Running from October 6-9, 2011, the Ohio Film + Music Festival is a curated, four-day event highlighting Ohio-native filmmakers and musicians. Curated by OFMF founders Eric Mahoney and Scott Johnson, the fest will showcase the diverse array of creative talent Ohio has produced past, present, and future—from auteur filmmaker Jim Jarmusch to acclaimed producer/DJ/musician RJD2 and internationally-recognized bands like Heartless Bastards and New Bomb Turks. Looking forward, the OFMF plans to develop into an annual event and platform for exhibiting and developing future work from Ohio artists. Tickets to each of the films and the three nightly concerts go on sale August 1.

Here are some of the films showing at the festival...

Outside In (2010)

Dir. Todd Volkmer (2010) This film started as a self funded pet
project of the Director, todd v and his production partner Erin Ludlam.
The two were doing research for their show Arts Quest… more

Attention local filmmakers

The 59th Columbus International Film + Video Festival (CIF+VF) which happens to be the longest running festival in North America is calling for entries.  The entry deadlines are below and apparently everyone who submits a project will receive a prize just for entering. 

The different areas you can submit videos for are: Animation, Arts, Experimental Short, Humanities, Broadcast Journalism, Mental and Physical Health, Narrative, Religion and Spirituality, Social Issues, Science and Technology, Student, Educational, and Comprehensive Marketing Strategy.

IMPORTANT DATES
Entries accepted
beginning March 1, 2011

First Early-Bird Discount
April 1, 2011

Second Early-Bird Discount
May 1, 2011

Final Deadline
July 1, 2011

The Buyout

Awalkonwater Entertainment premiered their first feature film, Best Supporting Daddy, last year in Columbus Ohio to a sell out crowd.  The romantic comedy kept the audience laughing and now they're back with The Buyout. 

Synopsis: 
A desperate woman left abandoned to die by her wealthy husband is forced to resort to her unscrupulous past to unravel the ruthless conspiracy, or suffer the loss of her children.

Release Date:  June 25, 2011 at The Arena Grand Theater

Let Me Down Easy

Called “the most exciting individual in American theater” by Newsweek magazine, Anna Deavere Smith (Fires in the Mirror, Twilight: Los Angeles) explores the power of the body, the price of health and the resilience of the spirit. Based on interviews with an eclectic range of people, from a heavyweight boxer to a former supermodel, and from Texas Governor Ann Richards to legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong, Let Me Down Easy “is a totally vital piece of theater, mixing a standup comic’s instincts with a great reporter’s keen eye” (Variety).

From watching this talented actress on Nurse Jackie and The West Wing, I can't wait to see her in this one-woman show.  And get ready because it's coming to The Wexner Center in Columbus Ohio.

Showtimes
Tue, Feb 22, 2011  |  8:00PM
Wed, Feb 23, 2011  |  8:00PM (Sold Out)
Fri, Feb 25–Sat, Feb 26, 2011  |  8:00PM
Sat, Feb 26, 2011  |  2:00PM
Sun, Feb 27, 2011  |  2:00PM

Tickets
$42 members
$20 students
$48 general public

Synopsis:  So who knows a playboy?  Come on now, everybody knows at least one.  You know, one of those guys who is with a different woman every week or maybe even every day.  The movie Best Supporting Daddy is about one of those guys.  It stars Mark A. Cummings as the charming and smooth-talking romance novelist, Cameron Rush. With all the women, money, and fame Rush's life can't seem to get any better until he finds out his lucrative book publishing deal might be in danger if his next novel isn't a best-seller.  One day Rush is watching TV and discovers that the arrogant, beautiful, actress Callie Deveaux played by Quiana Wiley has given up on falling in love BUT she still wants to have a baby.   And now Rush has a new idea for his novel.  So what does he do?  What any playboy would do, of course.  He sets his targets on Ms. Deveaux.  Rush predictably goes through the pages of a player's manual.  But with all the flowers, cards, and sweet talking to Callie Deveaux he couldn't anticipate what would happen.

Premiering this Saturday in Columbus at the Screens on the Continent theater is a locally produced film called Best Supporting Daddy.  This romantic comedy stars Mark A. Cummings as the debonair romance novelist, Cameron Rush.  Cameron Rush has all the fame, wealth, and women that he can handle.  But when his book sales take a nose dive and his lucrative writing contract is in danger of being terminated, Rush concocts the ultimate scheme to get back on top.  He hears about an A-list Hollywood socialite Callie Deveaux, played by co-star Quiana Wiley, wanting to have a baby and conspires to impregnate the Starlet and use the ordeal to fuel his next novel. 

Sounds like a juicy story, don’t you think?  As well as starring in this movie, Mark A. Cummings is also the writer and producer for this film.  I got a chance to catch up with him and his co-star Quiana Wiley as they are preparing for their exclusive movie premiere.