1^st Annual California Next Gen Film Fest is a Big Success

The future of cinematic arts in Sacramento is bright

Sacramento, CA— The California Next Gen Film Festival could only be described as a big success. This 1^st annual Sacramento festival kicked off this past Labor Day weekend at Memorial Auditorium and hosted several Hollywood insiders who were on hand to join in the festival's mission: to showcase the "next gen" crop of filmmakers using the latest HD technology to advance the art and process of film.

The highlight of the opening night ceremonies proved to be the Innovative Artists Panel. The panel was moderated by academy-award winning cinematographer Don McAlpine and included Hollywood producer/director Demian Lichtenstein, photojournalist Lauren Greenfield, and fast-rising film stars Rudy Youngblood and Adam Del Rio.

McAlpine, whose many big-budget film credits include Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet, flew in from Australia to be a part of this groundbreaking festival and was actively involved in discussion panels throughout the entire 4-day event, including serving on one panel alongside television show "On The Lot" winner Will Bigham. Other festival guests included California Film Commissioner Stan Brooks, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, and mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson.

Of course the real stars of NGFF were the films and filmmakers themselves. The films spanned many formats including narrative, documentary, and digital animation shorts. Many filmmakers even participated in Q&A sessions after their films were screened.

Jaime Gonzalez, NGFF founder and president, couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome of the festival. "Sacramento needed a platform on which independent filmmakers could display their work. I feel our festival accomplished that goal and laid the foundation for future Next Gen festivals."

Sponsors of the film festival included: Christie Digital, VMI, Comcast, Advantage Presentations, The Men's Wearhouse, JG and Associates, AEGIS Medical Systems, Silverado, The Howard Agency, Current TV, Production Hub, Metro Hub Network, Core Care Macintosh Support Specialties.

Visit our website to view a full schedule of our event www.nextgenfilmfest.org.

(The NGFF is a non-profit organization)

Contact:

Natalie Minas

Festival Public Relations

(916) 802-3456

nminasnextgenfilm@gmail.com

It's true! Look at our photos or our website for more info!!

http://www.nextgenfilmfest.org/events/panels/

 

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Legendary Hollywood cinematographer Donald McAlpine joins the NGFF Friday
night panel on August 29th!

McAlpine has been shooting films in Hollywood for over 30 years and in 1999 was nominated an Academy Award for his work on Moulin Rouge.

He has also been the director of photography for Predator, Romeo + Juliet, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the recently completed X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

NEXT GEN FILM FESTIVAL

Semi-Final Schedule

OPENING NIGHT Thursday August 28, 2008

6:00pm Red Carpet Welcome
Please join us for our VIP and general public festival kick off pre‐party. Tickets for the
films and pre‐party are $10 general admission, $35 VIP. Art show by Arte Clandestino,
specially commissioned by NGFF.

Be sure to watch for festival trailers and pictures of festival movie goers on MetroHub
Network's HD Plasma TV. A professional photographer and videographer will be on
site capturing all the festival's red carpet moments.

6:45pm‐7:00pm Introductions
6:45‐6:50 Hatzune Aguilar, Festival Director
Jaime Gonzalez, Festival President
6:50‐7:00 Welcome Address by Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo

7:00pm‐7:40pm A Historic Event. Big Screen HD Television Demonstration
(Live video Feed from INVESCO Field – Denver, CO.)

7:40pm‐7:50pm 10 minute intermission

7:50pm‐8:50pm Innovative Artists Panel
Special Presentation: Don McAlpine, award‐winning cinematographer (The Chronicles
of Narnia, Predator, and the soon to be released X‐Men Origins: Wolverine)
Rudy Youngblood (star of Apocalypto) and Adam Del Rio (Redline, The Pursuit of
Happyness) will speak about their respective experiences acting and producing in
Hollywood as well as their exciting new projects.

8:55pm‐9:50pm Opening Night Shorts
8:55‐9:00 Sebastian's Voodoo, Directed by Joaquin Baldwin (4:07) (14+)
9:00‐9:18 Betrothed, Directed by Emily Sheskin, http://littlerabbitproductions.com (17:43) (all ages)
9:18‐9:50 kids + money, Directed by Lauren Greenfield, http://www.laurengreenfield.com (32:00) (all
ages)

10:00pm Opening Night Party
Join us for a fun night of drinks and dancing to celebrate our first year after our panel
at the Dream Lounge on 16th and I Street across from the Sacramento Memorial
Auditorium. Free entry until 11pm with NGFF ticket stub. Dress Code is Stylish and
Classy!

DAY 2 Friday August 29, 2008

5:30pm Chowin' down in Sactown
Join us for some tasty movie snacks! Come experience some excellent wine, an
assortment of cheeses, and kettle corn.

