Tuesday, September 27, 2016
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Albany Library, Edith Stone Room
Sing along, tap your feet, and join us for an evening of short independent films featuring music of all kinds -- from hula to ballet to comedy rock -- from Albany FilmFest winners and finalists. This program is virtually all fan favorites, and includes perhaps our most requested film ever: My Dad's a Rocker, Zuxin Hou's compelling and inspiring documentary about her Chinese rock star father.
Films not rated. May not be suitable for small children.
A co-presentation of Albany FilmFest, the Albany Library, and Friends of the Albany Library. The library is wheelchair accessible. An ASL interpreter will be provided for this program if requested at least 7 days in advance. Voice 510-745-1400 or TDD 888-663-0660.
Here's the program:
Ballet Suite • Stephen Spies • My Own Private Albany (7:30) This lyrical ballet was performed on the Albany Bulb by Albany dancers and filmed completely in Albany by a graduate of Albany schools. Original music composed by the filmmaker. Winner, Best My Own Private Albany Short, AFF 2014
Live Breathe Hula • Lauren Kawana • Documentary (25:00) A fascinating portrait of one of the most captivating voices to come of out Hawai'i, musician and kumu hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu. This musician and hula master obsessively challenges the concepts of traditional Hawaiian music and dance -- in Oakland, CA, thousands of miles from his homeland, and back in Oahu, where he prepares 400 local dancers to perform at a halftime show. Finalist, Documentary Short, AFF 2015. Final Selection, Best Documentary Short, AFF 2014
Bought Some Cheese • GeeFwee Boedoe • Animation (1:46) This Academy Award-nominated animator recorded his eight-year-old daughter singing and playing ukulele to a little song she had written. Two years later they came up with a story, she drew the characters and backgrounds, and he animated them in a cutout style to make this charming little film. Premiered AFF 2013.
Trainwreck to Narnia • Dylan Bergeson • Documentary (23:27) Life on the road with Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits, the hardest working comedy band you've never heard of but need to know about. Dan Abbott and Corbett Redford III formed their band in Pinole in 1995 and built a cult underground following. Almost two decades later, even as their music inspires a new generation of fans, thee xpense and emotional wear of keeping a dream alive take a heavy toll. You will sing along! Winner, Best Documentary Short, AFF 2013
The Art of Modern Dance • Ben Ragasa • My Own Private Albany (3:00) A joyful and playful modern dance on the Albany Bulb with an all-Albany cast and crew. Winner, Best My Own Private Albany Short AFF 2016
My Dad's a Rocker • Zuxin Hou • Documentary (29:00) This compelling, touching, and inspiring film is one of the most requested by AFF audiences. The director's father, 60-year-old Hou, is a lead singer, composer, and one of the first generation of 1980s Chinese rockers. When a stroke robs him of the ability to talk, sing, and write, he fights his way back to recovery using his hard rock attitude. This memorable film is also an intriguing look into the roots of rock and roll in China. Winner, Best Documentary Short, AFF 2015