The ‘Other’ Venice Film Festival
By Theresa
Hulme
March 18-20 was a rare weekend in
the city of angels. Thanks to the rains, our usually heavy and brown air was
light, quiet, clean and smog-free.
The beautiful weekend marked only the
second anniversary of the much talked about, yet accessible film festival known
as The ‘Other’ Venice Film Festival. The quoted ‘Other’
draws attention to Venice, CA rather than Venice, Italy. The city of Venice, CA
now lays claim to the sell out crowds at the annual celebration of alternative
cinema.
The young and vibrant
‘Other’ fest has already met with promise, excitement and pure fun.
Close to home and heart, the Venice fest this year was split into two distinct
sections: documentaries and non-narrative experimental cinema. Film fest
winners received awards called, respectively, Abbot Awards, named after Abbot
Kinney, a founder of Venice.
Local
music, art and chefs contributed to the unique, diverse and easy spirit of
Venice. Local dazzlers Sugar Bitch, beamed out funky jams on a breezy, bright
and beautiful Venice Sunday afternoon.
Festival Founder Ruby de la Casas, is
an active force in producing local merrymaking with his inclusion of artists,
musicians and gobs of eclectic talent. Ruby is well-known for Ruby Tuesdays, a
monthly variety show held at his hair salon, described as “The Cultural
Mecca of Venice.” His entrepreneurial force mixed with an intense
creative flair, Venice local Ruby makes us proud and eager to host the
“Other’ fest that is sure to be in our creative future in years to
come.
Thanks for a great
show!
For more info on the festival,
visit: www.veniceOfilmfest.ocm
Posted: Fri - April 1, 2005 at 03:38 PM