Experience Cinequest 21-The Third Dimension

SAN JOSE, CA – Cinequest’s reputation for empowering Mavericks and showcasing the future of film steps into the third dimension presenting a 3D Celebration ripe with leading edge innovations, forums and the world premiere of the 3D version of Plan 9 From Outer Space. Cinequest holds a unique position of merging the worlds of the Silicon Valley and Cinema, thus an exploration of the present and future of 3D finds a special focus, on March 5, at Cinequest Film Festival 21.

“No longer a gimmick, the amazing technologies of 3D have unleashed new creative opportunities for both studio and indie artists in diverse realms from film to TV to sports to live action.” -Halfdan Hussey, Co-Founder and Director.

3D Films:

Halfdan Hussey, Co-founder and Director of Cinequest, announced today that the World Premiere of Passmore Labs’ 3D version of the notorious Plan 9 From Outer Space will occur at Cinequest. Known by many as ‘the worst film ever made’ by one of the most endearing low budget filmmakers of all time, Plan 9 in 3D promises to provide an uproarious experience. Ironically, the legend of director Ed Wood does touch upon a common desire of all film artists: what tools do I need to get my vision on screens. “Can your heart stand the shocking facts about Graverobbers from Outer Space?” This invigorating horror, sci-fi favorite, screens at The San Jose Repertory Theatre for one special showing on Saturday March 5, 2011 at 10 p.m.

Cinequest will also showcase two series of mind-blowing shorts in 3D. Bats, Boards and Bugs, presented by Passmore Labs and the 3D Film Festival looks at the phenomenal worlds of science and nature and of three 3D films: MicroWorlds, The Physics of Surfing and The Extreme Nature of Bats. Bats, Boards and Bugs will screen at The San Jose Repertory Theatre Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at 9:15 p.m. and Thursday, March 10, 2011, at 4:30 p.m., run time 83 minutes.

The Physics of Surfing explores mankind’s passion for the ocean. Science meets surfing in the crystal-clear beauty of high-definition 3D, as two professional female surfers take the audience to gorgeous and thrilling locations around the world.

The Extreme Nature of Bats delves into the myths and dark legends that have stalked the world’s only flying mammal. Through the wonders of digital 3D, the fears and misconceptions associated with these creatures are studied through a visually stunning journey around the world.

MicroWorlds: The Unseen World Beneath Our Feet is a live-action 3D educational science film that investigates the unseen world of life all around us. From earthworms in our backyards to the alien beauty of a garden snail, the patterns, cycles and daily rituals are examined, both in nature and in the lives of all creatures.

Presented by the 3D Film Festival, the second series of 3D shorts, titled 3OPOLIS, offers an eclectic blend of captivating stories. Screening at The San Jose Repertory Theatre on Thursday, March 3, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at 4:00 p.m., the exciting line-up includes a telepathic interrogation of a murder (The Viewer); the first Italian music video in Stereoscopic 3D (Wild Dogs Run); the comic adventures of an elite force of safety experts (Safety Geeks); and a wild skiing experiment and adventure in the Pacific Northwest (Light the Wick).

3D Artist and Innovator Forums:
Saturday, March 5
1-2:30pm
San Jose Repertory Theatre

A dynamic group of 3D experts from USC, Dolby, 3Ality and Panasonic will visually demonstrate and discuss an array of hot topics and questions in the emerging world of 3D including:

• Will 3D provide a viable opportunity for new and emerging filmmakers or will this remain a studio driven format?
• Compare the 3D cameras currently on the market
• How to create cost effective 3D movies
• Has 3D created a better content experience for viewers?
• For films created in 2D & 3D, how do the box office numbers compare?
• What films most effectively utilized 3D to enhance the film experience? How did they do this?
• Similar to the colorization of the black & white films, how are film goers accepting the processing of 2D classics (example: Titanic)?
• What is the projected overall economic impact of 3D? Box Office, Home Entertainment? Will it continue?
• How soon will there be a viable non-glasses solution?
• What is the overall saturation of theatres converting screens to 3D? What is the projected roll out over the next 1, 3, 5 years? What challenges are theatre owners experiencing?

3D Celebration Part II – How to Make It 3D with Jon Chu

Saturday, March 5
3-4:30pm
San Jose Repertory Theatre

Jon Chu will lead a presentation on how to make a 3D motion picture on small to large budgets. Fans, students, pros who never made 3D, and experienced 3D filmmakers will all enjoy and benefit from the exciting opportunity.

A native of Palo Alto, California, director Jon M. Chu headed south to attend the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Chu was honored with the Jack Nicholson Directing Award, the Princess Grace Award, and the Kodak Student Filmmaker Award.

His feature film debut, Touchstone/Summit’s “Step Up 2: The Streets,” not only grossed more than 150 million dollars worldwide but also earned him an MTV Movie Award. Chu broke into the online space with the success of “The Biggest Online Dance Battle,” which grew into a worldwide phenomenon with more than 20 million views online and led to the creation of the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers (theLXD.com), an online superhero series told through only dance.

The second half of 2010 brought the release of Chu’s second feature film, Touchstone/Summit’s “Step Up 3D,” which has now grossed over 165 million dollars worldwide. Chu directed “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never 3D,” to be released in February 2011 for Paramount Pictures.

State-of-the-art 3D Exhibition:

Barco DCI compliant projection (recently named world’s brightest projectors by The Guinness Book of World Records) will enhance Cinequest venues with state-of-the-art digital and 3D technologies. Omneon servers and Panasonic technologies will continue to insure Cinequest’s commitment to being the preeminent digital festival.

CQFF 21 Sponsors

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), Barco (EBR:BAR), RealD 3D (NYSE:RLD), Omneon (NASDAQ:HLIT), Peet’s Coffee & Tea (NASDAQ:PEET), Applied Materials (NYSE: AMAT), Panasonic (NYSE: PC), Clear Channel (NYSE: CCO), Metro Newspapers, The Hearst Foundations, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Fry’s Electronics, Adobe Youth Voices, IndiePlaya, Camera Cinemas, Kaiser Permanente, Castellano Family Foundation, Phantom, The Examiner, Travelocity, Betty Confidential, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Yelp, NBC Bay Area, Telemundo, and the City of San Jose.

Ticket, event and schedule information:

• Complete lineup and schedule at www.cinequest.org.
• Tickets and passes may be purchased by phone (408) 295-FEST (3378) or online at www.cinequest.org.
• Sophisticated Blackberry and iPhone applications at www.cinequest.org/mobile or simply by logging onto www.cinequest.org via your mobile device.
• Press releases and media guides at www.cinequest.org/press_room.php.

Cinequest Empowers Mavericks
www.cinequest.org

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