It doesn’t take much to get Kitty O’Dea started. Just mention the upcoming Edina Film Festival and you don’t even have to ask more questions. I met with O’Dea this morning to get the inside scoop on the event, Edina’s third year of highlighting a variety of films short and feature length ~ most with Twin Cities connections.
O’Dea, a member of the Edina Arts and Culture Commission, is the Film Festival committee member in charge of publicity and she also designed the slick 16-page film festival program.
The festival will again take place at Edina’s Landmark Cinema, 3911 W. 50th St., running Thursday, Nov. 7th through Saturday, Nov. 9th, starting each evening at 6 p.m.
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Ten films including locally made shorts, current indie features and international documentaries will be shown with ‘our own’ Coen Brothers’, “The Big Lebowski” capping the festival on Saturday night.
“There are several events taking place this year that have the festival stand out from previous years,” according to John Swon, also an Edina Arts and Culture Commissioner, who has chaired all the festivals. “We have after parties at The Pig and Fiddle Thursday and Friday just down the block from the theater. Finally, there will be bowling and a party at Southtown Lanes Saturday following ‘The Big Lebowski’,” Swon said.
Find out what's happening in Edinafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To celebrate all things Dude, O’Dea encourages Lebowski fans to “Dress up as your favorite character, brush up on your Dude trivia and practice your favorite lines.” There will be fun prizes for trivia and best costume winners at the after party festivities at Southtown Lanes.
“There is a film line-up with something for everyone,” Swon said of this year’s festival, “and all proceeds go to support the Edina Art Center’s mission of providing arts education to students of all ages.”
O’Dea said, “It’s a good idea to purchase tickets in advance on line at our website where you can also find out more about what's screening and when.” She invites people to, “Get daily updates and ‘Like’ Our Facebook Page.” Seating is limited so it’s advisable to Buy Tickets Online.
Tickets are only $10 for a two-hour block of films both on line and at the Edina Landmark Cinema’s box office. There’s a special offer on Saturday night for $20 which includes a movie ticket for "The Big Lebowski" plus unlimited bowling at Southtown Lanes.
For movie buffs, a special $50 VIP Pass allows unlimited access to the film festival on all three nights as well as free bowling at Southtown Lanes on Saturday, Nov. 9th. That's a savings of $20, what a deal.
Other local connections in the Film Festival:
THURSDAY
6 p.m. Starting the Festival is “The Fabulous Ice Age” directed by Keri Pickett, a graduate of the Minnesota State University Moorhead. The film was named “Best of the Fest” at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival. Pickett, along with her uncle, Roy Blakey, a photographer and former skater, will answer questions following the film.
8 p.m. At “Ghost Light”, directed by John Gaspard, film goers will get a glimpse of the Minneapolis Theater in the Round. Gaspard, who grew up in Minneapolis is also a U of M graduate and will attend the after viewing Q & A with the show’s cast.
AFTER PARTY: at the Pig and Fiddle, 3812 W. 50th St., Minneapolis
FRIDAY
6 p.m. Nationally known film historian and archivist, Bob DeFlores, Minneapolis, will share his 1940‘s Bob Hope classic, “My Favorite Brunette.” He will introduce the film and lead a Q & A following the film.
8 p.m. Tomas Aksamit, an Edina High School graduate from Morningside and former Edina Art Center student, directed, filmed and edited “Kimura’s Vengence” a short film, part of which was shot at the Edina Art Center. Aksamit is founder of Future Frame Productions. Evan Kail, Executive Producer of the film, is also a graduate of Edina High School and the University of Minnesota. He oversees Stone Arch Entertainment in Minneapolis. Aksamit, Kail as well as director Brian Crew of Minneapolis, will attend a Q & A after the screening.
AFTER PARTY: at the Pig and Fiddle, 3812 W. 50th St., Minneapolis
SATURDAY
6 p.m. “Nuala: A Life & Death” has no Minnesota connection and is about a well known Irish writer. There is an after screening Q & A with Ethna McKiernan, former owner of Irish Media and Books.
8 p.m. St. Louis Park natives Joel and Ethan Coen, directed of “The Big Lebowski” which has been called one of the 25 funniest movies of the last 25 years.
AFTER PARTY 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.: There will be plenty of after viewing dialogue ~ did someone mention White Russians? ~ at Southtown Lanes AMF, 7941 Southtown Center, Bloomington.
Thanks to advertisers, supporters and the extraordinary work of the Edina Film Festival Committee comprised of John Swon, Kitty O’Dea and Ray Meifert, all Edina Arts and Culture Commissioners; Heather Randall King, Mickie Turk, Rick Fesler, Ruth Valgemae and Phil Johnson plus Michael Frey, Director of the Edina Art Center.
See you at the movies.
