Featuring a remarkable array of original works by fledgling filmmakers and seasoned pros from Florida and around the world, the ninth annual Independents Film Festival rules the airwaves July 4-7 on Time Warner Ch. 18 and Adelphia Ch. 16. The Education Channel continues to present films from the festival throughout the month of July at 9 p.m. Friday and Sunday nights.
Some of the many films featured in this year's festival include: Three Nights at Ground Zero, Matt Siegel's video documentary about Manhattan rescue workers during the week of 9/11; Blind Guys, a 35mm "movie for the blind" by Hungarian Peter Timar; Harlem Fight Song, Konrad Aderer's digital film about a Chinese-American in Harlem; Paradise Lounge, a 35mm production in which a 9-year-old girl fantasizes about singing in a swanky nightclub; Shift, a 16mm experimental work by Hyeonjin Kim; and Other People, Australian Kiernan Galvin's short film about people who don't know how to listen.
A number of films of local interest will be featured as well, including Remembering the Webb's City, Bill and Diana Lucas' documentary on the beloved St. Pete store and The Highwaymen, a video doc on Florida's self-taught, African-American painters, directed by Julia D'Amico.
This year's Independents Film Festival is significantly expanded, with a record-breaking number of films presented, a "Best of the Festival" Sept. 19 at Tampa Theatre, and a seminar for aspiring filmmakers Sept. 20 at the University of Tampa. Call 813-254-2253.
This article appears in Jul 3-9, 2002.