6:00pm‐6:53pm Documentary shorts program
6:00‐6:19 Loss, Directed by Kristen Nutile (18:45) (all ages)
6:19‐6:29 The Cock: Lesbian Owned & Operated, Directed by Luna Han (10:03m) *World Premier (all
ages)
6:29‐6:53 South Central Farm: Oasis in a Concrete Desert, Directed by Sheila Laffey (24:00) (all ages)

6:43pm‐7:05pm Q&A Session
6:53‐7:05 Q&A session with labor leaders from South Central Farm

7:00pm‐7:50pm Narrative Shorts Program
7:05‐7:12 Free Delivery, Directed by Alex Minas, http://minasmedia.com (7:00) *World Premier (14+)
7:12‐7:15 Food Fight, Directed by Megan Stacy (3.00) (all ages)
7:15‐7:18 Missing Pieces, Directed by Tony Swarthout, www.filmgeneration.com (2:40) (all ages)
7:18‐7:26 Viola: The Traveling Rooms of a Little Giant, Directed by Shih‐Ting Hung (8:47) (all ages)
7:26‐7:43 GODSPEED, Directed by Lynn Breedlove and Jen Gilomen (16:34) (17+)
7:43‐7:50 The Road, Directed by Owen Thomas, http://www.owenthomas.org (5:40m) (14+)

7:40pm‐7:50pm Q&A Session
Q&A session with Lynn Breedlove, co‐director of GODSPEED
Q&A session with Alex Minas, director of Free Delivery
Q&A session with Owen Thomas, director of The Road

8:00pm‐ 9:00pm "On the Lot" Panel with Will Bigham
Will Bigham, the winner of Steven Spielberg's and Mark Burnett's "On the Lot" reality
TV show for filmmakers joins the NGFF to share his experience and insight into
Hollywood.

10:00pm After‐screening Party
Meet up at Sacramento's Badlands located at 2003 K Street to hang out with the
directors of your favorite short films. Enjoy $1 off your first cocktail with your NGFF


It's Party Time at Sacramento's Momo Lounge located at 2708 J Street. Enjoy a fun
filled evening with the directors of your favorite short films. Get in free with your
NGFF ticket stub until 11:30pm! Dress Code enforced.

DAY 3 Saturday August 30, 2008

2:00pm‐5pm "Here's Looking at You Kids!" Film Fair!
Are you planning your next short or feature film? Wondering what camera accessories
are essential? Come meet industry professionals, fellow filmmakers, and even actors
and actresses. Get an idea of how to further your technical efficiency on the set!

Booths include: VMI Video, Silverado Systems, Berkeley Digital School of Filmmaking,
Studio24, Advantage Presentations Reversa Screens, R5 Records, and JVC.

2:00‐2:20 10 Shorts from the Next Gen
Tracy Performing Arts Foundation just completed its first "Tracy's Next Producer
Director" scholarship program and is sharing their shorts Sacramento! Drop in to the
main screening room and check out ten, 2‐minute shorts from Tracy high school
students!

TRACY UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT PROGRAMS

Team One: "The Catch Program"
Ryan Kelly
Matt Pollett
Kevin Soares

Team Two: "AVID
(Advancement Via Individual
Determination)"
Stevie Jenson
Seth Mahaffey
Amanda Rarick

Team Three: "Performing Arts
Magnet"
Matt Haugland
Taylor Hornbeak
Fernando Sasco

Team Four: "Space &
Engineering Academy"
Noel Moul
Kirsten Soto

CITY OF TRACY PROGRAMS

Team One: "Parks and
Community Services"
Taylor Hornbeak
Ryan Kelly
Seth Mahaffey

Team Two: "Tracy Youth
Advisory Commission"
Fernando Sasco
Kevin Soares
Kirsten Soto

Team Three: "Police Explorer
Scouts"
Matt Haugland
Noel Moul
Matt Pollett

NON‐PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Team One: "McHenry House"
Seth Mahaffey
Noel Moul
Kevin Soares

Team Two: "Tracy Sister City
Program"
Taylor Hornbeak
Matt Pollett

Team Three: "The Golden
Agers"
Ryan Kelly
Fernando Sasco

2:30pm‐4:30pm Meet and Greet with Current TV
Current TV is looking for your pod ideas. Be ready with your best and prepare to see
them on TV!

4:30pm Beer Fest
Pizza + Beer night!!

