Why Won’t Kan-Kan Cinema Showcase Local & Regional Filmmakers?
A Publicly-Funded, 501c3 Non-Profit Theater in Indianapolis Has Neglected to Fulfill One of its Core Goals.
In 2021, the local public station WFYI posted this interview on their website “Local theater provides gathering place for filmmakers”. The following quote caught my attention:
Dee: Perhaps there is a filmmaker that's listening to this interview right now and says, "Wow, I would really like to see my work shown at Kan-Kan cinema." Is that opportunity, a reality for that person?
Henderson: Oh, absolutely. Yes. We have several lined up already. I encourage any local filmmaker because we want to get to know all of them and help them in in the development of their career. They can email us at hello@kancanindy.com and we'll get right back to them and talk with them about what they'd like to do and how we can make it happen.
I make short, animatic films, so I was excited to have an art-house theater, only a few blocks from my studio on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis that would serve as a showcase and a social hub for local filmmakers. I became a member and waited for the opportunity to see my films on the big screen….and waited…and waited….
I kinda figured they lost sight of their goal to showcase new talent and maybe Kan-Kan would show more established, famous filmmakers from our region.
The filmmaker I immediately thought of was Nina Paley who lives and creates films within a few hours driving distance from Indianapolis. Nina Paley is one of America’s greatest animators. Read up on Nina on Wikipedia and her website. I think it would be so awesome to see a retrospective of Nina Paley’s films on a big screen with a live audience and have Nina Paley there to talk about her films and her ideas.
So, I sent off emails and waited…and waited…and waited…
Well, I waited long enough, so I politely went on the Twitter and asked what was up. Kan-Kan’s public relations person responded that I was “not decent”:
She added “If you want to feel heard, respect is the most important component to a mutually dialogue. But baby, this ain't it.” My response:
So, I’ve given up on Kan-Kan ever showing local and regional films. I will let my membership lapse and view films at Living Room Theater, a for-profit movie theater, only a block from where I live.
Living Room Theater has twice hosted the 4-Scene Film Festival that showcases local Indianapolis filmmakers.
Ironic, isn’t it?
You are absolutely on target here, Ken. I didn't know about Nina Paley's work before, but yes--she's absolute genius! (Just like you.) These people's heads are so far up their arse's that they can taste their teeth!
Keep up the good fight and great work!!!