I know we originally promised that yesterday was the deadline for acts to submit themselves for this year’s festival but – due to the HUGE number of people attempting to access Sonic Bids last night – that was actually impossible for a large number of you who had decided to leave it very, very late. We’re sorry for this inconvenience but please accept our apology of an extension to the submission deadline. You now have until Tuesday February 7th and – if you actually just plainly forgot – you should probably think of it as Xmas come late. For more information on the process please check out our previous post on submissions.
The end date for film submissions looms: January 31, to be exact. It may be late in the day, but I have been giving serious thought to what film festival programmers dream about. We are a notoriously unpredictable lot who may collectively seem like a rosetta stone with no perceivable decoder. We are governed by many motives and machinations. At our core, and left to our own devices, we are a simple bunch of foragers hunting through a significant volume of works in search of a choice truffles… or very interesting looking rocks.
Put simply, we are looking for good films, or, to invoke the snob… good CINEMA.
NXNE FILM presents ECSTASY – Irvine Welsh in Attendance
NXNE is proud to announce a Gala Presentation of ECSTASY, based on the IRVINE WELSH novel Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance, as part of the NXNE Film Festival on Thursday, June 14 at 7pm, venue to be announced shortly. Irvine Welsh (in Toronto to launch his newest book Skagboys, a prequel to Trainspotting) will be in attendance and participate in an audience Q&A following the NXNE screening of Ecstasy.
Ecstasy is a twisted romantic comedy: the story follows a dark relationship between Heather (Canada’s Kristin Kreuk of Smallville) and drug-smuggling Lloyd (Scotsman Adam Sinclair) as they explore a chemical romance and discover whether their love for one another is real. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Rob Heydon, the film also stars Billy Boyd of The Lord of the Rings and features music by Coldplay, Orbital, Primal Scream, Bonjay, The Mahones, Hawksley Workman, and Tiesto. ECSTASY was shot in Sault Ste. Marie and Toronto as well as Scotland and Amsterdam.
Irvine Welsh is an acclaimed and often controversial author of novels, stories, scripts and screenplays. Ecstasy became the first paperback original to go straight in at Number 1 on the Sunday Times best-sellers list. Welsh is also known for his best-selling novel Trainspotting.
Fans can ensure priority access to this event – as well as to all other NXNE Film screenings and NXNE Music club shows – by purchasing an NXNE Priority Pass. Priority Passes go on sale today, January 16, along with NXNE Interactive Passes and Combo Passes (carrying access to NXNE Interactive Conference sessions). All passes can be purchased online only – click here to buy now.
We’re stoked to announce that the ball is rolling on another great NXNE this year, and FITC are thrilled to be back as the interactive programming partner.
We have been working hard to pull together content that we think will help bridge the gap between content creators of all kinds and digital interactivity. We wanted to make sure that whether you’re a musician, film producer, marketer, public relations pro or community manager, NXNE Interactive programming has you covered.
The presentations that have been posted and the ones to come will interest musicians or filmmakers wanting to enhance their online presence, developers keen to learn about new trends, small business owners looking to use social media to help launch product – the possibilities are endless!
The super early bird deadline is February 25th, so register soon to save.
Submissions for NXNE Music and Film, taking place June 11-17, 2012, close at midnight on January 31. NXNE invites musicians and filmmakers to apply for a chance to be a part of one of the world’s premier festivals for new music and music-related films.
NXNE 2011 was the festival’s best year ever, with over 300,000 people experiencing NXNE Music, Film and Interactive over 7 days. This year NXNE Music brought veterans of punk, new wave and hip-hop to the festival with blowout performances by Descendents, OFF!, Devo, Men Without Hats, The Pharcyde and Digable Planets. NXNE 2011 performers poised for a breakout year ahead include Braids, Grimes, Wild Nothing, Dirty Beaches and Prince Rama. And all NXNE 2011 artists enjoyed the rare opportunity to reach thousands of new fans, meet key industry people, be noticed by influential national & international media – and to take their careers to the next level.
NXNE Music programs music across a full range of genres: rock, hip-hop, punk, alt-country, DJ, folk, electronica, reggae, experimental and more. NXNE Film screens features, documentaries, shorts, animations, and experimental films – anything in which music is front and centre.
Buy a 2012 NXNE festival wristband at the special holiday price of $40 (20% off the regular price)…and you could be chosen by Santa to have that wristband upgraded to a Priority Pass.
how about an upgrade for Christmas, my dear?
