Hi-Tide Pictures announces the first annual Evil City Film Fest to take place September 8-12, in four venues. The Evil City Film Fest creates an arena for the emerging community of underground filmmakers. An opportunity for independent and provocative filmmakers to screen their work in an area of New York known for its appetite for left of center art, the East Village. ECFF will show feature-length documentaries and narratives as well as shorts programs, music videos, and animation.
“We’re focusing on the artistry of filmmaking. With the diverse group of talent here in NYC alone, we’ve been able to cultivate a real, independent event. And that’s what this festival is about, filmmakers who will go against the grain to see their true visions through, ” said Evil City Film Fest founder Jim Muscarella.
In its flagship year, the Evil City Film Fest, named for its East Village locale and rogue vibe, will kick off at the fabled Two Boots Pioneer Theatre on Thursday, September 8th, where there will be a special presentation of the documentary Popaganda: The Art & Crimes of Ron English. The aptly programmed film focuses on English’s escapades in the fringes of culture and the billboard liberation he is known for.
Saturday, September 10th will feature a screening of Subkulture: The Awakening. This doc features performances by Ministry, My Life with the Thrill Kill Cult, Bile and more. An after-party at the Korova Milk Bar will follow this screening. Also on Saturday, a special screening of Bitter Jester, a hilarious romp through the world of A-list comedians duped by a few independent filmmakers posing as friends of Richard Belzer. This film includes unwitting appearances by George Carlin, Gilbert Gottfried, Barry Manilow and many more.
We Jam Econo, the story of Southern California based punk band, The Minutemen, will close the festival program on Sunday, September 11th. Screening at the temporarily modified Downeast Arts Center, this film will cap off the Evil City’s theme of do-it-yourself artistic expression.
On Monday, September 12th, The Evil City Film Fest will wrap things up with a raucous awards show hosted by Fisherman’s Vibrophonic Orchestra. Held at Evil City Hospitality HQ, Otto’s Shrunken Head. Surprise local guests and film icons will be on hand to present lucky filmmakers with the coveted, Evil Award, designed by local artist M. Henry Jones of Snake Monkey Studios.
The Evil City film Fest intends on enjoying a long stay within NYC’s cacophony of film events. Dedication to downtown style and urban stories are its mainstay. ECFF is the brainchild of producer/director Jim Muscarella, head of Hi-Tide Pictures Inc, an independent film company that produced the documentary Bellmore: The Unscene and the short comedy Dishwasher.
For more info, visit the Evil City Film Fest website.
