I Be Illin’

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OK, so I’m not in Athens right now. I left Israel early. I got sick, is what happened. A little food poisoning, a little irritable bowel syndrome, a little appetite loss and not eating for days, a little nervous breakdown, and next thing you know I’m back in New York trying to recover in a friend’s apartment, because I lost mine to bed bugs in July – not that that could be contributing to my stress or anything.

IBS

Unfortunately airports and airplanes and trying to sleep in different time zones are kind of killing me, so I’m canceling personal appearances for the next few weeks. It is a serious bummer, because I love meeting audiences and doing Q and A’s; and also because some of my upcoming lecture gigs actually pay, and I need the money. But my body and brain apparently can’t take this much travel, and I’m really sick.

On a bright note, the Rehovot International Women’s Film Festival was amazing – really excellent films, and excellent women. I also met some wonderful animators from ASIFA-Israel.

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Where in the World is Sita Sings the Blues?

Please check the ever-growing show list. Sorry it’s not better organized; you have to scroll down in chronological order from past to future. It’s just me and my Momz trying to keep track here.

I’m leaving on Sunday for these two:

Sita and I will be bopping around other parts of Israel too, according to the US State Department (!), who is sponsoring my trip (how that was arranged I do not know). I’ll be in Athens Sept. 25-29. Whee!

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Ode to my Festival Relations Manager

How many broke, independent filmmakers get an MBA with decades of experience as a University administrator to handle their print logistics, festival scheduling, screener-sending, tour planning, database-programming, and endless back-and-forth emailing? Like everyone else involved with Sita Sings the Blues, she’s extraordinarily talented, extremely smart, and doing this for love. Not only does she want the film to succeed, she also wants me personally to not starve or go insane.

In case you haven’t guessed, she’s my Mom.

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Links for Lunch

An ongoing feature in which I recommend the work and websites of people who buy me lunch. Today’s entry: Joan Hilty!

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Joan Hilty‘s been in comics since the bad old days when I worked in the field. Sexism, stupidity, superheroes on steroids – she’s seen it all. But unlike me, Joan’s not a quitter. Not only is she still doing her own comics, she’s also an editor at DC. Over falafel, babaganush, hummus, and homemade pita at Gazala Place, we agreed that alternative comics have improved dramatically in the past two decades, while newspaper strips have somehow slid further into decline (overall – there are always exceptions). Joan and I have run in similar circles for years, and were both recently – but separately – reunited with our mutual friend Roz. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to meet her!

Would YOU like to be featured in Eats for Endorsement? Then buy me dinner. My email address is at the bottom of the middle column, the one with the pictures linking to my movies and cartoons and stuff.

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Wimmyns Side of Sex

This Saturday, fellow indie animatrix Signe Baumane is presenting a program called Women’s Side of Sex, including a clip from Sita. She and I and one other filmmaker will be present to answer questions and further embarrass ourselves.

Saturday March 22, at 8pm
at Millennium Film Workshop, 66 East 4th street
information: 212 673 0090
www.millenniumfilm.org
cinema@millenniumfilm.org
$8 admission

Seven seasoned in animation, sex and relationships women are going to share their sex/love stories with you :

Nina Paley www.ninapaley.com
Debra Solomon www.debrasolomon.com
Brook Keesling www.boobiegirl.com
Ruth Lingford www.lumeneclipse.com/gallery/05/lingford/index.html
Joanna Qiunn http://berylproductions.co.uk
Lisa Yu http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0950529
Signe Baumane www.signebaumane.com

Here’s my friend Will Franken presenting a similar program (NOT SAFE FOR WORK):

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