The Annapolis Pretentious Film Society: August 2009

"Woodpecker" -- a film by alex karpovsky
Sunday, September 20th at The Whiskey
Doors Open 4PM -- Screening begins 4:30PM
$5 Cash Cover
Food and Beverage Available
During Entire Program
Check the Menu

We are NOW taking RSVPs please email your name and number of people to:
PretentiousFilm@gmail.com

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"... a beakful of yuks... 'Woodpecker' soars above the bulk
of low-budget Amerindie farces, if not above the director's
earlier 'The Hole Story', now a minor cult fave on DVD. A
rare bird himself, Karpovsky remains one to watch."
Rob Nelson, VARIETY

"★★★★ ... 'Woodpecker' is a
great, funny and surprisingly moving film that's not to be
missed."
Don R. Lewis, FILM THREAT

"... I found myself in awe of this tale about an amateur
birdwatcher on a desperate mission. A highly entertaining,
character-driven story, the film blends tragedy with comedy,
truth with fiction, pathos with absurdity, and the result
will have you simultaneously laughing and performing mental
gymnastics to unravel its many layers."
Toddy Burton, THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE

Karpovsky is carving his own unique path in his quest to find a truer,
deeper state of cinematic being. As in 'The Hole Story',
'Woodpecker' is equal parts television news report, American
history lesson, probing documentary, and... existential tragicomedy.
... it works on both a universal and personal level as a
statement of genuinely affecting edutainment."
Michael Tully, HAMMER TO NAIL

"A wonderful sucker punch of a movie... To say any more would
ruin one of the niftiest movie surprises I've encountered."
RICHARD BUTLER, KANSAS CITY STAR
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As I have already said, WOODPECKER absolutely stole my heart when I saw it at the 2008 Flyway Film Festival in Pepin, Wisconsin, and made it's creator Alex Karpovsky, one of my heroes. I am a huge advocate of knowing as little as possible about a movie before I see it, and that is always my advice to everyone. The less you know about Woodpecker, the more surprises you will have in store, but no matter what you read, nothing will prepare you for this precious and hilarious handmade movie. - Pericles
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Limited Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. WE ARE NOW TAKING RSVPs. Please email PretentiousFilm@gmail.com or call The Whiskey at 410-626-6022
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Our Sponsors

The Annapolis Pretentious Film Society is
Presented by Pocket Change Pictures LLC

(If you would like to subscribe to the Annapolis Pretentious Film Society Newsletter, please send an email to PretentiousFilm@gmail.com or join the Google Group listed below.)

APFS NEWSLETTER #1

Read about Us: Annapolis Capital Newspaper - August 9th, 2009!)

Hello Cinephiles,

I am sorry this is late. It is so very late, but at least you can know that this is coming from a real person, not some programmed machine spitting indolent screeds haphazardly into the digital

ether.

Our first screening was a success. Our short, SNOWBIRD and our feature, INK was a big hit with attendees and we have just scheduled our next screening -- Alex Karpovsky's WOODPECKER for Sunday, September 20th. Details for the screening can be seen at the WOODPECKER page of the APFS blog.

As we move forward on wobbly legs, I am hoping improve things in just about every way. This is the first APFS Newsletter which I hope will serve two purposes:

To put those who attended our first screening in contact with both the filmmakers and the films on the Internet, and to further detail what we would like to accomplish with The Annapolis Pretentious Film Society.

Creating connections between films, filmmakers and audiences is the APFS number 1 goal. Many independent filmmakers are feeling the sharp edges of a weakened economy. Securing a distribution deal is often difficult to impossible because independent distribution companies and cinemas are going out of business. In addition, film festivals are becoming more careful and safe in their programming choices --avoiding the more edgy independent films or those without a "name" actor.

This is not to say that the independent films being hailed, such as THE WRESTLER, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, or ADVENTURELAND, are to be avoided or scorned. Quite the contrary, they are the examples of movies that inspire indie filmmakers. These are the movies on the front lines, leaning into the hurricane force winds of the film industry's corporate culture of remakes, blockbusters, and formulaic story telling.

I'm not suggesting that the studio movies are to be vilified or avoided. I love all movies -- some of my recent favorites include THE HANGOVER (I saw it twice) and THE HURT LOCKER (Brilliant, it stunned me.) I can't wait for DISTRICT 9, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, or AVATAR. But as an independent filmmaker and movie fan I also want to see the new emerging voices, the new ideas, and stories. I truly believe that the movies we showcase in our little monthly screenings today will be the storybook success stories of tomorrow. Little known actors and directors will be suddenly be "discovered" and movies will be deemed "overnight sensations that came out of nowhere." But we'll know we saw them first.

Why do I believe this? Because of you, the viewers, who came out to watch a movie you never heard of on a Sunday afternoon. The old structure is gone. Filmmakers are left to fend for themselves and some of them are flailing. But indie filmmakers are a smart tough bunch. They fought hard to make their movies and they will now fight even harder to get them seen. Like me, they are coming to the realization that we have to connect directly with the audience.

That is what we are about at the Annapolis Pretentious Film Society -- connecting smart movies with smart audiences. Below is information about the films at our first screening. Many of you on this list were at the screening and enjoyed the program. These movies are handmade and not yet distributed. I would encourage you to visit their links, register at IMDB, and rate and review them (It's always nice to plug the APFS). You can also join their fan pages and send them emails. These are not faceless drones behind a focus group driven hype machine -- they are artists and storytellers who want to give you something fresh, and who will be grateful for your feedback.

The Annapolis Pretentious Film Society came into being due to inspiration drawn by Independent Producer Ted Hope's blog TRULY FREE FILM, a movement of independent filmmakers looking to create the new path for independent film production, exhibition and distribution.

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Contact information for the filmmakers who screened at the Annapolis
Pretentious Film Society August 2nd, 2009

"Snowbird" (Short) - Directed by Courtney Hoskins, Boulder Colorado TRT: 5:45

IFC Media Lab winner for December 2007.

Website: http://www.quartzfilms.com/
Email: http://us.mc1102.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=courtney@courtneyhoskins.com

Website: http://www.courtneyhoskins.com/(Under Construction)

Courtney's Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Courtney-Hoskins/91569822478?ref=nf

Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/CaptainPJ

Twitter User: @CaptainPJ

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"INK" (Feature) Directed by Jamin Winans Denver, Colorado

WEBSITE: http://www.doubleedgefilms.comfacebook/
Email: mailto:info1@doubleedgefilms.com

NEW! Director's Page: http://www.jaminwinans.com/ink.html
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?pages/Ink/55404284537?ref=mf#/pages/Ink/55404284537

Ink Fansite: http://www.repercussionsmagazine.com/ink/

Ink IMDB site: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1071804/

Ink Blog: http://doubleedgefilms.blogspot.com/

Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/DoubleEdgeFilms

Twitter User: @DoubleEdgeFilms

Ink at Cafe Press: http://www.cafepress.com/DoubleEdgeFilms

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The Annapolis Pretentious Film Society Links:

Web/Blogsite: http://www.pretentiousfilm.com/
You can support us by adding yourself to our blog's followers list.

Email: http://us.mc1102.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=PretentiousFilm@gmail.com
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/APFS
Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/PretentiousFilm
Twitter: @PretentiousFilm

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Thank you for your interest in Independent Film and thank you for your involvement.

Kindest Regards,