INDEPENDENT EXPOSURE

Microcinema's Touring International Screening Program

Since its inception in 1996, Independent Exposure has gained an enviable reputation as an important showcase for contemporary, progressive, artistic, and culturally relevant short films and videos. Each Independent Exposure program is thoughtfully curated to present diverse and eclectic works in a relevant and intentional context. The curatorial aesthetic is further supported by the presentation of the Independent Exposure series in non-traditional venues or "microcinemas" such as galleries, cafes, bars, nightclubs, outdoors, and other alternative spaces that support the independent arts. To date, Independent Exposure has been presented hundreds of times in 44 countries plus Palestine and Antarctica and at base camp on Mt. Everest.

Independent Exposure "premieres" in San Francisco and then travels around the world - intriguing audiences at microcinemas, festivals, and special events. Contact us if your organization would be interested in hosting Independent Exposure.

The History of Independent Exposure
From Blackchair Productions to Microcinema International

Blackchair Productions was founded in in 1992. The company expanded to a partnership when Patrick Kwiatkowski joined in 1996. Microcinema, Inc was formed in 2000 to expand on the activities of Blackchair.

Due to the overwhelming lack of independent-oriented screening venues, Blackchair Productions began the Independent Exposure Microcinema screening program in 1996. This program was held every month at the Speakeasy Cafe's Backroom in Seattle until a tragic fire destroyed the venue in May of 2001. The program moved to Vital 5 Gallery for the remainder of the 2001 season and then moved to San Francisco in 2002. Microcinema maintains a branch office in Houston, Texas.

2010 is the FOURTEENTH season.

Bill Plympton to curate Independent Exposure 2010

We are also pleased to announce our continued collaboration with Panasonic Broadcast. For our 2010 Independent Exposure season, a grand prize will be awarded to a filmmaker selected by renowned Academy Award Nominated Animator Bill Plympton. The grand prize will be a Panasonic AG-HSC1U 1/4" 3-CCD High Definition Video Camera. Other prizes will be announced at a later date.

Entries must be postmarked by March 31st, 2010.

In addition to Independent Exposure, Microcinema also enjoys presenting and promoting unique film and video programming from all over the world and we are always looking for guest curators and programmers who are interested in a broader audience outreach. Microcinema, through its distribution through exhibition efforts, the microcinema.com website, and other advocacy efforts, hopes to expose, promote and distribute video, film and digital arts to the widest global audience possible.

For those interested in submitting work, please check out our Call For Entries 2010.

For those interested in viewing a screening check out our frontpage for a screening or search for a Microcinema Venue