Pickford Film Center

Giallo Mondo! Awesome new Italian Grindhouse poster & series

2012-03-13T14:07:00+00:00

PFC Hosts Fundraiser for “The Mountain Runners” 3/25

2012-03-08T20:48:00+00:00

Pickford Film Center to Host Fundraiser for Upcoming  Documentary “The Mountain Runners”

Pickford Film Center will host an informal fundraiser for the soon- to-be-released local film, The Mountain Runners, which will premiere at PFC in May. The fundraising event will be held on Sunday, March 25 at Pickford Film Center at 11:15am. Select scenes of the film will be shown along with commentary on the film’s background and history provided by the directors, Todd Warger and Brian Young.

The Mountain Runners is a feature length documentary about America’s first mountain adventure race which was held in Bellingham from 1911-1913. The race would pit trains against automobiles and runners against Mount Baker (to the summit in blizzard conditions.) Told with historic photos and re-creations, the film chronicles’ the rise and fall of the event that spawned the Ski to Sea race.

The Mountain Runners is the first film project Pickford Film Center has supported under its newly formed fiscal sponsorship program. Executive Director, Alice Clark, noted the importance of the relationship and the film by saying, “Part of the mission of PFC is to act as a resource for local filmmakers and this is one way that we are pleased to be able to do that – by acting as an umbrella of sorts for their project and helping them to bring it to fruition for everyone to enjoy. This is also a very important piece of history and we are proud to have had a role in bringing it to life. We think the community is really going to enjoy learning about this incredible story.”

The event is free to the public, however PFC and the filmmaking team hope those who attend will have an interest in joining the project as supporters as they head towards the final stages of post-production on the film including editing, effects, music and sound. All who contribute $50 will receive a limited edition Mountain Runners t-shirt, which will be available after the screening.   Pickford Film Center is the nonprofit organization that operates Bellingham’s only independent movie venues – the Pickford Film Center at 1318 Bay Street and the Limelight Cinema at 1416 Cornwall Avenue. In addition to screening the very best in independent and classic cinema daily, the PFC also produces a variety of film festivals and events year round. The new PFC, which opened its doors in April 2011, serves as a community living room, with beer and wine available, ADA accessibility, two screens along with state-of-the-art projection and sound.   To find out more about Pickford Film Center, visit our website.

Visit The Mountain Runners website for more info as well.

Press Contact: Alice Clark
Cell: (360) 201-6477
Email: alice@pickfordfilmcenter.org

Sondheim's Company shines at The Limelight, 3/1 7pm

2012-02-22T16:56:00+00:00

PFC Begins Serving Beer/Wine in Theatre 1 on Feb 17!

2012-02-17T00:41:00+00:00

Pickford Film Center (PFC) is pleased to announce they have received approval from the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) to allow for the consumption of beer and wine  in one of their theaters located at 1318 Bay Street in downtown Bellingham.   In order to meet with WSLCB approval, PFC was required to designate one theater of their two-theater complex as a 21 and over only room at all times. PFC made the decision to move ahead with this change in their license due to wide public support for the option of audience members being allowed to have a glass of beer or wine along with other concession offerings while watching a film. Up until now, consumption of beer and wine was only permitted in the PFC lobby.  According to Alice Clark, Pickford Film Center Executive Director, “So many of our patrons have expressed the desire to be able to take their glass of beer or wine into the theaters that we decided to plunge ahead and make one of our three screens downtown a 21 and over theater. There will be a bit more work on our end to ensure compliance, but we are confident that our community is ready to support this new kind of movie-going experience.”   “As a movie theater operation we are continually working to keep abreast of the film industry trends, which are evolving very quickly in a variety of ways,” relayed Clark. “Movie exhibitors  have had to get creative regarding how to engage movie-goers who are being pulled in different directions for movie viewing – from Netflix to streaming movies online. Theaters around the country have discovered that people are interested in a different kind of movie-going experience that is more “adult” and that is what we want to offer our community as well.”

