March 24, 2004

UC Santa Barbara Introduces 'Magic Lantern Films,' New Weekly Film Series in Isla Vista Starting April 2

Paul Desruisseaux

A new weekly film series called "Magic Lantern Films" is coming to Isla Vista starting next week.

The series will begin Friday, April 2, at 8:30 p.m. with Big Fish, and continue with screenings on Friday nights at 8:30 and 11 p.m. through the end of Spring Quarter. All films will be screened in the Isla Vista Theatre, 960 Embarcadero Del Norte. Tickets will be $4.

"We hope that UCSB Students and residents of Isla Vista will enjoy this safe and inexpensive source of entertainment on Friday nights," says Christy Julin, producer of Magic Lantern Films. "It's right in their own neighborhood."

Magic Lantern Films gets its name from the old Magic Lantern Theatre, now called I.V. Theatre. In the 1970s, the Magic Lantern was a popular movie house that screened classic, independent, and foreign films. The new Magic Lantern picks up where the old one left off by screening critically acclaimed films like Big Fish, City of God, and Elephant, and supplementing those with cult classics like It Came From Outer Space in 3-D. The diverse selection of films, often with two different films on Friday night, will appeal to a variety of audience tastes.

Another goal of Magic Lantern Films is to work with and support other student organizations at UCSB. Student groups wanting to show films can submit a proposal for the financial and promotional support of Magic Lantern. "It's not about competing with other groups, but about supporting creativity and offering a wide range of alternative events to Isla Vista residents," Julin explains. "We want to enrich the local arts scene."

The new series was organized by Julin and Chris Zwicke, in collaboration with the Department of Film Studies and Catherine Cole, Associate Professor of Dramatic Art and Vice Chair of UCSB's Academic Senate. Julin, a recent UCSB graduate and president of the Santa Barbara Film Society from 2001-2003, is producer of the series. UCSB students Alex Koehne and Zachary Hart are theater managers and Christina Trovbich is promotions director.

Magic Lantern Films has been working closely with I.V. Live, which offers late-night performances in Embarcadero Hall in Isla Vista on Friday nights. Together, these two arts presenters seek to provide safe, alternative, and engaging events on the weekends. Both are within walking distance of each other on Embarcadeo del Norte.

Students can volunteer weekly for Magic Lantern Films and receive academic credit while learning about promotion, theater management, and event production.

Magic Lantern Films is funded with the support of the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, the College of Letters and Science, and the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Tickets for Magic Lantern Films can be purchased at the I.V. Theatre box office 30 minutes before show time. Parking is available for $2 in Lots 39 and 40.

Information about the new series is available on line at www.magiclanternfilms.org

To be added to the Magic Lantern Films mailing list, send an email to magiclanternfilms@yahoo.com.

About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Our academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of our multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of our extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.