Blog post written by Amber Thibault, Cinema and Photography ’15, FLEFF Intern, Lewiston, Maine.

Repetition.

This is the idea behind Tomanari Nishikawa's film "Tokio-Ebisu" which explores the movement and repetition of people and trains on the Yamanote Line.

Nishikawa share with me his recollections of taking the Yamanote Line, the busiest train in Tokyo. This train runs on a loop and and arrives at a train station every two to three minutes. It is in observing this that he notice the repetition that inspired his film; a train would come every couple minutes and stopped in the exact same spot. He also observed that everyone on the platform knew exactly where it was going to stop so they would line up accordingly.

But the technical elements of filmmaking are more compelling to Nishikawa than the storyline.

Nishikawa: "You can tell a story through multiple ways, writing or speaking but film is unique in what you can do with it."

He experimented with exposing the camera to observe what was happening in front of it. Get shot was exposed 30 times! It is this that makes me excited to see it. I can't actually wrap my mind around what that would look like.

Nishikawa's love for the medium of film was apparent in our conversation and contributes to his style. Some of his works can be seen at his website, www.tomonarinishikawa.com

Cinemapolis will be screening his film "Tokio-Ebisu" as part of the Upstate Filmmaker's Showcase this Sunday, April 7th at 4pm.

This is Nishikawa's first time being a part of FLEFF and he was pleasantly surprised to find out FLEFF does not feature just environmental documentaries but has a a selection of non-narrative films as well.

What was your first impression of FLEFF?

Blog posting by Kimberly Capehart, Documentary Studies and Production ’16, FLEFF Blogger, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

March 3^rd is only a few days away, which means that in just five days, the Upstate Filmmakers Showcase will be occurring downtown at Ithaca’s local, independent movie theater, Cinemapolis.

For those who don’t know, all profits from the showcase will go to support Cinemapolis in its complete digital conversion. Sadly, the days of 35 mm film projection in theaters are extremely numbered, and every theater that wishes to survive in the modern multiplex business needs to make sure they’re ready to compete in the digital marketplace. For Cinemapolis, this means equipping all five of their theaters with brand new digital projection systems. You can read more about the technological aspect of it here.

As suggested by its name, the Upstate Filmmaker’s Showcase will be featuring work exclusively from filmmakers in Upstate New York. I recently spoke to Carol Jennings, an upstate filmmaker herself, and the director of the Park Media Lab at Ithaca College, about Park Productions’ contribution to the showcase. 

Park Productions is a media production company stationed on the IC campus that is staffed exclusively by Park students. The company primarily works on collaborative projects with non-profit organizations within the Ithaca community. Through their client-driven work, Park Productions gives students professional experience in media production.   

In 2011, in collaboration with the Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce, Park Productions produced a series of webisodes that “showcases popular destinations” and “highlights the unique natural beauty of the Finger Lakes Region” in order to promote tourism in the region. Finger Lakes Uncorked! “follows the adventures of a fictional character Craig Vinholtz, a magician and wine enthusiast living in the Finger Lakes region of New York.”

The production team for the project was composed of students, faculty, and alumni who worked closely with the Visitors Bureau and the Finger Lakes Wine Country to produce all nine webisodes. The series, which was intended to be a “social media release,” as Jennings puts it, premiered at FLEFF in 2011 and hit the web shortly after.

Jennings says her favorite part of the festival is seeing the “continuity of students, alumni, and professionals,” much like the combination that worked on Finger Lakes Uncorked! “It’s great to see former students come back as alumni, and then to come back even later on as professionals. Everyone looks at the work of current students and can offer suggestions and talk about their past work at Ithaca.” 

Episodes one, two, and four will be shown this Sunday at the Upstate Filmmakers Showcase. They are also available for viewing on YouTube and on the project’s official website.

Jennings says she is “honored that Park Productions is included in the group of incredibly talented filmmakers” who will be showing their work at the showcase. “We have an amazing pool of talent in the area,” she concludes.

Be sure to come out to Cinemapolis this Sunday, March 3^rd to support your fellow Ithacans, Cinemapolis, and Upstate New York art!

Blog posting written by Shea Lynch, Documentary Production '13, FLEFF Blogger, Glens Falls, New York

"Im into exploring the implications of the changing digital media."

Vincent Grenier will be showcasing two films for the Upstate Filmmakers Showcase series, Armoire (In 4 Parts). Combining the digital medium with an exploration in time, place and power, Grenier opens the question of reality in past, present and future.

