FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18th, 2016
CONTACT: Eileen Agosta, Program Director
efpdenver@gmail.com
EFPalooza 2016 to celebrate Denver filmmakers with three-day festival.
Denver, CO – Filmmakers from across the state will gather at The Bug Theatre this month for a film festival celebrating local independent film.
The 2016 EFPalooza Film Festival is part of The Bug Theatre’s Emerging Filmmakers Project (EFP). The EFP has been showcasing Denver’s locally-produced movies and documentaries the third Thursday of every month since 2002, and to date has screened more than 1000 locally-produced works. The three-day event will showcase the work of more than 45 local filmmakers, featuring favorites from 2015 as well as several EFP premieres. Filmmakers will be in attendance to take part in a spirited ‘talkback’ with the audience.
“Discovering The Emerging Filmmakers Project and The Bug Theatre changed my life,” says filmmaker and EFPalooza Program Director Eileen Agosta. “There is a large and vibrant film community in Colorado, and the EFP is a great place for filmmakers and actors to meet, network, and support each other. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of these two amazing organizations.”
“Every month, the EFP gives me an opportunity to engage with my peers and review their work,” says Bradley Haag, a filmmaker and member of the EFP Advisory Board, who will be screening his film Catastrophe! on Friday at 7:00 p.m. “It’s a valuable asset to the Denver community and I’m always looking forward to the next one.”
The EFP sponsors six annual film festivals, including the Colorado Independent Women of Film Festival, highlighting regional female filmmakers, and the Denver Animated Pixelshow, which features the work of local animators. The EFP and all of its associated festivals are a great place to meet and network with area filmmakers, actors, writers and many of the talented folks who work behind the camera.
Local filmmaker Patrick Sheridan is the Executive Director and Host of The EFP and oversees public screenings at The Bug. “I’m always amazed how many outstanding films we screen each year at the monthly Emerging Filmmakers Project screenings and the Colorado Independent Women of Film, Denver Animated Pixelshow, and Den-Ex Film Fest,” said Sheridan. “EFPalooza is a celebration of the incredible independent film community we have along the Front Range. It truly is inspiring.”
“For me, EFPalooza is the epitome of ungoverned, passionate art, representing the spirit of indie film that gets to the core of emotional storytelling and the budding talent Denver has to offer,” says Mike Henderson, owner of Plan 9 Studios, one of the sponsors of this year’s festival.
“It’s really a celebration and a way to bring all the filmmakers and their cast and crew together at the beginning of the year to network with other like-minded artists,” adds Sheridan.
All proceeds from the event will go towards a great cause – improving the Bug Theatre, an incredible venue and a staple of the Denver independent film community.
“EFPalooza is a vibrant and important event we at The Bug are proud to offer to showcase the amazing and unique filmmakers that live and work in Colorado,” says Alex Weimer, Managing Director of The Bug Theatre.
“We couldn’t be happier to be a part of the diverse programming lineup at The Bug Theatre,” says Agosta. “The Bug is home for the Denver filmmaking community. There’s no other venue in town that comes close to the level of support that they provide to local independent artists.”
EFPalooza 2016 takes place January 28th, 29th, and 30th at The Bug Theatre (3654 Navajo Street, Denver, CO 80232), with screenings at 8:00 p.m. on January 28th, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on January 29th, and at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on January 30th. Tickets are $10 a block or $15 a day, or a full festival pass can be purchased for $25. To learn more visit the EFP website at www.efpdenver.com and The Bug Theatre’s website at www.bugtheatre.org.
The Bug Theatre and EFPalooza 2016 are supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, The Scen3, Patsy’s Inn Italian Restaurant, Bardo Coffee House, Sexpot Comedy, FreshFilmNews.com, Plan 9 Studios, Twelve Monkeys Dancing Films, Nebulus Visions Multimedia, Monster Makeup FX, Film Acting Academy of Denver, and cool cats everywhere.
The 2016 EFPalooza Film Festival Schedule
Thursday at 8:00p.m. – EFP Premieres: Join us as we kick off the three-night event with the EFP debut of several great short films! Lineup includes the award-winning short film Fire Ripples and the first episode of the web series Oleander.
Friday at 7:00p.m. – Comedy Shorts: A collection of hilarious shorts and audience favorites from 2015. Not to be missed!
Friday at 9:00p.m. – Narrative Feature: Teddy Boy: In the evocative debut feature film of Sean J.S. Jourdan (THE BEEKEEPER, AN OPEN DOOR), a disarming stranger adopts the appearance of his hosts’ deceased son before sailing with them on an unexpected trip. The loss of the boat coupled with the threat of a mountain lion attack forces them to find refuge as re-awakened rivalries reach a fevered pitch. Left alone, the wounded couple confronts the past and their son’s death through newfound compassion.
Saturday at 4:00p.m. – Saturday Afternoon Shorts: Films before the intermission include a collection of shorts & animations featuring local kid actors or that are otherwise suitable for the “18 and under” audience!
Saturday at 7:00p.m. – Saturday Evening Shorts: The Saturday evening shorts block will feature some of our favorite narrative and experimental shorts that screened at The Emerging Filmmakers Project in 2015.
Saturday at 9:00p.m. – Closing Night Shorts: We’ll close out the festival with another block of 9 amazing short films! Lineup includes the 2015 Denver 48 Hour Film Project Winning film Spinsters and The Bug Film, which explores the history, programming, and cultural impact of the historic Bug Theatre, Denver’s most unique artistic venue.
About The Emerging Filmmakers Project
The Emerging Filmmakers Project (EFP) has been the home of Denver’s independent film scene since 2002. Held the third Thursday of every month and hosted by local filmmaker Patrick Sheridan, the EFP is a great place to screen your work, network with other creatives in town, and to support your fellow indie filmmakers.
The EFP has a large and diverse audience and has gained the respect and participation of top local filmmakers like Daniel Junge, Mark Grove, Haylar Garcia, Mary-Lyn Chambers, David and Denise Strong, Laura Mansfield, Sheila Schroeder, Jamin Wynans, Kevin Campbell, Jim Brennan, Eileen Agosta, John Hartman, Darla Rae, Sean J.S. Jourdan, Danny Diaz, MaryLee Herrmann, Bradley Haag, The Nix Bros., David Quakenbush, and Patrick Sheridan (to name but a few).
The Emerging Filmmakers Project is held the third Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $5. To learn more about The Emerging Filmmakers Project please visit http://www.efpdenver.com.
About The Bug Theatre
The Bug Theatre was originally built as a nickelodeon movie house in 1912. Throughout the century it has also been called The World Theatre, The Navajo, and The Avalon. At some point the neighborhood children nicknamed it “The Bug House,” and this is the name that stuck.
In 1994 it was incorporated as a federal 501(c)(3) as “Bug Performance and Media Art Center.” In 1998 a resident theatre company was introduced to the space. This was followed by the introduction of a small staff in 1999, and the combined efforts of the award-winning Bug Theatre Company and the dedicated administrative staff succeeded in transforming it into the viable artistic entity it is today.
Since then, the Bug has produced live theatrical performance, forums, classes, and acclaimed monthly showcases featuring local independent film, music and performing artists as well as bringing national and international artworks to our local audiences in the form of film festivals and traveling artists. It has also served as a multifunctional venue that provides a gathering place for community meetings, workshops, benefits and other artistic events.
To learn more about The Bug Theatre please visit http://www.bugtheatre.org.
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