This past spring and summer I spent most of my spare time volunteering for the Three- Minute Picture Show, a film festival that encourages anyone, regardless of experience, to dedicate 30 days to creativity. Participants sign up, make a three-minute film, and get to watch the results on the big screen in front of a live audience. The film festival began in 2001 in Oakland and in 2010 expanded to Portland and also added screenings for films made by kids. The results were inspiring as emails poured in from parents whose children received giant self-esteem boosts from seeing their work on the big screen, as well as adult participants who were thankful for the creative fire ignited by the film festival. I was happy to be able to donate my time to this project that is really a labor of love and inspires so many people in my community. I rebuilt the festival’s website, designed festival merchandise (using the adorable illustrations of Leah Brawley) which helps fund the project, and I served as “AV Club President” and projected the films at the screenings. While in the projection booth, I used the opportunity to experiment with some long exposure environmental photos.

Check out the website (www.threeminutepictureshow.com) for more information.  And join the festival mailing list and Facebook fan page (www.facebook.comthreeminutepictureshow) if you would like to receive updates about or participate in the 2011 Three-Minute Picture Show!