Festivals, Screenings, Events, etc.

HURT McDERMOTT’S 2004 Slamdance best screenplay winner, “Nightingale in a Music Box,” has its New York premiere Tuesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. at the Brooklyn International Film Festival.

Kelly Hazen, Catherine O’Connor and Andrzej Krukowski star in the dystopian thriller about a woman on the run for a crime she can’t remember.

“Nightingale” also played the Athens and Mill Valley film festivals. Todd Slotten and Leigh Jones produced. Music by Robert Fripp of King Crimson and Brian Eno of Roxy Music. Sales agent is Seth Kittay of All Channel Films in Los Angeles.

McDermott won a Joseph Jefferson Award for his play “Warhawks and Lindberghs.” His adaptation of Aristophanes” “Birds” was produced this spring at the Utopian Theater Asylum. See www.nightingaleinamusicbox.com.

A WEEKEND OF WORKSHOPS AND FILMS June 24-26, conducted by Stephen Simon, veteran Hollywood producer and co-founder of the Spirutual Cinema Circle. Friday, June 24: A mini festival of spiritual short films, suggested donation $20. Saturday, June 25, 10-5: A workshop intensive with Stephen Simon; $200 per person; Sunday June 26, 2 and 5 p.m.: Simon and Rev. Ed Townley explore movies that guide us through spiritual challenges, $20. At Unity in Chicago, 1925 W. Thome, free parking. Phone, 773/973-0007.

INTERCOM, the International Communications Film & Video Competition, is accepting entries for its 2005 competition in the categories of corporate sponsored and industrial films; educational videos; business communications and interactiveproductions. INTERCOM winners will be part of the Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 6-20 and awards ceremonies. Download forms at www.Chicagofilmfestival.org.

THE 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT filmmaking competition in Chicago takes place over the July 8 weekend when teams produce a seven-minute movie from scratch.

On July 8, teams draw their genre from a hat and receive a character, prop, and word that must appear in the film. On Sunday, July 10, teams drop off their masterpieces. Finished work will be shown a few days later on Landmark Century Cinema’s big screen.

Teams will compete against each other to represent Chicago at the 48 Hour Film Project’s Annual Awards Ceremony and to win the “Best of 2005” prize.

Register online at www.48hourfilm.com. Click on “Cities 2005” and then the “Chicago” tab.

“things we want to see”

REBECCA MEYERS screens her experimental shorts “things we want to see” (2004), “glow in the dark (january-june)” (2002), “night and leaping” (2001), and “how to sleep (winds)” (2000). “Meyer is interested in the way we experience light in the world and the wonders to be seen in the everyday if we just take the time to look.”

“Stones from the Soil”

MICHAEL CAPLAN’S “Stones from the Soil,” his documentary about the German Jewish school that saved his father and dozens of classmates from the Holocaust, had its area broadcast premiere in two May screenings on Gary, Indiana’s PBS affiliate Ch. 56. Ch. 11 has slated an Aug. 1 debut, preceded by a “Chicago Tonight” appearance. See www.montrosepictures.com.

“Dead Creek”

HOMBRE FILMS’ self-referential zombie short “Dead Creek” will have its world premiere Nov. 10 at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, with an encore screening Nov. 17. Producers are Edward Boe, Joey Avella and Mike Petrik. See www.deadcreekmovie.com.