In the works since 2007, the Omaha-based non-profit motion picture organization Film Streams is unleashing its plan for a screened showcase to celebrate the work of regional artists and elevate the standards for what hits the silver screen locally.
The Local Filmmakers Showcase will run from August 6 through August 12, providing a forum for a handful of short films to gain a week’s worth of exposure at the Ruth Sokolof Theater in Omaha.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do from the beginning,” said Rachel Jacobson, the founder of Film Streams. “I knew it was going to take thought and energy to celebrate the best of film. Hopefully it’ll be representative of the great filmmaking going on in this region.”
Aimed at recognizing underrepresented talent, artists and directors from Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa are encouraged to submit original pieces until the May 15 deadline.
“There’s a limited amount of opportunities for local filmmakers,” said Casey Logan, the Film Streams communications coordinator. “We see ourselves as a community organization, so it makes sense that the work of these local filmmakers would factor into that.”
To narrow the field of submissions into a screenable two to three hour package, Film Streams is employing the use of a “jury” to critique the works. The group will be comprised of several Omaha-based art devotees that range from Mark Hoeger (a professor of film studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha) to Derek Pressnall of Tilly and the Wall and Flowers Forever fame.
“I wanted (the panel) to be really diverse – sort of in the spirit of art and community,” said Jacobson. “It’s made up of people that I know are really enthusiastic about film. I want it to be a really democratic process.”
Just as dissimilar as the judges will be the films themselves. From the narrative, to the documentary, to the experimental – single features and short films will be strung together for the showcase.
“It’s totally open as far as genre goes,” said Logan. “The jury will be looking at trying to curate something that’s entertaining for audiences and is artistically-minded.”
For the Omaha film hub, this showcase means increased attention, but the proponents of this new program also aim to construct quality benchmarks – raising the bar for films to follow.
“What I’m hoping is that people will start thinking about what it means to make a good film,” Jacobson. “If we show work that’s really challenging and well-done, then filmmakers will start thinking of how to really take their work to the next level.”
The creativity and structure of the program are in place to elicit a class of work that is on track to draw intrigued crowds.
“People have a real interest in what’s going on locally,” said Jacobson. “They want to see what’s happening in the local art scene.”
chancesolem-pfeifer@dailynebraskan.com
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