Filmmakers from around the globe are given an assignment to create short films, documentaries, music videos or commercials from start to completion in just seven days. Each project shines a light on those individuals and organizations making a positive difference in our world. It is a film festival like no other where the audience become participants in a multi-media event of sound and visuals; where they are invited to experience the sensations of the unity, diversity, magic, creativity and compassion that are the true heart of our collective humanity. Since launching in a yoga studio in December 2005, in just three years Elevate Film Festival became "the largest single screen film festival in the world," hosting up to 6000 people per screening, and was named one of the top 25 festivals world-wide by Moviemaker Magazine. The annual event has generated international acclaim, earning overwhelming support from Hollywood, including Kevin Costner, Jeff Goldblum, Alanis Morissette, Black Eyed Peas, India.Arie, Mario Van Peebles, Derek Luke, and numerous industry icons.
In 2007, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited Elevate to be the first and only film festival to inhabit the home of the Academy Awards. The prestigious Kodak Theatre was filled to capacity and hundreds were turned away. To accommodate its rapidly expanding audience, in 2008 Elevate moved to the state-of-the-art, 7000 seat Nokia Theatre.
The Austin Underground Film Festival
Presents the following films
Don't Call Me Crazy On The Forth Of July
Richard Pell
Texas Hospitality: Final Meal Requests
Michael Pfaendtner
I'm Not Stealing, Don't Put Me Behind Bars
The Carbon Defense League
Tales of Mere Existence
Lev Yilmaz
55: A Meditation on the Speed Limit
Andy Medlin
An Apple A Day
Kevin Maher
Portrait of the Artist at 16
Jay Stern
Re Code Commercial
The Carbon Defense League
The Old Negro Space Program
Andy Bobrow
Exhibit A
Andy Gately
Drawing Between The Lines
Bruce Parsons
Cube
K.C. Katsaros & Derek Moss
Help Is Coming
Ben Mor; 8:00 A surreal tour through the apocalyptic lanscape of post-Katrina New Orleans.
Bodega
Casimir Nozkowski; 6:30 Particular delicacies which only a friendly neighborhood bodega dares offer.
Ghetto Big Mac
Casimir Nozkowski; 4:20 Instructional video for those times when even McDonalds is too pricey.
In Defense of Definitions
Don Swaynos; 3:30 An educational PSA on the dangers of ignorant language usage.
Narcotics: Pit of Despair
Mel Marshall; 29:00
Mondo Ford
Ricardo Fratelli
Rainbow Family Gathering: World Peace Prayer
John Hartman
LSD A Go Go
Scott Calonico
Pollination
Max Chan
I Am So Proud Of You
Don Hertzfeldt The second installment in Don’s trilogy about an ordinary man named Bill. Don included a note with this film: “Please play loud.” Part III will be released in 2009.
