Georgia Film News You Can Use!

You know, as opposed to news you can't use, like "Are their bugs in your chocolate?" Not only is that not related to film, but even if there were bugs in your chocolate, you've been eating chocolate for years and you're okay. I say as long as they're no longer discernible as bugs, let 'em in there. They have protein.

And now if you're not too grossed out, the news!

The Winners of Rapid-i-Movement

We brought it to your attention (we'll take credit where ever we can get it) and now the winners of IMAGE's Rapid-i-Movement have been announced. They are...
From Group A + D

Tibet's Trust - Ten-X Films
Team Captain Scott Balzar

Petunia - Another Look
Team Captain Marla Johnson

From Group B + C

No Vacancy - LightHog
Team Captain Keith Hooker

Done in One - Mavin Productions
Team Captain Matthew Cornwell

Congratulations to the Finalists. Their films will screen at the 2008 Atlanta Film Festival, will be televised on Comcast On Demand and will be eligible for Jury Awards and prizes at this year's festival. They may think they're better than me, and they would be right.

AFI Directing Workshop for Women Calls for Applications

There is a depressing dearth of women directors in Hollywood. Sofia Coppola is only one woman and Nora Ephron only recently got paroled from director jail for the awfulness that was Bewitched. So we need more women voices in cinema and Diablo Cody hasn't decided to direct yet, so the call falls to you. Established in 1974, this tuition-free program is dedicated to increasing the number of women working professionally as film and television directors by providing them with the education and resources necessary to their first step towards career advancement by directing a short film (which they may want to submit to us...just a thought). Applications can be downloaded from http://www.AFI.com/education/dww and must be postmarked by January 4, 2008.

So what are you waiting for? Oh, an encouraging word from me? Well then, go and get some! Hollywood needs you and they need you to show them that you're better than just second-rate romantic comedies and Lifetime network television. I mean, work is work but you've got vision and talent and the world always needs it.

Director of OFF THE BLACK Awarded Sundance Fellowship

Writer/Director/Athens native, James Ponsoldt has been awarded the 2007 Lynn Auerbach Screenwriting Felllowship for his screenplay "Refresh, Refresh" by the Sundance Institute. Conversely, my screenplay "Back Button, Back Button" received a harsh rebuke from the Sundance Institute. That smug Redford thinks he's better than me...

But back to the winner, Ponsoldt will receive a cash stipend, a Sundance screenplay reading and advice from screenwriters John August (Go, Big Fish, The Nines) and Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia, Gross Anatomy, Painted Veil). I will be hiding in his luggage because August is one of my favorite screenwriters and I want him to sign my copy of Big Fish. I'm sure all parties involved are totally cool with that.

Ponsoldt won the 2003 Perfect Pitch contest at that year's Atlanta Film Festival, and his directoral debut OFF THE BLACK, starring Nick Nolte and a 2006 Sundance selection, was released on DVD earlier this spring. Conversely, my directorial debut GRANDMA'S 75th BIRTHDAY was released on DVD by using iMovie and burning it to a rewritable DVD and then giving it to my mother.

C-47: Still Awesome

We have got a MAJOR news update on how great we are. Now you may read this and feel bad about yourself and your own accomplishments and how they pale in comparison to ours.

But don't cry! Wipe away those tears, sad child! If you're reading this blog, then our accomplishments are your accomplishments! Everyone wins! Internet group hug!

(If at this point you are hugging your monitor, you are probably getting odd stares from your co-workers. It's okay; we wont' judge)

First off, we want to offer a MAJOR and much belated CONGRATULATIONS (it's all in caps because that's how much we congratulate here at C-47) to original C-47er Phoebe Brown for getting her documentary 99 to 1: Ovarian Cancer and Me accepted to the Asheville Film Festival. Please visit their website for more details.

Next up, a big congratulations (although not as big as Phoebe's because we are so proud of her!) to US! The Foundation Center has done a very nice write-up on us and who we are. To check it out, click here!

Finally, THE BIG NEWS. You have no idea how BIG this NEWS will BE.

Imagine it. Now multiply that by INFINITY...+1.

NEW SHOW: OCTOBER 23, 2007. MIDNIGHT. DO. NOT. MISS. IT.

That's the best I can do without putting together a trailer and having Mr. Movie Voice come in to do the narration (I imagine he is rather expensive. And busy. And in desperate need of a lozenge).

That's the news and expect plenty more of it as I have been shackled to my desk and forced to blog for all eternity (Please, somebody call for help. So hungry).