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Volume 2, Issue 1
Greetings!
The WFA is like all those hardy Northwest plants; below eye level our roots are spreading and the sap is rising, steady growth brings beautiful blooms come springtime. So read on to find out more about construction progress as the excavation project is now underway.
Michael Falter, our Program Director, has been invited to be a judge at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, and get a sneak preview of some of the Sundance Film Festival’s best selections. Finally, a special thanks to the host of new campaign donors, as seen on our Donors page.
Thanks for your continued enthusiasm and support!
- Alice Clark, WFA Executive Director
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Pickford Film Center Progress - Excavation Begins
On February 5, we began excavating the basement for future Pickford Film Center expansion, and when we say 'we', we should really say Kenny Roos and his Lil' Scoop Bobcat operation, who has been down there all week diggin' in the dirt.
Kenny's good natured approach to the job is keeping our costs down, as is Birch Equipment's donation of the conveyor system which you can see in the picture at right.
We must also mention volunteer extraordinaire Paul Wright, who was instrumental in demo work opening up the big hole you see on the bottom right, where Kenny was able to lower his Bobcat into the basement via a forklift! Thanks to Kenny, Paul, Birch Equipment, and our VP James Willson who hauled his family down to the space last weekend for some 'volunteer' clean up.
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Pickford Program Director
Named ‘Big Sky’ Film Festival Judge
The Whatcom Film Association is pleased to announce that Michael Falter, Pickford Cinema Program Director, has been invited to be a judge at the 2007 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, February 15-21. Falter, who has served as Pickford Program Director since 2002, will be one of nine judges including some of the nation’s most prominent filmmakers and festival programmers.
“I’m thrilled,” says Falter, “to be joining program directors from other festivals, like Silverdocs and Full Frame, and filmmakers such as Steve James, director of Hoop Dreams, in evaluating this year’s exciting line-up of documentaries—some of which I hope to bring to the Pickford in the months to come. Our invitation is another example of the growing stature of Whatcom Film Association’s programs in the world of independent film.”
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Pickford Cinema Attends Sundance Film Festival
For the second year in a row the Pickford Cinema was invited to Sundance Film Festival. Pickford Cinema program director Michael Falter and WFA development director Susan Tive along with representative from only 12 other theatres nationwide selected to participate in Sundance Institute’s ongoing Art House Project attended the fest. In a luncheon meeting with John Cooper, director of programming for Sundace Film Festival, Jill Miller, managing director of Sundance Institute and Matt Anderson, coordinator for the Art House Project, there was general agreement that the project was a success and should continue.
While at Sundance, Pickford staff screened close to 50 new independent films many of which we hope to be bringing to you in the coming year at the Pickford Film Center. Some Sundance highlights to look for in the coming months include:
 Rocket Science, Jeffrey Blitz’s frequently hilarious portrait of Hal Hefner, a high school student with a chronic stutter who is vetted to join the high school debate. Blitz directed Spellbound, and his keen eye toward seeing what makes kids tick is on full display in this narrative—a cross between Rushmore and Spellbound.
Son of Rambow, by the British team Hammer & Tong (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) have created a more homespun, original film about growing up. Set in the 80’s, it details the burgeoning friendship between two young boys and their hilarious efforts to film a sequel to Rambo, featuring their own special effects. It’s special.
 Grace is Gone, John Cusack’s portrait of a grieving husband unable to tell his daughters that their mother has died in Iraq, was picked up by The Weinstein Company. It’s a noble, if rather plain effort, that will be hatched next fall, again in time for the Oscars.
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