Montclair, NJ - Montclair State University's Film Forum brings prominent contemporary filmmakers to the University to screen their films and speak about their work and profession. Sponsored by the Filmmaking Program of the University's College of the Arts, the screening and talk back series, held every Tuesday from 7 to 10 p.m. in University Hall Room 1010, is free and open to both students and the general public.

Featuring accomplished filmmakers such as Penelope Spheeris, director of numerous films including "Wayne's World" and Michael Uslan, the originator of the Batman movies, the Montclair State University Film Forum offers audiences access to hear personal inside stories and to ask questions of some of the most successful and innovative filmmakers working today.

"We are excited about presenting the Forum again this year," says Roberta Friedman, assistant professor of art and design in the Filmmaking Program. "It really is an amazing opportunity for students and people from the community to hear and speak to professional filmakers of all backgrounds, from up-and-coming independent artists to some of the biggest names in the industry."

Launched in 2007 by Tony Pemberton, assistant professor of art and design and area coordinator of the Filmmaking Program, the Montclair State University Film Forum is now an annual spring series and has continued to grow in popularity on campus. The entire series is offered as part of a credit-bearing course but is also open and free to the public.

Montclair State University Film Forum
The Visiting Filmmaker Lecture Series
Spring 2008 Schedule

February 12
Mark Urman, Producer/Distributor, THINKfilm
Mark Urman is currently head of the U.S. Theatrical Division at THINKfilm, and former co-president of the Theatrical Releasing division of Lions Gate Films. He brings with him extensive expertise and a wealth of knowledge about film, filmmakers and film distribution.

February 26
Michael Uslan, Producer, "The Dark Knight"
Michael Uslan is the originator and creative force behind the Batman movies and producer of the latest Batman film, "The Dark Knight." He is also an Emmy Award-winning television producer and founding partner of Comic Book Movies. www.comicbookmovies.net.

March 4
Amos Poe, Writer/Director/Producer, "The Blank Generation"
Amos Poe is a leading figure of the No Wave Cinema movement which paralleled the punk music explosion of the 70s and 80s. He is considered by many to be the father of the modern Indy American cinema and created films such as the now-classic, "The Blank Generation" and the neo-noir, "Frogs for Snakes." www.amospoe.com.

March 11
Penelope Spheeris, Editor/Director/Producer, "Wayne's World"
Penelope Spheeris is the director of iconic films such as "The Decline of Western Civilization" as well as box office hits like "Wayne's World." She is also the founder of Rock 'n Reel, the first Los Angeles production company to specialize in music videos. www.penelopespheeris.com. (This lecture will be a live video conference from Los Angeles with Penelope Spheeris)

March 18
SPRING BREAK, no lecture

March 25
Bruce Sinofsky, Editor/Director/Producer, "Paradise Lost"
Bruce Sinofsky is the director of award winning and provocative documentaries including "Paradise Lost," "Brother's Keeper" and "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster."

April 1
Pat O'Neill, Director/Producer, "The Decay of Fiction"
Pat O'Neill is a respected member of the experimental film scene and director of films such as "The Decay of Fiction." He is also the founder of Lookout Mountain Films, creating visual effects for Hollywood features including George Lucas' "The Empire Strikes Back."

April 8
Marco Bonini, Producer/Screenwriter/Actor "Billo il grand dakhaar"
The Italian film, "Billo il grand dakhaar," directed by Laura Muscardin, will be screened in Calcia Hall Room 135 at 7 p.m. The film, which will be introduced by Marco Bonini, the co-producer, screenplay co-author, and featured actor, is part of the University's Italian Festival of the Arts and Humanities: An Italian Sense of Place: Land and Identity. In Italian with English subtitles.

April 15
Rose Troche, Writer/Director/Producer, "The L Word"
Rose Troche is an award-winning writer, director and producer of both film and television. Among her film credits is the critically-acclaimed "Go Fish," and she is the writer/director of the Showtime series, "The L Word."

April 22
Karim Ainouz, Writer/Director, "Love for Sale"
Karim Ainouz is a Brazilian-born writer and director for film and television. His first feature film, "Madame Satã" was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and his second feature, "Love for Sale," won Best Film at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival.

April 29
TBD

Released: February 12, 2008