PDX is about to host an amazing bevy of visiting artists this year. Lynne Sachs will pop in from her Brooklyn digs to screen her amazing documentary, States of UnBelonging, as well as present a special festival workshop at the Northwest Film Center (see below). Gary Hustwit will also be in town to present the Portland premiere of his much-lauded and much-anticipated feature length documentary, Helvetica. The masterminds behind Seattle record and DVD label, Sublime Frequencies, will be roaming the grounds, as they present two brand-spanking new videos from their archives featuring some of the most amazing African and Asian musicians you have never heard – until now. Keep your eyes peeled for other experimental film superstars making the trip to Portland, including David Gatten, Ben Russell, Mike Plante, Devon Damonte, and many others. And don’t forget the multitudes of homegrown filmmakers whose work is also in the festival this year. Portland rocks!

The Peripheral Produce Invitational VI
Now in its sixth year, the always popular Peripheral Produce Invitational pits filmmakers from Portland and beyond in a rock-em/sock-em experimental showdown. In this “Saturday Night Main Event”, 2006 champ Julie Orser will defend her title against an angry mob of filmmakers from around the country.

The Gearhead Portland Filmmaker Award
We are proud to once again partner with Gearhead Grip + Electric to offer the Gearhead Portland Filmmaker Award. This award rewards filmmaking excellence by providing a local independent filmmaker whose work best demonstrates the potential to undertake a production project beyond his or her normal budgetary scope. The value of the award is $2,000 credit applicable at Gearhead Grip + Electric toward the rental of Grip Truck Packages and Equipment, Lighting, Camera Support and Production Supplies for a future project. The winner of the award will be announced at the Invitational.

Beyond the Screen:
Opening Night Party
@ AudioCinema
226 SE Madison St, under the Hawthorne Bridge
Celebrate opening night with us at AudioCinema, where our satellite exhibition Retinal Reverb will be unveiled for your eager eyes. Kick things off right as you explore the massive exhibit, mingle with the artists and enjoy a frosty beverage from Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Retinal Reverb
Video Installations at AudioCinema
Retinal Reverb is a satellite exhibition to the PDX Film Festival featuring video work that exists outside the cinematic experience. Organized by local artists Stephen Slappe and Mack Mcfarland, this show features video installation, sculpture and single channel works from across the country.

Great Garbage Patch Kids
Mobile Installation by Devon Damonte
In front of the Hollywood Theatre
Saturday @ 8PM, Sunday @ 7:30PM

Recently it came to light that a giant ice shelf broke off an island near Greenland (just north of Devon Island) in 2005. For a very limited engagement, a shard of the Ayles Ice Shelf itself will be visiting Portland, cleverly disguised as a blue 1988 Toyota pickup truck so as not to arouse suspicion. This 300,000 year-old ice cube has a lot to say and show us, spreading the gospel word that we are all the children of the Great Garbage Patch (that huge eternally swirling slurry of plastics in the middle of the Pacific Ocean). Look for the blue Toyota pickup parked in front of the theater for a glimpse deep inside a footloose ice shelf, wandering amidst the gyres.

Sublime Frequencies Listening Party
Rotture, 315 SE 3rd Ave
Thursday April 26, 11:30ish
After the Sublime Frequencies program, please join us at Rotture where the Sublime Frequencies gang will be spinning an assortment of music from their own catalog and beyond.

Closing Night Party
@ Moon & Sixpence
2014 NE 42nd Ave
Come join us at the Moon & Sixpence for one last cheer for PDX 2007!

Workshops:
The Northwest Film Center School of Film once again plays host to two very special filmmaker workshops during the festival. All workshops held at the School of Film, 934 SW Salmon. For more information or to register, go to www.nwfilm.org or call (503) 276-4259 x608

Working With, Against & Beyond Reality:
An Experimental Documentary Workshop with Lynne Sachs
Saturday, April 28, 11 AM-2 PM Tuition: $35

Join us for an exploration into the rapidly expanding world of the experimental documentary with visiting filmmaker Lynne Sachs. Through discussion of her films, videos, installations and web projects, she will provide insight into her own creative processes and artistic practice. Participants will be encouraged to create and discuss a scenario for a documentary they might like to make the next day, the next year, or sometime later in their lives. Through a hands-on portion of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to try out some shooting scenarios in response to these proposals, using cameras provided by the School of Film equipment room. Open to filmmakers of all levels. No previous production experience required.

No Cameras, No Computers, No Kidding!
A Direct Animation Workshop with Devon Damonte
Sunday, April 29, 10 AM-2 PM Tuition: $45

Make your own motion pictures by hand from castoff scraps and craft ephemera. Learn such instantly gratifying, no-budget Do-It-Yourself techniques as scratch-on-black-leader, hot iron plastic bag ink transfer, wet tape image lift, transparent patterned contact-paper-a-go-go, and 'Loopology' a simple means of testing and refining your work. Try things not recommended by any manufacturer. All supplies provided (bring your own materials to try, too). No previous experience necessary.