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Stockton hosts film festivalMay 2008 - Regarded by the California Travel & Tourism Commission among its new and exciting events of Spring 2008, the 1st International San Joaquin Film Festival (SJFF08), a project of San Joaquin Cross-Cultural Media (SJCCM), will open in the multi-cultural city of Stockton from June 4 to June 8 as the region's first, global film festival. The festival will feature more than 44 films from 14 nations; 40 events including screenings, galas, forums, and cultural arts programs; and the presence of filmmakers and film lovers from near and far. "Making History" is the theme of SJFF08, with films highlighting stories of human migration, human rights, and coming-of-age. Wednesday,
June 4th, the first destination is Downtown Stockton, for the Opening
Night Gala at the Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre and the Hotel Stockton for a
night celebrating Latino Cinema. At At
6:45PM, enter the historic Theatre for the Gala program, featuring the
Opening Ceremonies and the screening of the first film, Sebastian Silva's
Mexican-released "Nonna's Trip / El Viaje de La Nonna," a
narrative feature about a grandmother's last wish to visit Italy with her
family. After the film patrons are invited to the rooftop terrace of the
historic Hotel Stockton, at Thursday,
June 5th to Saturday, June 7th, experience "Lights, Camera,
Pacific!" - a series of screenings and forums at the Pacific Theatre,
and the Celebrating
local filmmakers, this year's selection includes: "A Land Between
Rivers," a local, historical documentary; "Hem Lengths,"
about an elderly man coping with his wife's death; and " A
global collection of documentaries include: "Our Father's War: A
Vietnam Journey," a story about a veteran finding closure and peace;
Israel's "The House on August Street," of a courageous woman who
sheltered Jewish children during the Holocaust; "1906," a
personal story on Herb Hamrol and survivors of the infamous San Francisco
Earthquake; "Guitar Holiday," celebrating the annual Mexican
National Guitar Festival; and Valladolid Film Festival-winning "Made
in L.A.," about three Mexican garment worker's struggle for
self-empowerment and human rights. A dynamic and diverse collection of
short films from 10 countries will be presented in three unique programs,
featuring: Sundance® honorable "Aquarium," which a young
aquarist has a big secret; Cannes® selected "Sexy Thing" from
Australia, a young girl's pain transformed into beauty; British short
"The Sickie," follows a man who finds reasons to be out of work;
"Tiffin" from Malaysia, a young Indian girl's loyalty in
jeopardy; the animated "Jungle Gym," a self-conscious hippo;
"Broadcast Cowboy," a biography on singing cowboy, Dude Martin;
mockumentary "Cabbie," captures Marty's lifelong goal to become
a cab driver; "The Golden Voice" of Ros Sereysothea, Cambodian
singer's struggle during the Khmer Rouge genocide; stop-motion "Nazdravìcko!"
from Slovakia, entertains with a brick-laying farmer and his
over-demanding wife; among several other short films. A special
presentation of the Israeli Academy Award-winning "Souvenirs"
will be presented at the Faye Spanos Hall on June 5th. From
Friday, June 6th to Sunday, June 8th, head to the Miracle Mile for
"Movies on the Mile," featuring events at the historic,
art-house Stockton Empire Theatre and and the intimate Matinée Movie
Lounge. Experience the American Indie collection with: Carl Thibault's
multiple award-winning film "The Garage," about a young man's
decision to leave his small town's existence; and Joel Metlen's comedy
"Rain in the Mountain," about Native American Eric Smallhouse's
conviction to save his people. Within the Global Cinema Series, celebrate:
Canada's "Saving Luna," an inspiring documentary about a lone
baby whale's journey, winner of the 2008 Audience Award at the Santa
Barbara Film Festival; "To Touch the Soul," about 27 students,
who traveled to give an art class to AIDS-affected children in Cambodia;
2007 Berlin Film Festival's Best Debut "Vanaja," from India, a
story about a young girl from a low caste whose life was shaped through
dance and desire; two films - "The Farther, The Dearer"
and "This Belfast Thing," explore the impact of immigration on
Northern Ireland. Next,
spend the afternoon of Saturday, June 7th, at The Haggin Museum, for the
"Celebrate! Sunday,
June 8th takes the audience on a journey back to the Faye Spanos Concert
Hall for the Finale ceremonies. Opening the afternoon will be the West
Coast premiere of "Rain Falls from Earth," a documentary story
about courage, survival, and eventual triumph over the Khmer Rouge regime,
which took the lives of over 2 million people. The film's director, Steve
McClure, will engage in an interactive conversation with the audience.
Finally, the journey concludes with the 2008 San Joaquin Film Festival
Finale - Awards Gala, an extraordinary evening: honoring the exemplary
talents of featured filmmakers of this year's festival, with jury-selected
and audience-selected prizes: and ending on a high note, in a tribute to
Israeli cinema, with "Love & Dance," an intriguing,
narrative feature by Israeli filmmaker Etan Anner - about a young boy, of
Israeli and Russian descent, who crosses cultural bridges and brings his
family and friends together through his passion and love for dance. All
films will be in English or have English sub-titles. Retrospectively,
the For all information on the festival, including voluteerism and sponsorship, visit www.sjccm.org. For
tickets to Opening Night Celebrations, visit www.bobhopetheatre.com
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