Weekend fests and events.

Jean-Pierre Gorin has joined the Telluride Film Festival (September 1 through 4) as the 33rd Guest Director, a perfect opportunity to point to Matthew Clayfield's recent entries on Gorin: 1 and 2. Telluride's Special Medallion this year goes to David Thomson, weekly columnist for the Independent and author of The New Biographical Dictionary of Film and The Whole Equation. And the fest will dedicate Telluride's latest handcrafted theater to producer, director, distributor and fest advisory council member Pierre Rissient.

"Among the many films competing for attention at next month's Toronto International Film Festival [September 7 through 16] will be one whose subject, the charismatic salsa singer Héctor Lavoe, all but demanded big screen treatment." Lewis Beale talks with Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez about El Cantante (The Singer) for the New York Times. More on the Toronto lineup from Etan Vlessing in the Hollywood Reporter. One spot to watch continually for news is tiffreviews.com.

Shane Danielson, departing artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (Monday through August 27), has a fine piece in the London Times in which he recalls the highs and lows of five years on the job.

Matt Riviera has been posting dispatches from the Melbourne International Film Festival, which wraps tomorrow.

"Shocked by the arrogance and brutality of the current US-backed Israeli assault on Lebanon, myself and Gabe Klinger have hammered out a screening of two films by Lebanese filmmakers whose work is of great interest." Andy Rector has details and dates, and if you're in Chicago next weekend, it's something you might consider.

Lance Weiler, co-director of The Last Broadcast, is taking his new one, Head Trauma, on the road. It'll be screening in 15 cities between August 18 and September 22. Check that terrific site for dates and locations.

The Machinima Festival, slated for November 4 and 5, is accepting submissions. Via Cory Doctorow at Boing Boing.

Ten curators and 150 artists from around the world will take part in Too Much Freedom?, the 10th biennial festival of film, video and experimental new media taking placing throughout LA and on the Web: Freewaves.

Rhizome is ten and will be celebrating throughout the fall.

Tribeca and the Rome Film Festival have announced a partnership. Cinematical's Martha Fischer has details.

Posted by dwhudson at August 12, 2006 1:17 PM