PFF award winner "Ingenious" opens this weekend

Ingenious

Back in 2009, the film Lightbulb, starring Jeremy Renner and Dallas Roberts, picked up the Best Picture Award at the Phoenix Film Festival. Since then, it's gone on a remarkable journey to it's new title of, Ingenious, and its release this weekend at Harkins Shea 14.

Ingenious is about Matt, a small-time inventor, keeps coming up with clever but impractical products. Sam, Matt's longtime friend and business partner, is a born salesman. Just ask him, he'll tell you. Gina, Matt's wife, is a flight attendant dealing with the flying public's bizarre behavior. Gina is picking up extra trips to help sustain Matt's struggling business. One day, out of the blue, Matt get the Big Idea. The one he's been waiting on to save his business and marriage. Wild money-raising schemes ensue to finance the American Dream product.

Just like in the movie, the filmmakers have gone through many twists and turns to get their product out there. The film was produced in 2008 and was shot in Tucson. The shoot used the majority of their budget leaving them with precious little money for post production. Although the film was in fifteen big name festivals, opened two (Cleveland and Jerusalem), closed one (Santa Barbara) and won Best Picture (Phoenix), it wasn't technically (sound and music) as good as they would have liked.

They received some offers from major distributors but those were primarily LA and New York short runs followed by or in conjunction with a VOD release. After a period of scrimping and scraping they came up with the money to finish the film (a new edit with more Jeremy Renner screen time), transfer to HD, and integrated score by Tucson musician How Gelb and Dolby certified surround sound. Then, at the Cannes marketplace, they sold eighteen territories, including Canada, France, Scandinavia and all of Latin America.

In addition to having essentially a new better movie, the renewed interest was coming from Jeremy Renner's increasing name recognition and popularity. The response to their self-distribution to theaters has been very positive.  They have booked fourteen theaters, for one week minimums, in the past three weeks including the Harkins Shea in Phoenix and expect to have over 100 booked by the end of November.  So, ironically, just like the theme of INGENIOUS, persistence pays off.

Give the film a look this week exclusively at Harkins Shea 14

Desperado LGBT Film Festival to present films for LGBT history month

LGBTQA weekend at Phoenix College presents socially relevant films celebrating LGBT History Month

(Phoenix, Arizona) - Equality Maricopa, the Maricopa County Community College District's LGBT employee constituency group, has partnered with the Phoenix College Office of Student Life, MCCCD's Center for Civic Participation and the Desperado LGBT Film Festival to present a variety of timely and socially relevant films to foster awareness and understanding of our key issues in the LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, Questioning and Ally) community. The Friday and Saturday screenings are October 19 and 20, 2012, in the Bulpitt Auditorium at Phoenix College in Central Phoenix.

Full weekend admission is only $5 for students and $10 for non-students. The films are recommended for ages 18 and up.  Tickets will be available in advance of the screenings. For more information and detailed descriptions of the films being shown, visit: www.desperadofilmfestival.com.

PHX Film News for August 3rd

Pic of the week Ruby Sparks

The Phoenix Film Critics Society Pic of the Week is the new film "Ruby Sparks" and we would have to agree with them.

The film comes from directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.  It stars Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening and Steve Coogan.

Synopsis: Calvin is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing - as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a  breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby, in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person.

See it this week at Harkins Camelview

Other new releases

A sci-fi remake, a family film and plenty of other interesting stuff The new Total Recall makes its debut this week. We'll see if it can capture any of the success of the original film.

The new family film release is a sequel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid:Dog Days.

Also opening this week are the subtitled films, Farewell My Queen and Caras A Elena and the films Red Lights, Klown and Soldiers of Fortune.

Plus those of you on the west side can now see The Intouchables over at Harkins Arrowhead Theatre.

Upcoming film events

IFP-Phoenix Beat the Clock 48 Hour Film Challenge Screening and Awards

Join us for an evening of short films, food, music and awards.

This year 19 teams kicked off during the weekend of July 20-22. They were given a genre, a line and a prop then were given 48 hours to make a five minute film. Here's your chance to see all of the films that were completed. In fact, we'll be screening all of the films twice.

Visit here for details and to purchase tickets to this screening event

This Friday night at the Phoenix Art Museum is DR. DIABOLIC'S TRAVELING ROADSHOW & FUN-TIME VARIETY HOUR

Dr. Diabolic, Phoenix's newest horror host will present the August edition of his Traveling Roadshow & Fun-Time Variety Hour on August 3 at 7pm, during First Friday in Phoenix Art Museum's Whiteman Hall. The show will feature live sketch comedy, burlesque, Michael Jackson Thriller dancers and brain eating contests.  Museum admission is complimentary; tickets to the variety show are $15 and will be available at the entrance to Whiteman Hall.  The event is open to those 16 and over.

Get your Dr. Diabolic tickets here!

In the news

Ruby Sparks directors interviewed by PFF

Our very own Lisa Minzey sat down with directors Jonathan Dayton and Valeire Faris to discuss their upcoming release Ruby Sparks. This is their follow up to their film Little Miss Sunshine.

Visit our website to read the interview

This Week in Phoenix Film News!

Neil Young Journeys The Phoenix Film Critics Society Pic of the Week is the new documentary "Neil Young Journeys" directed by Jonathan Demme. The film takes a look at Neil Young's 2011 solo tour to Toronto's Massey Hall, an iconic venue in the city of his birth. At sixty-five, Young retains a youthful vitality and musical curiosity. Concert footage of the Massey Hall performances is interspersed with scenes from a road trip through Ontario. Driving a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, Young visits the rural town of Omemee, where he spent a key part of his formative years, and reminisces about his former neighbors.

You can see it starting Friday at Harkins Camelview.

