This year marks the sixth edition of the Side/Lot Experimental Video Showcase at the Evanston Art Center. The video showcase is organized by local curators, filmmakers and directors to create an experience that is thought-provoking for its viewers and an opportunity for filmmakers to exhibit their work. Mat Rappaport and Anne Stevens, who are local artists, started the showcase in collaboration with the Evanston Art Center.
“Side/Lot and the festival were started to bring more diverse and underrepresented voices to Evanston,” explained Rappaport.
The video showcase this year received over 30 different submissions from artists around the area. The panel of local curators and artists then went through them all and selected enough for their 45 minute program. When choosing the videos, the panel “seeks short videos which are experimental in nature and represent a diversity of makers and aesthetic approaches,” Rappaport states.
It is important to them that they show films by artists of many ages and had encouraged his family friend, Eleanor Pavitch, a senior at ETHS, to submit her own work to the festival last year.
Pavitch’s film was selected and appeared on the program for the 5th annual showcase.
“It was surreal at first, especially because a lot of the other artists were much older than me and had been working for longer.” Pavitch states.The showcase also gives a chance for artists to promote themselves. Often it can be hard for small artists to become known, even within their own communities.
“I made a film I was proud of and did not have a large outlet for people to see it. Aside from YouTube or other social media, there isn’t a place where I can promote my work.” Pavitch found that the showcase was a great opportunity for others to see her art.
For the 2024 showcase, the Evanston Art Center is partnering with Mezcla Media Collective, which is a Chicago based organization that promotes and supports women and non-binary filmmakers of color.
The Side/Lot Experimental Video Showcase will display a variety of different films created by a diverse array of artists. Some might be animated, or others live action; the assortment of different ideas and concepts is to be expected and encouraged.
The showcase is outside and projected onto the side of the Evanston Art Center building on October 19th at 7:30. Drinks and snacks are provided after the show and discussion is encouraged. Bring a chair and a blanket, and cozy up for a fun and unique experience!
