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 JET -= CALL NOW! 248/88.2900 • WWW.JETTHEATRE.ORG JET performs in the Aaron Deroy Theatre in the JCC located on the corner of Maple & Drake Roads in West Bloomfield ,irracie.s used ;;it'', permission. Available for p,ircrase or T-S: -.irts at itirs,ite; - listory.corr OPERA HOUSF DEBUT! EISENHOWER ENSEMBLE MOTOWN IN MOTION SUNDAY MARCH 20, 2011 2:30 p.m. at the DETROIT Hcrre 7.s.po•a 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 am, v..Iter March 10 2011 41