In Film & Music:: Cinemocracy Rocks

Cinemocracy Rocks
Monday, August 25, 6:00 PM @ Red Rocks Ampitheatre
by Lisa Gedgaudas

The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs, the Denver Film Society, and the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee will celebrate the Cinemocracy Film Festival’s top 10 films at Cinemocracy Rocks! Open to the public, the event will be held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Monday, August 25, beginning at 6 p.m.

Denver’s interactive-activist, Mayor John Hickenlooper shows off his city tonight during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The Convention takes place this week (for those of you that don’t know) from August 25th-28th, and tonight one of the many most notable things to do is the The Cinemocracy Film Festival at Red Rocks tonight.

The goal in the beginning was to get filmmakers, musicians, artists, students, or or anyone to address the topic, “How do you define Democracy?” Citizens from all over the nation spoke out and shared ideas on what democracy is (or isn’t) through the creation of short films.

All films were judged by the online public, and the filmmakers of the top 10 ranked films were provided with airfare and lodging to attend and introduce their films at the Cinemocracy Film Festival public screening tonight.

The evening will feature a diverse and exciting line-up of musical entertainment, a screening of the top 10 Cinemocracy films, an announcement of the top vote-getting film, a screening of Cinemocracy special award winners and the feature film Election.

Featured bands for this evenings event include The Apples in Stereo, Okkerville River, Murs, Jill Sobule and Peter Buffett and the Native American Sacred Wind Dancers.

Many directors of the top 10 Cinemocracy films will be in attendance to introduce their work, beginning at sundown. The top vote-getting film, to be announced at the event, will be screened as an official entry to the 31st Starz Denver Film Festival (November 13-23, 2008) and eligible for the Starz People's Choice Award for Best Short, which carries a $2,500 cash prize. In addition, the top film director will receive a credential to the Democratic National Convention for one night at the Pespi Center, courtesy of Mayor John Hickenlooper. Additionally, Cinemocracy chose three special award winners, which will also screen at the event: Election, starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, will be shown at the end of the evening as part of Film on the Rocks, sponsored by Denver’s Division of Theatres & Arenas.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Parking is $10 per car and carpooling is strongly encouraged to support the greening efforts of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

"Denver is excited to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention and we encourage all people to make their voices heard during that time by participating in this unique project.” -Hickenlooper.
For more information go to: www.denverfilm.org/cinemocracy.