FUNDRAISER FOR 'PANCHO GOES TO COLLEGE'
The locally shot and produced Pancho Goes to College, from Tucson's Reel Loco Productions, has been accepted into the El Ojo Cojo International Film Festival (Lame Eye Film Festival), in Madrid, Spain, Oct. 11-18. The festival focuses on independent films by or about immigration and/or minority communities. The filmmakers are hosting a fundraising screening of the film at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, at the Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St. There is no admission fee, but all donations will be used to help promote the film at the festival. Director Rubén Reyes and various cast and crew members will be at the screening. Visit the film Web site for more information.
REEL INSPIRATION CALL
Tucson's Reel Inspiration is gearing up to host the 2008 Reel Inspiration Film Contest, previously known as the Pura Inspiración Film Contest. Organizers are looking for both volunteers and film submissions. They're seeking diverse documentary, animated or narrative films about the good in the world, including everyday heroes, life lessons and individual passions. Films should be 10 minutes or less; there is also a teen and a children's competition. Contest details can be found at the Reel Inspiration Web site. If you want to volunteer, call Jana Segal at 325-9175, or send her e-mail.
CASTING CALL
Tucson's VientoFuego Productions is casting for Amor de Lejos (Love From Afar), an independent feature film described as "a dark romantic comedy" that will be shot in Southern Arizona in October. The producers are currently looking for Spanish-speaking actors, ages 18 to 35. Theater experience is desired but not a requisite. Résumés and headshots can be sent by e-mail; check the VientoFuego Web site for more information.
TUCSON FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Fourth Annual Tucson Film and Music Festival comes to town Oct. 10-12. A full lineup of films will be announced in September. Movies already confirmed include The Gits, Nowhere Now: The Ballad of Joshua Tree and Nerdcore for Life. Check the festival Web site for more information and, eventually, a full schedule.
EVENTS AT THE LOFT
• That's My Take 2008 Summer Video Shootout: Tucson's Pan Left Productions and the Pima County Public Library facilitated the making of eight short videos by groups of young filmmakers during the summer. Each video incorporates books or the library as a subject or theme. That's My Take will screen the finished work at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 6; free.• Essential Cinema screens a new print of Nicolas Roeg's 1971 classic Walkabout at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14, and 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15. Essential Cinema screenings are free, but donations are accepted.
• Transsiberian: Tucson screenwriter Will Conroy, who co-wrote the screenplay to the new thriller Transsiberian, will be at the Loft at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, for the opening-night screening; regular admission.
• Mill Ave, Inc.: Phoenix-based filmmaker Nicholas Holthaus will be at the Loft at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18, for the Tucson debut of his film Mill Ave, Inc., which examines what happened to Tempe's famous Mill Avenue after it was bought up by corporate interests. The film includes music by Phoenix bands the Gin Blossoms, Flathead and others; $5.
• Grijalva at the Loft for Wild Versus Wall: Tucson Congressman Raúl Grijalva will be present at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, for the debut of the film Wild Versus Wall, a Sierra Club production that was shot by Tucson filmmaker Steev Hise, who will also be in attendance. This film details the unique and diverse natural areas along the southern borders of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and explains how they have been and will be affected by current and planned federal border policy and infrastructure. Admission is a sliding scale $10-20 suggested donation. Proceeds will support the Sierra Club borderlands protection campaign. For more information, visit the Sierra Club Web site.
• The 2008 Manhattan Short Film Festival comes to Tucson at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25. Check the Loft Web site for details.
The Loft Cinema is at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call 795-7777 or check the Loft Web site for a full schedule of films and events, and for further information.
SEPTEMBER FILMS AT THE FOX
The Fox Tucson Theatre's September film schedule is aimed at welcoming students back to school. They are showing Animal House on Friday, Sept. 5, The Graduate on Saturday, Sept. 6, Footloose on Friday, Sept. 12, Flashdance on Saturday, Sept. 13, and The Gods Must be Crazy on Friday, Sept. 19. All films are at 7:30 p.m. , and admission is $8 general, and $6 for seniors, students and active-duty military. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 547-3040, or visit the Fox Web site. The Fox Tucson is at 17 W. Congress St.
