Short Cuts

Just received an announcement in the mail from San Antonio CineFestival about a fast-approaching deadline. Thursday, April 9 is the cut-off date for submission of film and video entries for the June 10-14 event. Presented by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, CineFestival is in its 21st year and is this country's longest-running international Latino film and video fest. Works should be "of direct relevance to the Latino community" and are eligible in the following categories: fiction (shorts and features), documentary, experimental, and emerging art/first work. Entry forms, and other submission info and requirements may be downloaded from the website, http://www.guadalupeculturalarts.org or can be obtained by writing to Ray Santisteban, Media Arts Director, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 1300 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, TX 78207-5519; phone 210/271-3151; or e-mail [email protected]...

The Film Alliance of Austin has announced the beginning of regular happy hours to take place every other Wednesday, beginning April 8 at the Twist (505 Neches), 5:30-8:30pm. The gatherings are open to members and non-members. Contact Kassalin Figer for more info at 467-2015. The Film Alliance is also sponsoring Filmmakers Boot Camp, a two-day course in independent filmmaking taught by two industry professionals: Matthew Grimaldi and Marc Dorfman. Filmmakers Boot Camp is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 10am-5pm at the Holiday Inn South. Call 800/775-4330 for more info. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Film Alliance...

The monthly Texas Documentary Tour series sponsored by the Austin Film Society, the UT Dept. of RTF, The Austin Chronicle, and SXSW Film, has proven so successful that, beginning with this week's screening of Spike Lee's 4 Little Girls, Tour passes will be available for purchase. The five-show pass guarantees a ticket to either the early or late show for the next five months and costs $25 for the general and $17.50 for AFS members. Passes will be sold (cash only) at the Alamo box office at the Wednesday Tour screening this week or may be pre-ordered by AFS members by calling 322-0145...

Varsity Blues, the MTV feature film production soon to start shooting in Austin, has issued an open casting call for men, women, boys, and girls of all shapes, ages, and sizes. Show up at the Clarion Inn (2200 S. I-35 & Oltorf) on Saturday, April 11, 9am-4pm or call 370-9559 for more info. Photos and headshots may also be mailed to Varsity Blues, ATTN: Extras Casting, 500 Pampa Dr., Austin, TX 78752...

Don't make the mistake of confusing Varsity Blues with another academically-minded title, The Faculty -- the oft-used moniker of the officially Untitled Robert Rodriguez Project, also set to get underway momentarily. Just read in The Hollywood Reporter this week that Jon Stewart has signed on to the picture. (He must have some free time to fill before that Larry Sanders replacement slot opens up.)...

The second season of the Independent Film Channel's original series Split Screen kicks off on Monday, April 6 at 7pm. The irreverent show, which focuses on unexplored aspects of the indie film scene, is hosted by John Pierson, the legendary producer's rep and author of Spike, Mike, Slackers & Dykes. The return of this fast, funny, and taboo-piercing show makes me thankful that I live in a part of town that has recently been "upgraded" to receive the channel by Time Warner. By Monday, I promise I'll fork over money to rent the converter box that's also required before being able to tune in IFC on channel 67.