VISIONFEST 04: The Other Festival (VF04) has officially announced the five filmmakers of this year’s FIVEXFIVE NEW YORK STATE OF MIND DV PROJECT, an exclusive VF04 initiative that features five NY-based filmmakers who have been given production tools and facilities to create five digital shorts dealing with one common New York incident – in this case, the 2003 blackout. Each filmmaker has been given a five-day schedule that is intended to meet the “world premiere” screening target of Sunday, June 27, 2004 – the fifth, and final day of this year’s festival, which runs June 23-27, 2004, at the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Film Center (36 East Eighth Street, New York City – 212-998-4100).THe 5 selected filmmakers: Ilya Chaiken, Ethan Spigland, Eli Kabillio, Jeff Mazzola and Tom Ellis

THE NEW YORK BASED PROJECTS FROM 2003
The Jester’s Bell
By Larry Brand
Location: Bronx, NY

Ira Goldfarb finds himself in a dark, claustrophobic space, with a lump on his head and no idea how he got there. All he remembers is driving around the Bronx with his friend Gary, a filmmaker seeking inspiration for a short film he's been hired to direct. Perky Ira had been trying to encourage a disheartened Gary about the wonders of the Bronx when a minor traffic mishap entangles them with Julie, a young woman on the lam from her boyfriend.

Hard Cold Facts
By Scott Saunders
Location: Brooklyn

Hard Cold Facts is a tribute to the airborne roots in a city within a city. Brooklyn, a borough of breezes and bridges - neighbors and endless reasons to stay. Hard Cold Facts is about Brooklyn as a home, as a refuge, as fertile ground for blooming.

A Quiet Borough
By Roger Majkowski
Location: Staten Island

A young couple from Brooklyn search for a new home in the far of reaches of Staten Island. But after getting a taste of the neighborhood, they soon find that eight bucks isn't the only price you pay for entering the Island called Staten.

I Love New York, but I’m Still Leaving it
a.k.a. Free Will aka The Spirit of NY
By Will Keenan
Location: Manhattan

After 13 years, Will has decided to leave New York City and sets out to do one more thing before his departure. On his way downtown, he gets an unexpected phonecall that turns this New York story into an encounter from beyond.

Saturdays
By Lorna Thomas
Location: Queens

A young woman reminisces about her weekly visits with her father when they would go to their favorite Queens neighborhood spots.