Film Kitchen

The monthly series for independent and local artists presents an evening of politically themed work. Highlights include "American Mayor," filmmaker and comedian Travis Irvine's 40-minute documentary about his 2007 run for mayor of his hometown of Bexley, Ohio, when he was a dreadlocked kid living with his parents. (The 2009 film made the festival rounds; a TV ad from the campaign was featured on The Tonight Show.) Irvine, now 29 and living in New York City, also screens three ads from his later run for Congress, as a Libertarian comedically criticizing federal spending. Also screening are shorts made for Healthy Artists, Pittsburgh-based artist and activist Julie Sokolow's project advocating universal health care. Garret Jones and Anthony De Angelis' 30-minute "Healthy Artists (the movie!)" explores the issue of artists who lack health insurance, as well as a poster contest Sokolow held to highlight the issue. Two shorter videos profile individual local artists, including painter Gabe Felice and musician, crafter and performance artist Jenn Gooch, whom medical bills forced into bankruptcy. State Sen. Jim Ferlo is also scheduled to speak on the fight for universal health care.