The first day that this service will be available for movie-goers will be Friday, February 17th. For more information regarding Pickford Film Center as well as the full schedule of upcoming movies go here.   About PFC: Pickford Film Center is the nonprofit organization that operates Bellingham’s two independent movie theaters – the Pickford Film Center at 1318 Bay St. and the Limelight Cinema at 1416 Cornwall Ave. In addition to showing the very best in first run, foreign, and classic films daily, PFC also produces a variety of film festivals and events year-round.

B'ham Premiere of Pedal Driven - 2/23 @ 8pm

2012-02-07T15:34:00+00:00

BELLINGHAM PREMIERE OF “PEDAL-DRIVEN: A BIKE-UMENTARY”

www.pedaldriven.org

www.pickfordﬁlmcenter.org

Non-proﬁt documentary explores conﬂict surrounding mountain bikers on public lands

Bellingham, WA - Pickford Film Center is presenting “Pedal-Driven: a bike-umentary”, a new documentary ﬁlm from Howell at the Moon Productions. The screening will take place on Thursday, February 23rd at 8:00 p.m. Howell at the Moon Productions is based in Wenatchee and is well known for their Woody Goomsba-themed tourism commercials for the city of Leavenworth, as well as for their locally based documentaries ﬁlms such as “Broken Limbs” and “Gee Whiz: The Story of Grady Auvil”.

The one hour documentary examines the long-standing confrontation between mountain bikers and federal land management agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service over bikersʼ rights and access to public lands. “Our primary theme here revolves around sustainability,” said writer/director Jamie Howell. “Mountain biking is exploding around the world. We will have to ﬁnd new, cooperative approaches that both allow it as a legitimate use and manage it in a way that prevents the destruction of our precious and limited natural spaces.”

The central story line takes place in the small Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, Wash., but shooting for the documentary occurred over an 18-month period in every Western state and in Canada. “We searched far and wide to ﬁnd powerful examples of solutions to these issues that are actually in place and working right now,” said executive producer Jeff Ostenson. ʻPedal-Drivenʼ was created as a non-proﬁt project in afﬁliation with IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) and with the cooperation of the US Forest Service. Major funding provided by: Shimano, Specialized, Clif Bar, Diamondback, Yakima Racks, Pyramid Brewing Company, City of Leavenworth, Timberland, and Steven's Pass Bike Park, with promotional support from Pinkbike.com. Any and all net proﬁts generated by the documentary are earmarked for future sustainable trail-building projects.

The documentary has been made available for public screenings organized by bike organizations, land management agencies and private individuals. Music for “Pedal-Driven” provided by Jimmy Eat World, The Let Go, Opiuo, Stuperhero, and many other Northwest bands.

For additional information, please contact Michael Falter at michael@pickfordfilmcenter.org.

Winter/Spring 2012 Rocket Sci-Fi Poster!

2012-02-01T18:43:00+00:00

Pickford Film Center to Host 3rd Annual Red Carpet Awards Gala

2012-01-31T22:41:00+00:00

Pickford Film Center to Host 3rd Annual Red Carpet Awards Gala

Our annual SoCial for the AwARdS of Cinema

Bellingham, WA – It’s time to dust off your tux, unwrap that gown from its dry cleaning bag and get ready for your walk down the red carpet! Bellingham’s Premier Movie Awards Party makes its third appearance with the festivities happening again this year at Pickford Film Center (PFC) at 1318 Bay Street in Bellingham.

The formal event begins at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26. In addition to a strut on the red carpet, guests will enjoy photo opportunities, door prizes, food catered by Ciao Thyme and a live broadcast of the 84th Academy Awards from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

Tickets are now available through www.pickfordevents.com or at the door the night of the event. Prices range from $40 for member admission tickets to $125 for VIP non- member passes. VIPs will enjoy in-seat catered service in the intimate, 75-seat smaller theater, which will include an open bar, swag bag and other special perks. General admission ticket holders receive one free non-alcoholic beverage and appetizers. A cash bar will be available to all attendees in the lobby.

New this year is the Silent Auction, which will include film memorabilia and a number of local experiences and events.  
Pickford Film Center is the nonprofit organization that operates Bellingham’s only independent movie venues –Pickford Film Center at 1318 Bay Street and PFC’s Limelight Cinema at 1416 Cornwall Avenue. In addition to screening the very best in independent and classic cinema daily, PFC also produces a variety of film festivals and events year round. The new PFC, which opened its doors in April 2011, serves as a community living room, with beer and wine available, ADA accessibility, two screens along with state-of-the-art projection and sound.   To find out more about Pickford Film Center, visit our website.

