AUGUST FINDS "ACTION" ON CITY STREETS AS "FLIX AND
SPARX" SHOOTS SHORT FILMS DOWNTOWN ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 15

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2003

Contact: Annetta Marion or Bernadette Gillota, Co-Artistic Directors,
(216) 651-7315

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Sparx in the City, a dynamic new program that
showcases street-level arts activity downtown, and Independent
Pictures will place filmmakers on city streets on Friday, August 15th
and allow all of Cleveland to watch moviemaking–or even become a
part of one of the 8 films to be shot! Called "Flix and
Sparx," this one-day filming extravaganza will utilize eight
local filmmaking teams to create eight different short films that
capture the essence of urban life in Cleveland.

Filmmaking teams will shoot on designated street corners in downtown
Cleveland on August 15th. All 8 films will be shot in one day, and
selected filmmakers were asked for "edgy, abstract ideas that
reflect urban life in culturally, economically and socially unique
ways," explained Bernadette Gillota, co-director of Independent
Pictures. "Film directors will have to assemble their team,
their actors, and their equipment, and have been asked to incorporate
vignettes from what is actually happening around them while they are
filming."

The films will be shot from 11 am to 9 pm that Friday, and will be
shown on the video boards at Playhouse Square on Friday, September
19th at the September Sparx in the City Friday event.

Timeline for Friday, August 15, 2003

11 am – 2 pm Live filming on Public Square, The Flats, The
Warehouse District, The Civic Center District, The Waterfront
District, The Gateway Neighborhood, and the Theater District. If
citizens are in the film areas, they are likely to be included in
each of the films! Finished films will be featured at future Sparx
in the City events as well as other alternative locations.

2:30 & 7:30 pm Playhouse Square will screen "The Sting" at
its inside theaters.

5 pm – 8 pm Independent Short Films shown on Star Plaza at E.
14th & Euclid Avenue. Created by teenagers through different
filmmaking workshops, several films will be featured on the outdoor
jumbo screens with full sound. Food from area restaurants, beer and
beverages will be available.

7 pm – 10 pm Multi-Media Exhibits inside the Colonial ARTcade at
E. 6th & Euclid Avenue. Opportunities for citizens to interact with
the art exhibitions will be available. The popular local band The
Aphrodisiatics will perform at the ARTcade, and independent films
will be shown in the lower level of ArtMetro Gallery with wine and
beer available.

11 pm – 1 am Short Films on view at Eve Lounge in the Warehouse
District. On their newly-installed big screen, this entertainment
spot will feature edgy, independent films and also showcase community
announcements of interest to residents and patrons of downtown.

Independent Pictures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established
in 1993. IP is the proud sponsor of the Ohio Independent Film
Festival, Ohio Independent Screenplay Awards, Film Production
Training Program, regional AIVF Salons, Fiscal Agent Sponsorship
Program, Speakers Bureau, annual Director of Photography Workshop,
and a variety of curatorial programs.

INDEPENDENT PICTURES' SPONSORS: The George Gund Foundation, The
Cleveland Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Community Shares of Greater
Cleveland, Association of Independent Video & Filmmakers, Media
Design Imaging, Cleveland Public Theatre, Filmmaker Magazine, Detroit
Shoreway Community Development Organization,
www.WritersScriptNetwork.com

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________________________________________________________________
Independent Pictures
1392 West 65th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44102 USA
(216) 651-7315
(216) 651-7317 Fax
OhioIndieFilmFest@...
http://www.ohiofilms.com/