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cinemocracy rocks - monday, august 25 - red rocks, 6pm

During last year’s Starz Denver Film Festival, a panel discussion focusing on one of the more politically oriented documentaries led to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and the potential for showing films during the DNC that had a political bent.

Denver Film Society took that idea to heart, and together with the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and in partnership with the Denver 2008 Host Committee launches Cinemocracy Film Festival.

On the first day of the DNC, Monday, August 25, Cinemocracy kicks off at Red Rock at 6:00pm, featuring a number of acts, including The Apples in Stereo, Okkervil River, and Jill Sobule. Locally created short films were submitted, and online viewers placed their votes. The top 10 winners listed below will be shown the night of Cinemocracy, along with three special award winners. This will not only showcase the filmmaking talent in our state and our level of political awareness, but how more than ever, film is a key medium for educating the public on key issues within our society and culture.

Entry is $20, which includes a 1 year subscription (6 issues) of GOOD Magazine, along with preferred seating for the the Cinemocracy Rocks screening and concert. All $20 goes to supporting the Denver Film Society as a charitable contribution. Now that’s democracy in action, a tax deduction to get in the know on politics.

Here’s the official scoop from DFS:

The evening will feature a diverse and exciting line-up of musical entertainment, a screening of the top 10 Cinemocracy films, an announcement of the top vote-getting film, a screening of Cinemocracy special award winners and the feature film Election.

Musical entertainment will kick off the Cinemocracy Rocks! event. Beginning at 6 p.m., performers include The Apples in Stereo, Murs, Jill Sobule and Peter Buffett and the Native American Sacred Wind Dancers.

Many directors of the top 10 Cinemocracy films will be in attendance to introduce their work, beginning at sundown. The top 10 Cinemocracy films, as chosen by online viewers are:

• CINEMA+(DEM)OCRACY=CINEMOCRACY - Directed by Alan Dominquez, Denver, CO

• DEMOCRACY: A MARRIAGE - Directed by Isha Aran, Lakewood, CO

• DEMOCRACY: A STEADY LOVING CONFRONTATION - Directed by Jen Saffron, Pittsburgh, PA

• DEMOCRACY IS A SPECTACLE - Directed by Joseph Le Sac, Tacoma, WA

• DEMOKRATIA - Directed by Josh Massaro, Isaac J. Ramos, Melissa Lane & John Knauf, Highlands Ranch, CO

• IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME - Directed by Betsy Leighton, Denver, CO

• SUNRISE (an original music video) - Directed by Robert Florescu & Sylvia Florescu, Denver, CO

• THE RIGHT TO HAVE A VOICE - Directed by Jessica Rosenberger & Austin Tally, Chicago, IL

• WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? - Directed by Skelly Aggett-Carosella, Ivar Cloudshadow, Trevor Green, Gabe Greenberg, Noah Greenwald, Jade Hunter, Aidan McGinnis, Izaiah Read, Sienna Richert & Emma Wilson (all 5th Graders), Boulder, CO

• YOU CAN'T EAT FREEDOM - Directed by Martin Higgins, Lonetree, CO

The top vote-getting film, to be announced at the event, will be screened as an official entry to the 31st Starz Denver Film Festival (November 13-23, 2008) and eligible for the Starz People's Choice Award for Best Short, which carries a $2,500 cash prize. In addition, the top film director will receive a credential to the Democratic National Convention for one night at the Pespi Center, courtesy of Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Additionally, Cinemocracy chose three special award winners, which will also screen at the event:

• Cinemocracy Local Awareness Award: A VISION OF DEMOCRACY - Directed by Jennifer R.S. McDaniel, Denver, CO

• Cinemocracy Special Jury Selection: THE SHORT END OF THE SPAGHETTI - Directed by Ryan Charmatz, Greenwood Village, CO

• Cinemocracy Best International Submission: EVERDAY DEMOCRACY - Directed by Charlie Timms, Gospel Oak, UK

• Election, starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, will be shown at the end of the evening as part of Film on the Rocks, sponsored by Denver's Division of Theatres & Arenas.

Sponsored by Starz, Aquafina, and GOOD Magazine, special tickets for the event are $20. Each special ticket comes with a one-year subscription (6 issues) to GOOD Magazine and a reserved "GOOD Seat" at the event. All proceeds from the sale of tickets will be donated to the Denver Film Society. Parking $10, please be green and carpool. "GOOD Tickets" are available at all King Soopers locations or online at www.denverfilm.org and www.ticketswest.com.

There are also free tickets available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may be picked up at the Denver City and County Building, 1437 Bannock St., Suite 350. The public may also pick up tickets at two Dialog: City events: The Karaoke Convention '08, Thursday, August 21, 8 p.m., Supreme Court Café & Nightclub, 1550 Court Pl. and Terra Nova: The Antarctica Suite, Sunday, August 24, 7 p.m., Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 14th St. & Curtis St. Additionally, free tickets are available to nonprofit organizations; please e-mail ann@denverfilm.org to request nonprofit tickets.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Parking is $10 per car and carpooling is strongly encouraged to support the greening efforts of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee.