La Voz

Inspiring the Maverick in all of us is the goal of San Jose film festival Cinequest, now entering its 16th run. Running through March 12 at San Jose Repertory Theatre, Camera 12 Cinemas, and California Theatre, Cinequest runs short films and full-length features, for a total of more than 191 films to be shown. Genres range from halfbaked indie films to thought-provoking documentaries.

The greatest advantage of this festival is that anyone can enter a film and have it seen. Local film students have seized the opportunity to display their films show to a receptive audience.

This year five De Anza students made it to the screenings. Two former students, Steve Sprinkles and Jason Schachat, were able to get their four-minute short "The Last Woman" on Earth to precede Kari Nevil's "Car Stories" on March 5 at 2:30 p.m. at the San Repertory Theatre and March 9 at 5:15 p.m. at the Camera 12 Cinemas.

Neil Baker and Paul Gill, who are now taking classes in the De Anza film department, were able to get two films among 16 in the Festival Shorts Program 7: Students Shorts which played March 2 at 8:00 p.m. and March 5 at 9:00 a.m. The films, "Black Candle" and "Pasta Point of No Return" played alongside films from such schools like University of Southern California, New York University and Columbia University.

Baker and Gill, along with Rekha Radhakrishnan, Jackie Marr, and Chetan Patil, are the only students from a community college that were able to get a film into this festival program.

"Both Paul and Neil produce first-class work and push the envelope," said Zaki Lisha Coordinator of the Film/TV Department.

Gill, who came from a more technological background, wants to start producing and has taken these classes to learn what the process of film-making is. Neil has started a studio of his own to help promote his productions. Using this kind of festival, he wants to gain exposure and contacts in the industry.

Baker came from London to learn how to make films here at De Anza. While working with her, Gill's sister told Baker about De Anza and her brother. Leaving a career teaching elementary education in London and Canada, he made his way here. Neil is more interested in the creative side of film-making.

"Film is escapism" said Baker. Before arriving here, he finished the first of four full-length scripts he was written until now. He prefers to concentrate on writing and directing.

They hope the exposure from Cinequest will help them launch to bigger and better things, such as trying to get their Studio Moraine started.

If you want more information about them or there studio go to www.StudioMoraine.com. Cinequest also offers film industry professionals to come to forums and talk about how they do their jobs and new trends in their fields. From writers, cinematographers, editors, producers and distributors, Cinequest tries to cover all aspects of film-making.

If you want more information or to buy tickets go to www.cinequest.org and see the other things that the festival offers.

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