November 13, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Theatre has announced a call for entries for the department's first-ever film festival, the 1 Chip Film Festival, scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 23, 2010.

The deadline for entries is Jan. 10, 2010. Films entered in the festival must be directed by, written by or starring a UAB theatre major, or the film must be created in a UAB Department of Theatre course. Also eligible are films by a director who has completed nine hours of theater courses. The films must be of the same quality as shows produced by Theatre UAB; they must have good visual and sound quality and may be color or black and white, silent or talkie, but must be narrative films. "No plot-free forms or documentaries," said Ron Hubbard, festival director and associate professor in the department.

"The subject matter can include anything that would be received favorably by the UAB community, and anything that could be produced on stage by the theatre department," Hubbard said.

Films must be submitted on full-quality DVD or mini-DV. If selected for inclusion in the festival, films must be made available on first-generation mini-DV. Academy or widescreen aspect ratios will be accepted. The festival will take place in the UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, 950 13th St. South. Call 205-934-7376.

About UAB

The UAB Department of Theatre has won the highest honors awarded to university theaters, including best in region from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). In 2008, UAB's production of "In the Blood" was one of three shows chosen by KCACTF from 300 in consideration nationwide. Faculty members in the department continue to work professionally in addition to teaching. UAB Theatre performances are presented at the Alys Stephens Center, UAB's own world-class performing arts center. Next year the department will celebrate its 40th anniversary.