As part of our ongoing screenings throughout the year, the DFF presents THIN ICE, this weekend at the Mineral Point Opera House.  Set in Kenosha, THIN ICE is a darkly comic noir in the style of FARGO, and stars Greg Kinnear and Billy Crudup.

www.thinice-movie.com

Mickey Prohaska (Greg Kinnear) is a small-time insurance agent looking for a way to jump-start his business, reunite with his estranged wife (Lea Thompson) and escape the frigid Wisconsin weather. This self-proclaimed master of spin believes that salesmanship is about selling a story — all he needs is a sucker willing to buy it. He hits pay dirt with a lonely retired farmer (Alan Arkin) who is sitting on something much bigger than an insurance commission. But Mickey’s attempt to con the old man spins out of control when a nosy, unstable locksmith (Billy Crudup) with a volatile temper dramatically ups the stakes, trapping him in a spiral of danger, deceit and double-crossing. Blending dark comedy and delirious Midwestern noir, THIN ICE reaches a breaking point that no one — least of all Mickey Prohaska — could ever see coming.

April 27,28 and 29, 2012.
7:30pm Friday and Saturday, 3pm Sunday.
139 High Street
Mineral Point WI 53565

$6 Admission, tickets at the door or BUY ONLINE NOW

Friend of DFF The Peddlercreek School of Literary & Performing Arts is proud to present popular writer/performer Dean Bakopoulos as he returns to Mineral Point with another adventure in his “Live from Lead Corners” series of stories.

On April 21 at 8:00pm, Mr. Bakopoulos will perform his latest story, Wintersong, with music by local singer/songwriter Katie Burns.  The performance will take place at the Pendarvis State Historical Site, 114 Shake Rag St.

A maintenance man at a place like APT falls in love with the actress playing Ophelia, though she is out of his league.
On her last night in Lead Corners, closing night, they drink too much at the cast party and they have a romantic encounter. In the morning, she’s gone back to NYC. Just leaving a note that says “see you next year.”

All winter, he waits for her return

The “Live From Lead Corners” series are a set of tales based in a fictionalized Mineral Point and Driftless region, drawing upon the area’s unique culture and quirky charm for their inspiration.

Dean Bakopoulos is the author of two novels (PLEASE DON’T COME BACK FROM THE MOON, and MY AMERICAN UNHAPPINESS), and is a frequent contributor of essays and short stories to various publications and public radio.  He teaches fiction writing at Grinnell College.

Tickets are $15 each and are on sale now at Bergets Jewelry, by calling 800 838-3006, & online at www.peddlercreek.com.  Space is extremely limited!

A Peddler Creek Production

Recently, some members of the Driftless Film Festival team gathered in Spring Green and collaborated with American Players Theatre to shoot a promotional video for APT’s upcoming season. This is the fourth installment of an ongoing winter promo series which began in 2010.

The promo was reviewed by Rob Thomas at Square 77 and also named the Wisconsin Arts Board Video of the Day.

Filmmaking is a collaborative enterprise, and these promos are no exception. The actors, the Spring Green community, and the folks at American Players Theatre make these are real joy to do.

Tickets for the APT summer season are available now at http://americanplayers.org/.

The Baraboo News Republic has a piece on DFF’s 2012 plans for Baraboo and the fabulous Al Ringling Theatre.

Although prior commitments will keep the Ringling from participating during the main Festival dates of Nov.1-4, the theater will host a special Best of Fest event on Thanksgiving weekend.  Moviegoers will be able to catch select films from the DFF that they may have missed, or have a chance to see favorites again.  Organizers of the DFF are happy to be able to have the Al Ringling and the town of Baraboo continue to be a part of the film festival.

Read the full article here:

http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/news/local/article_1a1eaa08-599c-11e1-b9d4-0019bb2963f4.html

Driftless Film Festival Presents –  Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey

One of the most heartwarming films of the year, Being Elmo is the story of Kevin Clash’s passion for puppetry, which found full creative expression as the performer of the furry red Elmo. Displaying a unique imagination and talent at an early age, Kevin eventually worked for a man who inspired his enthusiasm, Jim Henson. With rare archival footage and interviews with such collaborators as Frank Oz, the documentary illuminates Clash’s journey from a child prodigy who has his own local show in Baltimore as a teenager to master puppeteer whose work has entertained viewers of all ages and nationalities. With charming behind-the-scenes footage from Sesame Street, Being Elmo has delighted film festival audiences throughout the country, receiving a Special Jury Prize from Sundance, as well as the Audience Award.

Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.

The screenings are scheduled for February 17 & 18 at 7 pm and 18 & 19 at 3 pm – Mineral Point opera House, 139 High Street Mineral Point, WI 53565 (608) 987-3501. The screening is the first in the state. 

Purchase tickets online at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/222315

The 2012 Driftless Film Festival will be returning to beautiful Southwestern Wisconsin on November 1 -4.  Stay tuned here or like us on Facebook to get all of the update, venue, film, special event, and other news as it happens.  See you this fall and thanks for supporting DFF!