Jim Kesner, who has been programming foreign film screenings under the aegis of the Cincinnati International Film Festival, has a new partner and a new identity for the project.

        Cincinnati World Cinema is the brainchild of Mr. Kesner and Tim Swallow, who helped Mr. Kesner publicize the recent screenings of Kandahar and Jung (War) in the Land of the Mujaheddin.

        Their first event under the new banner is a screening and discussion of The Gleaners and I, a personal documentary by the venerable French filmmaker Agnes Varda, at 7 p.m. April 7 at the Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton.

        “I was concerned that we could do what we were doing much more effectively if we did it separately” from the film festival, Mr. Kesner said. “People think of a festival as a one-time occurrence. We would like to show films throughout the year.”

        Mr. Swallow has created a Web site www.CommunityZero.com/CincyWorldCinema, where visitors can register to keep track of the group's plans, discuss movies with other film fans, suggest new programs and buy tickets to CWC events.

        The post-Gleaners discussion will include Therese Migraine-George, assistant professor of French literature at the University of Cincinnati, and visual artist Ursula Roma.

        Tickets to The Gleaners and I are $7.50. They can be purchased in advanceat their Web site with a service charge of $1.50 per ticket, or at the Esquire box office.

        Next up, CWC aims to screen this year's Oscar-nominated short films. Mr. Kesner said they also are looking for films that relate to the racial issues the city is facing.

        After almost 10 years as coordinator of a weekly film-fan group based in Clifton, Mr. Kesner moved into programming last year, choosing the five foreign films shown at the first CIFF.

        Mr. Swallow is a veteran producer and marketer of arts events, who has worked with Cincinnati Playhouse, Symphony and Pops, and served as a founder of the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati.

        Kevin Smith: Director/writer/actor/comic-book fanatic/cult figure Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma), will speak at the University of Cincinnati April 17 in Zimmer Auditorium, sponsored by student government and MainStreet, the program created to expand campus events and facilities, such as the new student center.

        Sponsors will screen three of Mr. Smith's movies before his visit: on April 11, Chasing Amy at 8 p.m. in Room 427 of the Engineering Research Center; and April 12, Mall Rats and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, at 8 p.m. in the Event Pavilion.

        Mr. Smith's April 17 appearance is set for 8 p.m. and will include a lengthy question-and-answer session.

        “I understand he keeps going until all the questions are answered, whether it's two hours or five hours,” said Maggie Stevens of the UC student activity office. “We could end up competing with the Oscars for the title of longest show ever.”

        Admission is free. Priority seating will go to UC students, faculty and staff with ID; any available seating will be open to the public at 7:50 p.m.

        For directions, call 556-6115.

        Rory Kennedy: Award-winning documentary maker and social activist Rory Kennedy will be in Cincinnati May 9 to help 4C (formerly Comprehensive Community Child Care) celebrate its 30th anniversary.

        Ms. Kennedy garnered many film-festival awards for American Hollow, her 1999 documentary about an Appalachian family. She has also made films about AIDS, drug addiction and mental illness.

        She will deliver the “Champions for Children” lecture and show excerpts from her films. Her speech is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Phoenix, 641 Walnut St., downtown. Tickets are $30, including a dessert bar following the lecture. Patron tickets for $130 include a 6 p.m. reception with Ms. Kennedy.

        To request an invitation, call 947-8825.

        Bargain classics: Showcase Cinemas continues its popular $1 “Silver Screen Classics” series in April with The Big Lift (1950), an adventure set during the Berlin airlift of 1948, starring Montgomery Clift and Paul Douglas.

        The movie will be shown at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Western Hills, 5870 Harrison Ave, 574-7777; Thursday at the Cincinnati multiplex off the Norwood Lateral, 351-2232; and April 11 at the new theater inside Forest Fair Mall off I-275, 699-1500.

        The $1 admission price includes popcorn and a soft drink.
        Contact Margaret A. McGurk at 768-8517; fax: 768-8330; e-mail mmcgurk@enquirer.com.
       

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