Grenier's journey traces back to the 1970s using 16mm film. The change from film to digital has not affected Grenier's message; the exploration of digital spaces must be free and continual. Grenier personifies the technological world we live in into cohesive films, video and installations mimicking human emotion and desire.

Using 16mm, video, VHS, and HD video, Grenier is a traveling historian of technological magic, bringing the imagination of creativity to the spirit of technological innovation.

Grenier leaves us with this message: 

"Ithaca is quite fortunate to have an art movie house like Cinemapolis and that it is particularly in needs of support right now as it is in the process of converting its projectors to digital. Such conversions are costly and I hope that the March 3rd FLEFF Kick Off screening can help raise some money for it."

Blog post written by Kristen Tomkowid, Journalism '15, FLEFF Blogger, Poughkeepsie, New York. 

 A few days ago, I had the privilege of talking with Ithaca College Associate TVR Professor and film maker John Scott. We talked about his involvement in FLEFF, both past and present.

Some background on John: He received his BFA in Film Production from Concordia University in 1990, his BA in Honors English from Dalhouse Universtiy in 1992 and his MFA in Film and Video Production from The University of Iowa in 1999. He has directed over a dozen independent documentary projects and one feature-length  documentary called The Scouts Are Cancelled. Some of John's more recent work will be shown at the upcoming FLEFF Kick-Off  on March 3rd. Below is a glimpse of our conversation together: 

Kristen Tomkowid: How did you get involved with FLEFF?

John Scott: I had a feature length documentary shown in FLEFF in 2008 and a short film in Upstate Shorts last year, but I've been going to FLEFF for years.

KT: What are you showing at the FLEFF Preview this year?

JS: One is a repeat of the short shown last year, One Art, which is part of a series of shorts based on Elizabeth Bishop poems. The other screening is of Notes on Liberty, a full length film made with his wife, Karen Rodriguez, in 2009, about a boys trip to the Statue of Liberty and how that contrasts the current immigration issues. I was always ambivalent to the Statue due to problems with immigration. I decided to make the movie because, for my son's fifth birthday, he wanted to go the Statue and I was divided about the trip. It has toured all over the world.

KT: Have you looked at this year's line-up of films?

JS:  I haven't really looked at it, yet, but I am going to try to see 5 Broken Cameras.

John's looking forward to see Emad Burnat's documentary. What are you looking forawrd to see at the festival?

Blog posting written by Erica Moriarty, Documentary Studies and Production '16, FLEFF Intern, Houston, Texas

This Sunday, March 3^rd, FLEFF will kickoff at Cinemapolis with The Upstate Filmmaker's Showcase, including two pieces by Ithaca College’s very own Jason Harrington.

Jason Harrington is a professor in Cinema, Photography and the Media Arts. While obtaining his undergraduate degree in film, he discovered filmmaking as a way to combine his previous experience in other forms of art.

“I discovered the filmmaking process allows me to put all of what I’m doing with music, painting and sculpture and allows me to put them together. Filmmaking is just this composite medium that I can do everything together,” Jason said.

After realizing the amalgam of filmmaking, he began using more and more animation. At the showcase, he plans to show two of his older animated films, The Tree With the Lights in It and My Mind. 

Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek inspired Jason to create The Tree With the Lights in It. In the book, a chapter called Seeing stuck with him. The chapter discusses the different ways in which we learn to see and how what we learn influences what we see in the world. Specifically, the chapter uses a case study of people who have cataract surgery to see.

“There’s a line in the book where the doctor takes this girl’s bandages off and leads her into a garden. She sees the tree and she sees it as full of light. I love that image of the tree being filled with light. It struck me. Then, I went with the notion of the tree and took it a step further and made it about ancestry and perception,” described Jason.  

His other piece, My Mind, explores a poem he wrote while living in Queens in a tiny apartment. Living in such a giant metropolis, yet confined to this small space, he wanted to explore the concept of scale.  

Jason commented, “My Mind is about this butterfly girl who represents the imagination. She goes on this journey which basically illustrates how she can go anywhere she wants. With your mind you can go and do whatever you want. Otherwise, you’re grounded and stuck in the same place.”

He completely hand drew My Mind, using a crosshatch style. Despite the challenging work, he finally finished the film after three years. On the other hand, The Tree With the Lights in It took about a year, incorporating a layering technique focusing on movement, design, composition and texture.

Each piece represents FLEFF’s idea of mobilities in a unique way. How do you feel that Jason’s work incorporates the idea of mobility? 

