Park City on Hwy 224).

With regard to Slamdance's Opening Night selection, Slamdance President
Peter Baxter said, "13 MOONS exemplifies the best of what independent film
really can be in this country. Having Alex at Slamdance will serve as an
inspiration to the new filmmakers screening in our main competition that
there really is life after a first feature."

Alexandre Rockwell launched his film career with an adaptation of Buchner's
literary classic LENZ. IN THE SOUP followed and was awarded the 1992 Grand
Jury Prize at Sundance. Subsequent films include FOUR ROOMS, SOMEBODY TO
LOVE, and LOUIS & FRANK.

Commenting on his participation in the festival, Alexandre Rockwell said,
"I remember John (Cassavettes) said we would meet through our films; there
is a continuum of independent film and filmmakers that has existed in the
belly of the beast and it will continue to survive. Slamdance represents the
best of this tradition and 13 MOONS fits it like a hand in a glove. Save a
front row seat for John."

The Festival closes with the festival's annual "Surprise Awards Night"
screening. The 24 competition films were announced Dec. 12th, and some
additional screenings and events will be announced after the New Year.

In addition to holding most of its screenings and events at the Silvermine
in Park City, Utah, Slamdance is back with an additional screening venue
this year at Brewvies in Salt Lake City (677 South 200 West), for the second
consecutive year. "Last year's Brewvies screenings were so well received
there was no question as to whether to bring them back this year," said
Baxter. "Salt Lake movie audiences have embraced the Slamdance spirit and we
want to really share our festival experience with them. With many of our
films being World Premieres, our filmmakers were delighted to get first
audience reactions from a non-entertainment industry audience." Many
Slamdance features will screen evenings at Brewvies during the course of the
festival. This unique theater serves beer and food during screenings. A
selection of Slamdance award-winning films will screen at Brewvies on
Saturday, January 19th.

Slamdance's very first screenings in 1995 were held in Salt Lake City at
the University of Utah, before the festival added venues and eventually
moved completely to Park City later that week. "For Salt Lake residents who
want to avoid the Hollywood hype that sometimes infects Park City during
festival week, this should be a great opportunity to see films the way they
were meant to be seen: With a beer in one hand, and a slice of pizza in the
other," added Co-founder At Large Dan Mirvish.

SPECIAL SCREENING FEATURE FILMS

13 MOONS - (USA, 95 min.) WORLD PREMIERE Directed by Alexandre Rockwell. A
cast of characters (including a clown, a stripper, three priests and a
singer) with problems of their own are touched by the quiet courage of an
ailing 6-year-old boy on this night of 13 MOONS. Co-written by Brandon Cole
(ILLUMINATA) and Alexandre Rockwell. Produced by Brandon Cole and Michael
Din. With Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Jennifer Beals, Sam Rockwell,
Pruitt Taylor Vince, Karyn Parsons, David Proval and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell.

NEVER MIND THE WALL - (Germany, 94 min.) NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Directed by Connie Walther. In Berlin, 1982 the divided city has no place
for young lovers... a girl from the West, a boy from the East.. who find
themselves united against the world on both sides.

NOTHING SO STRANGE - (USA, 87 min.) WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Brian Flemming (Founder of the alternative Park City Festival
Slumdance and co-creator of the smash off-Broadway hit "Bat Boy: the
Musical"). The premise is that Microsoft chairman Bill Gates was shot dead
on December 2, 1999, in a tragedy that resonated throughout the world. But
as time wears on, that tragedy has developed into a mystery for many
observers, who see police misconduct and a cover-up where others see an
open-and-shut case.

SURPRISE AWARDS NIGHT SCREENING (Thursday, January 17th, 3:00 PM)
You never know what you are going to get at Slamdance's annual surprise
screening. Maybe a major new film embroiled in distributor legal wranglings
brought to the Silvermine under armed protection of Utah State Troopers; or
maybe the second feature of a Slamdance alum who has sold out to the
Hollywood machine and is having trouble retuning our phone calls. "Buy
tickets first; ask questions later," said Mirvish.

