“GOING BANANAS FOR MOVIES IN MICHIANA!”

Mid America Filmmakers presents an annual evening of locally produced films and screenplays on Friday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Eck Visitors Center on the Notre Dame campus located next to the bookstore. Admission is free.

The night will consist of a series of locally produced short films from the Michiana area, followed by a Q&A session with attending filmmakers.

Six screenplays written by members of M.A.F.’s screenwriters group will have a staged reading after which the audience will vote for one to be made into a short film. Last year’s winner “The Benevolent Banana”, written and directed by Michael Kouroubetes, will have its world premiere at this event.

For an interesting writing exercise this year, each screenwriter drew a holiday and a film genre out of a hat. This means they will be presenting amusing combinations such as a “Christmas western” and a “Sci-fi Mother’s Day.”

Here are the films that will be screened, in no particular order:

“The Benevolent Banana” by Michael Kouroubetes (South Bend, 5 min.) One brave, righteous banana, bravely battles lawlessness in River City. His ultimate purpose: defeat the Evil Dictator!

“Tailgate Party in the Wal Mart Parking Lot” by Les Nemeth (South Bend, 3 min.) County music at its best.

“Cannibal Lovers” teaser by Tara Eary (Goshen, 1 min.) If true love can survive an apocalypse, it should survive hunger, right? Even if you’re ‘what’s for dinner’?

“Skin Deep” by Scott Dokey (South Bend, 7 min.) Real beauty comes from within, and is much more than skin deep.

“Harvey Putter Convention” by Tim Richardson (Edwardsburg, 10 min.) Wizards, weirdos and wackos: this documentary has it all.

“Trippin”, “Meat is Murder” and “I Spit on Eli Roth” trailers by Devi Snively (Mishawaka, 5 min. total) See all the projects Deviant Pictures has been up to!

“The Method” by Gregg Brown (New York, 23 min) He’s a really nice guy. He needs to get this part. He has a gun.

“Atomic Waifs” by Jim Yocom (South Bend, 5 min.) The effect of 1950’s television on young boomers

“The War: Michiana’s Experience” preview (Michiana area, 21 min.) Interviews with local veterans from World War 2.

The MAF meeting this month was held on Tuesday January 8th at Fiddler’s Hearth. Want to see all of the juicy details? You’ll have to click through to find out.

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