Portland State University’s Film Committee and Department of Anthropology, and ALI, present ArchaeologyFest Film Series: Best of 2008

Archaeological Legacy Institute and PSU’s Department of Anthropology and Film Committee are pleased to present the best films from the 2008 edition of The Archaeology Channel International Film and Video Festival. Top-rated by the Festival jury and audience, these films are organized into four evening programs (two Fridays and two Saturdays), beginning Friday, January 16, 2009, in Portland, Oregon. This series is a benefit for TAC Festival, an annual spring event in downtown Eugene and the only film competition for its genre in the Western Hemisphere.

All programs will screen at PSU’s 5th Avenue Cinema, 510 SW Hall Boulevard, in Portland. Movie programs begin at 7:30 pm on dates indicated and last approximately two hours. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and tickets are $6.00 at the door, at 5th Avenue Cinema. All proceeds go to support TAC Festival (next edition: May 19-23, 2009, in the Soreng Theater at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene).

See below for more details. Please submit any questions to filmfest@archaeologychannel.org.

The Films (click on film titles to see clips and more information on each film):

January 16: Program A
Hidden Worlds: Underground Rome (USA) 52 min. (Honorable Mention for Music by Jury)

The Wild West Uncovered: The Rise and Fall of Virginia City (France) 52 min. (Honorable Mention for Narration and Cinematography by Jury)

January 17: Program B
Unlocking Pharaoh’s Cellar (France/Germany) 52 min. (Honorable Mention in Best Film Competition and in Animation and Cinematography by Jury; Honorable Mention in Audience Favorite Competition)

Chocolate: Pathway to the Gods (USA) 52 min. (Honorable Mention in Best Film Competition, Most Inspirational Competition and for Script and Music by Jury; Best Animation by Jury; Special Mention by Jury; Honorable Mention in Audience Favorite Competition)

January 23: Program C
From Hutong to Highrise: The Transformation of Beijing (China) 21 min.

The Giant Buddhas (Switzerland) 86 min. (Audience Favorite film; Special Mention by Jury; Honorable Mention for Animation, Script, Music, and Inspiration by Jury)

January 24: Program D
Yamana: Nomads of the Fire (Italy) 52 min. (Honorable Mention in Best Film Competition, Best Animation Competition, Most Inspirational Competition, and in Script and Cinematography by Jury; Best Narration by Jury; Honorable Mention in Audience Favorite Competition)

Komi: A Journey Across the Arctic (France/Germany) 52 min. (Best Film by Jury; Best Cinematography by Jury; Best Music by Jury; Most Inspirational by Jury; Honorable Mention for Narration and Script by Jury; Honorable Mention in Audience Favorite Competition)