Screen scene: Local film news

ESSENTIAL EXPERIMENTAL: A still from Mechanical Eye Microcinema's Kickstarter video, featuring animation by the nonprofit's director, Charlotte Taylor. The campaign aims to help create a permanent home for community filmmaking in Asheville Area Art Council’s The Refinery Creator Space. Image courtesy of Mechanical Eye

Mechanical Eye Microcinema has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help create a permanent home for community filmmaking in Asheville Area Art Council’s Refinery Creator Space. Currently a mobile microcinema, Mechanical Eye also plans to build a resource library that will include 16mm and super8 cameras, editors, rewinders, splicers, viewers, an animation stand and an ongoing collection of digital media tools.

The nonprofit’s founders have set a goal of raising $6,850 by Sunday, April 17, at 11:59 p.m. Rewards for backers include T-shirts, a one-year microcinema membership (granting access to workshops and filmmaking resources), a limited edition DVD featuring Mechanical Eye’s favorite filmmakers from the past three years of screenings and a personalized experimental film by Zebra Davisavl.mx/2fu

Ten Thousand Villages Asheville celebrates Earth Day with a screening of The True Cost at the Fine Arts Theatre on Thursday, April 14, at 7 p.m. Featuring interviews with designer Stella McCartney, environmental activist Vandana Shiva and fashion industry workers, Andrew Morgan’s documentary explores the wide-ranging impacts of clothing purchases. From glamorous runways to impoverished slums, the film exposes human-rights issues and environmental damages. It offers potential solutions for a fairer, safer future.

Tickets are $10 and available at the Fine Arts box office and online. A free fair-trade chocolate bar will be given to the first 50 attendees. Ten Thousand Villages co-manager Mandy Broderick and assistant manager Sara Martin will lead a post-screening Q&A and highlight some of the fair-trade fashions available through their non-profit retailer. fineartstheatre.com

• The West Asheville Public Library’s free After School Alien Invasion movie series continues Friday, April 15, at 4:30 p.m. with Muppets from Space. Tim Hill’s 1999 film centers on Gonzo’s search to find his family, who he believes resides in another galaxy and communicates with him through his breakfast cereal. After announcing his plans on Miss Piggy’s talk show, he’s kidnapped by an evil government agent, prompting the Muppets to hatch a rescue plan. The film is rated G and stars Andie MacDowell, Jeffrey Tambor and Josh Charlesavl.mx/1z5

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About Edwin Arnaudin
Edwin Arnaudin is a staff writer for Mountain Xpress. He also reviews films for ashevillemovies.com and is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) and North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA). Follow me @EdwinArnaudin

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