The Cincinnati Enquirer

Votes are in for 2003 Underneath Cincinnati projects, citing one dozen short films and videos that will be screened Feb. 20 at Cincinnati Art Museum.

Two very different works, the comical Mesh Hat by Andre Hyland and the non-narrative Abstract Prayer Form #1 by John Parker, tied for first place as the audience favorite.

Also on the audience winners list are Homefree by Greg Newberry, Imitation by Michael Haverkamp and Waiting in the Dark by Brandon Harris.

A panel of judges also cited Garrote by Sara Mahle; Like Catherine and Bulletproof World, both by Laura Herman; Making Statements by Craig Caudill; Channel 201 by Pilar Nadal; Women's Work by Jennifer Schultz; and This is Being Black/This is Being White by Douglas Gast.

The winners screening is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. www.underneathcincinnati.com.

To submit works for future Underneath Cincinnati screenings, held four times a year, send VHS tapes to Underneath Cincinnati P.O. Box 19928, Cincinnati, OH 45219. Include title, running time and an introduction, biography or other statement of 50 words or less for the program.

'Housedress' release in Canada

The good news keeps coming for Cincinnatian Craig Highberger's labor-of-love documentary Superstar in a Housedress. The story of poet, playwright and Warhol "superstar" Jackie Curtis, who died in 1985, will appear in Canadian theaters this year, thanks to distributor filmswelike.

In addition, the movie has been chosen for the British Film Institute's 18th London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival March 24 through April 7.

Highberger said he expects the movie to be distributed to U.S. theaters this year as well, and to be released on home video in North America and Europe after it opens at the Film Forum in New York City in May.

Information: www.jackiecurtis.com.

Do-it-yourselfers

A no-budget independent feature co-written by Cincinnati filmmaker Matt Hader and Smithereens leader Pat DiNizio will be part of the lineup at this year's DIY Convention: Do It Yourself in Film, Music & Books in Hollywood Feb. 5-7.

DiNizio, who directed and stars in King Leisure, S.O.B. (Straight Outta the 'Burbs) will appear at the convention when the movie is screened Feb. 6, and will take part in a panel on crossing from music to movies on Feb. 7. The movie is a comedy about a faded rock star who makes a comeback as a rap artist.

DiNizio is also a producer on Dead Horse, the independent feature co-authored by Hader and his brother Andy that just finished shooting in Mariemont.

Camera seminars

Get up close to film and video equipment at a parallel sessions on Feb. 7 at the Camera Department/Midwest Grip and Lighting warehouse, 6851 Steger Drive, Paddock Hills, in a one-day seminar called "Camera Equipment: Exposed." Cinematographer Jeff Barklage will lead a seminar on film, while Camera Department owners Mal Connett and Ben Yee will cover video equipment.

The sessions, sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission, begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration, and last until noon. Admission is $25, or $20 for students.

For directions visit www.midwestgrip.com. Reservations are encouraged, call 784-1744.

Festival taking submissions

Submissions to the Ohio Independent Film Festival are open to any film or video work that has no theatrical distribution contract and has not premiered in Ohio.

The Cleveland-based festival, held in November, will accept entries until June 1 at the normal fees of $20-$35; fees are double for late entries accepted until July 1.

Forms are online at www.ohiofilms.com. Information: (216) 651-7315; e-mail: OhioIndieFilmFest@juno.com.

E-mail mmcgurk@enquirer.com