Editor

The 8th annual Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee kicks off a week of celebrating
independent film on April 16. Over 150 short films will be screened, eleven
features and visiting filmmakers from around the world will be in attendance.

If you come to KC for the festival we can get you a special hotel rate at the
Quarterage Hotel (360 Westport Road). It is only a couple of blocks from our
primary venues. Call their 800# and mention the Jubilee to get a
$79+tax/night rate. 1-800-931-4322 / www.quarteragehotel.com. If you get us
your itinerary, we will pick you up from the airport too.

Our opening night extravaganza (Friday, April 16) features the Kansas City
premiere of the locally lensed, Sundance hit: "CSA: Confederate States of
America" in two screenings at 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm at the Tivoli Cinemas in
Westport. Director Kevin Willmott's film depicts an America in which the South
won the Civil War. The film has been bought by IFC Films and Spike Lee has
signed on as Executive Producer. Advance tickets are available at Recycled
Sound (Main & Westport Road) and the Center in Westport (205 Westport Road).
These screenings are a benefit for the Jubilee.

The shorts programs are pulled together under themes: Fathers & Sons, Bon
Apetite, Young & Restless, I'm Too Sexy, Criminal Intent, War and World
Cinema. We also have programs of award winning films from the Black Maria
Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. Because our focus
is on Kansas City area filmmakers, we want those who have migrated to the
coasts to come home again - thus we are also showcasing the work of KC
filmmakers who are now in LA in our Kansas Connection Showcase. A Best of the
Fest screening on Wednesday, April 21, 7:15 pm at the Tivoli Cinemas will
feature the award winning films as selected by our final jurors.

The Kansas Film Office is sponsoring actor turned director Keith Gordon. He
will be presenting his early films "The Chocolate War" (Saturday, April 17,
8:00 pm, Tivoli Cinemas) and the anti-war masterpiece "A Midnight Clear"
(Sunday, April 18, 3:15 pm, Tivoli Cinemas). Keith will get the Actors Studio
treatment in a Filmmaker Dialogue and will also be participating on a panel on
Acting & Directing

UMKC Communication Studies and American Studies is bringing in the world
renowned, award winning director Rob Nilsson. He will be hosting a
retrospective of four of his latest films ( "Noise", "Singing", "Scheme
C6", "Stroke"), all shot in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. Mr.
Nilsson will also be leading a three day workshop during which a film will be
shot in Kansas City.

Back to Kansas City is the award winning Canadian documentary filmmaker Peter
Wintonick. His new film, "Seeing is Believing" looks at how the accesibilty
of the DV camera has empowered people and communities around the world to
document their plight and raise the visibility of human rights issues.
Wintonick will presnt his film on Monday, april 19th at 7:15 pm at the Tivoli
Cinemas. Peter will also be making presentations at various colleges during
his visit.

Returning for a third year is Crosscut: Women Making Movies on Saturday, April
17th, 9:00 am at the Villa (4120 Baltimore). Crosscut features top women
media professionals who come together to share their experiences, successes
and encouragement in a male dominated industry. This year's focus is on how
sex and sexuality are portrayed by women filmmakers and how it is a factor in
the industry. Panelists include producer Effie Brown, writer/director Kat
Candler, documentary filmmaker Mickie Turk, writer/actor Pam Ribon, Debra
Zimmerman/Executive Director of Women Make Movies and Melissa Mesina/Executive
Director of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Brown, Turk and
Candler will have screenings of their work at the Tivoli Cinemas following the
symposium.

New this year is a directed, dramatic reading of a new feature length
screenplay, "Let Yourself Go", by kansas City native George Langworthy.
Kansas City filmmaker Dave Hodes will direct local professional actors on
Monday, April 19th, 7:00 pm at Bar Natasha (1911 Main). This is an important
part of the screenwriting process. It allows the writer to hear his words
spoken dramatically, to see if the dialogue really works and sounds
authentic. The public is invited.

Admission to the festival is $7 per screening and the directed reading. A
Festival Pass is $40. We also offer a Pick Four card for $20. You may get the
Passes and Pick Four cards in advance at Recycled Sound (Main Street &
Westport Road) and the Center in Westport (205 Westport Road). All seminars,
panels, dialogues and receptions are FREE.