Filmmaking has become increasingly democratic since professional and near-professional quality digital cameras became cheap enough as that virtually anyone could make a movie. Tomorrow night in Taichung, the Oyster Film Festival will show how some local filmmakers have applied their creative powers to new digital technologies, producing films of 30 minutes or less.
The festival, which will feature at least seven films by expatriates, takes its name from the Taiwan Oyster (http://www.taiwanoyster.com), a fledgling literary Webzine edited by Mark Jarrett and Rob Adams, and is the group's second film festival. The first took place on Feb. 23 and showcased filmed by both expatriate and local directors, including one non-digital 16mm documentary of Spring Scream 2000.
"This time, we're hoping to get more films produced specifically for our festival and according to its theme - 'Shades," as in sunglasses, said Jarrett. He said at least four films have been produced specifically for the event.
"Most people use either DV cams or Hi-8 [camcorders]," he said.
The Oyster Film festival will take place at the bar M&M's, located at 392 Hwamei St. (華美街392號) from 7pm to 10pm. There is no admission charge, and drinks are permitted in the screening area.
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