Cell: (360) 305-6177
Email: marydoherty09@gmail.com

Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival 2012 - Schedule & Times!

2012-01-31T19:21:00+00:00

Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival 2012

All EVENING FILMS start at 7:00 PM and most are at Fairhaven College auditorium, except OPENING NITE at 6:30 & 9:00 at Pickford Film Center, and OTHER VENUES as listed below. See the festival website

Thursday 2/16
6:30pm and 9pm, Pickford Film Center: “How to Start a Revolution” (2011/UK/88 min) Weaves the remarkable story of
the current revolutions and the power of people to change their world with one of the strategists behind it.

12:00pm and 6:00pm Northwest Indian College Log Building: “Power Paths” (2009/USA/54 min) ) Offers an inspiring
story of Navajo and Hopi communities fighting for their rights on lands devastated by coal mining.

Friday 2/17
“The Harvest” (2011/USA/80 min) Follows the daily life of migrant children and families in the United States.
Facilitators: Erin Thompson, Janice and Skagit youth.

Saturday 2/18
12:00pm, Pickford Film Center: “Sun Come Up” (2010/USA/38 min) Highlights Pacific Islanders’ struggle to find a new home as theirs succumbs to rising seas.
12:45pm, “Dirty Business” (2009/USA/60 min) Details the sobering implications of using coal in the United States.
Facilitators: Re Sources and Power Past Coal.

7:00 Fairhaven College Auditorium--“Crime After Crime” (2011/USA/92 min) Examines the injustice of the criminal
court system in dealing with domestic violence.

Sunday 2/19 matinees
ENVIRONMENTAL-ENERGY-MINING:
12:00 “Tar Creek” (2009/USA/74 min) Focuses on the environmental and community tragedies of an Oklahoma town
impacted by mineral mining waste at the worst Superfund site in the United States.

1:30pm “Power Paths” (2009/USA/54 min) Offers an inspiring story of Navajo and Hopi communities fighting for their
rights on lands devastated by coal mining.

ACTIVSM:
3:00pm    “American Sandinista” (2008/USA/30 min) Illuminates the solidarity of U.S. engineers with rural Nicaraguans after the 1979 Sandinista Revolution, with one paying the ultimate price.

3:45 pm    “Free World” (2010/USA/34 min) Features a delegation of local Washingtonians to Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 64th anniversaries of the atomic bombings. Facilitator: Sarah Covert Bowlds

Sunday 2/19 evening
“Scientists Under Attack” (2009/USA/60 min) Reveals the powerful agro-chemical corporations attacking the GMO research of two scientists.
“Monster Salmon” (2010/USA/30 min) Underscores potential dangers in development of transgenetic foods
Facilitator: Anne Mosness, co-chair of the Industrial Fish Farm Reform Project

Monday 2/20
“Presumed Guilty” (2009/Mex/88 min) Highlights the chilling injustice in the Mexican court system by unraveling a fabricated murder trial. Facilitator: Magdaleno Rose-Avila, Director of Latino Equity Initiative.

Tuesday 2/21
“Blood in the Mobile” (2010/Den/82 min) Depicts the murderous conditions, and corporate complicity, associated with minerals mined in the Congo, which are in every cell phone. Facilitator: Gary Geddes, renowned Canadian author.

Wednesday 2/22
“Abused” (2011/USA/72 min) Probes the tragic implications of a mass deportation of immigrants in Iowa.

“Monster Salmon” (2010/USA/30 min) Bellingham High School library, 7:00pm-- Underscores potential dangers in development of transgenetic foods.

“Education Under Fire” (2011/USA/30 min) Bellingham High School library-- Profiles the current persecution of
Baha’is in Iran. Facilitator Michael Karlberg and students

“Dirty Business” (2009/USA/60 min) Northwest Indian College Log Building, 12:00pm Details the sobering implications of using coal in the United States.

