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CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL

CUCALORUS 13 ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL NOV. 7-10

About Me

The feisty filmmakers from Wilmington, North Carolina announce the 13th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival, taking place in downtown Wilmington, November 7-10, 2007. With humble beginnings as an intimate gathering of filmmakers in 1994, Cucalorus has developed an international reputation as a festival with sincerity and integrity, exploring the artform without the awards and prizes so prevalent at other festivals. Cucalorus 13 delivers the same creative chaos, bringing great films to the historic and glorious Thalian Hall and in our underground, micro-cinema Jengo's Playhouse. Cucalorus is the real deal, a celebration of the pure love of filmmaking. Daring as always, the festival showcases over 100 films for four days in the historic port city - hitting political highs, exploring social lows, and organizing the unordinary. Be part of the creative gumbo, travel to Wilmington, meet filmmakers and see the finest in independent cinema at the 13th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival, November 7-10, 2007.

My Interests



In the fall of 1994, a small filmmaking collective known as Twinkle Doon brought 16 films to a waterfront restaurant along the banks of the Cape Fear River. The intimate restaurant quickly reached capacity and a long line of eager film fans meandered down the riverwalk in the hopes of getting in before the last film screened. The humble event marked the beginning of the Cucalorus Film Festival.

With a growing indie film scene, Wilmington's creative environment was active and ascending. Film fans and filmmakers recognized the need for a film festival in Wilmington. In the spring of 1996, the 2nd Annual Cucalorus Film Festival was held at several venues around town, attracting filmmakers and film fans from all over North Carolina.

Cucalorus grew rapidly over the next three years, expanding into a four-day event, attracting filmmakers from around the world and bringing the finest short and feature films to the screen. Staying true to its roots, the festival continued to be organized by filmmakers and for filmmakers. Never competitive, Cucalorus focused on celebrating the artform in a relaxed and southern atmosphere, where the emphasis was on socializing and collaborating. Special guest Jack Cardiff presented his classic "The Red Shoes" at the Third annual event and native North Carolinian Ross McElwee brought his film "Six O'Clock News" to the festival. Actor Nick Searcy brought his debut feature "Paradise Falls" to the 4th Cucalorus, which screened alongside a collection of cutting-edge indie features and over 30 shorts from around the world.

In 1998, with five festivals under its belt, the festival staff established the Cucalorus Film Foundation as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The Foundation produces the annual film festival and promotes film culture and film production throughout North Carolina. In 2005, the Foundation hosted the 1st Annual Cucalorus Kids! festival, an interactive weekend introducing filmmaking to children. Highlights included an all day 'Young Filmmakers Camp' with tours of Screen Gems Studios and Joe Dunton Cameras as well as an animation workshop with filmmaker David Hardin. The Foundation also hosts a weekly film series, screening a broad selection of classics, local shorts and international indie features. The series, "Friday Nite Films", takes place at the festival's headquarters, located at Jengo's Playhouse in the Independent Art Company creative compound in downtown Wilmington.

Cucalorus 6 broke new ground with a breathtaking screening of Farhad Yawari's "Dolphins" on the deck of the USS North Carolina. The outdoor screening, with the lights of the city reflecting in the waters of the Cape Fear River, was an unforgettable kick-off to an unruly and expanding festival. Festival Seven brought an international collection of films to Wilmington, with David Gordon Green's directorial debut "George Washington" as the undisputed indie film of the year. With an expanding lineup of films (over 70 shorts and features) and new national sponsors like Kodak, the festival established itself as an important national event. MovieMaker magazine attended Cucalorus 7, dubbing it "the best kept secret on the indie fest circuit."

In its eighth year, Cucalorus brought an important collection North Carolina and international independent films to the screen, introducing a new generation of filmmakers to a growing national audience. Filmed at EUE Screen Gems studios and on locations throughout Wilmington, "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" was an audience favorite in 2002. With a growing interest in documentaries, Cucalorus 9 reflected an increasing interest among indie filmmakers in the real. Screening films like "Schooling Jewel", "The Backyard" and Chris Smith's "Home Movie", the festival's programming style became more sophisticated. This trend continued at the 10th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival, as programmers brought a collection of politically and socially charged films to festival audiences. Highlights included Gus Van Sant's "Elephant", the East Coast premier of Tricia Brock's adaptation of a Clyde Edgerton novel "Killer Diller," and Ross McElwee's "Bright Leaves."

Cucalorus 11 (held March 30 - April 3, 2005) brought a record number of filmmakers to the festival from all over the world. The festival christened it's new micro-cinema Jengo's Playhouse at 815 Princess Street in downtown Wilmington. Highlights included Oscar winning (co-writer for "Sideways") writer Jim Taylor's directorial debut, a narrative short starring Nick Searcy - "The Lost Cause". Bringing the house to its feet, the festival screened Jonathan Caouette's "Tarnation" to a sold out crowd. The Q&A lasted nearly an hour, as filmmakers and film fans joined Caouette in savoring the brilliance of the ground-breaking, autobiographical documentary.

