Ten Years of Microcinema, Presented by Microcinema International
In 1996, Microcinema began presenting short films and videos from around the world in the backroom of a cyber café. Since that time, they have screened over 1500 short works from all corners of the globe - in microcinemas and sundry theaters in over 43 countries.
1996 saw the very beginnings of the popular video revolution. The introduction of the Hi-8 format, which was small and compact, made good quality video accessible to the general consumer. Over the years, computers and software further revolutionized the art form by allowing for relatively inexpensive editing, as well as sound, motion, and graphic design. The explosion of content that resulted stimulated the re-birth of local cinema clubs - these aptly named "microcinemas" continue to grow in numbers and importance in the film and arts communities.
The last ten years has witnessed compelling shifts in short film production – conceptually and aesthetically. Independent Exposure X was created to present these trends to a contemporary audience. Houstonian Patrick Kwiatkowski and San Francisco-based Joel S. Bachar, founders of the group, have always been ‘media agnostic’ – works based on celluloid, a cellphone, hand drawn or computer generated are all considered relevant to the independent moving image arts of 1996 through 2005 and beyond. The moving image works in tonight’s program present not only 10 years of Independent Exposure but provide a glimpse of the breadth and depth of the talent that exists in the independent media community. They also offer a compelling and unique insight into a vast and diverse creative spirit existing today.
Central Cinema is a movie-dinner-theater. The lobby is also set up as a restaurant. The waiters deliver food and beverages to your table in the theater. It is a full evening out all in one place. The Central Cinema is inspired by the Parkway Theater in Oakland CA, the Alamo Theater in Austin, and the Olympic Theater in Centralia.
Central Cinema is fostering in-house specialty series such as I Walk the Line: The Man Alone, Pie & Politics, Victrola Classic Movie Night, and GLAMN! We are also working on partnering with other groups such as Rakumi Arts, Arab Films, and Tasveer Films to develop far reaching and exciting programming. The latest new program in the works is a Manga/Anime series. If there is something you really want to see that you feel is under-represented in Seattle you should let us know!
