I am thrilled to announce that a film I was Director of Photography for, “Mandatory Service”, received the award for BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival:

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/filmguide/Mandatory_Service.html

About the film:

The cultural impact of the militarization of Israeli society has both challenged and stifled the cultivation of creativity in the country. Mandatory Service asks a series of often ignored yet important questions about how forced military service-and resistance to it-influences Israeli artists’ and activists’ efforts to re-civilize the consciousness of Israeli society.

I shot this film at a pivotal time in my development as a filmmaker, and the opportunity to shoot on such a powerful topic was life changing. Not to mention being able to shoot out of a doorless helicopter over the desert, Masada and the Dead Sea!

Much thanks and love to the director and producer of the film, Jessica Habie & Nirah Shirazipour.

Peace,
Melissa

Festival Founders rock out with their docs out!

I shot press stills and interviews for the Cinema Eye Awards - the first awards show totally for documentaries. Sponsored by IndiePix, the event was a raging success, and really inspired me as a documentary filmmaker. It had me fired up to keep going, and to know that a room full of great minds knew my personal pain and joy deeply. We all share this bug, this nagging desire to communicate meaningfully.

“Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)” winners!

The big winners of the night were the crew of “Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)” - they won for Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Filmmaking, Outstanding Achievement in Editing and Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography.

presenter Barbara Kopple

Lots of documentary greats in the house - presenters included Barbara Kopple, Alan Berliner, Alex Gibney…it was incredible to be face to face, shooting these folks and hearing them speak from their hearts about documentary filmmaking.

the Eyes…

This was the first year, hopefully of many more years to come! Check out the pix soon to be uploaded in the photography section.

Peace,
Melissa

The Art & Apathy Project was selected for inclusion in the next Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by Jessica Habie, this film addresses the militarized conditions artists struggle to create under in Israel and Palestine, and the complexities of occupations. I was one of the DPs for this project, and it was my great honor to help bring this conversation to Western audiences. Please check out the site and join in the dialogue:

http://www.artandapathyfilms.com

Peace,
Melissa
Multo.com

I will be speaking at the the Fifth Annual Grassroots Media Conference at Hunter College on March 2!

Speaking Truth to Power: MEDIA JUSTICE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Co-Sponsored by Film and Media Studies Department at Hunter College/CUNY
Hip-Hop Association Presents
The Womanhood LP (Learning Project) Interactive Lecture Series

About the NYC Grassroots Media Conference
For the past four years, we’ve come together to explore the political dimensions of media and how it shapes our lives. By developing relationships between community and media organizations, the NYC Grassroots Media Coalition is working to re-imagine issues of access to, control of, and power over our media system. That means defining our struggle as a struggle for Media Justice.

W.A.R. (Women Armed and Ready)!:Defining the Reel Images of Women in Hip-Hop
This is a 90-minute candid interactive workshop focusing on the role media plays in the portrayal of women in Hip-Hop, and the issues and effects that women have to deal with as a result. From Queens to whores, the roles of women have changed dramatically over the last 30 years. From misogyny to hypersexual behavior, a whole generation of young men and women have been desensitized and programmed through negative media images. It’s time to confront the media outlets, and step up as media-makers and concerned citizens, and take control of our images.  Redefine our selves and create a new perspective of women. The participants will discuss how their work addresses these issues and how it is creating media justice. They will share clips of their projects. (more…)

The Art of Love and Struggle will be screening at the Pan African Arts and Film Festival 02/11/2008 - 1:10pm, 02/13/2008 - 10:20pm, in Los Angeles, at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15, 4020 Marlton Avenue.

Purchase tickets here!

Please do come out and support this fantastic film, which was a huge labor of love, celebrating these women and their struggle to make art.

Peace,
Melissa

On our way to the boat…

I have been terribly busy lately, unable to sit myself down and write up a good long entry on Lisbon (however, I did manage to get the photos up!). I cannot express enough how wonderful an experience it was - from the gracious warmth of our hosts - Alex, Teté, Patricia, Vasco, Jose, the entire staff at Chapito - to the amazing filmmakers I met at the festival - Brendan, Gerry, Daniel, Lorcan, Bru, Nicolai - I doubt I could have had a better time.

