Trailers and Teasers Rolling Out

Want to know what's coming to ReFrame this year? Follow us on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/reframefilmfestival - or Twitter - @ReFrameFilmFest and #reframe2012 - for regular updates with film info and trailers

DIY Filmmaker's Toolkit Infographic

Great infographic on low-budget filmmaking solutions. Click to view the full image

(via FilmmakerIQ.com)

ReFrame in Pearl Magazine

There is a fantastic festival preview article in this month's Pearl magazine. Written by Melodie McCullough, the article features an interview with the festival's coordinator, Krista English, along with descriptions for a few of the films we'll be showing this year. You can find copies at various cafes, restaurants and businesses around Peterborough, or you can read it online

Eco-Pirate Pre-Fest Screening

Last Friday we held a pre-festival screening of Trish Dolman's film Eco-Pirate, in partnership with Kawatha World Issues Centre and OPIRG Peterborough. The film tells the story of Canada's own Paul Watson, former Green Peacer, now founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. It was a very revealing portrait of Watson, showing him as the hot-headed, stubborn, and arrogant man that he is - which is part of what made the film so great. This was no save the seals because they're cute film - this was hardcore eco-activism. Watson admittedly isn't humanities biggest fan, and says he's really doing it for the animals - so he gets things done, and he does it however he can. His favourite tactic: welding what resembles a giant tin-can opener to the side of his boat and ramming into whaling ships until they're laying on the bottom of the ocean. I can't help but picture him as an action-hero emblazoned on a poster in some young, activist-to-be's bedroom.

After the film, Gavin Fridell, Chair of Political Studies at Trent University, moderated a lively audience discussion. I'm not even going to try to summarize everything that was talked about - we had to stop the discussion around 9:30 because our time had run out - but even then, there was no shortage of hands hanging in the air, eager to share thoughts and opinions.

Andrée Cazabon on CBC Radio

Filmmaker Andrée Cazabon talks about her film, Family On The Edge, on CBC Radio. Family On The Edge will be playing Friday, 3:15pm at The Venue.

Oscar Nomination for Waste Land

Congratulations to Lucy Walker (director), Angus Aynsley (producer), Vik Muniz (artist) and everyone involved in the making of Waste Land, which has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of Documentary - Feature. This has to be one of my favourite films we have at the festival this year - though to be fair, I have a lot of favourites

Catch it this Friday, 7:30pm at Showplace Theatre

ReFrame Still Wants You!

We're still looking for a few more volunteers for the festival this coming weekend, so find out what our volunteers do here - then email Daphne at volunteer@reframefilmfest.ca for more info!

Rolling!

Rolling! is a short promotional film created by Isaac Schute - ReFrame's highschool placement student - and myself. We had a ton of fun shooting it, although getting a film canister to roll in a straight line, in the snow, while wearing winter gloves, is a lot harder than it looks. Luckily Isaac got the technique down, so if you need anything rolled, he's your man. Enjoy!

Guerrilla Filmmaking 101

Earlier today I had the opportunity to help out with the REELkids Guerrilla Filmmaking Workshop - a day of filmmaking at the Peterborough Public Library with students from Westmount Public School. The groups were challenged to make 1 minute films and the only guideline they had was their last scene had to be "And I used to hate the library!" What they came up with was amazing and more creative than I could have ever imagined - everything from James Bond reconnecting with his father, to a meowing unicorn!

Special thanks to the workshop facilitator, Jared Raab, his assistants Evan & Mike, Mrs. Elliott and especially the student participants. Great job guys!

Got plans Sunday?

This Sunday, Jan. 16, come join us at Showplace for 2 international, award-winning films - fun for the whole family

ReFrame Bazaar

I don't know about you, but watching movies makes me hungry - and what better way to quiet your grumbling stomach than sampling the delicious foods offered at the ReFrame Bazaar. Craving Indian? Hungarian? Persian? Jamaican? The Bazaar has them all!

It's not just food though, a variety of vendors will be taking part with pottery, knitted socks, embroidery, fresh baked goods and more.

The Bazaar will be open during the festival hours on the lower level of Showplace Theatre. So make sure you stop by between films - it's a great place to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. See you there!

Locals

This year we're proud to be showing the works of four local filmmakers. So let's give it up for these Peterboroughites...Peterboroughians...Peterboroughers?

Mason Cardwell - Slipped Away
Peterborough Public Library - Jan 29 @ 1 pm

Andrée Cazabon - Family on the Edge
The Venue - Jan 28 @ 3:15 pm

Maya Gallus - Dish: Women, Waitressing & the Art of Service
Showplace - Jan 29 @ 3 pm

Larry Tyldsley - Searching for Buddha
The Venue - Jan 28 @ 3:15 pm

Note: If the film links aren't working for you, please visit this link first, afterwards the links should work as they are supposed to. Sorry for any confusion

Still ReFrame on Now!

ReFrame isn't just films, Still ReFrame is a series of art exhibits around the city of Peterborough - and it's already started! The opening of Old Lie New Ground by Stephen Lyons and Painting With Light by Micky Renders this past Friday was a fantastic night which brought out a great crowd despite the cold. Read more about Renders' show here

Family Film Day

To kick off ReelKids this year, we're having a family film day! Sunday Jan. 16 at Showplace Peterborough, we'll be showing 2 award-winning international films that both the young and young at heart will enjoy

Film Making Tips & Tricks - Shooting Basics

The folks over at Vimeo.com have a great series on the basics of creating your own videos. Here's the second part in that series, Shooting Basics

And for the rest of the Video 101 series - http://vimeo.com/videoschool/101

ReFrame Still Wants You!

Want to get involved with ReFrame? Volunteer!

To find out what our volunteers do check here - then email Daphne at volunteer@reframefilmfest.ca for more info!

A Drummer's Dream

On a remote farm in Ontario cottage country seven of the world’s master drummers gather to inspire young musicians to connect with the powerful rhythms of nature – and blow the roof off the barn and the ducks out of the water.
Featuring Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Dennis Chambers, Kenwood Dennard, Horacio “El-Negro” Hernandez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Mike Mangini and Raul Rekow, the film serves up a rich stew of mind-blowing performances in rock, jazz, Latin, fusion, and soul. When they are not learning how to canoe, the drummers teach, joke, and swap road stories about musicians they’ve played with (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Carlos Santana). They share a profound musical philosophy driven by love, compassion, and the joy of life.

Showing Jan 29, 5pm @ The Peterborough Public Library

What else can you get for $1 an hour?

People have been asking me about weekend passes for ReFrame and everyone has been impressed by what a great deal they are. Then I started thinking, with passes priced at only $25 - $12 for students/unwaged - and the festival running 25+ hours over the 3 days, that's only $1 an hour  - or under 50 cents for students/unwaged!

To go to the movie theatres these days will cost you over $5 on a cheap night, and that's only 2 hours of entertainment. With ReFrame, you also get to see a wide range of films from around the world on everything from human rights issues to the life of a humming bird.

At $1 an hour, how can you go wrong?