[spectre] MICROCINEMA INTERNATIONAL and ASTHMATIC KITTY present INDEPENDENT EXPOSURE 2008: 13th Season

[Joel S Bachar]

 MICROCINEMA INTERNATIONAL and ASTHMATIC KITTY present INDEPENDENT EXPOSURE
2008: 13th Season

They met in Houston, Texas for a collaborative all-day, all-ages, all-free,
all-good five-band gig called Unusual Animals. But that short rendezvous was
not enough for either Microcinema or Asthmatic Kitty, so after a few
carefully written telegrams and telephone calls, the two are getting
together again to collectively present Independent Exposure 2008.

Since its inception in 1996, Independent Exposure has been a curatorial
effort designed to bring the newest and most innovative short films to an
untapped, broader audience by using non-traditional venues.  These showcases
are exhibited in non-traditional venues or "microcinemas" such as galleries,
cafes, bars, nightclubs, outdoors, and other alternative spaces that support
the independent arts. To date, Independent Exposure has been presented
hundreds of times in 44 countries plus Palestine and Antarctica and at base
camp on Mt. Everest.

Beyond regular San Francisco and Houston events, screenings in 2007 included
a film festival in Ithaca, NY, a full screening of every 2007 IE edition in
Alaska, a widely covered Halloween screening in San Francisco, a showing of
films at Virgin Mobile Fest and a screening of Independent Exposure at one
of Asthmatic Kitty Record's curated Unusual Animals show in Houston.

Since 2005, Independent Exposure has teamed up with a partner to curate the
screening programs and select prize winners and a "best-of" selection.
Recent partners include Addictive TV and Hal Hartley. 

Asthmatic Kitty is currently one of the most influential independent record
labels in the United States, and is an ideal co-curator for Independent
Exposure 2008. "From the beginning 'musical' film and video have played a
central role in our program," says founder Patrick Kwiatkowski. "So a
curator with an eye for music is going to yield an interesting program.
Asthmatic Kitty is less a label than a curator of music, bands, and
musicians with a focused, yet evolving mission. They are a perfect partner
and I can't wait to see how they apply themselves to the film arts."

Asthmatic Kitty also brings a festival component to the 2008 series. The
label hosts "Unusual Animals" in various cities around the country. It is a
curated showcase of regional musical talent and in 2008 a film component
will be added.

"Microcinema mirrors the Asthmatic Kitty values of community and a love for
innovation and creativity. Within minutes it was obvious that they were a
family that we wanted to marry into," said A&R/Development Director Michael
Kaufmann.

Independent Exposure 2008 is currently considering short video, film and
digital-media submissions of 15 minutes or less and are seeking narrative,
humorous, dramatic, animation, documentary, experimental, alternative,
avant-garde, ambient, music videos, and underground works of all genres,
formats, and styles. Of specific interest are those films demonstrating
artistic presentation and storytelling.

For full program information, rules, selection criteria, prizes, and how to
submit: 

http://www.independentexposure.com/festivals/independent_exposure/2008_call.
html