Top student films land at UI

Between now and Wednesday, 23 award-winning student films will be screened over and over and over again at the Prichard Art Gallery in Moscow.

The “NextFrame International Student Film and Video Festival” is the second of a new series of one-week exhibits, known as “WeekSpots,” to run at the University of Idaho gallery.

“In between longer six-week exhibitions, when the gallery is empty, we do video projections onto the wall,” says gallery director Roger H.D. Rowley.

“There is no rigid structure to the showings,” he says. “It is not a traditional screening where everyone sits down. Visitors just walk in and these films are playing.”

The “NextFrame Festival,” a student-run event from Temple University in Philadelphia, features animation, experimental, documentary and narrative work.

The winner in the narrative category is “Twilight,” a 21-minute film by Victoria Gamburg, a Master of Fine Arts graduate from San Francisco State University.

The film, set in post-communist Russia, centers around a woman searching for her missing daughter during the mysterious northern twilight of St. Petersburg’s White Nights.

“What makes the story so intriguing,” says Gamburg in an e-mail, “is the mother’s desire to make sense of her harsh world despite her overwhelming loss. For me, ‘Twilight’ is a spiritual film.”

Gamburg, the child of Russian émigrés, says that making the film was a challenge: “My budget was miniscule and the film took over a year and a half and three trips to Russia to complete.”

To obtain permission to film inside a police station or city morgue, Gamburg had to pretend she was shooting an episode of “Criminal Russia,” a popular Russian television show.

“It was all worth it,” she says. “Russians have told me that the film feels authentic and true.”

Other 2005-06 “NextFrame Festival” winners include:

•Director’s Choice: “Wilfred Neuss – A Symphony in Five Movements” (18:30) by Niki Drozdowski, Academy of Media Arts, Germany.

Synopsis: Wilfred Neuss has been on the quest for the perfect sound since his childhood. But when he finally finds the ultimate hi-fi system, tinnitus threatens to drive him towards insanity.

•Documentary winner: “… and then there were four” (20:07) by Leah Helaine Bell, University of North Texas.

Synopsis: A 77-year old grandmother has taken the responsibility of raising her four grandsons, ages 4, 5, 6 and 7.

•Animation winner: “Above the Clouds” (3:00) by Brandon Williams, Confederation College, Canada.

Synopsis: A creature from above the clouds falls to the desolate world below. Now he must struggle to find his way home.

•Experimental winner: “Altitude Zero” (5:00) by Lauren Cook, University of Iowa.

Synopsis: Layers of film are peeled back, dissected and reconstructed to produce a feminist palimpsest of cinematic representation.

Admission is free. The gallery is located at 416 S. Main St. at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Main Street in downtown Moscow. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For a complete list of all the films go to Art Beat at www.spokane7.com/blogs/artbeat. For more information on NextFrame visit www.temple.edu/nextframe.

North Idaho Art Faculty

The “2006 NIC Art Faculty Exhibit” opens Monday in the Boswell Hall Corner Gallery on the North Idaho College campus in Coeur d’Alene.

“Faculty members have played a role in inspiring many young artists to explore their creativity and utilize their artistic abilities,” said college public relations specialist Stacy Hudson in a news release. “Now NIC instructors will have the chance to display their own artistic talents.”

The exhibit features a wide range of two- and three-dimensional work including drawing, photography, sculpture, painting and ceramics.

Artists showing work include: Donna Bain, Michael Horswill, Priscilla Cooper, Allie Vogt, Chris Berkstresser, Larry Clark, Philip Corlis, Rachael Dolezal, Ken Spiering, Joan Smith, Philippe Valle, Michael Bufalo and Donald Hopkins.

An opening reception is Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the gallery. View the work through Feb. 24, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Other galleries

•Artwork by sisters Sabrina and Natalie Sorger are on display through Feb. 28 on the second floor of CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave. Sabrina Sorger is showing mixed-media collage inspired by travels to Jamaica, while Natalie Sorger is exhibiting portraits of the human condition.

•The Everett Gallery, 1401 N. Argonne Road, is showcasing wildlife paintings by Maria Ryan, metal wall sculptures by Quint Norlander and Dan Severns, and glass work by Dorian Renando. The work is up through Feb. 28.

•A reminder: Salt Lake City-based artist Paul Stout is speaking today at 11:30 a.m. as part of the Visiting Artist Lecture Series in SUB Lounges A and B, Building 17 on the Spokane Falls Community College campus, 3410 Fort George Wright Drive. The event is free and open to the public. For further information, call 533-3746.