Other new releases

More docs and a couple of new wide releases

It's a big week for documentaries. Also being released this week are a couple of docs that have received some good reviews; Paul Williams: Still Alive and Pink Ribbons.

The two big wide releases this week include The Watch and Step Up: Revolution. Expect Dark Knight Rises to have a big weekend.

Upcoming film events

IFP-Phoenix Beat the Clock 48 Hour Film Challenge Screening and Awards

Join us for an evening of short films, food, music and awards.

This year 19 teams kicked off during the weekend of July 20-22. They were given a genre, a line and a prop then were given 48 hours to make a five minute film. Here's your chance to see all of the films that were completed. In fact, we'll be screening all of the films twice.

Visit here for details and to purchase tickets

In the news

Ruby Sparks directors interviewed by PFF

Our very own Lisa Minzey sat down with directors Jonathan Dayton and Valeire Faris to discuss their upcoming release Ruby Sparks. This is their follow up to their film Little Miss Sunshine.

Visit our website to read the interview

Friday Night Party – 5pm to 1am

Friday is Industry Night

If you are in the film industry in any capacity, please come by and meet yourfellow filmmakers! You do NOT have to be a member of the IFP/PHX to attend. Network to win big prizes!! Cash bar will be available! Mingle with the Who's Who of the Arizona film community. If you are a part of the Arizona Film and Television Industry, you need to be at the INDUSTRY NIGHT during the Annual Phoenix Film Festival. Be sure to bring your business cards!

Entertainment

5pm – 9pm Micah Beverly

2009 Winner of Alice Cooper's "Proof is in the Pudding" contest in Phoenix • 2nd place in the 2010 "BOSS Loop Station National Championships" in Hollywood • "Great guitar playing" - Andy Summers (The Police) • This solo Pop/Rock artist records and layers all his parts live using only an acoustic guitar and his voice to create the sound of a full electric band. Find out more at www.micahbeverly.com

9pm – 1am Karaoke Provided by Karaoke Now

Come belt out your favorite songs and be the life of the Friday Night Party! Join our host Ric Reyes for a rockin’ night. KaraokeNow is the total Karaoke source for over 25000 CDs, CDG, DVD, and VCD, of karaoke music. Largest inventory of systems, machines, mixers, players and software that makes us the most comprehensive retailer of karaoke to SAVE on ALL songs, karaoke, and complete systems for a thrilling karaoke event.

Saturday Night Party – 5pm to 1am

5:30pm - Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers (lead guitar is Andy Borunda, bass is Mike George, percussion is Omar Cifuentes) is one of a very few female-fronted, all original Americana bands in the Phoenix metro area! With songs written in Americana’s mix of folk, alt-country and rock and roll, Carol brings it all to her shows with enthusiasm, ease and pure joy.

7:00pm Shahrazad Dance Company Shahrazad Dance Company performs Egyptian and Arabic Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) and folkloric dances in the Southwest. Known for their authentic dances, inspired by Egypt's rich history of queens and goddesses, and the heroine of 1001 Arabian Nights, the troupe provides the American public a glimpse into the beauty of these colorful and spirited dances, as well as providing Egyptians and Arabs, living abroad, a piece of their culture.

8:00pm Scorpius Dance Formed in 1999 by choreographer, Lisa Starry, Scorpius Dance Theatre has been a constant presence in the metropolitan Phoenix arts community since its inception, combining the motifs of humor, drama, and both organic and technical movement to form a very distinct brand of dance theater. Lisa Starry’s A Vampire Tale, is the requisite haunt of the fall season, 8 years running. Please visit our Booking page to learn about how you can hire Scorpius for your next event!

9:00pm Provocatease Do you like dancing girls, magic, high flyers, live music, and comedy galore? Oh yes, yes you do. Allow our multi-talented, smoking hot troop of Vaudevillians to captivate, amuse, and bring your temperature up. There's something for everyone in our sinfully delightful shows!

10:30pm The Legendary Barbra Seville and Friends Barbra Seville is a Valley original! When she takes the stage in a flurry of feathers, foam, and frivolity, you are in for a good time. She has delighted audiences from coast to coast for over 15 years with her high-glamor, high energy, and high heels. Experience Barbra at www.thebarbra.com

11:30pm to 1am – We’ll have a DJ to help us close out the night. Stick around until last call!

Sunday Night Awards Party 5pm to 11pm

5:30pm DJ Ascension The Artist, DJ Ascension represents a uniquely diverse taste of music gathered through generations paired with both natural and fine-tuned mixing skills, the handle: Ascension. may be used to describe but one element of this experience. With remixes including The Who vs. The Chemical Brothers (England), Bob Dylan vs. Daft Punk ((France), the recent Steve Miller Band vs. Danger (France), and the powerful 9/11 tribute mix of K'naan and Datsik(BC) this DJ/VDJ is never to be underestimated.

9:30pm Copper Wing Award Ceremony Your opportunity to see who the big winners are this year. Come find out who takes home the illustrious Copper Wing Award.

We've got films!

During the film festival you'll have your choice of over 140 screenings over eight-days. It's a great chance to see new feature films, world cinema films, horror and sci-fi films. and all type of short films. It's like an all you can eat buffet of films.  

Some of the highlights from 2012 included "Darling Companion" starring Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline, "The Woman in the Fifth" starring Ethan Hawke and Kristin Scott Thomas, "The Perfect Family" starring Emily Deschanel, Jason Ritter and Kathleen Turner and finally "6 Month Rule" starring Blayne Weaver, Martin Starr, Natalie Morales, Dave Foley and Jaime Pressly.

We're working to bring you an even better 2013 line-up.  To get the scoop on all of our films and the schedule, visit our Films page