SPECIAL SCREENING SHORT FILMS

"Any Creature" (USA, 10 min.) Directed by Patrick Daughters. A car accident
echoes across the plain. A young girl watches a life pass before her eyes.

"Best of Traktor" (15 min, color) The filmmaking collective Traktor will
screen a selection of three short films prior to the Surprise Awards night
screening feature. In keeping with the nature of the evening, we will keep
the title of the films from this award-winning commercial, music video and
filmmaking team a secret.


SPIKE AND MIKE'S 2001 SICK & TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION: SLAMDANCE
EDITION - (USA, 60 min.)

This year's festival highlights include "Timmy's Lessons in Nature," "F@ck
her Gently" featuring Tenacious D, "Bad Phone Sex" with an animated Chris
Rock...and straight from Cannes, "Eat" by Slamdance pal Bill Plympton.

Films include:

"Bad Phone Sex" (1:50 min.) Directed by Howie Hoffman with Stephen
Kroninger. Features the voice talent of Chris Rock.

"Behind The Music That Sucks - Britney Spears" (4:20 min.) Directed by
Heavy.com. A detailed look at her rise from ditzy, white trash hottie to
ditzy, white trash hottie.

"Behind The Music That Sucks - EMINEM² (4:20 min.) Directed by Heavy.com.
This episode is all about Eminem, who's "all about" his daughter Haillie.

"Choke, Spot, Choke (2 min.) Directed by Brice Beckham. A primer for kids
covering meeting new people, gun etiquette, how to give head, using illegal
narcotics and surviving bestiality.

"Eat" (9 min.) Directed by Bill Plympton. What starts out as an elegant
French dining experience turns into regurgitated mayhem.

"F*@# Her Gently" (2:35 min.) Directed by Spumco, Inc. Featuring Tenacious
D, this is a song for the ladies, an instruction manual for the fellas.


"Harry Pothead And The Magical Herb" (3:20 min.) Directed by Los Primos
Productions. In a send up of the popular children's books, we discover the
real reason that all those kids are into Harry's potions and hallucinations.

"Hello, Dad, I'm In Jail" (2 min.) Directed by Christopher Simon. It could
happen to any of us.

"Love That Pussy" (1:20 min.) By DNA Productions. Nobody loves their pussy
more than Nanna.

"Maakies" (1:40 min.) Directed by Tony Millionaire. Pathos and drama erupt
as Drinky Crow and his friend Uncle Gabby sail about the world.

"Of Mice And Men And Mama Cass" (1:40 min.) Directed by Cody Critcheloe.
Sets the record straight on how the world was created.

"An Old Story" (1:20 min.) Directed by Zohar Shahar. A short moment in an
old story of an old couple.

"Pornoless" (3:15 min.) Directed by Martin Georgiev. A Freudian
interpretation of the sexual complexities of a human being.

"Thank You Mask Man" (7 min.) Directed by John Magnuson. Grateful
townspeople force so many "Thank You¹s" on the Mask Man that he becomes a
thank you junkie.

"Timmy's Lessons In Nature" (2:45 min.) By A & S Animation. Timmy is a
moron who unwittingly demonstrates basic wild life survival rules.

"Voltron and Heroin" (2 min.) By Mad Dog Films. Bill Johnson shows Bobby
some great jokes to play on his parents.

"When Chickens Attack" (1 min.) Directed by David Phillips. This shocking
video exposes chickens to be the clever killing machines they really are.

