If you have an event to add to our calendar, please let us know by emailing the information to webmaster@blueridgeswvafilm.org and gisone@aol.com

"Dirty Dancing: The Time of Your Life" - The British reality television show from www.itv.com has returned to Mountain Lake Hotel in Giles County for a second season of filming and competition! The public is invited to attend! The current scheduled dates are June 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, and 26, 2008. Tickets are free! You must reserve your tickets in advance by emailing ddaudience@itv.com.

Call For Entries - The 29th Annual Telly Awards. The Final Deadline is March 7, 2008! Visit the Telly Awards web site at www.tellyawards.com for more information and entry forms.

States of the Art is a national film festival showcasing ONE film from every state. We currently have NO films from Virginia. The festival is a partnership with IMAX, Indiana State Museum and Indiana University. The only criteria is that the filmmaker be from the state. All lengths, genre (except adult cinema), and medium accepted. Shorts, animated, docs are all ok.

We are allowing deadline waivers for Virginia entries at this time. Please contact us as soon as possible if you would like to submit a film. Entry fee is $55.00. For more information, please visit: www.statesoftheartfestival.org

Gary Wood
President
States of the Art, a Festival of Film

Q: How can you visit all 50 States in three days?

A: States of the Art, a Festival of Film
Selecting only one film from each State, “States of the Art” will level the playing film for filmmakers and give the audience a unique film-going experience that will allow them to view life in all fifty states during the three-day festival this spring.

“I wanted to create a film festival like no other film festival, one that has the best interest of the filmmakers in mind,” says co-founder Justin Escue, of My First Bike Productions, “but offered movie lovers something they’ve never seen before.”

Co-Founder Gary Wood, of WoodWorks Films, adds, “We were looking for that unique hook that would get us some national attention. There are thousands of film festivals out there and we needed to set ourselves apart.”

“No other film festival is doing this,” agrees Justin. “The 50 films we select will be like a cross-section of America, showing all the layers and cultures. It will be a collage of American cinema.”

Co-Founder Craig Mince brought with him not only years of marketing and event coordination, but also the power of IMAX, “It’s the biggest movie screen in the world for what will be the biggest film festival in the world. And we’re not limiting the length, genre, or medium of the films. If the best thing to come out of a particular state is a six-minute animated project, it’s in. If the best thing to come out of another state is a feature film, or a documentary, it’s going to have to compete with that six-minute animated short.”

“States of the Art”, a not-for-profit event, is a collaborative effort between IMAX of Indianapolis at the Indiana State Museum, The Indiana State Museum, The Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University at Indianapolis, My First Bike Productions, and WoodWorks Films.

“We’re going big,” says Justin. Gary agrees, “We’re gunning for Sundance, Cannes and Toronto.” Craig points out, “What other film festival demands this kind of diversity? And what other film festival shows their films on a six-story screen?”

The producers have big plans for their big festival and are fielding offers from other potential sponsors that want in. “It’s kind of starting to snowball,” says Justin. “Once you partner with IMAX and Indiana University, others want to be included.”

“Those filmmakers participating in the festival this first year,” boasts Wood, “will feel lucky and proud to have been involved with “The Next Big Thing” because in a few years, we’ll be THE Thing.”

Welcome to Frightmares, A Festival of the Damned This will be the inaugural short film festival in the Central Virginia area that is anything and everything horror, science-fiction, exploitation and fantasy. Presented by Darkstone Entertainment, Frightmares will have all the fixins of your normal film festival including awards and screenings with a little something extra. From all the submissions to the festival, we will be putting together a compilation DVD for national and international distribution. Check out www.myspace.com/frightmaresfest for all the details and submit your work today to be seen by all.

On April 27th, 28th, and 29th, 2007, The Town of Buchanan and the Buchanan Theatre are hosting a Civil War Weekend.
We are very pleased to inform everyone that Kevin Hershberger will be our guest on Friday and Saturday at the Festival. On Friday night, April 27th, Kevin's film "Wicked Spring" will be shown and there will be a Question and Answer session with Kevin following the film. On Saturday, April 28th, at 3:00pm "No Retreat From Destiny" will be shown and Kevin will be doing a Question and Answer session after the film. There are many other events that weekend and many other films from PBS and the History Channel that will be shown over the 3 day weekend. For more information about the weekend, please visit the Town of Buchanan's web site at www.townofbuchanan.com

We are very sorry to announce that the 2007 Vision Film Festival has been cancelled!
Click here for more information!

Check out the French Film Festival, taking place at the Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg, Virginia during the month of February, 2007! Visit the Lyric's web site at: www.thelyric.com for more information!

For four Thursday evenings in February and March, 2007, Hollins University, in cooperation with Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, Roanoke Group of the Sierra Club, and SmithLewis Architecture, will present films on global climate change and energy policy. The showings will be followed by panel discussions with participants from the academic, university, government and environmental communities. Sessions go from 7 to 9 p.m. and are free. The shows are in the Richard Wetherill Visual Arts Center. Contact Mark McClain at 540-387-0930 for more information, or visit the Hollins University web site at www.hollins.edu

Celebrating tomorrow's filmmakers today!
The Carolina Film and Video Festival wants your film!
The Carolina Film and Video Festival showcases films by student and emerging filmmakers. Based at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro , CFVF is one of few academically centered festivals in the country offering cash prizes.

Whether narrative, documentary, animation, or pure experimentation, great films have a place at CFVF. To promote the work of local filmmakers, CFVF has special screenings and entry fees for North Carolina filmmakers.

Come join us Feb. 21-24, 2007, in Greensboro , NC, for a great weekend of film, fun and community.

Visit the CFVF web site or Withoutabox to enter:
Festival Dates: February 21st-24th, 2007
Festival Web Site: www.carolinafilmandvideofestival.org
Withoutabox Web Site: www.withoutabox.com/login/1075

Early Entry (post-marked by September 30th, 2006)
- Independent fee: $30
- North Carolina Independent fee: $20
- Student (college/university ) fee: $20
- High School Fee: $5

Standard Entry (post-marked by October 30th, 2006)
- Independent fee: $40
- North Carolina Independent fee: $30
- Student (college/university ) fee: $30
- High School Fee: $10

Call for Enteries - 2007 Carolina Film & Video Festival www.carolinafilmandvideofestival.org

The Art of Casting

This course will re-trace the casting process of a major motion picture scheduled for release this December. Through discussion and a whole lot of participation, the art of casting as well as some intricacies in filmmaking will be revealed. Beginning with a script, each student will experience the casting process; from writing character breakdowns and running audition sessions to negotiating and hiring actors, participants will have the opportunity to explore their talents. The instructor, Erica Arvold, will share her personal experiences from the numerous film and television projects she has been involved with over the last 16 years. This class is open to professional filmmakers and actors as well as non-pros. For Erica Arvold’s credits, please log onto www.imdb.com. Class size is limited.

Location, dates, and fees:
Newcomb Hall Commonwealth Room
Thursdays 5:00-7:00pm
$55 for U.Va. student; $60 for non-student
Classes begin Oct. 5th for 8 weeks
Log on to www.uvaupc.com for further details and to register (registration begins 9/11). *Assistant needed. 25% course discount for first person who volunteers as an assistant. If interested, email upcshortcourses@virginia.edu.

FIRST NIGHT VIRGINIA INTRODUCES SHORT FILM SHOWCASE

Charlottesville, Virginia – August 30, 2006 - The 25th anniversary of First Night Virginia will include the introduction of a new creative venue—a short film showcase known as “First Film.”

First Film will be a noncompetitive, community-oriented forum designed to celebrate the art of film through the work of amateur and professional Virginia filmmakers. The event is open to the public and will be held at Vinegar Hill Theatre in Charlottesville on December 31, 2006 beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Seasoned and aspiring filmmakers are encouraged to submit works for inclusion in this year’s First Film event. Under the theme “A Life in the Day,” filmmakers may aim to depict how a single moment can encapsulate the progression of an entire lifetime. Submissions should be limited to ten minutes in duration and must be postmarked by November 15, 2006. Complete application guidelines can be found at www.firstnightva.org.

First Film is the latest addition to the already well-established celebration of First Night Virginia. Since 1981, the city of Charlottesville has been joining together to welcome the arrival of each New Year through this celebration of the arts. Using creativity as its catalyst, this event has unified the community while providing local and regional artists a forum for expression and recognition.

“Our region has such a vibrant filmmaking scene,” says Steven M. Levine, Executive Director of First Night Virginia. “Adding First Film to First Night allows us to serve both local filmmakers and local audiences. It adds yet another dimension to the fulfillment of our mission which is to build community by bringing artists and community members together.” First Film is the brainchild of First Night Virginia Board Member and Hollywood Casting Director, Erica Arvold. For more information on First Film and First Night Virginia, visit www.firstnightva.org or call (434) 975-8269. Mailed correspondence should be sent to First Night Virginia, P.O. Box 2284; Charlottesville, VA 22902.

