In the coverage that follows you will find as close to comprehensive coverage of the four-day MidCoast Film & Arts Festival as possible.
As one of the event founders and co-chairs, it has been my job to assist with publicity, programming, and logistics. I am looking forward to eating some popcorn and enjoying some of our nation's and area's best independent films October 23 through 26.
It is our hope that this region is as hungry for contemporary cinema as we think it is. Nova 6 led the charge two years ago with its successful independent-film series, featuring one independent film per week over a three-month run. And roughly one year ago, the Quad Cities Brew & View opened its doors, making hard-to-see-without-driving-to-Chicago films a staple in the Quad Cities. The 2003 MidCoast Film & Arts Festival hopes to elevate our community to a higher national profile as a one that is film-friendly and film-hungry.
The festival's association with MidCoast Fine Arts is a great fit. While MidCoast does not have year-round programming that addresses filmmaking in the Quad Cities, the local community-development arts agency does have a strong reputation for delivering well-run festivals and groundbreaking cultural programming.
In addition, MidCoast recognizes that film is a unique medium that encompasses all other aspects of the arts; visual, performance, theatre, dance, literature, and music are all major contributors to the world of film. Meanwhile, by partnering with this film festival, MidCoast is recognizing that film and digital media are quickly becoming the de facto tools of expression for our youth. And as everyone knows, our region needs to embrace our youth if we want to maintain a vibrant and creative workforce.
To that end MidCoast in May hosted the first Art Works Expo at the Family Museum, at which the artworks of high-school students in all media were showcased and judged by area professionals. The event included a film category, and dozens of area-high-school-produced films and animations were screened at the Family Museum. The best of those will be shown on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Nova 6 in Moline.
Look over the schedule on the back page, and browse the synopses you see in the Reader. You might be surprised at the diversity of subject matter. If you see a film that especially interests you, tell your friends and make a day or night out of it. Arrive a bit early to the screenings to ensure you get a seat and learn more about this weekend's happenings at our information tables. Visit one of our workshops or special events. Join in the morning coffee roundtables at Theo's on Friday or Saturday and let us know how we're doing and what you think of the films.
The vision for this event began more than a year ago, and it is now upon us as a reality thanks to the hard work and dedication of many volunteers and a handful of staff members. Without the assistance and energy of the following people, this event would not be possible: Debbi Weston, Doug Miller, Mark Hancock, Heather Kearns, Rick Palmer, Don Valley, Leslie Bell, Bill Roba, Sean Leary, Linda Cook, Ted Priester, Terri Miller-Boyd, John Kiley, Adam Heath, Dean Schroeder, Pat Mooney, Jan Day, Bruce Diamond, Sarah Jane Boyd, Dennis Hitchcock, Jennifer Fowler, Mark Fowler, Chris Barnard, Dustin Collison, Charolette Doehler Morrison, Ted Grevas, Devin Hansen, Phil Dingeldein, Max Allan Collins, Bruce Walters, Paul Lunneberg, Donna Lee, and Molly Tiernan. Thank you very much for your hard work, and let's get busy enjoying some great films!
It is our hope that this region is as hungry for contemporary cinema as we think it is. Nova 6 led the charge two years ago with its successful independent-film series, featuring one independent film per week over a three-month run. And roughly one year ago, the Quad Cities Brew & View opened its doors, making hard-to-see-without-driving-to-Chicago films a staple in the Quad Cities. The 2003 MidCoast Film & Arts Festival hopes to elevate our community to a higher national profile as a one that is film-friendly and film-hungry.
The festival's association with MidCoast Fine Arts is a great fit. While MidCoast does not have year-round programming that addresses filmmaking in the Quad Cities, the local community-development arts agency does have a strong reputation for delivering well-run festivals and groundbreaking cultural programming.
In addition, MidCoast recognizes that film is a unique medium that encompasses all other aspects of the arts; visual, performance, theatre, dance, literature, and music are all major contributors to the world of film. Meanwhile, by partnering with this film festival, MidCoast is recognizing that film and digital media are quickly becoming the de facto tools of expression for our youth. And as everyone knows, our region needs to embrace our youth if we want to maintain a vibrant and creative workforce.
To that end MidCoast in May hosted the first Art Works Expo at the Family Museum, at which the artworks of high-school students in all media were showcased and judged by area professionals. The event included a film category, and dozens of area-high-school-produced films and animations were screened at the Family Museum. The best of those will be shown on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Nova 6 in Moline.
Look over the schedule on the back page, and browse the synopses you see in the Reader. You might be surprised at the diversity of subject matter. If you see a film that especially interests you, tell your friends and make a day or night out of it. Arrive a bit early to the screenings to ensure you get a seat and learn more about this weekend's happenings at our information tables. Visit one of our workshops or special events. Join in the morning coffee roundtables at Theo's on Friday or Saturday and let us know how we're doing and what you think of the films.
The vision for this event began more than a year ago, and it is now upon us as a reality thanks to the hard work and dedication of many volunteers and a handful of staff members. Without the assistance and energy of the following people, this event would not be possible: Debbi Weston, Doug Miller, Mark Hancock, Heather Kearns, Rick Palmer, Don Valley, Leslie Bell, Bill Roba, Sean Leary, Linda Cook, Ted Priester, Terri Miller-Boyd, John Kiley, Adam Heath, Dean Schroeder, Pat Mooney, Jan Day, Bruce Diamond, Sarah Jane Boyd, Dennis Hitchcock, Jennifer Fowler, Mark Fowler, Chris Barnard, Dustin Collison, Charolette Doehler Morrison, Ted Grevas, Devin Hansen, Phil Dingeldein, Max Allan Collins, Bruce Walters, Paul Lunneberg, Donna Lee, and Molly Tiernan. Thank you very much for your hard work, and let's get busy enjoying some great films!