ANARCHY GLOBAL ONLINE COMPETITION
Now in its third year, "Anarchy," Slamdance's year-round online short film
competition showcases three films each month (March through November). These
films compete online for votes from viewers around the world. Each monthly
winner (total of nine annually) goes on to compete for the global Anarchy
prize in January. All finalists in Anarchy play online from December through
awards night in January. Again, votes are tallied from viewers around the
globe and are voted for online. These same nine finalists will be screened
in the Filmmakers' Lounge at the Silvermine on January 15th at 2:00 PM. The
overall winner receives a coveted Sparky trophy on Awards Night, January
17th at 7:00 PM.

"Since we started Anarchy, we've seen countless Hollywood and Silicon
Valley studios come and go with their online film sites and festivals,"
noted Baxter. "But Slamdance has quietly stuck with it and has en out the
dot com highs and lows. At the end of the day, we're still here supporting
new filmmakers on the web on a year-round basis."

The films competing are:

"Dark Riders" (USA, 4 min.) Directed by Chrys Coulter. A film roman based
on a Stephen Crane poem from the collection, "The Black Riders."

"Dim Bulb" (USA, 8 min.) Directed by Kerryn Z. Miller. A 3D computer
animated film about the misadventures of Phil Lament, a light bulb who
refuses to shine. Animation.

"The Greatest Show On Earth" (USA, 4 min.) Directed by Anne Paas. A dwarf
seeks an escape from the exploitation and mockery of his life in the
carnival, but a desperate measure proves to be his greatest act yet.

"The Pretty Girl" (USA, 6 min.) Directed by Gorman Bechard. A beautiful
young woman looks back on the last night of her life from the cold confines
of her casket.

"When Darkness Falls" (USA, 5 min.) Directed by Chris Browne. The last five
minutes of a radio noir ends in murder, mystery, and a broken martini or
two.

"Roslyn" (USA, 8 min.) Directed by Will Canon. Three friends searching for
acceptance are faced with a choice that could affect the rest of their
lives.

"Silent Beats" (USA, 5 min.) Directed by Jon Chu. An African-American boy
is confronted by the harsh reality of assumptions.

"Taper" (USA, 5 min.) Directed by Bo Webb. An interview with a member of an
underground network that videotapes people without their knowledge.

"They Came To Attack Us" (USA, 7 min.) Directed by Efram Potelle and Kyle
Rankin. As if waking up with a hangover wasn't enough, our stoner hero is
suddenly entrusted to save the planet from a brutal alien attack.


$99 DOLLAR SPECIALS

Now in its second year, Slamdance $99 Specials are five minute (or less)
films made for 99 dollars in 99 days using digital technology (shot on DV;
most edited on Final Cut Pro). They will again play online at
www.slamdance.com and will be projected in the Filmmakers' Lounge during the
festival. $99 Specials Czar and Slamdance Alumnus Daniel Harris (1997 Jury
Prize Winner for THE BIBLE AND GUN CLUB) further explains, "We give $99 to
some of our esteemed Slamdance alumni and set them loose." Noting that two
of the films were made by alumni working abroad, Harris continued, "For
those who haven't noticed, Slamdance has become a multinational, vertically
integrated studio."

The $99 Specials Line-Up Includes (all films five minutes long or less
"Eye Am Your Eye" (USA) Directed by Nate Pommer. Our hero, eyeball to
eyeball with his own vengeful eyeball, is forced to gaze into the infernal
abyss of his own soul.

"If you'd like to make a call..." (USA) Directed by Double Glos. An
agoraphobic, a car journey and overheard plans for an apparent insurance
scam.

"Dinner Date" (USA) Directed by Lin Gathright. A woman waits for her date
while fantasizing about the date she would like to have.

"Henro" (USA/JAPAN) Directed by Palme D'Or winning director David Greenspan.
Three men on three different journeys: one tragic, one mundane, and one kind
of insane. "Henro" means pilgrimage in Japanese.

"My Name is Akto" (USA) Directed by Dylan Haggerty. Akto is a Corbex 3000
Cybernetic Humanoid Machine, Servant Series 5. Won't you take him into your
home?

