San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) May 15, 2006 -- Created with young viewers
in mind, Urban Kidz Film Festival (UKFF) unveils its fifth season on
Saturday, June 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the African American
Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street. UKFF is an offshoot of the
San Francisco Black Film Festival (which opens June 6 and runs through
June 11) and features a striking assemblage of short films, special
presentations and hands-on instruction designed to spark the
imaginations of the 5-to-12-year-old set.
Staffed by successful directors, screenwriters and actors of color, UKFF
workshops offer inspiration as they uncover the inner workings of
cinema. Hip kid sessions like Black Animation introduce African-American
youth to a broad range of independent filmmaking careers and role models
they can relate to. More than providing practical instruction, Urban
Kidz workshops provide kids a platform for exploring life's
possibilities.
This year's hands-on training is provided courtesy of BAYCAT, whose
three-hour "Go! Music Video" workshop guides students with no video
experience through the process of creating a music video for a song that
they write. Based on their interests, students will be assigned to one
of two teams. The first team will be led by instructor Will Hammond Jr.,
who will present students a basic beat on the Apple Powerbook and direct
them to collaboratively write and record lyrics on a positive subject
important to their lives. Meanwhile the second team, led by instructor
Ariel Dovas, will rehearse and shoot the video for the song. After a
short break and snack, the two teams will merge to complete the final
music video shoot. Students will be able to see their footage in
real-time on TV.
The festival launches at 10:00 a.m. with an impressive schedule of
screenings and then segues into the awards presentation and closing
reception. Films run the gamut from three to thirty minutes, topical to
comical, stories of the girl next door to exotic tales from afar. See
how curiosity gets the best of Toni, who is supposed to stay away from
Mother's precious knick-knacks in Toni and the Great Paddle Caper.
Journey with Ramon and discover the importance of kindling creative
flames with care in ISH. Hard times are in store for seven-year old
Jalil when he's adopted by a Philly family and transplanted to the
‘hood. His new address is so rough that even a trip to the corner store
is fraught with danger in The Battle of Eshu and Iku. Learn how Jalil
finds a safe haven among Uncle Adisa's African artifacts.
Golden Blaze uses fast-paced, animated action to tell the tale of
African-American schoolyard rivals. After an accident, both boys'
fathers develop lethal superpowers and proceed to battle at the behest
of their offspring. Even more amazing than the acclaimed world premiere
of A Girl Like Me at this year's Tribeca Film Festival is the film's
director, who's just fifteen years old! Kiri Davis explores self-esteem
issues and standards of beauty imposed on young black girls through
frank interviews with her high school gal pals. Innovatively animated
and told in the voice of a cool cat named Scat, Ella Fitzgerald: The
Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa is a stunning take on the singular legend. The
story of how Ella got her sound, this snazzy short is jazzily narrated
by Billy Dee Williams. Two tales from Oakland, Breathless written and
directed by middle school student, Nikosazama Nkululeko about two teens
both suffering from asthma and Runners High, six students from the mean
streets of East Oakland and their quest to participate in the Los
Angeles marathon.
Though billed as a children's event, Urban Kidz founder Ave Montague
finds the festival appeals just as strongly to adults. "Urban Kidz Film
Festival fosters a sense of childlike wonder along with the feeling of
limitless possibilities. That's an irresistible mix, whether you're five
or fifty-five."
About UKFF
Urban Kidz Film Festival is a subsidiary of the San Francisco Black Film
Festival, which was founded in 1998 to highlight the range, depth and
diversity of the African-American experience in films from around the
world. Paying particular attention to independent releases, the SFBFF
has been a driving force integrating the work of independent Black
filmmakers into the mainstream.
Urban Kidz unfolds Saturday, June 3 inside the African American Art and
Culture Complex on 762 Fulton Street. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and
screenings begin at 10:00 a.m. Since this is a children's festival,
adults must be accompanied by a child to gain admittance. Tickets for
the morning session (9:30 am to 12:00 noon) are $7.00 children/$10.00
adults; tickets for the afternoon session (12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) are
$10.00 children/$12.00 adults and include awards reception admission.
All-day passes are $15.00 children/$ 20.00 adults and may be purchased
online at http://www.ticketweb.com. The three-hour BAYCAT "Go! Music
Video" workshop costs $20.00 per student; due to limited space, advance
registration is required. For a complete schedule of screenings and
events, please visit the Urban Kidz Film Festival website at
http://www.ukff.org, the San Francisco Black Film Festival website at
http://www.sfbff.org or call 415-771-9271.
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Press Contact: Ave Montague
Company Name: SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 415.346.0199
Website: www.ukff.org
AndhraNews.net News for May 15, 2006