Contact Info:
Steven M. Levine
(434) 975-8269
Email: steven.levine2@verizon.net
Web site: www.firstnightva.org
P.O. Box 2284
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Sunset Script, the country's largest traveling road show geared specifically toward screenwriters, will be touring the East Coast Mid-Atlantic region through October 2006. Please visit their web site at www.sunsetscript.com for more information (or click on the banner advertisement above). You may reach Sunset Script by phone at 323-467-4700.

The Summer Arts Festival - 2006 , presented by the Virginia Tech School of the Arts and the Town of Blacksburg! Includes various concerts, art exhibits, theatre, Independence Day Celebration, and the annual "Steppin' Out" celebration (August 4th through 5th). Visit the www.sota.vt.edu/saf/ site or call 540-231-5921 for more information!

Backyard Treasures, presented by the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge and several other Sponsors! Visit the www.theartscouncil.org site or call 540-342-5790 for more information about entering this contest! (Ends July 31, 2006). Weekly prizes and a Grand Prize will be awarded.

The Jacksonville Center for the Arts, located in Floyd, Virginia presents its 2006 Summer Courses 'Cultivating and Showcasing Rural Creativity since 1995!' Visit the www.jacksonvillecenter.org site or call 866-787-8806 or 540-745-2784 for more information about registering for these classes in blacksmithing, ceramics, glass, and studio arts! (Runs through November, 2006).

The Vision Film Festival - 2006 was held on April 20, 21, and 22, 2006! Visit the 2006 Vision Film Festival page for more information!

Now Playing at The Buchanan Theatre . . .

March 17 & 18, .... Good Night, and Good Luck
March 24 & 31, .... Chicken Little
March 25 & April 1, .... Dreamer
March 29 @ 1:30, ..... Good Night, and Good Luck
April 7 & 14, .... Chronicles of Narnia
April 8 & 15, .... King Kong
April 19th @1:30, .... Chronicles of Narnia
April 21, ... Film Festival starts @ 3:00pm till approximately 9
April 22, ... Film Festival starts @11:00am or 12:00pm..and will continue to between 4-5:00pm
April 22, 28, & 29, .... Fun With Dick and Jane

Visit the Buchanan Theatre web site at www.buchanantheatre.com

DC Shorts Film Festival seeks films!

Submissions of short films are now being accepted for the Third Annual DC Shorts Film Festival. The Festival showcases films of 20 minutes and under from around the world.

Films selected for the 2006 Festival will be screened from September 14 through 21. Filmmakers will be encouraged to attend the Festival, and will get food vouchers and free housing, plus admission to the Filmmaker’s Lounge where they can watch the Festival films and meet others in the industry. In addition, all filmmakers will be invited to take a Tour of Washington, DC and attend the Opening and Closing Celebrations. Films will be eligible for cash awards and trophies in five different award categories.

DC Shorts Film Festival, described by one of last year’s participating filmmakers as “definitely the friendliest festival I have ever worked with,” encourages films of all genres and by filmmakers at all stages of their careers. As another filmmaker wrote, “It was a terrific learning experience for a first-time filmmaker and a great privilege” to be included. Each screening is followed by a Q & A session with visiting filmmakers. The Festival audiences in the first two years have been extremely enthusiastic, and most screenings sold out well in advance.

Films may be submitted into one of two showcases: Short Films (for competition), and Canadian Films (to be screened at the Canadian Embassy in cooperation with the annual downtown arts festival Arts on Foot). The Festival coordinators also have a special interest in hearing from filmmakers from the greater Washington, DC region and from student filmmakers.

The Earlybird Deadline for films is May 31, 2006, with a reduced submission fee. The Final Deadline is June 30, 2006. A selection panel will review all submissions and make their selections by July 30.

For more information on the DC Shorts Film Festival, or to learn how to enter a film, see their web site at www.dcshorts.com (will open in a new browser window)

Greetings from Paste Media Group, publisher of Paste Magazine ~

In our continued search for “Signs of Life in Music, Film, and Culture,” Paste is proud to present the first annual Paste Shorts Fest this October. The festival will take place amongst the intimate surrounds of our hometown, Decatur, GA, described as “Mayberry meets Berkeley.” All proceeds from this festival will benefit selected charities.

