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Mayor to Open Inaugural 2006 Eugene International Film Festival, May 12 -14
<br />Following in the footsteps of Portland, Bend, Ashland and Sundance, Eugene will debut its first juried
<br />International Film Festival May 12-14. Mayor Piercy will officiate at the Opening Ceremony and
<br />Reception on May 12. Beginning this week, the Eugene community will see cable television public
<br />service announcements airing on a variety of channels, in conjunction with local and out-of-the area print
<br />and radio advertising.
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<br />Making use of downtown (Tango Center and DIVA), University, Valley River Inn, and Bijou Cinema
<br />venues, the festival builds on Eugene’s rich cultural history, especially events showcasing independent
<br />films. The festival was born last fall at meetings of the Eugene Screenwriters Guild and organized by
<br />film professionals who live in Eugene. It is well-timed for the kick-off of Comcast Cable’s brand new
<br />Independent Film Channel. Generous community sponsorships to the not-for-profit festival have made
<br />possible an all-inclusive weekend of receptions, film screenings, and film VIP presentations at a cost of
<br />$35, discounted for seniors and students.
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<br />Lane Transit will sponsor a free weekend of bus transportation with each Festival Pass. Passes
<br />are available through Eugene Bi-Mart stores, the Hult Center Ticket Office, and
<br />www.brownpapertickets.com. Pass-holders receive priority seating. Individual event tickets will be sold
<br />at each venue immediately prior to the event, space permitting, except at the specialized technical film
<br />audio training.
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<br />Over 300 entries in short, documentary, feature, and animation categories have been received since
<br />January 1 through www.withoutabox.com, a film professional database recruitment tool typically used by
<br />film festival organizers. All entries were viewed by board-approved reviewers. Films nominated for
<br />screening are now in the hands of the celebrity professional jury for final determination of screening time
<br />and awards. All attending filmmakers whose films are screened will be provided Q & A time with the
<br />audience.
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<br />VIP presenters will include:
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<br /> Battlestar Galactica’s co-executive producer/writer Mark Verheiden, whose production credits include
<br />Smallville, The Strip, The Mask, Timecop, Darkman III and a wide variety of TV and feature film
<br />projects.
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<br /> Thomas B. Sawyer, Emmy-nominated head writer/producer for the CBS series Murder, She Wrote.
<br />Sawyer has written nine network TV pilots, 100 series episodes and has been the writer, producer or
<br />on staff of 15 network series.
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<br /> Chris Newman, the Oscar-winning sound mixer for The English Patient, Amadeus and The Exorcist
<br />will offer a special full-day technical seminar on film audio for pass-holders only. Chris also
<br />performed sound mixer duties for more than 80 feature films including include The Godfather,
<br />You've Got Mail, Man on the Moon, The Manchurian Candidate, Silence of the Lambs, Sophie’s
<br />Choice, and All That Jazz.”
<br />?
<br /> Susan Emshwiller, a long-time Hollywood set decorator and now independent filmmaker who
<br />recently located to Eugene. Emshwiller has worked with some of the most prestigious names in the
<br />business. She is debuting a feature film In The Land of Milk and Money, which she wrote, directed,
<br />and produced.
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<br />For more information about the festival, please visit www.eugenefilmfest.org or contact Pam Berrian,
<br />telecommunications and cable program manager, 682-5590.
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<br />Eugene Police Department to be Featured in National Video
<br />The Eugene Police Department has been selected as one of three law enforcement agencies to be
<br />featured in a National Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) video focusing on youth engagement through
<br />volunteerism.
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<br />The VIPS Project Director and video production staff were in Eugene on April 3rd to tape interviews with
<br />staff and youth volunteers, and to film volunteer activities. When completed, the video will serve as a
<br />companion to three existing VIPS videos (one geared toward community members, one toward
<br />executives and one toward law enforcement officers) and will provide information to law enforcement
<br />executives and volunteer coordinators about how to better involve youth in law enforcement volunteer
<br />programs.
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<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
<br />April 6, 2006
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