Me and Vasco, my Lisbon little brother

From my arrival into Lisbon, to the last morning, Vasco was my transportation and my guide to the city. He was an adorable guy, who explained the city to me through the eyes of a local passionate about his city, his culture. He carted me to and from the hotel to Chapito - a circus school cum restaurant cum social activism collective cum cultural center. (more…)

MHB wins the Codes Pro Media ReelHeART Award at the ReelHeart International Film Festival in Toronto this past weekend!  The award is given to “The visiting filmmaker that exhibits true independent spirit, from promotion to inspiration and engagement”  With the award comes a medallion and a Sony Cybershot 7.2 mega pixel digital camera, which Director Nancy O’Mallon will put to good use on her next film, about cranberries!

Congrats Nancy!  Keep spreading the blueberry news!

Peace,
Melissa

Tribute to Iris Morales, Kathleen Cleaver and Ted Demme

The images from the Hip Hop Odyssey Awards are up now in the photo section. It was a wonderful night and I got to spend with some of my closest friends in film - my girls Jessica and Bobbi.

Jessica Habie and Rosa Clemente (more…)

ICE T @ Hip Hop Odyssey Festival Awards - M. Ulto

Last night, I went to the Hip Hip Odyssey Awards with my collaborators on “The Art of Love & Struggle” - Director Jessica Habie, Performer/Writer Bobbi Williams and Composer Spiritchild.

It was where Hip Hop lives - the real culture, not the parody of it in mainstream media. This was a community event, celebrating those who came before, those who step up now and those who will take the torch of Hip Hop into the future. From celebrating Cold Crush Crew to Lady Pink, it was a lesson in the roots of the culture, the struggle to make art viable, and a reminder that message is still very powerful.

Listening to Ice T accept his award, as an outstanding Hip Hop Actor, reminded me of a few things, shifting my perspective and hearing the echo of struggle in his speech. Here was a man orphaned at 11, left to fend for himself on the streets. As he put it, if you had a sister, a cousin, a distant relative, you had an advantage over him. He hustled, he strove, he adapted when opportunities came to him, and he followed one voice - his own. He reminded me that the hustle is not about the product but the process - anything can be accomplished, it’s the mastering of methods that’s the first step. (more…)

 

 No Daddy - Teairra Mari [3:51m]: Play Now | Download (961)

I’ll be attending the Hip Hop Odyssey Awards tonight! Hopefully “The Art of Love & Struggle” gets some recognition (fingers and toes crossed). The film was very well received at the screening last night. Jessica Habie, the director, attended and got back to me with some of the reactions.

The awards are sold out almost (standing room only) and here’s why:

The festival culminates with the ODYSSEY AWARDS extravaganza hosted by Hip-Hop Powerhouse, ED LOVER and legendary Comedian, PAUL MOONEY on Tupac Shakur’s Birthday. The evening will be dedicated to celebrating the winning filmmakers of the festival, Hip-Hop Legends, and Media Trailblazers. The Awesome 2 are back and will be spinning along with the NYC house band, DUJEOUS. The line up of performers include: SUPER NATURAL, STYLES P, SAFAHRI RHA, NYOIL, KAZI, P STAR, BEATBOX ENT., TRES CORONAS, KELLY ZEN-YIE TSAI, LA BRUJA, CONSEQUENCE, TONI BLACKMAN, AJA-MONET, K BANGER, and ABIODUN FROM THE LAST POETS.

