The Loft Cinema

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AFGHAN STAR / One Hit Wonders!

Wednesday, December 30th at 7:30 p.m. Regular Admission Prices

In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing. After thirty years of war and five devastating years of Taliban rule, pop culture is beginning to return to the country. Since 2005, millions have been tuning in to Tolo TV’s wildly popular American Idol-style series AFGHAN STAR. Like its Western predecessors, people compete for a cash prize and record deal. More surprisingly, the contest is open to everyone across the country despite gender, ethnicity or age. Two thousand people audition, including three extremely brave women. And when viewers vote for their favorites via cell phone, it is, for many, their first encounter with the democratic process. Winner of the Directing and Audience Awards in Sundance’s 2009 World Documentary competition, Havana Marking’s timely and moving film follows the dramatic stories of four young finalists—two men and two women—as they hazard everything to become the nation’s favorite performer. By observing the Afghani people's relationship to its pop culture, AFGHAN STAR is the perfect window into a country’s tenuous, ongoing struggle for modernity. What Americans consider frivolous entertainment is downright revolutionary—and more human—in this troubled part of the world.

NO IMPACT MAN / One Hit Wonders!

Wednesday, January 6th at 7:30 p.m. Regular Admission Prices

Author Colin Beavan, in research for his next book, began the No Impact Project in November 2006. A newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no long avoid pointing the finger at himself, Colin leaves behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption ... no problem. That is, until his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two year-old daughter are dragged into the fray. Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein's entertaining, informative and often hilarious documentary provides a front row seat into the familial strains and strengthened bonds that result from Colin's and Michelle's struggle with this radical lifestyle change, in the process revealing the hidden costs and unexpected rewards of trying to save the planet.

FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS

**Please note: Due to the New Year's holiday, the January FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS will be held on the second Friday of the month, Friday, January 8th** Admission: $5.00 GRAND PRIZE: $200!

In case you've never been to a First Friday Shorts show, here are the rules: We'll play anything you've made that's under 15 minutes long and is brought to us on a dvd, vhs, or mini-dv (one film per person, and dvds must be playable on a regular dvd player). Submissions are only taken on the day of the event, and all entries MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE START OF THE ACTUAL SHOW (we cannot accept films after the show has begun, or during intermission). All films are played in the order they’re received. Every film is guaranteed to play for 3 minutes, but after that the audience can call for the dreaded “gong” if they’re displeased. If the gong is struck, our intrepid host stops the film and the next movie begins. But don’t despair … if your film is gonged, you can re-work it and bring it back to see if the changes you've made have pleased the audience. This is a great way for filmmakers to try out new ideas and see how an actual audience responds, so take advantage. Remember, the audience decides the winner each and every month, so keep them happy!