5:00pm‐5:30pm Narrative Shorts Showcase II
5:00‐5:07 Sugar, Directed by Alex Beh (6:52) (all ages)
5:07‐5:15 The House, Directed by Douglas Elford Argent, http://www.30somethingproductions.com
(8:00) (14+)
5:15‐5:21 On the Assassination of the President, Directed by Adam Keker (6:00) (14+)
5:21‐5:28 My Name is Lisa, Directed by Ben Shelton, http://sheltonfilms.com (6:26) (all ages)

5:30pm‐5:50pm Digital Animation Shorts
5:30‐5:33 Circle Maker, Directed by Jesse Davis (3:00) (all ages)
5:33‐5:41 Red Princess Blues: The Book of Violence, Directed by Alex Ferrari,
http://www.redprincessblues.com (8:00) (all ages)
5:41‐5:46 Love on the Line, Directed by Melissa Graziano (5:00) (17+)
5:46‐5:53 When the World Goes Dark, Noir, Directed by Anthony Scalmato,
http://whentheworldgoesdark.com (7:00) *Winner of Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Awards (14+)
5:53‐5:56 Lithium, Directed by Kevin Barlow (3:00) (all ages)
5:56‐5:59 Papiroflexia, Directed by Joaquin Baldwin (2:30) (all ages)

5:47pm‐6:50pm HD Showcase
Come and see films shot in HD on the big screen projected by Christie Digital's
revolutionary 12k HD projector.
6:00‐6:05 Happily Ever After, Directed by Lidia Sheinin, http://www.scaredmouse.com (4:14) (14+)
6:05‐6:20 Anjali, Directed by Maya Anand, (15:00) *World Premier (10+)
6:20‐6:23 Ten Thousand Pictures of You, Robin King (3:00) (all ages)
6: 23‐6:43 Lullabye, Directed by Travis David Suhr, (20:00)
http://www.whatamiproductions.com/Lullabye.htm (10+)
6: 43‐6:50 STRUCK, Directed by Teron Lexton, www.struckthefilm.com (7:00) (all ages)

6:50pm‐7:05pm Q&A Session
Q&A session with Douglas Elford Argent, director of The House
Q&A session with Adam Keker, director of On the Assassination of the President
Q&A session with Travis David Suhr, director of Lullabye
Q&A session with Ben Shelton, director of My Name is Lisa

7:15pm‐7:50pm HD Panel
Eric Espera of Silverado Systems, Inc will give a tour of the Red One Camera.
The Red One camera is a high performance digital cine camera with the quality of
35mm film and convenience of pure digital. Red One delivers unmatched image
quality with no recording system limitations.

10:00pm After‐screening Party
Now take all of your creative energy and join us for our closing night after party at the
Park Ultra Lounge located at 1116 15th Street, for a night of fun at a perfect location!
Discount will be given at the door with your NGFF ticket stub. Dress Code Enforced.
*Tentative

CLOSING NIGHT Sunday August 31, 2008

1:30pm Afternoon Tapas
We invite you to join us for some afternoon tapas and sangria.

2pm‐3pm Narrative Shorts III
2:00‐2:15 Ancestor Eyes, Directed by Kalani Queypo, http://www.myspace.com/ancestoreyesshort
(15:00) (all ages)
2:15‐2:30 Undocumented, Directed by Joel Rodriguez (15:00) (10+)
2:30‐2:47 Magritte Moment, Directed by Ian Fischer (16:41) (10+)

3:00pm‐3:25pm Animation Showcase II
3:00‐3:19 24‐Frames, Directed by Brad Pattulo (18:12) (all ages)
3:19‐3:25 Invisible Croissants, Directed by Andy Windak, http:www.andywindak.com (6:00) (10+)

3:25pm‐3:35pm Q&A Session
Q&A session with Andy Windak, director of Invisible Croissants
Q&A session with Kalani Queypo, director of Ancestor Eyes

3:35pm‐4:15pm Documentary Showcase II
3:35‐3:44 Alone, Together, Directed by Krystakkune Arnendariz,
Roan Bibby, Eric Ficher, and Dan Lewis, http://www.westsidefilm.com (9:00) (all ages)
3:44‐4:14 Burning Man: Voyage in Utopia, Directed by Laurent Le Gall,
http://www.freerunpictures.com (30:00) (14+)

4:15pm‐4:48pm Narrative Showcase IV
4:15‐4:39 Rabia, Directed by Mohammad Ali Hasan (23:30) (17+)
4:39‐4:48 Three‐Fifty, Directed by Maurice Charet (8:10) (14+)

5:00pm‐6:00pm HD Showcase II
5:00‐5:05 Bresson and Adeline, Directed by Christopher Jarvis (5:00) * World Premier (all ages)
5:05‐5:22 Everything Will be Ok, Directed by Don Hertzfeld (17:00) (14+)
5:22‐5:35 White Vans, Directed by Aren Hansen, http://www.yourbluebike.com/ (13:00) (all ages)
5:35‐5:52 Aquarium, Directed by Rob Meyer (17:00) (14+)

7:00pm‐8:00pm Awards Ceremony
Congratulate our California Next Gen Film Festival filmmakers as they receive their
awards at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium.