Hip-Hop Celebrities will pay special tributes to the COLD CRUSH, CRASH CREW and PUBLIC ENEMY; Best Hip-Hop Actor, ICE-T; Trailblazers, RALPH MCDANIELS, CHARLIE AHEARN, AND ERNEST DICKERSON; and LEGENDS, GRAND WIZARD THEODORE, SANDRA “LADY PINK” FABARA, and the FIRST LADY OF HIP-HOP, CINDY CAMPBELL. Some of the presenters include: Fab 5 Freddy, Davey D, Rosa Clemente, Joe Conzo, Dana Dane, Warrington Hudlin, Michaela Davis, Rob Swift, Harry Allen, Immortal Technique, Londell Mcmillan, Grouchy Greg, Jazzyfatnasty, Cipha Sounds, Pebeelee Poo, Henry Chalfant, Large Professor, Roxanne Shante, DJ Wiz, Ernie Paniccioli, Amada Diva, DJ Beverly Bond, Bizarre Royal, GrandMixer DXT, Jamal Joseph, and Miss Info.

Going to be a fantastic event!

Peace,
Melissa

The Mighty Humble Blueberry will be shown as an official selection of the New Jersey International Film Festival. If you are free Sunday, check it out.

The film will be screened in Scott Hall #123, Rutgers University on Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 7:00 PM.. The directions below can also be found on the festival website at www.NJfilmfest.com

Peace,
Melissa

Check out the notes from last week’s H20 panel on Filmmaking Methods. (Thanks to Alex Golliner for posting these!)

Peace,
Melissa

+OLHARES Poster (click here for full size)

I’m very excited - all the arrangements are made, and I’m heading off to sunny Lisbon June 20 to 25. Here is the list of invited artists to this unique festival:

LIST OF INVITED ARTISTS
FILIPA CÉSAR (PT/GR)
JOÃO ONOFRE(PT)
URSULA BOECKLER (GR)
NIKOLAI GALITZINE (FR)
GEORG GRAW (GR)
DIANE GUYOT (FR)
BRENDAN McNAMEE (UK)
GIACOMO PICCA (UK)
JULIAN ROSEFELDT (GR)
EDDIE SINGLETON (UK)
MELISSA ULTO (USA)
LORCAN FINNEGAN (IRL)
DALTONIC BROTHERS (PT)
TIAGO PEREIRA (PT)
JOÃO PAULO SERAFIM (PT)
CTG37&BIKINIDRESSCODE(CZ)

A short collection of clips from SheStory.tv will be shown on Friday, June 22, and I will be VJ’ing in a video jam session.

If you are in that part of the world later this month, come on by and say hello!

Peace,
Melissa

I will be attending the Mais Olhares Pocket Film Festival in Lisbon, Portugal late this June! A selection of my work, in film, art and the internet, will be featured.

+OLHARES is an informal video & film festival dedicated to new works by young artists, video artists, web artists and filmmakers. It will take place in Lisbon between the 21st and 24th of June, 2007. Its propose is to create a dialogue between documentary and fictional work using as guide line the frontier between these two genres. We are looking for works that deal with the ambiguities of audiovisual creation related to the dichotomy reality/imagination. Everyone interested in participating should make a request to be a friend of this page.

The festival is divided in 4 sections:

1. +OLHARES: (Main feature films presented in big screen)
This is the main selection of works that explore the borders between pure documentary and fictional work. 9 of the 30 Authors will be invited to come to Lisbon and present their work.

2. POCKET VIDEOS: A selection of videos made with low resolution media devices. Prizes will include 3G mobile phones.

3. ALTERNATIVE VIDEOS AND WEB ART: An Exhibition of Web Art and Experimental Video presented in IMACs computers with headphones.

4. +DEBATE: Discussions about the main theme of the festival. This informal meetings will include presentations of films by Orson Wells, Woody Allen, Pedro Costa and others. Its main goal is to understand how reality can be filtered and manipulated by both the eyes of a documentary and fiction directors. Film critics, Directors, Writers and Scholars will conduct the discussions.

Peace,
Melissa

The Art of Love and Struggle will be screening at the 5th Annual H20 International Film Festival, on “Women’s Day” - Thursday, June 14, btw 8 and 10 pm, at the ImaginAsian Theatre, 239 Est 59th St. NYC. Please let your network know!