Ok, ok – so Santa here looks a little, er, medicated. But he can do magic. If your name is picked, he’ll take that wristband of yours and transform it into a Priority Pass, giving you priority access to all NXNE Music shows, Film screenings, and selected Interactive conference sessions. But you have to buy your wristband before December 24 – it’s a fantastic stocking stuffer for the music fan(s) in your life. Click here to buy.
NXNE today launches its “Year-end Best-of” list with the TOP 60 TIP SHEET, featuring music, photos, and bios of NXNE’s favourite 60 Canadian artists selected from the 2011 Festival lineup in four categories: Alternative, Hip Hop/R&B, Indie/Folk and Rock.
Originally created for Canadian radio programmers, and generously supported by Astral Radio, the Tip Sheet spotlights outstanding NXNE performers, some new, some familiar – almost like being at the festival itself. This year’s Tip Sheet includes Braids, Doldrums, Indian Handcrafts, and Tanika Charles & The Wonderfuls and can be viewed at http://nxne.com/tipsheet.
2012 festival wristbands are now on sale – but act fast, because this sale ends Dec 24. Click here to buy right away!
Stuff your favourite music fan’s stocking (or your own) with the gift of NXNE. Thanks to the magic of the interweb, you can stay out of the mall and buy locally from the comfort of your home. It’s a holiday season online-only deal… get a full festival wristband – regularly $50 – for just $40.
Remember, come June 2012, that wristband guarantees the bearer/wearer no cover at all NXNE Music club shows, and all NXNE Film screenings. We call it the 5-day wristband, but since there will be a few film screenings on the Monday and Tuesday of NXNE week, that wristband is actually good for 7 days of admission to the summer’s best music-fueled party.
So…need any more convincing? Buy yours today – heck, buy a bunch for everyone on the bowling team and hit NXNE together in June.
Happy holidays from your friends at NXNE!
Priority Passes, Interactive Passes, and 1-day wristbands all go on sale in the spring. Check back for details and for updates on Music, Film, and Interactive programming.
“A screaming comes across the sky…” Thomas Pynchon, Gravity’s Rainbow
Well, in the case of Melancholia, it’s not so much a screaming, but a profound soul-rattling moan.
He’s not a particular favourite of mine, but let’s give the man his due. Von Trier is a grand provocateur on the world film stage and has never been afraid to wear his schizophrenia, psychosis, whims, and, in his latest film, his ongoing bouts of depression and dread on his sleeve. In addition, this fearless (or profoundly indifferent) Bete Noire was the politically incorrect court jester at this year’s Cannes Film Festival where he equated himself, in a somewhat sympathetic way, with Hitler.
During NXNE 2011, we posted three installments of what we generously termed “twisted thoughts and late-night ramblings from the inimitable Ambrose Roche, NXNE’s Film Programmer.” And lo, said ramblings struck some sort of weird chord out there…so ever eager to serve the esoteric, we here re-activate said programmer as web correspondent. Once again, we post his thoughts on film exactly as he sends them. Among the non-sequiturs, neologisms, and non-standard spelling & usage are discernible the shreds of considerable insight and what one might even call wisdom, as he rants and raves on about his love for just-released Finnish film Le Havre…
So amazing and life-confirming that this week includes not one but two significant contributions to Civilzation (at its rawest and most meaningful): the release of Tom Waits’ BAD AS ME, and the Toronto theatrical release of Aki Kaurismaki’s Le Havre. Both are branded with a love, understanding and a stylistic absorbtion of The Blues… (Waits rawer, a la Howlin’ Wolf, Kaurismaki more austere and precise as per Skip James or Blind Willie McTell and more on him to follow) …
Ok, usually we reserve this space for strictly NXNE-related posts: alumni artists, upcoming films or interactive sessions, confirmed bands, and the like.
But this clip is too good not to pass along – plus, one of NXNE’s directors happened to be out in San Francisco and in the room when this went down… We weren’t, and you likely weren’t either – but enjoy the video!
NXNE Film co-presents two films at the 12th annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, October 23 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. Come on down, take in these two unique films, and you might even get to say hello to NXNE Film’s programmer or festival manager (they’ll be the ones trolling for free drinks near the bar).
