It's a busy weekend ahead at the Albany Film Festival. A spectacular sound and light show at UAlbany, Ironweed Awards honoring notable directors, actors, editors, screenwriters and cinematographers, screenings of short films, another free workshop, and the world premiere of a locally-produced featured film.
Thank you to last night's drive-in fans!
While the rains understandably kept many of you away, we were impressed with the number of cars that pulled into the Malta Drive-In for last night's event. A memorable night indeed.
Coming up this tonight through Monday...
"Passages" outdoor light and sound show
Friday, April 30, through Monday, May 3
Join us at the University at Albany for "Passages," the light and sound projection mapping display that will turn the Science Library at the UAlbany uptown campus from this:
into this:
We shared a bunch of information about "Passages" in yesterday's post. Shows starts each half hour from 8:30 through 10:30 p.m. Friday through Monday, May 3.
If you attend tonight's 8:30 kickoff show, you can meet and thank Chet and Karen Opalka, whose support makes "Passages" possible.
Tip: You may want to bring a lawn chair.
Short film screenings
Friday, April 30, through Sunday, May 2
We're proud to feature a collection of short films at this year's Albany Film Festival. Each film has a connection to New York, whether it's the filmmaker's home state or the location of the shoot.
We encourage you to view collections of those films in the following categories: Comedic, Dramatic, Experimental, and Documentary. View films
Online Workshop: So you want a career in film?
Saturday, May 1, at 2 p.m.
Film producer and director Glen Trotiner -- and UAlbany alumnus -- will lead our final workshop of the film festival: "So you want a career in film? A four-decade retrospective."
Registration required. Please register at least 30 minutes before the event.
The Ironweed Award for Exemplary Achievement in Film
Starting at 4 p.m., you may watch pre-recorded video conversations with the five individual artists—directors, actors, editors, screenwriters and cinematographers—chosen to be honored with the inaugural Ironweed Award for Exemplary Achievement in Film:
James Ivory, co-founder of Merchant Ivory Productions (“A Room with a View,” “Howard’s End,” “The Remains of the Days”)
Kasi Lemmons, actor (“Silence of the Lambs”) and director (“Harriet” and “Eve’s Bayou”)
Darnell Martin, director of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and “I Like it Like That”
Rosie Perez, Oscar-nominated actress (“Fearless,” “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Do the Right Thing”) and
Samuel Pollard, director and film editor (“MLK/FBI,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Jungle Fever,” “Clockers,” and the forthcoming feature documentary “Counting the Ballots”)
When we originally scheduled our film festival for March, 2020, all five awardees planned to visit Albany to receive their awards at a gala reception. We all hope conditions in 2022 will allow for an in-person event for Ironweed Award winners. Link to view Ironweed Awards on our YouTube channel.
"Karen or Bust" world premiere
Starts at 7 p.m.
Join us for our YouTube Watch Party as we screen Don Rittner's autobiographical film "Karen or Bust."
As we shared earlier this week, Don filmed most of the scenes in the Capital Region and also featured many actors and extras from the area. at the following link: