Founded in Spring 2000, Bargain Basement is an effort to promote low budget filmmaking from a variety of skill levels. Talent can be found hiding all over the place, yet it is usually pushed out of focus by the domination of Hollywood and multiplex cinemas. By providing a voice for talented underground filmmakers, Bargain Basment aims to help topple the hierarchy of cinema production. At the same time, we believe in having fun. Which is why our festival features great films with unique parties, like our famous ice cream social and our new ramen noodle cook-off. And live music too.

Aaron Davis and Peter Gerard organized, promoted, and ran the 2000 festival which took place on August 18 & 19 last year at Ragtag Cinema in Columbia, Mo. Their efforts paid off with a successful festival featuring 27 different films and videos from all over the world. Prizes were awarded and everyone went home happy (most with a bowl of ice cream). View last year's site for more info.

In 2001, we aim to take Bargain Basement to a new level, with more extensive promotion to give young, independent filmmakers a better chance to be noticed. The program has expanded to three days with more films and more parties. Bargain Basement Film Festival should not be missed.

(Photo by Ed Pfueller of Columbia Daily Tribune.)