LIVE!
ON STAGE!
EXCLUSIVE!
From here to Modernity...
movie
Mania
It's screen time
at the Uptown
and the Detroit
Independent
film festivals.
Suzanne Chessler
Special to the Jewish News
effrey Spilman, long expe-
rienced in feature film and
television production, and
Marlee Goldman, new to film acting,
will cross paths as two festivals cele-
brate recent production achievements
in Michigan.
Spilman, co-executive director of
the Uptown Film Festival (UFF), is
at the helm of the Birmingham event
running March 11-12 at the Palladium
12 Theatre and the Birmingham 8,
where five major movie premieres will
be showcased and special events will
be hosted.
Goldman, a teenager appearing in
Butterfly Kisses, has been nominated
for best actress in a feature film for
the Michigan Film Awards, recognition
planned by the Detroit Independent
Film Festival (DIFF) and presented in
a ceremony that is a joint venture with
the UFF.
DIFF, which also features produc-
tions made outside the Detroit Metro
area and is in its second year, is pre-
senting 100 screenings, which began
March 9 and run through March 13 at
the two Birmingham theaters and at
the Ren Cen 4 and Burton Theatre in
Detroit.
Butterfly Kisses will be shown
5 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the
Birmingham 8. Things Fall Apart, star-
ring Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson and Ray
Liotta, is at 7:30 p.m. at the Palladium
12 and will be followed by the awards
ceremony.
"We are extremely excited to bring
the Uptown Film Festival to life
this year',' says Spilman managing
j
Jeffrey Spilman
Li
LJ
THRILL TO the Enlightenment as it begins before your eyes!
EXPERIENCE the power of ideas! Don't miss this!
Marlee Goldman
The Jewish Ensemble Theatre proudly presents
the Midwest Premiere of
partner of S3 Entertainment Group,
co-producer of Kill the Irishman star-
ring Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer
and Ray Stevenson and being shown
Friday, March 11.
"The films and talent highlighted
during this event have played key roles
in the substantial growth and success
of the Michigan film industry during
the past several years.
"This festival recognizes the hard
work and dedication of the state's film
industry professionals and the pro-
ductions they've created in Michigan?'
Spilman, who came up with the
idea for the festival, draws attention to
the number of jobs created since the
Michigan Film Incentives were adopt-
ed in 2008. There have been more
than 7,000 production jobs in addition
to the 4,000 acting jobs for extras and
day players.
"Rarely does the public get to hear
from filmmakers, but they will have
that chance at the opening reception,
afterglow and screenings that have
question-and-answer sessions',' says
Spilman, 52, who grew up in the state
and worked as a California entertain-
ment attorney and production entre-
preneur.
Goldman, 16, a 10th-grader at North
Farmington High School, thinks her
first film — about a teen coping with
a disconnected family —is "cool?'
"I've taken a couple of acting classes
and learned a lot working on Butterfly
Kisses:' says Goldman, already cast for
her second project, Morrow Road.
"I got the part after seeing an audi-
tion posted online, contacting the
director, sending in both a resume and
head shot and then auditioning. It was
great to get the callback?' I 1
For event and ticket information for the Uptown Film Festival, go to
www.uptownfilmfestival.com or call (248) 723-6220. For schedules and
price information for the Detroit Independent Film Festival, visit
www.detroitiff.slated.com .
NEINIERUSALEM
The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27,1656
BY DAVID IVES
NOW PLAYING: MARCH 16 - APRIL 10, 2011
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JET performs in the Aaron Deroy Theatre in the JCC
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OPERA HOUSF DEBUT!
EISENHOWER
ENSEMBLE
MOTOWN IN MOTION
SUNDAY MARCH 20, 2011
2:30 p.m. at the
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Detroit Opera House
One of the midwest's premiere
contemporary dance companies
celebrates the iconic Detroit sound
with an afternoon of dance and
Motown music!
TICKETS
AS LOW AS $29
FREE! Dance Talk one hour prior to performance
TICKETS & PRE-PAID PARKING
313.237.SING or michiganopera.org
fill
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March 10 2011
41