Blog posting written by Shea Lynch, Documentary Production '13, FLEFF Blogger, Glens Falls, New York

Freshmen year can be scary for anyone entering college and discovering new communities can be tricky. I found FLEFF my first spring semester here and it offered a great community for me. FLEFF has challenged me to become a more creative person and has shaped me into someone who is ready to graduate. I did not expect FLEFF to become such an integral part of my life every spring semester but I'm glad I was able to take part in the journey.

I started blogging freshmen year and never looked back. Blogging is a great way to meet new people and become immersed in the content of FLEFF. Blogging has also allowed me to explore Ithaca College and the city of Ithaca; the people and places are rich with creativity and stories.

Collaborating with Ithaca College professors has exposed me to truly unique projects most others don't get to see. Blogging about their work for FLEFF has been the most enjoyable experience. The mobilization of ideas from teacher to student is seen daily at Ithaca College but working with professors with external projects has fulfilling rewards; a unique look at the behind-the-scenes of creativity.

The Upstate Filmmakers Showcase is drawing near and the rest of the FLEFF blogging team is hard at work interviewing Ithaca College faculty involved with this showcase; one of the best event for bloggers. Curated by Karen Rodriguez, the Upstate Filmmakers Showcase features nine shorts created by professors from Ithaca College and surrounding colleges.

Blog posting written by Andrew Ronald, Film, Photography & Visual Arts '15, FLEFF Social Media Manager, Mahopac, NY

Although FLEFF is just a little over a month away, there is so much that has yet to happen. And there is so much to be excited for. At this point in my FLEFF-tastic journey, I have had a lot to reflect upon.

One of these upcoming events in particular is the Upstate Filmmaker's Showcase premiering at downtown Ithaca's independent art cinema, Cinemapolis. On March 3rd, the entire staff will come together and converge with fellow audience members consisting of local professors, other interns, and of course, the entire Ithaca community. 

People will converge. Ideas will collide. And conversation will occur.

Because isn't that what festivals are all about anyway?

Of course there are other very exciting events that the interns have been preparing for, including our efforts to revamp urban exploration in a new was using the Derive app and our positive stories that we will be covering through an exciting partnership with EngageMedia. But we will save these for later. In the meantime, let us reflect.

My role as a Social Media Manager has truly allowed me to ascertain a newfound perspective towards the idea of film festivals, and FLEFF was the perfect vehicle to explore this attitude. Festivals are fast-paced, and the only way to respond to this celerity is through the ability to adapt. You have to be pliable. The fellow interns and bloggers have understood this, and they are all so willing and eager to contribute to the festival's success.

And what a successful festival it is going to be.

Working with their enthusiasm has given me the passion to work harder, strive to serve as a positive role model, and also have a lot of fun on this journey!

What can you take away from your own FLEFF-tastic experiences?

Blog posting written by Dorothea Hinman, Cinema and Photography '15, FLEFF Blogger, Rochester, NY

FLEFF is looking better than ever. 

Perhaps I'm biased because this is the first year I've been involved in the festival, but it doesn't make the assertion that this is going to be the best festival yet less true. FLEFF's partnership with everyone's favorite movie theatre, Cinemopolis, has allowed for an incredible line up of films to be screened during the festival. More than twenty films and I have to pick the three I am most excited for? It was hard, but here's the verdict:

1. Sherlock Jr. (Buster Keaton, USA, 1924) with Fe Nunn and Friends and Cynthia Henderson

Who doesn't love the classic, old Hollywood comedian? The hilarious tale of an underdog trying to prove his innocence in a crime he did not commit is guaranteed to bring the laughs as well as a trip back to the golden days of Hollywood.

2. Upstate Filmmakers Showcase, with filmmakers Vincent Grenier, Jason Harrington, John Scott, Becky Lane, Arturo Sinclair, and others TBA

If patience is a virtue, then I'm not very virtuous. At least when it comes to waiting for FLEFF! April 1st may seem a far way off, but March 3rd is just around the corner. It's the festival's kick off event, featuring works form artists in and around the Ithaca area, mentioned above. Certainly an event to look forward to!

3. Couples (Korea, 2011) with Director/Writer Yong ki Jeong

Maybe I'm on a comedy kick, but I don't speak Korean, and this movie still looks hilarious. This being a comedy film from Korean just shows the versatility of the 2013 festival.

Make sure to check out these films and the slew of others being featured at Cinemapolis this year! Can you pick your top three out of the list? I challenge you!