MCFARLANE ANNOUNCES OSCAR'S COLLEGE SEARCH

Seth MacFarlane announced on mtvU he would be giving aspiring film students the chance to live out their dreams of going to the Oscars with “The Oscar Experience College Search.”

THE FOOD FILM FESTIVAL, LEAVING YOUR BELLY FULL

The idea of mixing food and film is not a new one. Many restaurants have attached themselves to movie theaters and some have even gone so far as to offer a full menu during the movie, but nothing like this. The Food Film Festival, created by Travel Channel’s George Motz, is a truly unique experience that will excite all of your senses. By serving the food that you are watching on screen to the audience while they are watching it brings the term audience participation to a whole new level.

CHICAGO FOOD  FILM FESTIVAL: DIG IN!

Food is more than just something you eat. To many, it is a passion. That is why George Motz, hamburger expert and host of the Travel Channel’s Burger Land, created the Food Film Festival. Through documentaries and short films the festival features the best in food cinema.

DANKO JONES: BRING ON THE MOUNTAIN

While Danko Jones might be big in Canada, the band is still making a name for itself in the US. All that might change with the band’s new two-disc DVD Bring on the Mountain, a comprehensive look at the band’s history and discography. Containing all 19 of the band’s music videos, a feature length documentary that delves into Jones’ history and a completely original short film the product packs a punch. Unfortunately the content inside is lacking.

GET READY TO PITCH AT AFM

This Thursday November 1st, DreamAgo and Hamilton International are teaming up to connect writers with top producers and distributors during the American Film Market (Oct. 31st-Nov, 7th). The events are created to encourage networking and progress among professionals in the film industry. Screenwriters will get two opportunities to pitch their scripts during the AFM conference.

CHASING GHOSTS IN CAFE DE FLORE

Modern film has become the true philosopher of our age. Many, like the recent Cloud Atlas, try and answer mankind’s big questions on an epic scale. Jean Marc Vallee’s Café de Flore is of the same ilk although it takes a much different approach. Unlike Cloud Atlas where the narrative structure is clear Café does not show the audience its cards until the very end. While this can be frustrating it is also quite ingenious.

CLOUD ATLAS

There is no way to fully understand Cloud Atlas in a single viewing. With six stories running at the same time and a plot that involves no less than an attempt to answer mankind’s place in the universe there is just way too much going on to comprehend everything in one sitting.

IN THE LOOP WITH SUMMER QING

American audiences got their first taste of the Chinese beauty known as Summer Qing in the time-travel masterpiece Looper. While the film may have been her American debut, Qing has had a career spanning many decades in China. With roles in such pivotal films as My 1919, Qing has made a name for herself as one of the leading ladies in Chinese cinema. Press Pass LA had the chance to speak candidly with Qing about her experiences.

iHEART RADIO INVADES VEGAS 

The 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival took over Las Vegas this weekend bringing out some of the biggest names in the music industry. While everything may not have run as smoothly as expected it was, without a doubt, one of this summer’s more interesting festivals.

UNITED FILM FESTIVAL

Independent cinema is alive and well in Chicago this week as the United Film Festival arrives in the city. With a lineup of almost 50 films, ranging from documentaries to science-fiction thrillers, the festival has something for everyone.

The travelling festival, originally based out of Los Angeles, makes its rounds both nationally and internationally giving upcoming filmmakers a chance to get their work viewed by a large audience.