FITC: Films by Artists

Experimental films from the ’70s and ’80s made by artists connected to Film in the Cities (FITC), a landmark media arts center that helped shape the Twin Cities film community (1970–1993), are highlighted this evening.

A program presented by former Walker film curator Melinda Ward features shorts by Bruce Baille, Robert Breer, Bruce Conner, and Gunvor Nelson—visiting artists who both taught at FITC and showed their work as part of the Walker’s series Filmmakers Filming. Following is a showcase of experimental films by local artists, including Peter Bundy, Molly Davies, Tom DeBiaso, Linda Klosky, Kathleen Laughlin, Tim McKinney, Herb Sewell,  Joan Strommer, and Josie Winship, which were selected from recently discovered 16mm reels of 1980s touring programs.

Part One: Visiting Filmmakers
LMNO, Robert Breer, 16mm, 10 min.
My Name Is Oona, Gunvor Nelson, 16mm, 10 min.
All My Life, Bruce Baillie, 16mm, 3 min.
AMERICA IS WAITING, Bruce Conner, 16mm, 4 min.

Part Two: MN Film Artists
Clip from Hampton Alexander, Tim McKinney, film transferred to video, 3 min.
Make-Up, Joan Strommer, film transferred to video, 11 min.
Untitled Train Film from Stills, Linda Klosky, film transferred to video, 10 min.
Reflections in Morning’s Eye, Molly Davies, film transferred to video, 3 min.
Cable Cars, Herb Sewell, film transferred to video, 6 min.
Susan through the Corn, Kathleen Laughlin, film transferred to video, 2 min.
Head, Tom DeBiaso, film transferred to video, 8 min.
Bird Lady, Josie Winship, film transferred to video, 2 min.
Alabama Departure, Peter Bundy, film transferred to video, 9 min.

MSPIFF Minnesota-Made Party, 9–11 pm
Celebrate Minnesota’s film community in Esker Grove with MSP Film Society/Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, FilmNorth, and Minnesota Film and TV Board.

See the entire reel of “A Collection: Works by Thirteen Minnesota Film Artists” with films by Allen Downs, Rod Eaton, James Thompson, Jeff Sinks, Joan Strommer, Tom DeBiaso, Molly Davis, David Blessing, Rick Weise, Josie Winship, Linda Klosky, Herb Sewell, and Kathleen Laughlin. Additional films from the FITC era include works by Pam Belding, Kathleen Laughlin, Sheryl Mousley, Peter Bundy, and Bryan Elsom in the featured Mediatheque playlist “Film in the Cities: Films by Artists” through May.

FITC: Films by Artists is part of a three-part series paying tribute to the evolution of Film in the Cities. Highlights include screenings, special events, discussions, and presentations by a number of FITC’s founders, early teachers, artists, and students.