Also, on Thursday, June 7, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, I will be one of the panelists for the panel on Movie Magic: 5 Techniques to Develop your Game, also at the ImagiAsian Theatre.

Peace,
Melissa

Great news! The Art of Love & Struggle will be shown this year at the 5th Annual H20 International Film Festival as part of the festival.

There will be a Q&A with us at the screening - more information coming soon the screening date and time!

Peace,
Melissa

As a part of the 5th Annual H20 International Film Festival, I’ve been invited to be a panelist on the “Movie Magic: Filmmaking Techniques to Develop your Game” panel taking place on Thursday, June 7 from 6 to 7:30 pm at the ImaginAsian Theater, 239 E. 59th Street. Panelists will discuss trade secrets that make film projects a success. Past festival panelist participants include Swizz Beatz, Rah Digga, Abiodun of the Last Poets, Fab 5 Freddy, Charlie Ahearn, QD3, Queen Pen, Warrington Hudlin, and Nelson George, to name a few.

The H2O International Film Festival has established itself as the world premiere showcase for emerging and established Hip-Hop filmmakers, actors and trailblazing legends that define the Hip-Hop community. Exhibiting a diverse collection of features, shorts and documentaries by independent Hip-Hop filmmakers from around the world, the mission of H2OIFF encourages and supports the use of Hip-Hop culture as a tool for community and youth empowerment, and social awareness to ensure cultural sustainability and industry longevity. Past festival attendees include Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa Melvin Van Peebles, Roxanne Shante, Bokeem Woodbine, RZA, MC Lyte, The Last Poets, Sonia Sanchez, Kanye West, and Mos Def.

Its a real honor to be a part of an incredible festival, with such a huge focus on community and keeping Hip Hop on message!

Peace,
Melissa

The Mighty Humble Blueberry won Best Homegrown Short at the Garden State Film Festival this past weekend. Director Nancy O’Mallon and I are thrilled that all this hard work yielded a flurry of interest in this wonderful story. The film will be making the festival route this spring and summer. Stay tuned!

Peace,
Melissa

The Undisputed Blueberry Queen

“Home Grown Documentary Film”

The Mighty Humble Blueberry
Sunday at 2:00 PM in Mattison Park, 649 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ.

Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.

Nancy O’Mallon’s documentary film, “The Mighty Humble Blueberry” tracks the history of New Jersey’s cultivated blueberry through the efforts of Elizabeth Coleman White, a New Jersey native. In 1911, Elizabeth Coleman White and Frederick Vernon Coville where from divergent worlds, and yet, they united to carry out the mutual goal of taming the wild blueberry. Visually intriguing, this documentary film includes an entrancing original musical score, archival audio recordings and film footage, filmed narrative accounts, expert narrations, and original artwork and animations. The film knits together an analysis of contemporary blueberry commerce and science, with noteworthy images and documents, and compelling dialogue of those related by blood or occupation to this twosome who labored to bring the blueberry into a global marketplace.

Please check out this documentary I edited and animated!

Peace,
Melissa

Famous Firsts by American Women
1896— Alice Guy Blaché, the first American woman film director, shoots the first of her more than 300 films, a short feature called La Fee aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy).

I’ve finally finished editing The Art of Love & Struggle. The director, Jessica Habie, and I will be screening it March 28 at the Two Boots Theater. Check out the full invitation here!

I’m starting work on a new film and then considering a move, perhaps north or west. NYC just isn’t fun any more. Its too much work with very little return these days. Too expensive, Soho has become an outdoor mall, rents in Manhattan are beyond prohibitive, the boroughs don’t do it for me. Its a lovely place to have grown, explored, hidden in and emerged from. And it will be a great place to visit, in the future, with my family. I can’t see having a family in NYC - it would be too expensive, too complicated and I’m not too impressed with an education system based on class, not equal opportunity.

(more…)

Please join us for a preview screening of “The Art of Love & Struggle”, hosted by CineWomen NY.

(more…)

 

 The Art of Love & Struggle Trailer [3:56m]: Play Now | Download (474)