After eleven years, the festival staff and board, recognizing the hectic nature of the spring festival circuit, moved the annual festival to the Fall. Along with the change of season, Cucalorus made a new home, with the primary venue for the 12th Annual Festival at the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. The 12th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival swept through Wilmington, North Carolina from November 8-11, 2006. Official attendance was over 9000 as the festival drew visitors from around the world. Cucalorus 12 set a record for attending filmmakers with 78 of today's most innovative and promising film artists on hand to trade ideas and celebrate. International artists attended from Israel, Scotland and Canada. Thalian Hall's historic, ornate Main Stage Theater was the dramatic setting for a host of outstanding films, including a packed screening of John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus. Pushing the boundaries of artistic discipline, Dance-a-lorus was a hit in its second year as filmmakers and choreographers broke new ground with their experimental fusion of film and dance. The festival continued to screen controversial, challenging and highly personal documentaries, with extended post screening dialoque in Thalian Hall's stark Black Box theater. The hottest and wildest screen was at Jengo's Playhouse, the odd micro-cinema hosted most of the festival's short selections. Jengo's burned late into the night as the festival's venue for alternative and spirited social events as well.

The 13th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival, November 7 - 10, 2007 promises to bring an outstanding lineup of features, documentaries, and shorts to the screen, while connecting a unique mix of today's brightest artists from around the world with the festival's usual laid-back and relaxed rock n' roll style.

In addition the Foundation has an ongoing weekly film series that takes place at Jengo's Playhouse, please check our blog to find out whats playing. Cucalorus also looks forward to its 3rd Annual Cucalorus Kids! Festival, taking place at Jengo's Playhouse from March 26 to 28, 2008. HangOn! SlangOn!

I'd like to meet:

Everyone, every week at Jengo's Playhouse for our ongoing film series. Check out our blog to see what were playing this week!!

Movies:

Cucalorus screens a little bit of everything. Lots of shorts and docs scattered throughout the schedule. Each year we screen over 100 films, roughly 20 features both narrative and documentary and about 80 shorts. Short films range from super short (30 seconds) up to 39 minutes. Cucalorus attempts to represent the art form in all its diversity and contradiction.

Heroes:



My Blog

Upcoming films at JENGO’S PLAYHOUSE!!!!!

SEPTEMBERFriday, September 21 at 7:30pm " FaceThursday, September 27 at 7:30pm " Ghosts of Cite SoleilFriday, September 28 at 7:30pm " Ghosts of Cite SoleilSaturday, September 29 at 7:30pm " Ghosts of...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:41:00 PST

Jengo’s Playhouse Schedule all the way to THE FESTIVAL!!!

SEPTEMBERThursday, September 13 " 7:00pm " The FountainheadThursday, September 13 " 9:30pm " Broken EnglishFriday, September 14 " 7:30pm " Broken EnglishSaturday, September 15 " 7:30pm " Broken Englis...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:30:00 PST

Jengo’s Playhouse Schedule through August

AUGUSTFriday, August 17 at 7:30pm " Buffalo SoldiersThursday, August 23 at 7pm " Aborigonal ArchitectureThursday, August 23 at 9:30pm " 10mphFriday, August 24 at 7:30pm " 10mph------------------------...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:33:00 PST

Please don’t miss this important film!!! Plenty of chances to watch!!!!

Cucalorus and Working Films present:"The Devil Came on Horseback"Award winning documentary seeks broad Wilmington audience, engaging the community for one week of screenings in five local theaters.Scr...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 08:23:00 PST

Open Screen Nite: Friday, August 3 at 7:30pm

Open Screen NiteFriday, August 3 at 7:30pmJengo's PlayhouseCucalorus wants to screen your film at Jengo's. It's like 'Open Mic' for poets only better. Make a new film, polish an old film: we'll screen...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 07:01:00 PST

Stolen: This weekend at Jengo's Playhouse!

STOLENFriday, July 27 at 7:30pmSaturday, July 28 at 7:30pmSunday, July 29 at 7:30pmat Jengo's Playhouse815 Princess St. Wilmington, NC Admission:$7, Members Free! A film by Rebecca DreyfusFeaturing th...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:40:00 PST

Jengo's Playhouse Schedule Update 7/21/07

Here's whats playing at Jengo's Playhouse SOON!SCHEDULE***scroll down for film descriptions***JULYFriday, July 20 at 7:30pm " A Dry White SeasonThursday, July 26 at 7:30pm " Children's HouseFriday, Ju...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:24:00 PST

Jengo's Playhouse Schedule July through August 12th

Jengo's Playhouse Schedule***continue scrolling for complete event descriptions***Beyond the CallThursday, July 12 at 7:30pmFriday, July 13 at 7:30pm &Saturday, July 14 at 7:30pmFriday, July 20 at 7:3...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Sat, 14 Jul 2007 05:52:00 PST

Friday Night Films

Friday Nite FilmsannouncesSneak Peek:Watch and vote... A selection of Cucalorus 13 SubmissionsEver wonder who picks the films at Cucalorus and other film festivals? Maybe you'd like to become a "Fes...
Posted by CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:07:00 PST