As this is a charitable event, if you could send an announcement about this opportunity to your filmmaker list, we would be very appreciative -- I’m sure your filmmakers will appreciate it as well! Selected entries to Paste Shorts Fest will be included on the Paste Magazine “Signs of Life” DVD for our yearend film issue, sent to over 200,000 readers worldwide!

Paste is calling for entries in the following categories: Animation, Children/Family, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Foreign-Language, Flash/Shockwave, Music Video and Student. Early entries will only be accepted until July 15, though the standard deadline is August 1. We are now accepting entries through WithoutABox.com (will open in a new browser window), or by mail.

The press release regarding the festival follows below -- learn more about the festival (including rules, regulations, deadlines, etc) online at PasteFest.com (will open in a new browser window). Thank you in advance for sharing this information with your community! Please contact the festival director, Tim Porter, with any questions at tim@pastemagazine.com, or by calling 404-378-8677

Paste Shorts Fest: Last Call for Early Entries, July 15th -- Don't Delay!

Decatur, GA -- Paste Media Group is calling filmmakers to break out their shorts this summer and submit original works to the first annual Paste Shorts Fest. The festival will take place over October 14-15, showcasing the best in short film and live music in the intimate setting of Decatur, GA, in the shadow of Atlanta’s skyline.

Selected entries will be screened in competition at Paste Shorts Fest 2005. These works are eligible for cash prizes and inclusion on Paste magazine’s Signs of Life DVD sampler for the year-end Film Issue, with a worldwide distribution over 200,000.

“With our DVD sampler, more viewers will see these short films than at even the largest traditional film festivals,” says Tim Porter, festival director and editor of Paste’s film coverage. “We’re excited about the opportunity to give more exposure to these short works and their filmmakers.”

Early entries will be accepted until July 15 in the following categories: Animation, Children/Family, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Foreign Language, Flash/Shockwave, Music Video and Student. With a final deadline of August 15, submissions may be made through the Without A Box film submission system at WithoutABox.com or through PasteFest.com ( will open in a new browser window).

All proceeds from the festival will benefit selected charities and the Decatur community. Keeping with Paste’s commitment to “Signs of Life in Music, Film, and Culture,” the Paste Shorts Fest will also include special programming that spotlights humanitarian issues, especially in developing nations.

Paste Magazine was recently named among the 50 Best Magazines by the Chicago Tribune, putting Paste in the company of the most praised and enduring publications. Paste is the only magazine in the country to offer both CD and DVD samplers with every issue. In December 2004, Paste released its first annual Film Issue, featuring a cover story on Wes Anderson. Previous Paste DVD samplers have highlighted such diverse films as Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Story of the Weeping Camel and Short Works by Hal Hartley, as well as music videos and performances from Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Aimee Mann, My Morning Jacket and Death Cab for Cutie.

Music bloggers, critics, and fans have been buzzing about the magazine since its inception to such an extent that the New York Post recently listed Paste as the "must read" for young urban professionals with "indie" tastes.

In January, 2005, Jim Farber - chief pop music critic at the New York Daily News - profiled Paste. Under a headline reading "Vital New Magazine Covering The Entire Pop Scene Favors Quality Sound," Farber likened the publication to some of the most respected entertainment journals. "Paste resembles the top British music magazines like Q, Uncut and Mojo, publications that leave most American counterparts looking tone deaf."

Paste Magazine also presents a weekly "Paste Picks" segment on CNN Headline News. Each Tuesday, at 1:54 p.m. EDT, Editor Josh Jackson and Publisher Nick Purdy weigh in on the new music and movies that are just under the radar.

For more details on the festival, including rules, regulations, and fees, visit PasteFest.com ( will open in a new browser window ). Look for a schedule of showings on this site in September. Please direct any questions to shorts@pastemagazine.com or to festival director, Tim Porter, at 404-378-8677.

--
Nathan Douglas

nate@pastemagazine.com
www.pastemagazine.com
cell 678.612.9926

“Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture”

National Geographic - Appalachia. Visit the National Geographic web site section on Appalachia, including Southwest Virginia and the Blue Ridge Highlands! www.nationalgeographic.com/appalachia ! (will open in a new browser window)

Date: 5/22/2005
FA Productions, a Los Angeles-based production group with a distinguished track record is seeking comedic short films for theatrical and DVD distribution. Financing is in place; we just need funny short films! Please send a screener of your work as soon as possible to:

FA Productions,
C/O Jeff Hopkins,
15540 Moorpark St., #14
Encino, CA 91436.
email: jeffhopkins@filmmakersalliance.com
FA Productions web site: www.fa-productions.com/ (will open in a new browser window)

'Star power: Chewning and Eubanks in Southern Living', By Jack Christian.
Read Mr. Christian's story at MainStreetNewspapers.com (will open in a new browser window )

Please see our Press Releases page for a link to a reprint of the article!

