“San Diego’s Creative Weekend: Celebrate Awards Films, Catch Local Beats, and Dive into Comic Book Adventures!”

This weekend brings a wealth of cinema, music, and geeky delight.

As I have noted previously, Digital Gym Cinema serves as a sanctuary for movie enthusiasts. Established 12 years ago by Ethan Van Thillo, the originator and executive director of Media Arts Center San Diego, it was originally situated on El Cajon Boulevard before moving to a cutting-edge venue at Park and Market in East Village. The departure of Landmark Theatres from San Diego has only fueled Van Thillo’s dedication to Digital Gym Cinema.
 
“Remarkably, our Digital Gym Cinema stands as the sole movie theater in downtown San Diego, and it is also the last independent art house cinema in the city,” Van Thillo expressed. “It’s truly disheartening to witness the closure of the Hillcrest Cinemas. Thus, as a nonprofit, we must ensure we are safeguarding the experience of watching films collectively. We advocate for the shared experience of viewing movies on a large screen, complete with sound, and engaging in conversations about the themes within these films. We showcase independent art house movies every day. It is crucial that people come out and wish to enjoy films on the big screen.”

I am immensely thankful to Van Thillo for offering a space for Film Geeks SD, a volunteer organization I initiated over a decade ago to bring distinctive film programming to San Diego. Currently, we consist of five volunteer programmers and conduct a yearlong film series along with Bonkers Half-Assed Midnights at Digital Gym.

Digital Gym Cinema

This upcoming weekend at Digital Gym Cinema, there will be more than merely films.

“In addition to screening movies, our nonprofit educates youths and young adults across all age groups on filmmaking,” Van Thillo elaborated. “Particularly in today’s world, we emphasize the significance of media literacy, critical analysis, and scrutinizing media. Hence, we are hosting a remarkable master class this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Sue Ding. She’s a filmmaker hailing from L.A.”

Project Development Masterclass with Su Ding is accessible to all ages and will cover every facet of film production, including how to secure grants.
 
Digital Gym is also a prime destination this weekend as they are capitalizing on the awards season excitement with a For Your Consideration lineup of films. These films have generated Oscar buzz this awards season, providing you one last chance to catch these 2024 releases.

This weekend alone, you can view four films in this category. The French animated feature, “Flow,” has already garnered some accolades and depicts a collection of animals striving to endure an unexpected flood. It’s a wordless animated masterpiece that is simply stunning.

“Anora” is also being showcased. It is the latest work from independent filmmaker Sean Baker (“Tangerine,” “The Florida Project”). Just when I began to feel fatigued by Anora “Ani” Baker’s antics, Baker introduces new characters that rejuvenate the film and completely win me over. Yura Borisov’s portrayal of Igor was the highlight of this movie. Mikey Madison excels as Ani, but she has the entire film to develop her character. She gets to steal the spotlight and express herself freely because her character is someone who holds nothing back. Conversely, Igor has minimal dialogue and little screen time, making the portrayal of a character that is surprisingly engaging.

You can also watch “A Different Man,” featuring Adam Pearson and Sebastian Stan. Directed and written by Aaron Schimberg, this film offers a fresh and inspired examination of disability, intentionally urging the audience to reconsider our perceptions. While I commend much of its cleverness, I also find it unsteady and problematic in certain aspects. Stan portrays a character with neurofibromatosis who is astonishingly cured, while Pearson, an actor with neurofibromatosis, both deliver exceptional performances that challenge us to contemplate how our self-image can be as crucial as the views of others.

However, the film I wish to recommend the most is Palestine’s official submission for Best International Film at this year’s Academy Awards. Titled “From Ground Zero,” it is an anthology of 22 short films crafted by filmmakers residing in Gaza. Conceived by Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, each short film offers an intimate viewpoint on the current reality of living in Gaza. Some shorts feature documentary narratives, while others include reenactments, docu-fiction, experimental pieces, and even animated works. The collection portrays the varied experiences of these filmmakers.

In “Recycling,” a woman demonstrates how a single bucket of water serves multiple purposes: drinking, cooking, doing laundry, bathing, and finally watering plants. In “Hell’s Heaven,” a man utilizes a body bag and contends that he should have the right to use it while he is alive to stay warm at night. The short that resonated with me the most is “Soft Skin.” This animated piece, created by children, illustrates how their mothers wrote their names on their arms and legs to ensure they could be identified if they were to perish. Despite the formidable obstacles of filming in Gaza, these filmmakers have produced a brilliant collaborative endeavor. Astonishingly, many of the films highlight hope, beauty, and happiness amidst dire conditions.

Alongside the FYC films, you can also enjoy a classic Italian giallo, “Strip Nude for Your Killer,” screening on Saturday. It’s the inaugural offering in the 2025 season of Bonkers Half-Assed Midnights (dubbed so because they commence at 10 p.m. but conclude before midnight).
 

San Diego Latino Film Festival North County mixer

The San Diego LatinoFilm Festival isn’t scheduled until March, yet it’s always a good time to spread the news. To commemorate the festival’s remarkable 32nd year, there will be a unique mixer gathering and Arte Latino celebration at the North County Mall.

“They are co-hosting this event alongside the California Center for the Arts in Escondido and Pako Pablo Studios,” Van Thillo noted. “It’s a fantastic new gallery within the mall, and this Saturday, we’ll have a selection of artists there exhibiting and selling their creations. We’ll provide drinks, appetizers, and a special festival pass for the film festival at a significantly reduced price exclusively for North County residents.”

Additionally, the first 100 participants will receive complimentary concert tickets to Flor de Toloache and Jacqie Rivera.

Local artists

However, Van Thillo will be unable to participate in his own event as he is also part of several local bands performing on Saturday. His folk bluegrass trio, Whiskey and Burlap, will take the stage from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m at Humphreys Backstage Live, with proceeds supporting L.A. artists affected by the fires. Later that evening, his band, Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas — an eight-piece Irish rock ensemble — will perform at McGregor’s Bar and Grill in Mission Valley.

Comic Savvy at Little Fish Comic Book Studio

I also wish to remind everyone that the comic book culture in San Diego flourishes beyond the five days of Comic-Con. One of my favorite spots is Little Fish Comic Book Studio located on El Cajon Boulevard. They regularly host an event called Comic Savvy: New Year’s Edition, and one is happening this Saturday. These gatherings are ideal for enthusiasts who adore comics. It’s an open house at Little Fish, run by Alonzo Nunez. There will be a massive sale on graphic novels, info about their summer camps, and an introduction to their fantastic program called Comic-Con Intensive.

What are local artists suggesting this weekend?

Art, music, and embroidery

Gaby Moreno, a poet and host of Nightmare on Sedgwick Avenue, advocates for Music 2 My Ears, a collective art exhibition presented by Sew Loka in conjunction with Villa Musica and Intersection Arts.

Streaming shows and comics

Artist and illustrator Patrick Ballesteros is thrilled to stream “Sakamoto Days” (Netflix) and “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” (Disney+), and he encourages Marvel fans and art lovers to visit their local comic book store to request a copy of “The Art of Marvel SNAP.”