Living Room Screening – Short Film Program.

Living Room Screenings showcased a handful of films (each under 20 minutes). The theater was Tisse Mallon‘s living room (736 Boardman St., Orlando, FL 32804). Banks Helfrich and Tisse Mallon presented independent local films in real, live living rooms. Living Room Screening events go beyond movie night and into an intimate shared experience which includes the films, a discussion with the the creators and the reflections and thoughts of the audience.

One short stop motion film featured a matchbox car that dreamed of flying and morphed into an airplane. Another film looked like black and white surveillance video from a factory at night. There was some activity in the background but I couldn’t make out what was happening. Another film had the characters interacting in a run down apartment, it was perhaps the truest representation of what life is like in Orlando. Darlyn Finch showcased a short film titled Sewing Holes which is based on one of her books. It had a mother sitting on her daughter’s bed, contemplating shooting herself as her daughter slept.

My own short film, Finger on the Pulse was shown at the Living Room Screening prior to this one. My sketchbook at the time was filled with Pulse related documentary sketches, so it was nice to take a night off, relax and soak in some thought provoking entertainment. These Living Room Theater screenings seem to have moved to the new Blue Bamboo Music Center for the Arts.  The Elar Institute, which branched off from Living Room Theater, has been offering more educational seminars as of late. Periodically, the Institute posts quotes on Facebook, “Our emotions are communication from that part of ourselves which is connected to the truth of the universe.”

On Saturday, September 16 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, Banks Helfrich is hosting Life Screenings – One Minute Film Festival at the Orange County Library (101 E Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801). The festival looks
“Outside the Lines” at what happens when a film festival and library
mash-up. The purpose is to create a library beyond a library and a film
festival beyond a festival. Preceded by donuts and coffee, one
minute films will screen back to back; post exhibit, filmmakers will be
on hand to participate in a lively talk back. Films are chosen on the basis that they show a world we love to live in.