Short Cuts
Mo' money, mo' money, mo' money, mo' money
By Marc Savlov, Fri., May 28, 2004
Pennies From Heaven Department: You say $65,000 isn't enough for you? You need an extra 10 grand to cover the cost of hiring Vittorio Storaro to shoot those crucial final 11 seconds in your all-hamster remake of Ishtar? Well, pal, you're in luck: The Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund has announced that they're upping their annual grant ante to $75,000 from 2003's capper of $65,000, with applicants now allowed to apply for up to $15,000 as opposed to previous years' max of $5,000. "We intend to give away two to three grants in the $10,000 to $15,000 range," says Elisabeth Sikes, Austin Film Society director of artist services and education, "and then the remainder of the money will be distributed in smaller grants as we've done previously in the program." This year's TFPF applications need to be postmarked no later than Thursday, July 1 application guidelines are available online at www.austinfilm.org/tfpf but according to Sikes, the number of apps crowding the AFS offices is already double that of this same time last year.
Hey Ladiez! (Get Funky!) Department: Beastie girls and females of all stripes are convening on Austin this Thursday-Sunday, May 27-30, for Ladyfest Texas '04, the "non-profit, DIY, music, art and film festival," which this year features everything from BDS&M workshops from Bound by Desire to knitting lessons from Austin Knitty Limits. What we here at Short Cuts are most interested in is the Ladyfest Film Showcase, 2-6pm on Saturday at the Hideout (617 Congress), featuring 11 original short films from ladies with lenses. Post-screening, head over to Emo's for "Ladiez Rock Emo's: Volume II," where you'll find some of the coolest bands (and band names: check out Tragic Girls End Up Like This and Please Die, already) this side of Le Tigre's underwear drawer. More info at www.ladyfesttx.org.
Things to Make Your Eyes Bleed Department: Alamo Drafthouse programmer/zine maven Henri Mazza sends word that the winner of last month's Open Screen Night competition is online for your viewing displeasure, and trust us, it's well worth the cost of admission. Found footage of this sort doesn't come along often, thank Kafka, and if you think we're going to spoil the fun and tell you what to expect, you're as dopey as this dancin' fool. Make like R. Bud Dwyer and blow your mind at www.twonotesolo.com/osn/travis1.html.
Things to Make Your Ass Bleed Department: Geez, you're not eating dinner, are you? Good. The increasingly deranged gang at the Alamo's Rolling Roadshow has announced a Deliverance Canoe Trip down the mighty Colorado River, Saturday and Sunday, June 12-13, and, we're quoting the press release here, "With Bill McKinney the man who raped Ned Beatty live in person." Hey, look, we don't make this stuff up, we just report it, okay? Last year's Deliverance outing almost came to a flaming end when Mother Nature unleashed her full, lightning-packed fury at Alamo owner Tim League for using Parkay margarine instead of 10W-40 in his Cooper's crankcase. No word yet on inclement weather for this year's hee-haw nightmare, but the Leagues promise one notable upgrade in the form of wait for it! a slow-roasted, spit-cooked pig! For more information visit www.drafthouse.com.