Songs of Protest #5 by Nicholas Beckett #art #illustrations #geekgirl

Another fun zine cover by Saint Nick <saintbeckett.net>

songs-of-protest by nicholas beckett

The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival Launches Full Program #HRAFF #Melbourne #geekgirl

FESTIVAL OPENS WITH PAUL SIMON DOCO UNDER THE AFRICAN SKIES
15 – 27 May 2012

The fifth Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) will open on Tuesday 15 May with the highly anticipated documentary Under African Skies by award winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger.

Twenty-five years have passed since Paul Simon broke a UN cultural ban and entered South Africa to make the album Graceland. The album would go on to be a global phenomenon, salvaging his career while also polarising audiences. To mark this anniversary, Simon returns to South Africa to reunite with the Graceland musicians, and clear the air with his greatest critic, Artists Against Apartheid founder Dali Tambo. Under African Skies pays homage to this time.

Eleven days later, Jon Shenk’s The Island President will close the Festival. This is the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced. Having brought democracy to the Maldives after thirty years of despotic rule, Nasheed is now faced with an even greater challenge. As one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives enough to make them uninhabitable. The Island President captures Nasheed’s first year of office, culminating in his trip to the Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009. At the screening there will be a live video Q&A with the former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.

With 15 Australian premieres, other highlights of the 19 film program include: award-winning documentary At Night They Dance which sheds light on the chaotic world of Egyptian belly dancers working in downtown Cairo;  based on the award-winning comic novel (Paco Roca, 2007), Wrinkles is an animated feature film about Emilio, who, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, is sent by his son to live in an aged-care facility; Beer is Cheaper Than Therapy is a poignant documentary which examines the psychological distress suffered by numerous soldiers, offering a voice to those who are all too often lost in the discourse of war, the veterans themselves; and Australian feature film Fantome Island by Sean Gilligan which looks at Joe Eggmolesse, who at the age of seven was taken from his family, put on a train, and sent to a leprosarium on Fantome Island, located off the Queensland coast. Many years later, he returns to confront the memory of his childhood on the island, to pay tribute to those who lived and died there and to inscribe his own unique story into official Australian history.

FORUM - Extreme Reactions to Creative Expression
Sat 19 May, 5pm – ACMI, The Cube. Free Entry
Facilitator Richard Watts (3RRR) along with Ajak Kwai (singer/songwriter), Jeff Daniels (filmmaker) and Khadim Ali (artist) will discuss the cultural politics of extreme governmental responses towards creative expression.

FORUM – Off the Wall: Is Street Art an Appropriate Medium to Voice Human Rights Issues?
Wed 23 May, 5.30pm – Kaleide Theatre, RMIT. Free Entry
Public discourse surrounding street art is dominated by the continuing debate about cultural legitimacy and notions of ownership of public space. Yet, such discussions conceal one of the most important functions of street art, the creative freedom to be powerfully political and socially current. Partake in a lively discussion with facilitator Fiona Hillary along with Lachlan Macdowall (artist), Boo (stencil artist), Tom Civil (graffiti artist) and Kate Shaw.

FORUM - Flights of Fancy: the Ethics of Travel
Sat 26 May, 5pm – ACMI, The Cube. Free Entry
For many Australians, travel has become cheap and accessible. Yet, as the world keeps shrinking, and our mobility increasing, the decisions we make, be it as a high-flyer, a backpacker, or even a volunteer, have consequences on the world around us. Hear what facilitator Jeff Jarvis (International Research Unit Monash), and a panel including Jane Crouch (Intrepid), Andrew Abel (Surfing Assoc. of Papua New Guinea), Adam Pesce (filmmaker) and Dimity Fifer (Australian Volunteers International) have to say.