Announcing 'Blue Ridge May Days'

Blue Ridge May Days celebrates the abundant and diverse arts and cultural activities throughout the Roanoke Valley. All during May, Blue Ridge May Days arts and culture festivities provide exciting events for children, families, and visitors amid the backdrop and splendor of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Susan Jennings Executive Director The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge 20 East Church Ave. Roanoke VA 24011 540-342-5790 director@theartscouncil.org www.theartscouncil.org/maydays ( will open in a new browser window )

'Medical Mysteries - Diagnosis Unknown, Episode I', a new television series will begin airing on The New Discovery Health Channel on October 2, 2002 at 8 p.m. Check your local listings.

Episode I features Dr. Jody Hershey, Director of the New River Valley Health District in Christiansburg, Virginia, and the story behind the outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease in the New River Valley in 1996. To view photographs taken during the filming in Christiansburg click here

The "Medical Mysteries - Diagnosis Unknown" Premiere episode will air on Wednesday, October 2, 2002 at 8pm (please check your local listings, Channel 59 on Cox Cable, Channel 189 on DirecTV) on the new Discovery Health Channel. The second episode will air on October 8, 2002, and the third episode will air on October 15, 2002. On October 22 & October 29, 2002, the shows will begin to repeat.

"Diagnosis Unknown" Episode 4 will aire on November 5, 2002. Sandra R. Eubank will appear as an Emergency Room Nurse. Sandra has over 30 years of experience as a "Real" Nurse and has been a Registered Nurse for ten years.

*** On Camera Workshops Enrolling Now ***

Liz Marks Casting is conducting On Camera Workshops. Please call 804-740-0329 in Richmond, to request a brochure and registration form. You may also register for an email newsletter on the www.lizmarkscasting.com/workshops.html web site.
All workshops are taught in Richmond, at Uptown Talent, Inc.
Instructor: Liz Marks

Liz Marks has been a casting director for feature films, commercials, and televison. Her work includes films such as "The Contender", "Mickey" and "Hush". Television credits include "Lincs", "Legacy", "Netforce", and "Sally Hemmings-An American Scandal". Commercial credits include casting for Busch Gardens, Paramount Parks and Virginia Lottery.

Learn how to audition for commercials, film and television. Learn the difference between auditions for film and commercials.Work with scripts, videotape your auditions, watch playback and have your work critiqued!

LOCATION:
Uptown Talent, Inc.
1125 Gaskins Road # 600
Richmond, VA 23233
NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS!
Please print and complete the registration form (see link below) and send with your check or money order to:

Uptown Talent, Inc.
PO Box 29388
Richmond, VA 23242
ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED.

For a printable registration form please click here (will open in a new browser window).

If you have an event to add to our calendar, please let us know by emailing the information to webmaster@blueridgeswvafilm.org and gisone@aol.com

Also visit these sites for other current events in our area!

Note: The following sites will open in a new browser window..

The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau

WBRA TV (PBS, Roanoke, VA, Channel 15)

WDBJ-TV (CBS, Roanoke, VA, Channel 7)

WSLS-TV (NBC, Roanoke, VA, Channel 10)

WSET-TV (ABC, Lynchburg, VA, Channel 13)

WJPR-TV (FOX, Lynchburg/Roanoke, VA, Channels 21/27)

WPXR-TV (Paxson Communications, Roanoke, VA, Channel 38)

WDRL-TV (UPN, Roanoke, VA, Channels 24/54)

R.V.T.V., Roanoke Valley Television, ( Government and Educational Access, Roanoke, VA, Channel 3)

WVTF - 89.1 [Public Radio/NPR, Roanoke, Virginia]

Radio IQ, Ferrum/Roanoke, and Blacksburg/Christiansburg, Virginia

MainStreetNewspapers.com (Local newspapers, Southwest Virginia)

Roanoke Times (newspaper, Roanoke, VA)

Area College and University web sites:

Note: The following sites will open in a new browser window..

© Copyright 2006 by the Blue Ridge - Southwest Virginia Film Office, Inc.
All rights reserved worldwide.

email: webmaster@blueridgeswvafilm.org