The Bearded Child Film Festival

Panel Discussion

Last thursday I attended a Panel discussion at the downtown UTSA campus. This panel discussion, Moderated by Justin Boyd, consisted of Dan Anderson ,director of the Bearded Child FF, Chris Cogburn the No Idea Festival director, Michele Monseau director of 3 walls, and Jason Kahn "cut" record label director. The topic of the discussion was entitled DIY & the Avant-Garde.
The discussion, held in the Frio Street Buildings Riklin auditorium, made the point to talk about the situation of the present artist community in the United States. Discussions varied from technology affecting the artists process and the way an artists represents themselves to the Art initiative set forth through the election of Barack Obama. Each person on the panel had the opprotunity to share with the audience their inspirations and driving factors that make them the artist they are. The discussion gave me a chance to hear new means to push my artistic direction.

Film Festival

On friday the Bearded Child Film Festival took place in the same room the Panel Discussion was in. Directed by Dan Anderson, the Bearded Child Film Festival is a traveling screening showcasing "experimental" films from artists all over. Compared to other film festivals I have attended, this one was the most interesting/entertaining to me. Many of the Films had an emphasis on humor which I really enjoyed about it. There were however, quite a few varieties of film and video works there. Lasting about an hour and a half, the festival showed what someone can do on their own. Director Dan Anderson puts a lot of work into selecting quality videos and films to screen, and it showed. For thorough insight into the details of the festival check out myspace.com/beardedchildfilfestival