PAH-Fest returns to Grants

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The second annual Public Access Hollywood-Festival, commonly called "PAH-Fest" by area residents, is on track for June 6-10, said organizer and sponsor Doug Bocaz-Larson, the film and theater arts instructor at New Mexico State University-Grants.

This year well-known film and television star David Carradine will be honored as the "Keeping the Light Award" recipient on the final day of the festival.

The festival allows member of the public to access Hollywood directors, such as Christopher Coppola, an instrumental force in creating PAH-Fest, and who will be attending and judging again this year.

Anyone can take a digital camera and make a two minute mini-movie and be part of the festival, Bocaz-Larson said.

The events, by day are:

June 6
Start of Mobilflix, where teams are chosen to film digital mini-movies from ideas that have been submitted to the festival's Website: www.PAH-Fest.com. The first meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Cibola Arts Gallery, 1001 W. Santa Fe.

June 7
Filming day for Mobilflix.

June 8
Editing day for Mobilflix. It is also the first day of competition in the "Your Tech" competition, Bocaz-Larson said. Those individuals who wish to compete with cell phones or video cameras receive a secret topic and have to make a two-minute film that day.

June 9
All movies are required to be submitted by the end of this day. It is also the start of this year's Studio Tour with the Cibola Arts Council. Various artists throughout the region hold open houses demonstrating their art techniques such as painting or sculpting.

June 10
Technology Treasure Hunt begins at 8 a.m. The Studio Tour artists have clues to the treasure, which are found by attending the open houses and must be completed by noon. The competitors solve clues by using Internet technology, Bocaz-Larson said. An awards ceremony will be held at 6 p.m., however Bocaz-Larson said the location has not yet been announced.

Carradine will receive the "Keeping the Light" Award at this ceremony. The award goes to those actors who keep the integrity of independent filming alive through their efforts on and off screen. Various cash prizes will be given to film winners in the various categories.

On the Web: www.PAH-Fest.com

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.