Details:
Northern Haze: Living the Dream (2011, Canada, 37 min, Inuktitut English) Director: Derek Aqqiaruq – Ontario Premiere
Presented as part of: Music is the Medicine Oct 23 2011, 4:30PM
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2
Rocking the North hard and heavy since 1977, Northern Haze: Living the Dream tells the riveting story of the first known Inuit rock band to sing in their Indigenous language. A true Northern legend!
Music is the Medicine (2011, Canada, 53 min) Director: Jody Hill
“Play it more witchy, like you’re digging for water.” So says blues-rock virtuoso Derek Miller (Mohawk) as he sets out to release his next album. Over the past 20 years, Derek has built a highly devoted fan base, received numerous awards – including two Junos – and played with a long list of world-class musicians, all the while struggling with addiction and personal loss. This revealing documentary follows the now reinvigorated and critically acclaimed artist as he strives to further elevate his already esteemed career.
Luigi Allemano – Montreal-based animator, musician, composer, teacher and sound designer – will demonstrate the process of creating music for animated film by presenting several short works in various stages of music production. Thursday, October 27, 6:30pm at the NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St, Toronto… it’s a master class, a rare opportunity to engage with and learn from an experienced, respected pro. And it’s free!
Luigi is going to show how he’s worked on different projects and give advice to people interested in getting into the business. By using interactive exercises and discussion, Luigi will demonstrate tricks of the trade for composing music for animation. This masterclass is also for animators and animation enthusiasts interested in learning effective ways to communicate, collaborate and create with music composers.
Want to make a night of it?
Join NFB staff at 8:30 PM for the NFB New Release Program, featuring an eclectic collection of entertaining new animation films, ranging from the whimsical to the experimental. For a complete line-up, click here for more information.
Please call 416-973-3012 and arrive 15 minutes early to reserve your spot. Space is limited.
Get Animated! serves up some of Canada’s finest (and funniest!) animation. Enjoy screening programs, workshops and Q&As with animation directors. From boldly experimental to flat-out funny, there’s something for everyone! All events are FREE. For complete programming information, visit nfb.ca/mediatheque.
Our friends at new rock radio 102.1 The Edge are teaming up with us to present Arkells at 800p this Monday, October 17, down at Sugar Beach (site of The Edge’s waterfront studios, on Queen’s Quay East at the foot of Jarvis).
This is the third in a series of free live shows NXNE has co-presented at Sugar Beach, after packed previous dates with The Trews and City & Colour. We’ll be live streaming the concert here at nxne.com, in case you can’t make it down to the show.
NXNE’s mascot – “Sketchy the Rabbit” – gets in touch with his classic-rock roots at Jim Morrison’s grave in the Cemetiere Pere Lachaise in Paris. We heard that Sketchy’s contribution to the pile of notes, flowers, and pics festooning the site was a much-thumbed volume of Baudelaire’s “pet poems” (still banned in France)…and a vintage NXNE Directory.
Sketchy hasn’t been heard from since this photo was taken. Rumours are flying: he’s either holed up in a seedy 14th-arrondisement flat or has fled for Africa after faking his own death.
The NXNE Film boys hosted a fun evening of great live music and epic film last night at the Bovine Sex Club. Timed to offer a little serious rock to all the TIFF partygoers in town, the event packed the Bovine with film aficionados catching NXNE Film punk classics (like The Last Pogo) playing on the big screen in the back room, while on the stage out front, fans were treated to ass-kicking sets from Oshawa’s White Stripes-esque The Standstills and Toronto headliners A Primitive Evolution.
George Clooney and Jessica Chastain must have left before we arrived – but we did spot film-industry luminaries like San Jose Cinequest programmer Mike Rabehl; actors Illya Konstantin and Lorne Eisen; producers Francois Xavier Frantz, Markku Kankaala, Howard Ing, Clare Leona Apps, and Maeve O’Connell; directors Peter Lynch, Emanuel Albano, and David Eng; and reps from OMDC, Telefilm, and TIFF.
It being the Bovine, the other half of the room was made up of musicians like Josh Trager (Sam Roberts), Ian Blurton (C’mon), Lindsay Robbins (Crooked Valentine), Chuck Cole (Organ Thieves), Ian D’sa (Billy Talent) and Cone (Sum 41).
We’ll be posting info on other NXNE Film events throughout the fall and winter.
