About video i
Airs Mondays at 11pm
Over the years, KTEH Public Television's video i has become the Bay Area's premier showcase of independent film and video. This dedication continues as video i enters its' 13th season of presenting and celebrating the voices seldom heard in the mass media. video i is an hour-long, thirteen-episode series comprised of over 30 films, many of which have won numerous awards at both national and international film festivals. The series showcases documentaries, narratives, short films and experimental video made by those artists on the cutting edge of cinema — independent filmmakers. But you'll find much more on video i.
Host Blanche Shaheen returns as your guide through the world of independent film, bringing you "behind the scenes" information, film festival coverage and interviews with the filmmakers that make it all happen. "My favorite part of the job is going out to the film festivals because it gives me a chance to introduce these talented and dedicated filmmakers to our audience," notes Shaheen. This season was no exception as the video i team hit numerous Bay Area film festivals including San Jose's Cinequest, The San Francisco Women's Film Festival, The 25th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and The 50th San Francisco International Film Festival — for which video i once again served as an official media sponsor. In addition to interviewing "up and coming" artists, video i also provides viewers interviews with the mavericks of the "indie" film scene, such as actors Danny Glover, Edward James Olmos, Bai Ling and William H. Macy and directors Ron Shelton, Kenneth Anger and Steven Okazaki. This season, the tradition continues as we bring you exclusive interviews with filmmaker Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow, Finishing The Game) and Indie filmmaking maverick, Penelope Spheeris (Wayne's World, The Decline of Western Civilization series).
First and foremost, video i is a showcase of cutting edge films and videos, works that not only entertain and inform but also reflect the diverse cultural landscape of our world. Director Brian Liloia's documentary, Si Se Puede! — meaning Yes We Can!, follows two Mexican Immigrants as they strive to make better lives for themselves and explores how two men from the same background can have very different views of life and politics in America. The striking experimental film, A Short Tale of Xuan by Terrie Samundra is a coming of age story about a young Vietnamese girl from an immigrant family whose imagination blends with reality as she navigates thru the world in between childhood and adulthood. Outlet, from documentary filmmaker Leigh Lacobucci reveals the personal stories of gay, lesbian, and transgender teenagers who participate in a support group offered by a Bay Area youth organization called "Outlet" where they can go to in order to find help and acceptance. Kristine Samuelson and John Haptas give us an intimate view of an unlikely sanctuary in their documentary Days and Hours which highlights the live of homeless men, women and children who find a short respite from the dangers of the sidewalks by filling the pews at St. Boniface Church in San Francisco. Filmmaker Randall Wilson sets out to honor veterans of all wars with his documentary titled, The Long Ride Home which follows the journey of hundreds of veterans and supporters who hop on motorcycles for a ride across the country to participate in the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally on Memorial Day weekend.
The popularity of independent films have increased tremendously over the past few years and audiences have become much more knowledgeable of the indie film scene. video i has grown right along with this popularity and has truly evolved into a film festival in your very own living room. "There is not another show like it out there and we're very proud of that" adds Producer/ Director Scott Gracheff. Specializing in diverse artists and subject matter, video i gives viewers an intelligent and eclectic alternative to the usual television faire. video i is funded, in part, by The City of San Jose and can be seen on KTEH Monday nights at 11pm.