MUSIC – Rhythm & Rights
Sun 20 May, 1.30pm–7pm – Abbotsford Convent.
Move your feet, shake your body and feel the beat at HRAFF’s annual Rhythm & Rights event.  Tinpan Orange headline a full day of musical entertainment including: Sol Nation, The Hacketts, Alwan Bridgett, Cains Teame, Ersie Wadaiko, Rindo Musiki Manjaro, Leigh Woodburgess, Danny Al Sabbagh with Khaled Khalafalla as MC.  Taking over the Abbotsford Convent for one day only, the program consists of an exciting range of performers coming together over their shared commitment to the promotion of human rights culture through musical expression.

Art exhibition - Echoes of Others: Illuminating the gaps amid translation
Thu 17–27 May, 11am–5pm (Tue-Sat) 12pm–5pm (Sun) – No Vacancy, QV Building.
Human rights issues have become increasingly visible, broadcast through a variety of media, whose dissemination of information makes possible greater accessibility and detail. On the other, the inconsistencies of such technological access around the world continue to reinforce the widening gaps that exist between people and places. Whilst communication should be crisp and clear, it is, too often, broken, frozen and distorted, as the process of translation allows for interpretation, re-interpretation and, more often than not, misinterpretation. The work exhibited explores echoes both materially and conceptually, as voices are silenced, images fade and meaning is reconstructed.

Artists: Alexia Germain, Marliène Blain, Louis Philippelèvesque, Anita Belia, Baden Pailthorpe, Brad Haylock, Dinalie Dabarera, The Keiskamma Trust, Lex Randolph, Louise Hunter, Minela Krupic, Nasim Nasr, Sue Kneebone and Veronica Grow.

LISTING DETAILS
WHAT: The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival
WHEN: Tuesday 15 – Sunday 27 May 2012
WHERE: The Forum Theatre, ACMI and Abbotsford Convent
MORE INFO: www.hraff.org.au

Meg Petrie in Close to You #Melbourne #Comedy #Festival #geekgirl

Meg Petrie in Close to You

Close to You is a story of darkness, dysfunction, and disillusion set to the music of Karen Carpenter.

Close to You takes place in two houses: Meg’s suburban childhood home and her adult, cat-infested share house. The quirky characters in these houses include:

 * a nanna who feels sorry for Schapelle Corby

* a nightdress wearing father

* a perpetually vacuum cleaning mother,

* and an agoraphobic woman waiting for a UFO to beam her up.

A ukulele, drum kit, and home videos help bring Meg’s off-beat characters to life.

Karen Carpenter’s mother scrubbed keyholes. Meg’s mother vacuumed a bird cage non-stop with Karen Carpenter singing in the background. Karen died in a closet. Meg has a skeleton in her closet.

Meg isn’t shy to indulge in the odd gag, pun, word-play, singing, and slapstick. There is a chunk of heart in this show and a whole lot of dark ridiculousness.

Joining Meg is percussionist Dan Violato. Her presence adds depth and poignancy to the connection with Karen Carpenter who was herself a skilled drummer.

Meg Petrie in Close to You was mentored by Felicity Ward and performed to sold-out houses during 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival. Meg has also performed in Papa Don’t Preach at 2010 Midsumma, and Hot Caz and The Runaway Muff at 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

____________

Close to You
Northcote Townhall, Studio 2
189 High St, Northcote
8:30pm – 9:30pm

April 12th-15th, 19th-21st

Tickets
Full: $15
Concession/Preview/Group: $10

YouTube: http://youtu.be/VW31NL7v4CI

Web: http://www.megpee.com/

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: The HTMlles 10 RISKY BUSINESS #Feminist #festival of media arts and digital culture #gender #geekgirl

 The HTMlles 10
 RISKY BUSINESS
 Feminist festival of media arts + digital culture
 10-18 November 2012

 The 10th edition of the HTMlles will take up the notion of risk. To risk: to gain or to lose (it is uncertain), to expose oneself to a possibility… Risk is a potential. Whether used positively or negatively, the idea of risk implies that of evaluation, action and distribution, and thus, power. While the term “risk” evolved with the development of capitalism, the concept of “risk society” is about twenty years old and has been used by scholars to describe how modern society organizes around the idea of risk, that is, in response to a future (which society should be able to manage). By simply invoking or imagining the future, one immediately engages in risky behaviours. Anything and everything can become risky… Indeed, there exists a global economic and industrial complex organized around monitoring and moderating “risk”, from insurance companies to investment products, as well as technologies and approved, standardized methods of risk assessment and risk management. There are also whole sets of techniques of calculation, “optimization” and social control that rely on the presence of a notion of “risk,” from so-called “at-risk populations” to who are considered “vulnerable,” “suspect” or, increasingly so nowadays, “insolvable.”
 