"Redlight" (USA) Directed by Robert Peters. A story of love and hope.

"Mr. Bones" (USA/GERMANY) Directed by Lise Raven. Two girls are wrasslin' it
out on the last day of their relationship when Mr. Bonesdecides to drop by.

"Home" (USA) Directed by Paul Rachman. A young woman's secret lonely life in
New York takes a sudden twist.

"...And this little piggy had none" (USA) Directed by Tony Nittoli. A pig
in love...but who'd love a pig?


FILMMAKERS' LOUNGE

The Slamdance "Filmmakers' Lounge" goes into its fifth year as a unique
screening environment for films screening out of competition. Mainly focused
on shorts, documentaries, and expressive narrative films, the Lounge
screenings are free and open to the public, and will feature comfortable
seating and digital projection on multiple screens on which to view the
films. (The Lounge Line-Up was previously announced).

All filmmakers in the Lounge compete for the "Spirit of Slamdance Award"
which is voted on by the other filmmakers participating in the festival.
Slamdance '99's "Spirit of Slamdance" winner was Mike Mitchell, whose short
film "Herd" led to directing Disney's hit Rob Schneider comedy, DEUCE
BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLO and the 2002 release H.R. PUFNSTUF based on the hit
Saturday morning Sid & Marty Kroft TV show. "We are delighted to be able to
give more filmmakers than ever a chance to participate in Slamdance," said
Baxter. "Our focus remains primarily on the first-time directors in
competition, but we recognize that there are a large number of films that
fall beyond that criteria, that deserve to be seen in the context of
Slamdance."

Award-Winners will be shown at "On The Road" Screenings around the country,
including "The Best of Slamdance" at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian
Theatre in Hollywood on February 6 & 7, 2002. www.egyptiantheatre.com

Highlights from the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival in Park City included over
$70,000 in cash and prizes awarded to the winning films. Several films were
picked up for distribution, Audience Award winner AMERICAN CHAI and Special
Screening WENDIGO being the most recent. Almost every film went on to play
at other international film festivals. The short film "Bean Cake" won the
Palme D'Or for short film at the 2001 Cannes International Film Festival.

The 2000 Grand Jury Winner - Frank Novak's GOOD HOUSEKEEPING - went on to
screen in the prestigious Critics' Week section of the Cannes Film Festival,
where it was acquired for US distribution by Shooting Gallery in conjunction
with Universal Studios. Alumni include MEMENTO director Christopher Nolan
('99 award-winner FOLLOWING); the Russo Brothers ('97 entry PIECES) and
MONSTER'S BALL director Marc Forster ('96 Audience Award winner LOUNGERS).
Participation in the Slamdance Film Festival helped to discover these
filmmakers and to propel them to their next features into production.

A limited number of festival passes are still available by calling 323 466
1786. Individual tickets will be on sale at the Slamdance Box Office at the
Silvermine beginning January 11, at 9:00 AM.

The Platinum Sponsors for Slamdance 2002 are Kodak and JVC. Other sponsors
include American Apparel, Avon Rentals, Brewvies, Burton Snowboards, Crest
National, Deluxe Labs, DGA, Digital Film Group, Dos Equis, Film Festival
Today, Jagermeister, Knitting Factory, Los Angeles Film School, Maryland
Film Office, Movieola, Panavision, Kozak Vodka, Trakker Technologies, Video
Equipment Rentals and X-96.

Many films are available for review both prior to and during the festival.
Please call Margot Gerber for details. Press kits and photos are available
upon request. Filmmakers are available for interviews. Press interested in
requesting credentials to cover the festival should send a fax (323 466
1784) on letterhead from their media outlet that indicates they have a
specific assignment to cover the festival. Please indicate when your
coverage will appear. For more press credentials information, go to
http://www.slamdance.com/2001/festival/info/pressintro.asp.

PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. UPDATED INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT
WWW.SLAMDANCE.COM.


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