Here comes the judge: Hey, it’s you

By Mary Alice Blackwell

Published: April 14, 2008

Producer Mark Johnson has won four Academy Awards, including an Oscar for one of my favorite films, “Rain Man.”
Paul Wagner owns another for his documentary film work. You might have seen his latest last month at the Paramount, “Absolutely Irish.”
Barry Sisson will be heading to California in less than two weeks to take his latest movie, “Familiar Strangers,” to the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Richard Herskowitz has brought hundreds of award-winning films to Charlottesville since he took over as director of the Virginia Film Festival in 1994.
______ Insert your name here.
That’s right. You can join these famous past and present Charlottesvillians in judging the University of Virginia’s 2008 Salmagundi Film Festival.
Of course, Johnson, Wagner, Sisson, Herskowitz and UVa professor Laura Heins will be selecting the best in show and honorable mention winners in this weekend’s festivities, but you and I will have a say-so in who walks away with the audience award.
Sisson also will present the Cavalier Films Narrative Film Award (that’s the name of his film company), while Herskowitz will select the winner of the Ken Jacobs Experimental Film Award.
The fun begins at 7 tonight with a screening of all 10 short student films in Newcomb Hall Theater. Stick around after turning in your ballots and you can watch a special screening of Gretel Truong’s thesis film. “The Write Note” is scheduled to start at 8:30 with a Q&A with the fourth-year filmmaker. (You might have seen some of her work at the Virginia Film Festival’s Adrenaline Film Project a few years ago.)
Laura Scott, with UVa’s Filmmakers Society, noted that many other free events have been added to strengthen this year’s festival.
Wagner will be on hand 2 p.m. Saturday at Kaleidoscope to screen and discuss his Oscar-winning film, “The Stone Carvers.” Four other filmmakers will show up at 4 p.m. for a panel discussion, including casting director Erica Arvold, producer Temple Fennel, screenwriter and director Jeff Lowell and art director Leslie McDonald.
Then, for those who had other plans for tonight, the students’ 10 short films will be shown again at 7 p.m. Saturday in Newcomb Hall Theater. The audience vote from both nights will be tallied together to determine the fan favorite.
All 10 filmmakers will be there to discuss Saturday’s screenings and await their awards at 9.
The eclectic collection looks pretty interesting. Steven Quinn could be an early favorite. The winner of last year’s Narrative Award, Quinn has joined forces with Jed Crews to enter “Tonight” tonight. 
Konstantin Brazhnik, who will be screening “Rubber Ducky,” also has done a lot of creative work during past Adrenaline Film Projects.
One of my early favorites is “Gerry Mitchell: 3,164 Miles.” No, it’s not just because I got to know Christina Tkacik during the time she served as in intern at The Daily Progress. I also know the man she filmed. Tkacik documented a local artist who has been in the news recently. Mitchell was struck by a police car while crossing the street in his wheelchair.
But don’t let it be said I tried to bribe the judges. Although, there is free candy involved.
The cost to attend either tonight or Saturday’s competition is a mere 5 bucks — plus you will be treated to a free candy buffet. Not to mention the added treat of rubbing elbows with some mighty impressive fellow critics.
Judge for yourself.

PLAYBILL
l “Edie” by Jonney Taee
l “Exit” by David Golan
l “Gemini” by Lauren O’Connor
l “Gerry Mitchell: 3,164 Miles” by Christina Tkacik
l “The Girl on Wheels” by Min Hee Park
l “The Life and Times of a Dust Bunny” by Emily Hamel
l “Mondo Musical” by Jonney Taee and BH103A
l “Never Again” by Ashley Chipman
l “Rubber Ducky” by Konstantin Brazhnik
l “Tonight” by Steven Quinn and Jed Crews