In such a critical moment, it is perhaps crucial to ask (ourselves) some questions. How does the language of risk articulate itself today? What is at risk today? How can one take risks today? What are the different levels of risk in our various (trans)actions? What is the relationship between risk, technology and power? How is risk both managed and created? How is it distributed? Since when does one  “invest” in one’s future and what does it actually mean? Do “crises” serve to pacify the communities being affected by these “crises”? Who are they? What do artists have to say about these so-called risks and crises? How is making art risky today? Who speaks? To whom and in the name of what?
 
The HTMlles 10 welcomes project proposals from self-identified women, trans and gender non-conforming artists of all origins on the theme of risk, as well as proposals for risky projects…
 
The HTMlles is a feminist festival of media arts and digital culture produced in Montreal by Studio XX, a bilingual feminist artist-run centre for technological exploration, creation and critique. Initiated in 1997, the HTMlles is an international platform dedicated to the presentation of women’s, trans and gender non-conforming artists’ independent media artworks from all facets of contemporary technological creation,  including but not limited to: digital storytelling, cyber art, short film and video art, audio and electronic art, radio art, installation, locative media, 3D animation, game art, augmented reality, electronic publishing, design, bio art, public interventions, community-based practices, performance and interdisciplinary practices.
 
The HTMlles 10 will be a multi-sited festival, which includes Studio XX’s new gallery space, the XX Files radio show, .dpi electronic periodical and Matricules online feminist archive. RISKY BUSINESS will be co-presented with several partner artist centres (to be announced) that focus on either (or both) media arts or feminist practices, in
Montreal. Participants receive honoraria.
 
OPPORTUNITY FOR EMERGING CURATORS: The current call is also open to project submissions by self-identified emerging curators.
 
To submit a proposal to the HTMlles 10, please follow the guidelines and email it to: festival (at) htmlles (dot) net
 
*Deadline: Monday, 2 April 2012*
 
Download submission guidelines  http://www.htmlles.net/2012/Call_HTMLLES_2012_EN.pdf

Queer Fruits Film Festival – 2012 Call for entries: without a box #GLBTIQ #Queer #films #geekgirl

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Queer Fruits Film Festival is open to innovative, entertaining, intelligent and celebratory films of all lengths; from short films, to selected features completed within the last three years.

QFFF is looking for films which uplift and inspire; films which explore the serious realities and issues that confront the GLBTIQ communities.

 Fabulous films, which exude a charisma.

**Judging:**

A Distinguished Festival Jury will again independently judge the films and select award winners in all categories, with two special prizes : **Local Filmmaker Incentive** (open to queer filmmakers who are Northern Rivers’ residents) and **Jury Prize** to be awarded.

**PRESTIGIOUS NEW AWARD:**

In 2012, all Australian GLBTIQ films entered with a production date within the calendar year (from December 1st 2011) and 27 minutes or less in duration (including credits) will automatically also be eligible to be considered as Queer Fruits Film Festival’s nomination for the National Film & Sound Archive acquisitive award, now called The **NFSA Orlando Short Film Award** which carries a $5,000.00 cash prize and which will be awarded annually

 **ENTER YOUR FILM ONLINE NOW** – click [here](www.withoutabox.com/login/7806)

Earlybird – until Friday March 30th, 2012

Transitions Film Festival #Melbourne #SLF #sustainability #geekgirl

Transitions Film Festival
11th – 19th Feb, 2012

The Transitions Film Festival is a visionary film program dedicated to showcasing ground-breaking documentaries about our global culture in transition towards a sustainable future.

