Film festival, Vegas growing on each other

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | 8:18 a.m.

Las Vegas film buffs, film professionals and aspiring filmmakers are gearing up for the eighth annual CineVegas, to be held June 9-17 at the Palms.

The film submission deadline is April 21.

"The fascinating thing about Vegas is that it is kind of still a small town, but with big-city aspects," said Mike Plante, associate director of programming for CineVegas.

"CineVegas is a specialty festival," he said. "We're not trying to change the face of film - we're trying to highlight a number of filmmakers.

"We are trying to keep the festival manageable and fun."

Plante says CineVegas receives about 1,000 film submissions a year.

The Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, which is held every January, is the grandfather of independent film festivals. There were more than 4,000 submissions of short subjects and more than 3,000 feature film submissions this year.

"Pretty much every film is submitted to Sundance," Plante said.

Plante said of the 1,000 or so submissions to CineVegas, about 30 feature films and 25 short films will be shown.

"Some festivals show 300 or more," he said. "The films get lost in the mix. It's hard for people to figure out what to see."

This way, according to Plante, the films get better exposure.

"We do 10 or 15 world premieres and another 10 or 15 that don't have worldwide distribution," he said.

Plante said keeping the festival small better serves the filmmaker.

"It's easier for acquisition buyers to see 10 films in a weekend," he said.

Also, with the smaller roster, it's easier for the critics from Variety, Hollywood Reporter and other publications to see the films.

However, small doesn't mean boring.

Plante promises an exciting year.

Plante also said CineVegas eventually may have more year-round visibility in Las Vegas.

"We're going to start doing a screening series," he said, "so we will have a presence every month - not just in June."

Plante noted that many filmmakers are coming to Las Vegas to shoot all or parts of their projects, but Las Vegas has yet to rival Hollywood as a center of filmmaking. Last year the industry (including feature films, commercials, television and other sources) brought more than $102 million to the state.

According to the Nevada Film Office, feature films accounted for $18.2 million (64 films with a total of 296 days of shooting).

But TV series and specials accounted for the largest income - $39 million (173 series and 713 days of production).

Reality television shows brought in $10.3 million (73 shows, 828 days of production).

Plante said Nevada officials are very good about working with filmmakers.

Director Guy Magar is one of the filmmakers who has heard the good news about Las Vegas and movie making, and that's why he is bringing his filmmaking course here for a two-day run Sunday and Monday.

Magar, director of "Children of the Corn: Revelation" and numerous television series including "Sliders" and "Hunter," said his course at the Marriott Courtyard, 3275 Paradise Road, will cover all aspects of the film business.

"I keep hearing what a big filmmaking community there is in Vegas," Magar said.

Information on the Action/Cut Filmmaking seminar can be obtained by calling (800) 815-5545.