The Circuit

The NY Times' Urban Eye gazed around the Sundance Institute benefit at The Roseland Ballroom.  Redford, "American Splendor" helmers Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman, and a bewildered Ira Glass attended.  Jane Fonda said that "Sundance has injected collagen into independent filmmaking," while Chevy Chase appreciates the festival for the "prostitutes."  It's all here.

The Macedonian Film Festival will unspool November 20-23, opening with "I Am From Titov Veles."  Other pics include "Before the Rain," "The Great Water," and "Dust."  So dry, wet, very dry.  Check it out here.

The unstoppable Gen Art Film Festival will strike up its 14th year in March 2009.  It's now taking entries for its uniquitous format of film then party, film then party, film then party, etc.  Go to genart.org for more info.

Jennifer Phang's "Half-Life" won the Acura Grand Jury Award at the Gen Art fest in Manhattan.  Doug Pray's doc "Surfwise" won the audience award.  Best short went to Christina Voros' "The Ladies," and the audience awarded short Rajeev Dassani's "A Day's Work."  Jurors this year were Alan Cumming, Saskia Wilson-Brown, and Norman Reedus.

In its 13th year, Gen Art has perfected the nightly movie-and-a-party festival model.  With its hands equally in the fashion and visual art worlds they throw some incredibly good looking parties which are sometimes more memorable than the screenings.

In June, their 2nd annual Chicago edition starts up.

Variety's Justin Chang reviewed "Half-Life" here.