The festival takes place as part of the Sustainable Living Festival with the support of the United Nations Association of Australia (Victoria), the City of Melbourne, Red Energy, Hepburn Wind, Prosper Australia and Undergrowth.org.

The program features an inspirational line-up of world-changing documentaries including national and international premiers and culminates with a free state-wide synchronised screening of Yann Arthus-Betrand’s spectacular film ‘Home’. The major screening is taking place on the big screen at Federation Square at 7pm.

Screenings will include live introductions by international filmmakers and NGO’s as well as an interactive short film forum hosted by the United Nations Association of Australia.

PROGRAM

Serial Space Time Machine Commission Call Out #experimental #arts #geekgirl

In  2012 Serial Space is introducing a brand new platform for the   development
and presentation of interdisciplinary and experimental art   practices: Time Machine
[http://serialspace.org/events/112/call-out-time-machine/].

Time Machine will be a week long festival of experimental, time-based art taking
place at alternative spaces across  Sydney during 16-29 July. In  the lead-up to
this festival, Serial  Space will offer a number of   commissions and development
residencies for  the creation of new work   to be presented in the festival. Serial
Space is seeking bold, ambitious, experimental and  exciting ideas to support
and  present as part of Time Machine.

Deadline: 19 February 2012

Entries Now Open: The Other Film Festival #disability #cinema #geekgirl

THE OTHER FILM FESTIVAL 2012 ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

Yes, it’s on again! Australia’s only disability film festival is calling for films made by, with or about people with a disability or who are deaf.

Films may be any form, genre or length. Click HERE for details about how to enter a film.

New!
All entrants will receive a five-day Festival Pass, including our fabulous Opening Night party. Your film will also receive a title page on IMDb.com, the world’s leading film database.

Entries Close 16 March 2012

About The Festival
Since 2004, The Other Film Festival has screened an international program of outstanding contemporary cinema about the experience of disability. In September 2012, the festival will offer forums on cinema, access and disability-related issues, there will be workshops and opportunities for professional development and some surprise international guests that we will announce closer to the festival.

The festival will continue to lead global-best practice in cinema access. In 2012, all films will be captioned (or subtitled) and audio-described; the festival venue will be fully wheelchair accessible; Auslan interpreters will sign all spoken events; and the program will be available in a range of alternative accessible formats.

» Take me to The Other Film Festival webpage

Santa Fe International New Media Festival – Call for Sumissions #currents2012 #arts #geekgirl

Santa Fe International New Media Festival_ _22 June – 8 July 2012 :: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA :

Call for Sumissions Submissions due 1 February 2012. Digital Dome submissions due 2 March 2012

The 3rd Annual Santa Fe International New Media Art Festival will explore the role of technology and the diverse applicaiotns of New Media in the arts. The Festival will be held in venues throughout Santa Fe including the digital dome facility at the Institute for American Indian Arts. #currents 2012 will also offer panel discussions and workshops and multimedia performances. Submission categories include single channel video, video and sound installations, interative new media, animation, computer/software modulated sculpture, multimedia performance, experimental or interactive documentary video, digital dome projection, art-gaming and web-art. http://www.currentsnewmedia.org/submissionguidel.html

Gertrude St Projection Festival call out #Melbourne #geekgirl

MELBOURNE: GERTRUDE STREET PROJECTION FESTIVAL 2012 CALL OUT

The Gertrude St Projection http://www.thegertrudeassociation.com/ is calling for proposals for the July 2012 Festival on the theme “Elements”. If you are a projection artist, artist, filmmaker, design professional or student, download an entry form via the Gertrude Association and submit by 5pm, 4 November. Proposals must be for site specific, moving image or still projection installations that respond to buildings or sites along Gertrude Street, Fitzroy,Melbourne,Australia.

Deadline: Friday 4 November 2011
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