Recently we promoted a "Design the Tacoma Film Festival Poster" art contest.  The deadline has now passed and the entries are in.  Come see them!  We have about 50 possible designs for the 2008 Tacoma Film Festival (October 2-9) and all are posted in the lobby of the Grand Cinema.  They are simply amazing!  The artistic talent in the area is definitely something to be proud of.  Before we select the poster that will represent the festival, we'd appreciate your input.  Ask for a feedback form so you can let us know your favorites.  You response will help us in our choice.
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Building off the success of the 72-Hour Film Competition, the non-profit Grand Cinema is creating another opportunity expressly for regional filmmakers.  During the Tacoma Film Festival in early October, we will feature approximately 90 minutes of local short films in a Local Filmmaker Showcase.  Unlike the 72-Hour Film Competition, there are no restrictions on what kind of film you make.  Any topic or genre is fair game as long as the final product is suitable for broad viewing (let’s call it PG-13). 

 

Here are the general rules:

1.      Films must be no longer than 5 minutes in length.

2.      Films should be submitted only on DVD.

3.      Films should have about 10-15 seconds of blank black screen at the beginning of the DVD prior to the start of the film.

4.      Final films must be accompanied by a $15 entry fee.

5.      Films are not guaranteed to be shown in the Tacoma Film Festival.  We seek to fill about 90 minutes of time so the best 18 (approximately) movies will be screened together in the festival.

6.      Filmmakers who have their movies selected for the festival will receive two complimentary tickets to the movie screening in the film festival.

7.      Films are due at the Grand Cinema no later than Monday, August 4, 2008.

8.      DO NOT create your entry through our website via withoutabox.com unless it is a longer film entry not part of this particular competition.  Simply bring the DVD and $15 to the Grand’s lobby.

9.      Submitted films should be accompanied by your complete contact information: name, address, phone number and email address.

10. Entries are limited to filmmakers from Washington.

 

The host organization for the Tacoma Film Festival is the non-profit Grand Cinema.  The Tacoma Film Festival takes place at various venues October 2-9 in Tacoma.  In addition to the Grand Cinema, past festival films have screened at Tacoma Art Museum, UW Tacoma, School of the Arts and Stadium High School. 

 

For filmmakers wishing to enter longer films, complete information is available at tacomafilmfestival.com.

 

For additional information, please contact the Grand Cinema at 253-572-6062.  Our mailing address is 606 S. Fawcett, Tacoma, WA 98406.

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Tacoma Film Festival Poster Design!

 

Have you ever wanted to see your artistic work displayed all over Tacoma?  This could be your chance!  The non-profit Grand Cinema is turning to the artistic community to design this October’s Tacoma Film Festival poster.  The Grand will accept entries for the poster through July 31, 2008.  All entries will be displayed at the Grand Cinema and a winner will be chosen for this year’s festival.  The winning poster will receive $350, two festival passes to the Tacoma Film Festival and a joint membership to the non-profit Grand Cinema.  All serious entries will receive four passes to any movie at the Grand Cinema.

 

As for the design, that is pretty much left to you.  It will need to say what the event is: “The Grand Cinema presents The 3^rd Annual Tacoma Film Festival”.  It will need to have the dates: October 2-9, 2008.  We’ll also later add sponsor logos to the bottom of the poster.  Entries will need to be provided in an electronic format that can be reproduced into 11x17 posters (please keep some blank space at the bottom for those sponsor logos).  If you want to discuss ideas with us prior to creation, we encourage you to contact The Grand’s Executive Director Philip Cowan at 253.572.6062.

 

If you plan to submit a design, while not required, we ask that you let us know prior to the deadline.  That way we will have an idea of how many designs are in the works.

 

Lastly, below are links to a few websites that might be of interest.  They show past posters that might be of interest to you.

 

Last year’s Tacoma Film Festival poster: http://www.grandcinema.com/page.php?id=62

 

A few film festival posters: http://www.jimdietz.com/filmfestival.html 

 

Great 2007 Port Townsend poster (cover of guide): http://issuu.com/leader/docs/filmfest/1

 

Past Port Townsend posters: http://www.ptfilmfest.com/store/index.html 

 

Interesting movie poster: http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/ 

 

Good luck to you!

