Films for Folk at 18th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference

Memphis (Tennessee), USA – The 18th Annual International
Folk Alliance Conference, in Austin, Texas, February 10-14, 2006 is highlighting
Texas music through films. Films will be screened daily. Conference registration
is required for admittance. For registration information go to
www.folk.org. The schedule is:FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

1:00pm Isn’t This A Time: A Tribute To Harold Leventhal
Directed by Jim Brown featuring Theodore Bikel, Erik Darling, Ronnie Gilbert,
Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter Yarrow, Mary Travers, Paul Stookey and more.
3:00pm Bougainville Sky
Australian filmmaker Nick Agafonoff’s documentary on Australian songwriter Iain
“Fred” Smith work with music and comedy to help the people of Bougainville find
the courage to overcome years of fear and distrust and restore peace in the war
torn Papua New Guinea Island of Borgainvelle.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

9:45am Press On: A Sacred Steel Concert
Director Gillian Grisman’s documentary featuring the reigning superstar of the
pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph making a rare club appearance with his
acclaimed Family Band and Calvin Cooke; one of Randolph’s mentors and a sacred
steel legend in his own right.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

3:00pm

Townes Van Zandt – Be Here to Love Me
Director Margaret Brown’s stirring documentary on the legendary Townes Van Zandt
featuring appearances by Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Willie
Nelson and Townes Van Zandt. Introduction by Louis Black, There will be a Q&A
with the director immediately after the film.

5:00pm What Is INDIE?
A documentary by Dave Cool featuring interviews with many of today’s top indie
music experts and artists including Derek Sivers (CD Baby), Panos Panay (Sonicbids),
Suzanne Glass (Indie-Music.com), Penny Lang (Artist) and many more.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13

12:30pm Faded Love – A documentary by Dwight , “Faded Love” is a
non-linear documentary about the swing bandleader Bob Wills, his life and music,
especially as it is revealed from the first hand experiences of his fans.

1:00pm The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins – Les Blank’s film
featuring Lightnin’ Hopkins in his own words and music as he reveals the
inspiration for his blues.

1:45pm

Del Mero Corazón (Straight From the Heart) – A lyrical journey
through the heart of Chicano culture as reflected in the love songs of the
Tex-Mex Norteña music tradition.

2:15pm Songs Of the Homeland – Filmed on location throughout Texas, Songs
of the Homeland tells the story of Tejano Music. This critically acclaimed
documentary features images of the past and present and includes performances
and interviews with musical pioneers such as Tony de la Rosa, Valerio Longoria,
Lydia Mendoza, Isidro Lopez, Sunny Ozuna, Mingo Saldivar, and Little Joe
Hernandez. Produced by Award Winning Filmmaker Hector Galan, Songs of the
Homeland is an exuberant journey into the heart and soul of Tejano music.
history of the Texas Mexican experience as told through the development of
Tejano music.

Furthermore, the conference is working on screening additional films directly
through the hotel broadcast system. Following are the films that will be
broadcast:

Chulas Fronteras, by Les Blank, A complex, insightful look at the Chicano
experience as mirrored in the lives and music of the most acclaimed Norteño
musicians of the Texas-Mexican border, including Flaco Jimenez and Lydia
Mendoza.

The Sun’s Gonna Shine, by Les Blank, (A lyrical recreation of Lightnin’
Hopkins’ decision at age eight to stop chopping cotton and start singing for a
living.

A Well Spent Life, by Les Blank, (Mance Lipscomb
Accordion Dreams, by Hector Galán is presented to PBS by Latino Public
Broadcasting in Los Angeles.

Accordion Dreams features yesterday’s and today’s squeezebox trailblazers
that defined Texas Mexican Music. The arrival of the European button accordion
to Texas and its merging with traditional Mexican songs gave birth to an
explosive new sound. From lively polkas to smooth waltzes, Accordion Dreams
captures an exhilarating musical style that is rapidly gaining fans worldwide.
This program looks at today’s young rebel accordionists who have expanded this
musical style to the fringes of rock, blues, and pop, while paying homage to its
pioneers.

I Love My Freedom, I Love My Texas; On the Road with Mingo Saldivar Y Los
Cuatro Espadas_ by Hector Galan.
An electrifying performance documentary featuring Mingo Saldivar – one of
conjunto’s most admired and popular accordion masters. Mingo is known as “The
Dancing Cowboy” for his unique stylized dancing moves as he pours his heart and
soul into […]

Kinkytoons I looove Texas by Troy Cambell. This political ad for Kinky
Friedman’s 2006 Gubernatorial run is the first in a series of short animated
films that will mock Texas politics and introduce Texans (and the world) to
Kinky’s political ambitions. It took the internet by storm within days and has
everyone across the blogosphere shouting, “Jesus es grande!”

Tall Tales & other Big Lies by Troy Cambell. Troy Campbell knew that his
close pal and Texas music legend Ray Wylie Hubbard had some great stories, but
he wasn’t prepared for this true story. The lesson learned? Beware of dogs
wearing bandanas!