TRUE BEAUTY IN FILMSTOCK 11

Filmstock 11 in Luton, England has accepted 'True Beauty' to their line-up. It's a festival run by these guys:


...and I really like their attitude about a lot of things. Right now especially of including our film. This looks to be a great little festival, running November 5-15. If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself:

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STUPID ECONOMY...

Now it's personal: we were told that for economic reason, they people at the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Canada had to pull my film. Yes, we were in, but I don't have a copy with French subtitles, and because they don't have the money, they won't have the electronic-subtitling-thing-a-madooder. So 'True Beauty' is out. When are they going to fix that worldwide economy so I can screen my short with impunity at every festival that wants it? Huh? Any day now would be good...

THE LOVE AFFAIR WITH FLORIDA CONTINUES

I will not rest until every town, every city, every retirement home in Florida has screened 'True Beauty'. Back in the sunshine state, and this time at the Orlando Film Festival, running November 4-8. What's cool about this festival is that all screenings are free! Now that's the way to run a festival when the economy's in the shitter.

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TRUE BEAUTY ON THE EMERALD ISLE

The 10th annual Samhlaiocht Kerry Film Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' to the line-up, and if last year's anything to judge by, it's going to be cool: in 2008 they had Liam Neeson, Kirsten Sheridan (Oscar nominated writer for 'In America') and John Carney (director of 'Once') as judges. I wonder what they all have in common... The festival takes place October 31 through November 7 in Tralee, Ireland.
and to everybody who's reading this blog:

Sláinte go saol agat,
Bean ar do mhian agat.
Leanbh gach blian agat,
is solas na bhflaitheas tareis antsail seo agat.--

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YO! TRUE BEAUTY IN THE PARK!

Finally got an excuse to go there: 'True Beauty' not only was accepted into the Yosemite Film Festival, taking place at the Tenaya Lodge October 23 and 24, but we also won Best Short Film there. Yes, they give out the awards before the actual screenings, and in this case, I love it!

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TRUE BEAUTY BACK IN FLORIDA

That on the left pretty much says it all; where it is, when, who to call... yup, 'True Beauty' is part of that. If anybody's out there in Florida around the 24th of September, they're having a kick-off party where each guest 'receives a complementary drink served in a lighted FLIFF2009 souvenir glass'. I want that. A lighted glass. Drinking when the electricity's out. Sweet.

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TRUE BEAUTY AT 24FPS

This looks like to be a good festival, out there in the middle of nowhere we call Texas. They've accepted five films so far (guess who's on top of the list? Not sure if this means anything, but I'm shamelessly reading into this), and three of the other films I've seen play in festivals and pick up prizes! The whole schedule will be made up out of only twenty films, to be shown in a curated exhibition at the historic Paramount Theater in Abilene, November 6-7.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

One of my all-time favorite books growing up was John Irving's 'Hotel New Hampshire' with its labyrinthine plot (yes, we had that in Germany), and now 'True Beauty' is going where I've never been. The New Hampshire Film Festival takes place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 15-18. Now, come to think of it, Portsmouth featured prominently in another writer's work I devoured when I grew up: H.P. Lovecraft (yes, we had that in Germany too). Oh, the circle of life...

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TRUE BEAUTY IN VENICE

Attention grabbing headline resolves into explanation that's still cool, but doesn't quite have the glitz and glamour the original conjures up: The Other Venice Film Festival accepted 'True Beauty'. Which other one? Well, that's what the festival's called. Other Venice Film Festival. Hence the headline, see? It's a double play, makes you think that... and then... never mind. The festival's in Venice Beach, October 15 through 18, and the theater looks really cool:



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TRUE BEAUTY GETS BEND

Not a typo: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Bendfilm Festival, taking place October 8-11 in (not a surprise) Bend, Oregon. I like their whole attitude. They believe that 'film festivals are best experienced in a relaxed atmosphere where the next venue is a block from the last and the words "velvet rope" apply to fashion choices; not exclusive access ordeals.' Amen to that.

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ROCK ON TRUE BEAUTY

Seems there's not only 25 festivals worth the entry fee, there's also 25 of the 'coolest' film festivals according to MovieMaker Magazine, and we just happen to get into one: 'True Beauty' is an official selection at the Indie Memphis Film Festival. Smokin'...

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TO HELL AND BACK

Not quite sure why 880 yards of hell are in Bay City Michigan, but Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival has accpeted 'True Beauty' to this year's edition, running October 1-4. We're playing closing night, and I take that as a good thing.

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TRUE BEAUTY AND THE CARNIES

Watch for those small hands! 'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's Coney Island Film Festival, going on October 2-4. And again, I wish there were more money (well, any money would be great) for travel: seems they have an "infamous opening night celebration" featuring "live performances by sideshow & burlesque stars." Something along the lines of this:

Badass Hookers! No, three exlamation points: HOOKERS!!!

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OFFICIAL SELECTION AT CINEMA CITY

Man, things move fast here in the entertainment capitol. We just got accepted to the Cinema City International Film Festival in Century City, and the screening is next week, on September 10. Bing Bang Boom. Next! I'm missing the foreplay a bit, the endless emails about deliverables and photos, director's statements, the negotiations about screening format, the delicate dance around attendance and what the festival can offer to get you there. Oh no, nothing like this in Century City. You're screening next week. See you there. Well, you just might...

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CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

Apparently not. Even though it's a big world, and Spain's a big country, there apparently can only be one. Valladolid that is. Which means Pamplona's out. Fine, I'll explain: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Valladolid International Film Festival, but one of the stipulations is that the film cannot be screened in Spain before them. They've been doing this for the last 54 years, so I guess they've got the market cornered. So, sadly, I had to pull out of Pamplona. They were kind about it, but it sucks. Then again, another festival! And this one's got its own magazine, the Seminci. That's kinda neat...



