Copa Shorts Film Fest hosts September workshops

The fledgling Copa Shorts Film Festival, an event set to debut in February, is hosting a series of filmmaker workshops starting in September.

For the first workshop, the film festival is working through local middle schools. Other workshops are available free through a partnership with Central Arizona College.

Sept. 9 is a Kids’ Film Workshop for up to 350 middle school students in Maricopa. The three-hour interactive workshop is presented by Tony Estrada, a New Mexico-based, Navajo film producer/director.

The workshop will be at the Performing Arts Center at Maricopa High School from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Estrada specializes in documentaries, broadcast television programs and corporate videos through his company, Wild Horse Films.

There is a cost to the students, but residents can help out. Sponsor a student for $12. Learn more at http://copashortsfilmfest.org/2017/kids-film-workshop-2016/

CAC is partnering with Copa Shorts Film Fest to provide two free workshops on Sept. 15 on the Maricopa campus. Pre-registration is required.

The first is a three-hour interactive screenwriting workshop conducted by Roger and Shelley Gillespie, directors of the festival. Attendees will experience a start to finish development process for screenplays.

The free workshop will start at 9 a.m.

At 1:30 p.m., a workshop on film production will be led by Bruce Anderson, owner of BVP Productions with over 30 years of filmmaking experience. He will discuss lighting, sound and other elements. Audience participation is encouraged.

The film workshops at CAC are open to any college students and community members at no charge.  Event registration is limited due to room capacity.  By registering, attendees give permission for their images to be included in publicity and recording of the workshop. Email is required for registration so materials can be provided.

Register at: www.eventsatcac.com and see “Copa Shorts Film Fest Film Workshops.”

Lunch may be purchased at the CAC Maricopa campus.

For more information contact: [email protected]