“Blood in the Mobile” (2010/Den/82 min) Northwest Indian College Log Building, 6:00pm Depicts the murderous
conditions, and corporate complicity, associated with minerals mined in the Congo, which are in every cell phone

Thursday 2/23
“Hot Coffee” (2011/USA/88 min) Unravels stories of tort reform in the United States from the perspective of those seeking justice in a court of law by challenging corporate lawyers. Facilitator: Doug Shepherd, Attorney.

“Fagbug” (2010/USA/83 min) Sehome High School Library 7:00pm— Raises awareness, via a young woman’s road trip, about hate crimes and homophobia and inspires others to take a stand. Facilitator: Sehome Gay Straight Alliance Club.

“Monster Salmon” (2010/USA/30 min) Northwest Indian College Log Building, 12 & 6:00pm. Underscores potential
dangers in development of transgenetic foods.

Friday 2/24:
“Dirty Business” (2009/USA/60 min) Details the sobering implications of using coal in the United States.
“Sun Come Up” (2010/USA/38 min) Highlights Pacific Islanders’ struggle to find a new home as theirs succumbs to rising seas. Facilitators: Re Sources and Power Past Coal. Lindsay Taylor, North Sound Baykeeper Project Coordinator.

“The Dark Side of Chocolate” (2010/Den/46 min) Sehome High School Library 7:00pm.
Investigates the worldwide chocolate industry‘s role of human trafficking and child labor in the Ivory Coast.
Facilitator: Sehome Highschool Global Awareness Outreach Club.

Saturday 2/25 matinees:
CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY
12:00 “Bhopali” (2011/USA/75 min) Presents on-going life conditions of those affected by the 1984 Union Carbide chemical release. Facilitator: Brenna Park-Egan.

1:30pm “The Dark Side of Chocolate” (2010/Den/46 min)   Investigates how human trafficking and child labor in the Ivory Coast fuels the worldwide chocolate industry.

OPPRESSION OF MINORITIES
3:00pm “Ten Conditions of Love” (2009/AUS/53 min) Engages the story of Uygher leader fighting for their rights
against the Chinese government.

4:15pm “Education Under Fire” (2011/USA/30 min) Profiles the current persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Facilitator: Michael Karlberg and Iranian students.

Saturday 2/25 evening:
“The Pipe”(2010/UK/80 min) Challenges to a Shell Oil pipeline through an Irish village that disrupts
farming, fishing and causes conflict.

Jeffrey Lewis, Peter Stampfel, The Dust Busters perform Feb 4 at PFC!

2012-01-19T21:10:00+00:00

Tickets Here

Who:
Jeffrey Lewis
Peter Stampfel and the Ether Frolic Mob
The Dust Busters

What:
Folk, Anti-Folk and Psychedelic Folk Show and Recording Project

Where:
Washington and Oregon

When:

Feb 4 Bellingham Pickford Cinema, screening Bound To Lose at the theater

Peter Stampfel and the Ether Frolic Mob, features a variety of New York musicians, including John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers, Hubby Jenkins of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Peter's daughter Zoe Stapmfel and all 3 of The Dust Busters. They play a mix of traditional folk American music and popular songs from the last 200 years. The band has an anything goes and everything's possible approach which takes the audience out of this world, whether playing a song written last year or last century . Stampfel is one of the most present and out-of-this-world performers around, a folk legend and the weird uncle of Freak-Folk. In the 60's and 70's Peter toured the world with The Holy Modal Rounders and The Fugs. His song 'If I was a Bird' was featured prominently in the Easy Rider soundtrack and more recently he has released albums with Baby Gramps, Jeffrey Lewis, his daughter Zoe and the Ether Frolic Mob, separately. The Ether Frolic Mob CD is due to be released later this spring on Red Newt Records. On this tour the Mob will feature the Dust Busters, J. Lewis and for some shows Kristin Andreassen (Uncle Earl, Sometimes Why).

