MAY 6 THU 7 PM
WHITSELL AUDITORIUM—VISITING ARTIST
COMING UP EASY
US 2004
DIRECTOR: REBECCA RODRIGUEZ After stints an animal rights advocate, actor, and inventor (with a U.S. patent to her name) Vancouver, Washington resident Rebecca Rodriguez aimed her sights at writing and directing films. Armed with her first script, she headed to the Sundance Film Festival in 2000 looking for inspiration. Four weeks later she produced her first short film, which a month later premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival. COMING UP EASY, her first feature, tells the story of two sisters, each escaping from an abusive childhood in a different way. Lily buries herself in books at the library, while Denice struggles to hold a marriage together with her drug-addicted husband. When Denice shows up at Lily's door, she is forced to find a way to lead her sister from her destructive pattern. Along with her new feature, Rodriguez will screen her earlier shorts, including the romantic, toilet-humored FLOATER (2000) and the traumatic, terror-minded BLIND MICE (2003). Though her films all differ in style, Rodriguez manages a pervasive sense of humor in her work, sometimes dark, often subtle, and usually just in time to release you from some unsettling circumstance. (120 mins.)

MAY 20 THU 7 PM
GUILD THEATRE
INSIDE VINTON STUDIOS
Portland's animation powerhouse Vinton Studios is home to some of the world's most sought after talents. In its 28-year history the studio has earned 11 Emmy awards, several Oscar nominations, countless festival prizes and is currently in production on Tim Burton's new feature film CORPSE BRIDE. Well-known for their commercial character animation work (from The California Raisins to the talking M&Ms) Vinton animators are equally devoted to creating ambitious short films that are rarely screened outside of film festivals.Tonight's program features some of these short wonders, as well as solo efforts independently produced by Vinton creatives. Among the featured will be Mike Smith’s ANANDA (2004), a genre and technique-blending tale of love in a dystopian future, and Melissa Mitchell’s INSECT POETRY (2003), a creepy crawly look at an after-hours open mic night, as well as some sneak peeks at new works in progress. (90 mins.)

MAY 13 THU 7 PM
GUILD THEATRE
OPEN SCREENING
Our last open screening brought more than 100 people out on a rainy Thursday to watch the funny, bizarre, and surprising films that were so new, we hadn't even seen them before they went on screen. If you missed it, here is your chance to see what happens when we let anyone and everyone show a film at the Guild Theatre. If you have a film you would like to see on the big screen, call Andrew at (503) 276-4264 to reserve a spot in the program. Admission is free.

MAY 16 SUN 3:30 PM
GUILD THEATRE
STUDENT ANIMATION CELEBRATION
Recent students of the Young Filmmakers Program ANIMATION class (offered in partnership with Saturday Academy), grades 4-6, produced an exciting new program of animated shorts. Guided by award-winning teacher Sharon Niemczyk, students experimented in a variety of techniques and concepts to produce their first films, which will receive public premiers at this special screening. Join the students, family and friends for this program of animated surprises. (60 mins.)
Admission is free.

MAY 27 THU 7 PM
GUILD THEATRE—visiting artist
SOUND OF SILENCE: THE FILMS OF NICK PETERSON
Nick Peterson is one of Portland's true auteurs. Working in Super 16mm with no second takes, each shot—and each subtle movement of his performers—is a meticulously executed piece of his compositions. Focusing on the interactions of young people falling in, out, and around love, his films, while dialogue-free, speak eloquently. His narratives take place in the moments between speech, when words are unnecessary, redundant, or simply inadequate. Of his film THREE, Northwest Film & Video Festival judge James Benning said, "The NEA should see this film. Maybe they would again give grants to young emerging artists." Along with his Festival favorites ONE, TWO and THREE, Peterson will screen WEBERN TESTS, the never before seen DOG BREATH: IN THE YEAR OF THE PLAGUE, and a new work in progress. (80 mins.)

JUNE 3 THU 7 PM
GUILD THEATRE
THE BEST OF BROADCAST
Beginning in March 2000 in the basement of an anarchist art collective called Martial Art, Broadcast was born of a desire by Peter Bauer, Lisa Wells and William Leverette to screen videos in an intimate, noncompetitive environment where directors could interact with their audience. More than just film screenings, the three high school dropouts were actively trying to encourage putting the power of storytelling into the hands of the people. "Creating our own art isn't enough," said Wells. "We want to unite artists with the common goal of creating sustainable human cultures." Over the last four years, while similar screening series have proliferated and gained more visibility, Broadcast’s programs at the Newspace art studio in Southeast Portland have intentionally remained low-profile and intimate. A small clique of loyal directors return for regular weekly events, sometimes scheduled on the lunar calendar (until recently Broadcast was held on the full moon) and connecting artist and audience in persoanl fashion. Tonight's screening will feature "audience pick" award winners and other gems from the past four years. (120 mins.)

JUNE 4 5 6 FRI 7 PM, SAT 7 PM, SUN 7 PM
GUILD THEATRE
BEST OF THE 30th NORTHWEST FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL
There is no better way to kick off the season for new entries for this November’s 31st Northwest Film & Video Festival (entries due July 30) than by reprising the winners from last year’s Festival. 30th Festival judge James Benning, renowned for his own films and teaching legacy at Cal Arts, combed the entries to pick the prize-winners, his and the audience favorites condensed into ”The Best of the Festival Tour.” Making a stop here as it circulates to other film venues throughout the Northwest this year, this year's program includes work by Portlander’s Matt McCormick (AMERICAN NUTRIA), Rob Tyler (BLENDER ROTATIONTEST 1-3) and Chel White (ECLIPSE) as well as gems from filmmakers in Seattle, Vancouver, BC and other Northwest
(90 mins.)

ADIDAS SHORT FILM COMPETITION
After the Friday evening screening, stick around for the announcement and screening of the winner of the adidas short film competition, the winner of which will take home a check for $10,000!
The Film Center’s Visiting Artist Programs are sponsored by The Independent Film Channel