National Geographic Society

You will have to pardon the delay of today's post. Like the scores of attendees who packed the Egyptian Theater Courtyard for the All Roads Live Event, I was caught in a mindblowing, whirlwind tour of the senses. A night of everlasting trance and dance. The evening began simply enough, with a search for love. The Hardest of These is Love directed by Suvi West, set a forth a crescendo of emotions that would reach a fever's pitch by the night's end. Since its opening, attendees were moved by the All Roads Photography exhibitions. While members of the general public caught the premieres of Arctic Sun and The Hardest of these is Love, the Egyptian Courtyard played host to a grand VIP reception where filmmakers, industry players and LA scenesters caught a taste National Geographic style revelry. Exotic sounds of global mixes oozed from the sound speakers as everyone mingled with growing anticipation for evening's live performances.

At precisely 9:15 P.M., critically acclaimed spoken word artist Saul Williams (Slam) captivated everyone with an emotionally charged monologue. This was followed by a spirited performance by the Shaluza Boot Dancers (South Africa). This spirit turned toward ambient trance as world-renowned classical indian instrumentalist Karsh Kale took the stage. Dreamy vocals weaved around the lush backdrop of Kale's blistering tablas and electronic soundscapes. Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (X-Men: Last Stand, 24) soaked in the ambient sounds holding court with National Geographic Films president Adam Leipzig.

Just when you thought the night couldn't get any higher, Sudanese hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal stepped to the stage for the first time on US soil. Alert: The US hip-hop scene WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!! Hip-hop derives its roots from the struggles of hardship from this country's urban battlefields. These battlefields are a relative Disney World compared with the ravaged war-torn lands of Emmanuel's hometown of Darfur, Sudan. Since leaving his country as a young adult, Jal has replaced his deadly weapons of war with lyrical and rhythmic artillery. With deft skill, his rap is both alarming and inspirational. While pulling no punches, he exposes the all-too-real-truths about Sudanese struggle and yet, he is still able to offer a beacon of hope for the future. It's an amazing phenomenon to see an unsuspecting audience go from stoic to rapturous in one set. Jal has the skills and charisma to "move the crowd."Actor Leon (The Temptations, Like a Prayer) held court to the very end as Jal dazzled the LA audience. As was a common theme heard througout the night, this was not your typical night out in LA.

(All images courtesy of Becky Hale, National Geographic Society)

All Roads 2006 is officially upon us.  With tonight's intimate launch event high in the secluded Hollywood Hills, the seeds of new lifelong friendships were forged.  This year's special assembly of filmmakers, photographers and NGS staff gathered together In the spirit of this country's indigenous traditions for a special Welcome event.  Festival director Francene Blythe ceremoniously welcomed all in attendance, some traveling thousands of miles from almost every continent across the globe to participate in the upcoming week's activities.  All Roads Advisory board member Bird Running Water then proceeded to lead the group in an official smudge of cedar and sandlewood for purification.  In the evening's climax, group elder Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman (Dances With Wolves, Dharma & Greg) offered a spiritual message of hope, inspiration and history to a captivated audience of budding story-tellers.  At the conclusion of the traditional indigenous Welcome ceremony, spirits of the liquid variety flowed freely has attendees shared stories of films, culture and ideas.  Filmmaker Cherien Dabis (Make a Wish), born to a Palestinian father and Jordanian mother, joined intellectual forces with Elle Flanders, (Zero Degrees of Separation) raised in Israel, to solve the Palestinian/Israeli crisis.  With such an amazing international breakthrough on only the first night, one can imagine the scope of collaboration yet to come.   

(All images courtesy of Becky Hale, National Geographic Society)

Tune in to Indie 103.1 all week for a chance to win tickets to Friday night's special All Roads Film Festival Live event.

The All Roads Film Project is a festival of images, stories, sounds and ideas. Among the images featured this year are the stunning photographs from the 2006 All Roads Photography Program Awardees.  The photography program recognizes and supports talented indigenous and minority-culture photographic storytellers from around the world who are documenting their changing culture and community through photography.  With titles such as "Stolen Dreams: The Story of Abandoned Victims of Political Violence", "Fly by Night Mythology","Inherited Violence" and "Women in the Axis of Evil", viewers can expect a moving tapestry of soulful insight and emotion.  For those unable to attend the Festivals in LA, DC or Santa Fe, take the time to experience the photo essays online.  Witness the world through the lens' and words of these amazing photographers. (Image courtesy of Newsha Tavakolian)

Certainly, the impetus for a great film begins with the spark of a great idea.  Once eureka strikes though, it's all about the screenplay!  Pixar Animation, Oliver Stone, William Goldman, Neil Labute, and WGA President Patric Verrone will headline this year's Screenwriting Expo 5, the worlds largest annual screenwriting conference. Network among the best in the business and learn ways to advance your career for over four full days, October 19-22, in heart of the industry, Los Angeles.  Over $150,000 in cash, prizes, and production deals will be awarded for the Screenwriting Expo Competition and the Creative Screenwriting Open, an on-site writing tournament whose winning scene is selected by the audience at the Expo's closing ceremonies after a live performance of the finalist's scripts.  Register now so you can be a part of this year's action. 

Submissions for the Fall 2007-2008 season of the PBS series Independent Lens will be accepted until September 25.  The series welcomes the full spectrum of film, from history to drama to animation shorts to social-issue subjects. Check out the PBS technical specs and editorial and funding guidelines. Access the official release form here.

In other public television opps, check out these from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

INDIGENOUS PROJECT OFFICER POSITION WITH SCREENWEST OPEN FOR APPLICANTS

ScreenWest is calling for applicants for the position Indigenous Project Officer who will research sources of Indigenous funding and play a key role in devising, negotiating and securing funding for new production opportunities for Indigenous Filmmakers. Click here for more information.

Also, Third Series of "Deadly Yarns" announced:
Western Australian Indigenous filmmakers will have another chance to tell their "deadliest" short story on film, with the commissioning of the third series of "Deadly Yarns." Click here for more information.

Hello Filmmakers!

InterTribal Entertainment is seeking to identify, train, produce and promote the work of Native American writers by turning their short scripts into films right in the heart of Hollywood. Creative Spirit is a new Script-to-Screen short film competition open to all new, emerging and established American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian writers over the age of 18 from the U.S. Winning screenwriters will receive airfare, lodging and meals for a weeklong stay on Los Angeles, October 21-29, 2006, where they will be provided with an industry mentor, a cast and crew and will have the choice of participating in the making of their films as either a director, actor, or simply observer.  While the 2006 deadline for submissions has passed (August 31) selections will be announced on September 20.  Best of luck to all those who have submitted this year.  Let's keep a keen eye out for the next generation of writers!