Jeffrey Lewis is a phenomenal song writer, musician and probably the most famous member of the Anti-Folk movement. Robert Chrisgau called him ‘a vulnerable master of the humorously innefable.’ He made a name for himself in the east village and still lives in brooklyn though he has cultivated a large folliwowing both in the US and UK. He writes ‘modestly genius’ songs about modern life and its perils. Rolling Stone gave him 4 out of 5 stars, saying "Weird? Very... but also downright inspiring"

The Dust Busters are a young string band that is making big waves in the folk music scene. John Cohen writes of them,
‘The Dust Busters bring back the true spirit of Old Time Music, where every singer invented his own performance. Besides being excellent musicians… they sing with the high voices that echo the sounds of the old 78s, evoking the spirit of the “Golden Era” of recording, and the mystery of their own identity.’

They have released a couple albums to much acclaim and are set to put out their first label release with folk legend John Cohen (The New Lost City Ramblers) in April on the
Smithsonian-Folkways. They tour regularly around the states as well as in the UK - they love playing in the Northwest and have appeared at Portland’s Pickathon festival and the Subdued String Band Jamboree in Bellingham as well as in many clubs and theaters, including The Freight and Salvage in San Francisco and performed live with John Cohen on KEXP last spring. They have shared the stage with such varied luminaries as Steve Earle, Patti Smith, Bruce Molsky, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Tommy Ramone and The Foghorn String Band.

All the performers will be recording an album in Portland from jan 21-29th. The record is called Have Moicy 2, and is a follow up to the original Have Moicy, recorded in 1972. The record will feature a mixture of old and new songs, traditional and original. Both the new record and the original are collaborations between some of the major figures in the freak folk or psychedelic folk genre. Have Moicy 2 will feature: including Michael Hurley, Baby Gramps, Jeff Lewis, The Dust Busters, Peter and Zoe Stampfel and a few other ex-Holy Modal Rounders. Kristin Andreassen will join the band for the recording and the first couple concerts. She is an extremely talented singer, clogger and musician, winner of the John Lennon songwriting contest, and a performer who has garnered international acclaim as a member of Sometimes Why and Uncle Earl. She has performed such greats as Ani DiFranco, John Paul Jones and Dirk Powell among others. The performance in Portland on Jan 29 at the Crystal Ballroom is being dubbed the Hoodoo Bash and will feature Hurley, Gramps, Andreassen, Stampfel, Lewis, the Dust Busters and more and will be recorded live for possible issue by Red Newt Records, who are putting out Have Moicy 2 as well as the upcoming Ether Frolic Mob CD.

Contact:
Craig Judelman
206-369-0534
cjudelman@gmail.com

Support Independent Cinema in B'ham - 2011 Annual Appeal

2011-11-22T20:27:00+00:00

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT CINEMA IN BELLINGHAM!

In our still-youthful 12+ years as an organization, we have heard many reasons why people believe PFC is important to our area. Some write to tell us that an indie movie theatre was on the ‘must have’ checklist before their move here. Others claim our presence is stumbled upon like an alternate universe (which films provide, don’t they?). Whatever the reason – one thing is clear: Our community appreciates what we do.

We have always taken great pride in our ability to support our nonprofit primarily through a few key revenue streams. The largest of these is the combined income from ticket and concessions sales that we take in daily, which accounts for nearly 75% of our overall revenue. Secondarily are membership dues and annual giving through our annual appeal, which are 10% and 5% respectively. We do not rely on funding from state, city, or private foundations in order to operate.

Our ability to show as many films, operas, and ballets as we do, as well as produce festivals and educational opportunities like DOCTOBER (a month of award-winning documentary films) and the Guerilla Film Program (our filmmaking competition for Washington State high school students) is due in part to the annual giving from those who believe in our mission. In addition, now more than ever, it is our goal to keep a trip to our theaters affordable for all. Your support is one way we can continue to make that possible.

We are asking you to support PFC by making a contribution to our 2011 Annual Appeal Fund. This year our goal is to raise $25,000.   You can make your donation one of three ways:
1.       Through our secure website. Do so at pickfordfilmcenter.org and click on the DONATE button on any page;
2.       Mail your cash or check donation to PFC, PO Box 2521, Bellingham, WA 98227; or
3.       Pick up an envelope at either of our theatre locations and mail it back or leave it with one of our box office staff.

Your tax-deductible gift will make it possible for us to continue to bring the highest caliber of film programming to Bellingham. We truly cannot do it without you. Thank you in advance for your support.

-PFC Board and Staff