Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

VISIONFEST 04: The Other Festival (VF04) � running June 23-27, at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Film Center of New York University � proudly announces the "World Premiere" screening of Derek JW Wybourn's feature directorial debut, FIGHT NIGHT, which unveils during Program 5, on Friday, June 25, 2004, at 8:30 p.m. The riveting, structurally unique project promises "blood, broken bones, and scars" in its summizing description, adding that "it's all part of being an illegal underground fighter, but for L.G., Jeremy, and Conrado there is much more to it. You find out from them it's a way out, its a way to support a family, and a way to carry on a tradition. However, Mack and Napoleon, the two men running the fights for their own gambling web site, see the kids as nothing more than a cheap commodity, expendable, and an easy way to entertain their online audience." Wybourn's film is unconventional in its storytelling approach, as it certainly defies traditional 'category' classification, leaving viewers to ponder whether they've just experienced a documentary or a narrative feature or some other variation of the two approaches. "I can see how some viewers may find this film to be somewhat experimental in its storytelling," stated VF04 producer, Rachel Boden, "It's not really a mockumentary, as that term suggests abundant slants toward broad humor, but at the same time, it isn't a documentary either� and I think that the approach of this film may throw off some of those viewers who need spoonfed classification for the films they watch. I like the fact that I'm not sure of how to ultimately label FIGHT NIGHT� The one thing that is certain is that it is unique and� isn't that the very essence of truly independent vision?"

Wybourn's film will be preceded by three shorts, which are all East Coast Premieres: the first, HOLD THE ANCHOVIES, is an animated tale centered around the U.S. conflict with Iraq, but expressed via a series of situations involving a pizza delivery guy and the deranged customer who uses war weapons to keep him from achieving the simple promise of delivering the order in under 30 minutes; the second, WRONG WAY UP, follows two guys and their attempts to smuggle a rare breed of tarantulas from Mexico to the U.S.; and the third, PUNCHING HITLER, is a glimpse at what might happen if a group of drunk friends were to explore the possibilities facing them, courtesy of a home-made time machine. The program will wrap with a Q&A with the filmmakers. Earlier that evening, Program 4, starting at 6 pm sharp, will offer three East Coast Premieres that poke fun at the film industry: LIVING WITH LOU, about how a family copes with the rigid, regimented schedules posed by its 'head of household,' a film assistant director; the second short, THE INGRATE, has Academy Award-winner, Kathy Bates, in a brilliant turn, as a Judge listening to the appeal of a struggling Immigrant filmmaker refusing to pay back a government loan on grounds that he has yet to realize his "American Dream" � which he claims is the reason the loan was taken in the first place; and for the feature presentation, Tatiana Bliss' SCREAM QUEEN, spins the tale of a B-movie actress forced to act in an 'indie' digital video being directed by one of her biggest fans � and the results are� well, a "scream!"

All festival evenings will wrap with everyone being asked to hold on to their ticket stubs, which guarantee complimentary admission to the exciting after-parties� Friday's (June 25) is at LUAHNN (5th Avenue, between 12 & 13 Streets), where the celebration kicks off with one hour drink specials, starting at 10 pm. All other after-party venues have been confirmed, and all will feature one hour drink specials: June 23 at TAJ (48 West 21st � bet. 5 & 6 Avenues), with music by DJ Big Ben; June 24 will feature live performances by ROYAL PLAYBOY CARTEL (featured in the upcoming July 3rd triple-bill with SLIPKNOT and METALLICA, in Prague � Czech Republic), preceded by URBAN OUTLAW BAND, however, the exact venue location is still t.b.a.; June 26 at ROOM 143 (143 Madison Avenue � bet. 31 & 32 Streets), with music by DJ Derrick Spaulding; and June 27 � official Closing Night after-party at SUEDE, one of NYC's hottest & trendiest clubs today, featuring the music of DJ Smooth G.