The time has come once again to open your minds and let out all that you want to share and discuss in the world of interactive. As we get in gear to prepare for NXNE Interactive 2012, we want to hear from each and every one of you who wants to make a presentation or host a panel discussion.
As with previous years, we’re looking for talks of all kinds. We want to hear about the latest projects or innovations you’re working on. We’d like you to share insights on what you’ve learned while working on something cutting edge. We’d also like to hear if you’ve got a pressing concern and you want to host a discussion with leading experts to help make sense of things.
Possible topics include all things interactive across all kinds of media: music, film, television, web, mobile and beyond. Everything is on the table including social media, marketing, start-ups, technology, activism and even brain control.
Submission deadline is midnight, Oct 31st. Go submit your ideas now!
…in its own inimitable way, of course. Our Film Programmer and Film Fest Manager aren’t interested in nibbling canapes-stuffed-with-goat-cheese in some swishy bistro, hoping to get a glimpse of Brad Pitt from the VIP area. And they would never be let in, anyway.
Instead, NXNE Film partners with the Bovine Sex Club in matching some great live music with great music films. Thursday, September 15, come on down to the Bovine to meet the guys who make NXNE Film happen each year:
Submissions for the 18th Annual NXNE (NORTH BY NORTHEAST) Music and Film Festival, taking place June 11-17, 2012, are now open. NXNE invites musicians and filmmakers to apply for a chance to be a part of one of the world’s premier festivals for new music and music-related films. Submissions will be accepted – online only – at www.nxne.com until January 31, 2012.
Artists can visit www.nxne.com and follow the links to submit music or films to NXNE. Submissions are accepted September 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012. Submissions received by December 31 cost $28 — after December 31, the fee rises to $38.
NXNE 2011 was the festival’s best year ever, with over 300,000 people experiencing NXNE Music, Film and Interactive over 7 days. This year NXNE Music brought veterans of punk, new wave and hip-hop to the festival with blowout performances by Descendents, OFF!, Devo, Men Without Hats, The Pharcyde and Digable Planets. NXNE 2011 performers poised for a breakout year ahead include Braids, Grimes, Wild Nothing, Dirty Beaches and Prince Rama. And all NXNE 2011 artists enjoyed the rare opportunity to reach thousands of new fans, meet key industry people, be noticed by influential national & international media – and to take their careers to the next level.
NXNE Music programs music across a full range of genres: rock, hip-hop, punk, alt-country, DJ, folk, electronica, reggae, experimental and more. NXNE Film screens features, documentaries, shorts, animations, and experimental films – anything in which music is front and centre. NXNE Interactive brings together digital creators, tech entrepreneurs, business visionaries, and new media aficionados, from bloggers and web designers to anyone interested in maximizing productivity and enjoyment of digital technology and social media.
NXNE alumni include: Iggy and The Stooges, Feist, DEVO, Descendents, De La Soul, Broken Social Scene, Death From Above 1979, Kid Cudi, Sufjan Stevens, Stars, The Raveonettes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Pharcyde, GZA, Mudhoney, No Age, Twin Shadow, Deerhoof, The Dodos, Black Lips, Les Savy Fav, Matt and Kim, Fucked Up, Dinosaur Jr., X, Peaches, The Cool Kids, Eagles of Death Metal, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Cults, Best Coast, Sloan, Japandroids, HEALTH, OFF!, K-OS, Dum Dum Girls, Glass Candy, The Handsome Furs, Land of Talk, Cold Cave, Kid Sister, Thee Oh Sees, Surfer Blood, The Sonics, Big Freedia, Swervedriver, Ron Sexsmith, Chad van Gaalen, MC5, Television, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, My Morning Jacket, Hercules & Love Affair, New York Dolls, Buzzcocks, The Dears, King Khan & The Shrines, Ty Segall, Wavves, Wild Nothing, PS I Love You, Diamond Rings, DD/MM/YYYY, Art Brut, Avi Buffalo, Warpaint, The Soft Pack, Zola Jesus, Grimes, METZ, Dirty Beaches, The Luyas, The Postelles, Lower Dens and literally thousands and thousands more. www.nxne.com
18 Years, 650 Bands, 50 Stages, 40 Films, 75 Interactive Sessions, 7 Days. NXNE Facebook NXNE Twitter
Media Contact: FLIP PUBLICITY, Damien Nelson 416.533.7710 X221 damien@flip-publicity.com