Hey everyone! We hope you are all heading out this weekend to buy your tickets because they are selling like iphone G3's!! This is truly an event you wouldn't want to miss! NGFF is excited to announce their celebrity panelists. Come and grill these guys about their careers and the industry…

Will Bigham: Winner of the reality competition show produced by Mark Burnett Productions. As part of his first place winnings, Bigham received a $1 million DreamWorks Pictures development deal.

Here is one of Bigham's submissions from On The Lot: "Nerve Endings"

Adam Del Rio: Del Rio's previous credits include films such as Redline and The Pursuit of Happyness. He will also soon be seen alongside Sean Penn and Josh Brolin in Gus Van Sant's new film Milk. Del Rio is also a writer for the Comedy Central TV series "Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States."

Actor and comedian, Adam Del Rio, speaks on some of the benefits of working in Hollywood…(funny)

Rudy Youngblood: Youngblood made his acting debut in the 2005 film Spirit: The Seventh Fire. His breakthrough film role however came when he was cast to play lead character Jaguar Paw in Mel Gibson's epic film Apocalypto. Passionate and vocal about his own Native American cultural identity, Youngblood takes a spiritual approach to everything he does.

Check out this great clip of Jaguar Paw (Rudy), escaping from his captors in Apocalypto!

So if you want to meet and talk to these guys then you know where you have to be August 28^th!

Where: Memorial Auditorium

When: August 28^th-31^st

How: buy tickets @ tickets.com or box office (1301 L Street, Sacramento)

See our schedule on our website for more info! www.nextgenfilmfest.org J

Comment on our page if you are interested in coming!!! We would love to hear from you!!

Xoxo

NGFF

Did you notice our new Official selections promo on the profile page? Isn't it amazing?! Come watch these films and more at our festival August 28-31st! Soooo soon!

xo!
NGFF

1830 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (916) 802-3456 Fax: (916) 449-6199
www.nextgenfilmfest.org

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2008

First Annual California Next Gen Film Festival Showcases Great Films and Innovative Technology

SACRAMENTO, CA.—California's Next Gen Film Festival (NGFF) is bringing the red carpet to Sacramento this summer at the Memorial Auditorium from August 28th-31st.  Capitalizing on the city's diversity and new thirst for creativity, the Festival promises to deliver short films by young innovative filmmakers, informative panels on the future of cinema, and last but not least  good food and fun parties.  Locals get ready to show off your city and out-of-towners prepare to be wowed.  The California Next Gen Film Festival is the place to be this Labor Day weekend.

 "I envision a festival that brings the entire Sacramento community together to support local and national cinematic artists and a festival that showcases cutting edge films with optimal sound and picture quality", says Jaime Gonzalez, President of NGFF. With a degree in film and plenty of ambition, Mr. Gonzalez is eager to take Sacramento's art culture to the next level by giving it a taste of Hollywood in High Definition.

This cinematic event will feature young filmmakers who are moving the medium forward in various digital formats in the categories of HD, digital animation, narrative and documentary shorts.

With panel participants consisting of known Hollywood actors and the support of the local community, NGFF is bringing everyone together to enjoy a true festival experience, watch great short films and express the growing innovation in the happening city of Sacramento.

Sponsors of the film festival include: Christie Digital, VMI, Comcast, Advantage Presentations, Men's Wearhouse, Jim Gonzalez and Associates, AEGIS Medical Systems, Silverado, The Howard Agency, Current TV, Production Hub, Metro Hub Network, Core Care Macintosh Support Specialties.

Visit our website to purchase tickets and to view a full schedule of our event www.nextgenfilmfest.org. (The NGFF is a non-profit organization)

Contact:

Natalie Minas

Festival Public Relations

(916) 802-3456

nminasnextgenfilm@gmail.com

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Come out for Second Saturday and say "hi"!

We are going to be in TWO locations!
One is at the same spot on K & 22nd.
Second is at 14th & F street @ one of the 9onF houses.

We're gonna have a raffle, cool projections, volunteer opps, and other fun goodies! Trying to decide which place to go to? Don't worry! There will be transportation between places!

See you there!
xo!
NGFF

Check out our 30 second spot for COMCAST! It begins airing June 23rd and will go through the end of the fest.

It's also featured on our website where we'd love to get your comments on it (nextgenfilmfest.org).

We are so excited to about all the awesome films everyone will be able to see!

Here is the high quality youtube link (you can view the standard version on the page):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YM-u6HeUUo&fmt=18