cross posting on experimental film

Joss Winn edq39077
Sun Dec 13 03:18:25 EST 1998


Hi,

Someone on the FRAMEWORKS experimental film list asked me this.

"How active is the Japanese experimental/independent scene?  You don't see
or hear much about it over here.  Do you have any information about how
much of a presence experimental film has there?"

I offered the litttle that I know:

"I've just arrived here, so it's something I'm finding out at the moment.
A quick answer for now would suggest the experimental scene is pretty
active. When trying to find work for EIGA ARTS to show, it was suggested to
me that I write to several universities who have films/visual art depts.
There is an annual festival here of student work called PIA, which is well
recognised.  Image Forum are a film school, distributor, cinema and the
general hub of experimental work in Japan and have been for years.  They
put on a festival every year which shows in four major cities (Tokyo,
Yokohama, Osaka, Fukuoka). Their 1998 festival showed 60 films/videos
(mostly Japanese-although there is a small international section which
showed work by Breda Beban and Hrvoje Horvatic, Tony Hill, George SAxon and
Gina Czarnecki, Marina Grzinic and Aina Smid, Kim Yun Tae, Dan Oki, Nigel
Maudsley, Arunas Matelis, Audrius Stonys, Sharon Lockheart, Trinh T.
Min-ha, Martin Arnold, Geroge BArber, John Smith, Jay Rosenblatt, An-Marie
Lambrechts and Peter Missotten and Anne Quirynen, Johan Grimonprez) for
over a week or so (the length of the festival is different for each
location- in Tokyo it went from April 25th to May 5th).

For anyone interested in Japanese film, there is a very good discussion
list called KineJapan.  One of the people that runs it knows a lot about
experimental work in Japan and I'll send the list your question.

Lastly, there is a great Int. Doc. Film Festival held every two years which
shows a variety of work, mostly independent, often experimental.  It's the
biggest doc. film festival in Asia.  They have a great web site in English.
Just punch YIDFF (Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival) into
your favourite search engine and you'll find it.  They have an online
magazine and last year's catalogue online."


I'm sure someone on KINEJAPAN can add more to this.
A lot of people, including myself, would be very grateful.

Thanks

Joss

Joss Winn
(EIGA ARTS)
1217 Shinden
Kubota-cho
Saga-gun
Saga-ken
849-0203

Tel. (81)-(0)-(952)68-4722






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