JULIA LING, who guested on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” has signed to play the lead role in Nathyn Masters’ Hong Kong-style martial arts pic “Silvergun Samurai,” slated to shoot on DV later this year. Ling joins a cast that includes Robert Z’Dar, Valerie Mikita, and Shawn Bernal. “Silvergun” is Masters’ followup to the apocalyptic thriller “The Fourth Beast,” now out on DVD from York Entertainment. See www.the4thbeast.com.
H.D. MOTYL will appear April 22 with his films in the inaugural evening of the monthly Gentlemen’s (Queer) Quarterly series at Chicago Filmmakers. Screening the in-progress “Oh Michael/Oh Jesus,” “Token of Love” (1993), “Why I Can’t Get Rid of You” (1987) and “Messages from Jeanne” (1989). At Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark, 8 p.m/ $7; members, $3. See www.chicagofilmmakers.com.
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| Jim Finn’s “La Adrilla” |
JIM FINN starts production this April on “Interkosmos,” an archival-style 16mm experimental narrative about a team of four international cosmonauts on an ill-fated space colonization mission. “Interkosmos” stars Nandini Khaund, Dean DeMatteis, Usama Alshaibi, Bettina Richards, and Finn. DP is Masahiro Sugano. Art Director, Joe Bristol. Production continues through the fall. Finn, a founder of the Video Mundi festival, has screened at Rotterdam International, New York Underground, and Cinematexas film festivals, on PBS, and at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. He has just completed the national Monster Loter?a Tour, showcasing his shorts along with work by animator Arthur Jones. See www.gorillasuit.com/monsterloteria/tour.html.
SPLIT PILLOW is collaborating with Hands On! Children’s Art Museum on a filmmaking workshop for junior high students conducted by local film professionals, Saturday, April 23 at Hands On!, 1800 W. 103rd St. They’ll screen the films produced at the workshop May 6. See www.splitpillow.com.
ROBERT ALANIZ of Frankfort-based Sole Productions is gearing up for his new feature “Nightmares.” Alaniz’ latest production, the DV antique dealer romance “Timeserver,” premiered last October at Joliet’s Rialto Square Theatre. “Timeserver” stars Gary Gow, Jodi London, Riley Duhamel, Marie Kukalis and Gary Sugarman. Music by Tyrone Lancaster. Producer, David Mateyka. Executive Producer, Fred Bertucci. “Timeserver” was Alaniz’ first film following a 20-year hiatus, after directing nine independent features between “Of One’s Own Will” (1974) and “Barrymore’s Dream” (1982). See www.timeserverthemovie.com.
JAMES FOTOPOULOS, the prolific underground darling and recent Creative Capital Arts Foundation grant winner, screens his experimental feature “Esophagus.” April 23 at 8 p.m. at Chicago Filmmakers. $7; members, $3. See www.fantasmainc.com.
ANNETTE GALLOWAY of Diverciti Productions is producing the drama “The Ultimate Betrayal,” about an African American woman forced to come to terms with her place in white society. See www.geocities.com/theultimatebetrayal/main.
STEVEN LUCE of Backburner Films has a tentative May 24 start date for his debut feature, the crime caper comedy “Say Hello to Clive for Me.” Shooting is set to continue through late July. Luce is creative director for Covenant Communications. Script, by Larry Kamphausen, Scott Shepherd, and Lindsay Strobridge, is about five thieves who stumble on the score of their lives and raise the ire of a local crime family. Crew includes DP David Frisk, production designer Kate Setzer Kamphausen, and casting director Ann-Marie Olson. Non-SAG/AFTRA cast can email headshot and resume by April 23 to auditions@backburnerfilms.com. See www.backburnerfilms.com.
JOSH NAUGHTON is directing the 16mm feature “Riff Raff” this July. “Riff Raff” is an ensemble romantic comedy about lifeguards at North Avenue Beach. John Otterbacher is producing. See www.riffraffthemovie.com.
SIVAN GUR-ARIEH’S music video for “We Come In Peace” by Thrill Jockey artists Bobby Conn and the Glass Gypsies, has been selected for the Santa Cruz Film Festival May 5-13. DP is Armando Ballasteros, who shot Alexandar Rojas’ Slamdance short “Cushion.” See www.santacruzfilmfestival.com.
Email info to Ed M. Koziarski, edk@homesickblues.com.
