We speak with Montreal director Luc Beauchamp - writer, director, and producer of the film Arthur’s Paradise, which had its U.S. premiere at the 2007 Rhode Island International Film Festival where it won 2nd Place for Best Experimental film.

Arthur’s Paradise is a unique film, a blend of documentary and fiction, with almost no dialog and music from opera to mariachi. At times beautiful, at times disturbing, it explores the solitary life of a farmer and his animals.

Luc Beauchamp received a degree in music composition from the Université de Montréal before working on a number of short films including the award-winning The Lion & the Lamb.

We are joined by Dana Dorian, founder and director at the Glasgow, Scotland–based studio Axis Animation, where he has directed several award-winning commercials and broadcast projects.

Dana recently made his first short film Fetch, winner of the BAFTA Scotland award for best animation.

Fetch and another short film of Dana’s, Hip Hip Hurray!, both screened recently at the the 2007 Rhode Island International Film Festival.

Our guest this week is Nicholas Mason, the founding director of the Manhattan Short Film Festival.

The Manhattan Short Film Festival is a unique film festival which presents twelve short films from several countries, all screened during one week, in venues across the globe.

Audiences at each venue then vote on their favorites, and the winner is determined at the end of the festival screenings.

The 2007 festival will be held around the world between September 23rd and 30th.

Today’s guest is Alex Merkin.

Alex Merkin is the president of Production and Development of
FiveLion Films, a music video, commercial, and film production company in New York City.

He is also the director, creator, and editor of the award-winning short suspense thriller Across The Hall.