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JIMMY BARNES GOT IT ALL WRONG...

... there's a second prize, and we won it (if you're wondering what this refers to: the Aussie Bruce Springsteen). The Landlocked Film Festival in Iowa gave us Second Place in the Narrative Short category. That makes it lucky thirteen in prizes. Congrats to everybody who worked on the film.

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OFFICIAL SELECTION AT ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE

Looks middle eastern, but it's more western Quebec. 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Canada. There might not be that many people up there (are there?), but they sure got a cool poster. The festival takes place October 31 through November 5.

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IM WESTEN WAS NEUES

Yup, another obscure reference: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the 24. Unabhängiges FilmFest Osnabrück in Germany. So, you ask? Erich Maria Remarque was born in Osnabrück, and he wrote 'All Quiet on the Western Front' one of the - if not the - best anti-war books ever written, and the German title is 'Im Westen nichts Neues', which roughly translates to 'nothing new in the west'. I think you can figure out the rest.
The festival runs October 21-25.

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OFFICIAL SELECTION IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Seems the mid-west is coming around. 'True Beauty' was accepted into this year's South Dakota Film Festival in Aberdeen, running September 18-20.

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SMØRREBRØD SMØRREBRØD RØM PØM PØM PØM...

In case you're wondering (you probably are), this is what the Swedish chef in the Muppet Show used to sing at the beginning before he launched his kitchen utensils. At least in Germany. I'm sure it was something else in the original version.

Then again, in Germany, the Swedish Chef was a Dane. Oh hell, where is this all going? Could have been so simple: 'True Beauty' was accepted into the Norrköping Filmfestival Flimmer in Sweden. There. October 2-11. 'nuff.

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STUPID RAINDANCE

The vagaries of film festivals. We got accepted into the Raindance Film Festival in London, but only on their acceptance letter did they mention that the film would have to be a London premiere. A bit late I think. The submission rules on their website didn't say anything about that. And so 'True Beauty' was un-invited. A polite British no is still a no. And an American 'kiss my a...' is exactly that.

Sorry, no 'MORE INFO' 'cause I'm mad.

TRUE BEAUTY IN SAN DIEGO

That looks like a good one. I ask again: who's with me? Especially since it's also voted 'Best Party Film Festival' by the Film Festival Survival Guide. Gotta go! 'True Beauty' is playing Friday, Sept. 25 @ 5:30 pm and Saturday, Sept. 26 @ 3 pm. I'm going to be there on Friday, so come and find me. I'll probably be at the Tequila station afterwards.

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TRUE BEAUTY IN THE BIG EASY

'True Beauty' is going where the best food in the world's coming from: New Orleans. I don't know what it is about the French and Spanish mingling and fermenting in that swamp, but what they came up with in the kitchen is pure heaven. Or maybe the devil had a hand in it. Remember Angel Heart?
The festival runs October 8-15, and if any rich person's reading this: I need money so I can go.

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VIDEO REVIEW OF 'TRUE BEAUTY'

The good folks at the Festivus Film Festival posted a short video review of 'True Beauty' on their website:

www.festivusfilmfestival.com

Doesn't mean we're in (as they're quick to point out), but it does mean Dan Ito likes the film. Dan Ito being the reviewer, if that wasn't clear...

OFFICIAL SELECTION AT POPPY JASPER

Just when you thought film festival names can't get weirder. 'True Beauty' was accepted into the 6th Annual Poppy Jasper Film Festival in Morgan Hill, California, running November 13-15. One of the '25 Film Festivals worth the entry fee (Moviemaker Magazine)'. I know you're curious (I was too), so here's what Poppy Jasper is:


It's a "world-renowned, semi-precious gemstone characterized by red and "poppy-yellow" circles (orbs) on a field of white or black".
The things you learn by reading this blog...

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DER WALD UND DIE BÄUME, DIE BÄUME UND DER WALD...

Something German you say? How'd you guess: Filmfest Eberswalde accepted 'True Beauty' to their 6th edition, October 3rd-10th, in Eberswalde, Germany. And in true German fashion, the acceptance e-mail came prim and proper, with all pertinent information neatly spelled out and even a signature:

Seriously, who signs emails? How grandly Teutonic. Love it!

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TRUE BEAUTY IN CANADA, EH?

Ever so friendly, the Edmonton International Film Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' into this year's line-up. I feel like having a beer and a hockey fight. Well, at least the beer will happen. The festival runs September 25 through October 3.

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And a special shout-out to David Brolin, one of the few confirmed readers of this blog. Carry on, David!

JURY AWARD IN STONY BROOK

I look a bit stunned, but I think it's the free drinks...

That officially makes it a dozen: 'True Beauty' won the Jury Award for Best Short in the Stony Brook Film Festival in New York last weekend! It was a great festival, with 1000+ people each night, and in the end we won. Very generous people out on the east coast. I came home with a suitcase full of goodies (looked like I just robbed a Best Buy on the way) and great memories. Thank you Stony Brook!

oh hell, one more picture (I'm in love with this shiny thing):



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TRUE BEAUTY IN ANOTHER VALLEY

Nope, still not that one, but this one's good too: the Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' in this year's festival, running September 9-13. Somebody just called me (an actual phone call from a live person - nice touch) to let me know the good news. And now I'm telling you. About as hot as this info here gets...

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TRUE BEAUTY IN NORTH CAROLINA

No State is safe, no city too southern: The Charlotte Film Festival has accepted 'True Beauty' to this year's festival. And rightfully so. Charlotte, the 'Queen City', was named in honor of the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg. There you have it. They had no choice.