 

tacomafilmfestival@gmail.com

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As Pierce County's only non-profit art house film theater, the Grand Cinema is proud to host "The First 10" our theme for this year's April Film Series.  Embarking on our 11^th Birthday (this April 17, 2008), The Grand Cinema felt it appropriate to show movies that define what the Grand represents to the Pierce County community.  These films are what makes the Grand what the Grand is today – not to mention all the support from our members, volunteers and loyal patrons. 

 

If you missed any of these films the first time or you have been waiting to see them again on the big screen, now is the time to get out to The Grand.

*Showtimes will vary week to week – please check back*

 

April 4-10

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Sideways (2004)

 

April 11-17

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Memento (2000)

 

April 18-24

March of the Penguins (2005)

Amelie (2001)

 

April 25-May 1

Lost in Translation (2003)

The Red Violin (1998)

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The Grand Cinema would like to know what you think!

And you could win free tickets for telling us!  Just complete this survey and we'll enter you into a drawing for 4 free tickets tickets to use at ANY movie showing at the Grand during 2008.

Take Survey!

 

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ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY

LIVE AT THE RIALTO

SUNDAY, FEB. 24, 2008

DOORS OPEN @ 4:00 P.M.

RED CARPET COVERAGE BEGINS @ 5:00 P.M.

Sponsored by The News Tribune, Click! Cable TV & Varsity Grill

$14 for Grand Cinema members; $17 for non-members

DRESS UP AS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE STAR TO WIN A $100 EL GAUCHO DINNER

 

Catch all the excitement of the Oscars on a big movie screen while enjoying free food provided by the Varsity Grill.  The fun lasts all night with a cash bar and desserts provided by El Gaucho, Hello Cupcake and Corina's Bakery.   Each guest will receive an Oscar ballot that can be filled out for the chance to win ONE FULL YEAR OF FREE MOVIES at The Grand Cinema. 

 

Tickets are now available at the Grand Cinema or over the phone with a credit card.  The event is a fundraiser for the Grand Cinema so be ready to bid on items like autographed movie posters, local entertainment or great items in the raffle. 

 

If you want to win the $100 El Gaucho dinner, check in at the Membership Table when you arrive.  For more information call 253-572-6062.  Special thanks to the Weekly Volcano, The Swiss, LeRoy Jewelers, The Art Stop, Doyle's Public House, Stadium Video, El Gaucho, ArtsFund, City of Tacoma Arts Commission and the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.

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KIMYA DAWSON, JUNO'S FEATURE SOUNDTRACK ARTIST

LIVE APPEARANCE AT THE GRAND CINEMA

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE WEEKLY VOLCANO

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2008

6:00 -7:00 P.M.

NOTE: The following concert is now SOLD OUT.  Join us in welcoming to the Grand Cinema our own local artist, Kimya Dawson as she performs songs from the hit movie and soundtrack, Juno.  There is no cost to attend the event, but we are asking for a suggested donation of $10 per person.

In addition to her performance there will be a short Q&A session.  You can catch the 4:20 p.m. showing of Juno and then stick around for the appearance OR catch the appearance and then the 6:35 p.m. showing of Juno.  If you have already seen Juno then enjoy the entire one-hour appearance with music and great conversation.

Dawson resides in Olympia, WA with her husband and 1-year-old daughter.  She recently performed on ABC's The View with Moldy Peaches partner Adam Green.  They performed the hit song from Juno "Anyone Else But You".

The soundtrack to Juno features Dawson in nine of the nineteen songs on the album.  The soundtrack is currently ranked 2nd in Billboard Magazine's rankings of top selling albums.

Special thanks to the Weekly Volcano for their partnership with the appearance.

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Are you one of the many people who like to see the movie posters we display in our lower lobby at the cinema?  How about owning a few yourself!  You'll have that opportunity at the Grand Cinema's Poster Sale on Saturday, December 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.   We'll have over 300 posters from many of the movies that have played at the Grand over the last several years as well as posters from movies that never made it here.  Posters are very collectible and offer the chance of a unique display in your home or office.  They make excellent holiday gifts as well!  Prices are very affordable with most $15 each.  Available as well is a small group of movie banners and larger displays.  The sale is limited to items on hand so get here early. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase the 35mm movie trailers we play before movies.  These can be used to collect, to pull out frames from your favorite film or for various craft purposes.  Movie trailers are just $1 each. 

 

To see a list of the posters available for sale, click HERE.

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