Cans Film Festival to benefit food bank

Bloomington might not be France, but Rachael’s Cafe is bringing its own version of the Cannes International Film Festival to town, only with a greater purpose. The Cans Film Festival will raise funds and food for Hoosier Hills Food Bank.

“I wanted to think of a way to give back to the community,” said cafe owner Rachael Jones.

And Hoosier Hills is happy to have the support.

“Events like this are always fun for the food bank,” said Kim Kanney, volunteer coordinator for Hoosier Hills. “It’s kind of an alternative way of getting food than our usual means.”

For organizers, the cause is almost as important as the event itself.

“It’s a cool event that has a purpose besides just being cool,” said senior Nicholas Peters, who helped organize and has documentaries in the festival. “The event has more than just a variety of independent films. It is also helping the community and the area around the community.”

Each film is about 20 minutes long and ranges from animation to documentaries.

“They’re all independent; they’re not all local,” Jones said.

Admission is either $3 or a can of food each night. The films were chosen by Peters and Filiz Cicek, a film teacher at the Collins Living-Learning Center.

“We just got everything we could,” Peters said, adding that he focused largely on variety. “Then we looked at the film, and basically we talked about each ... we both looked at all the films critically.”

While a committee will decide the grand prize, audience members will choose second through fourth places.

“It’s a lot more fun to watch movies when you have to voice your opinion after,” Peters said.

Prizes will include gift certificates from the Grant Street Inn, FARMbloomington, the Runcible Spoon and the Bloomington Playwrights Project.

“I’ve been so fortunate in having so many good people helping out,” Jones said.
Best Buy is also contributing to the effort.

“They’re supplying all the projectors and the technical stuff and some people,” Peters said.

Kanney also hopes the event will help raise awareness about the food bank.

“Really, all the planning and developing has been happening on Rachael’s side,” Kanney said. “This is a new avenue. I think we’ll reach people who aren’t familiar with the food bank.”

The events Saturday will feature awards, a gala and a sneak preview of Peters’ documentary about Rachael’s Cafe.

“It’s really going to be a big celebration,” Peters said, hinting at a “surprise” planned for that night. “That’s really the best night.”

As for next year, Jones and Peters agreed they want to have a repeat performance.
“I hope this will be an annual event,” Jones said.



Cans Film Festival
When: Runs through Saturday
Where: Rachael’s Cafe, 300 E. Third St.
More info: Visit the Cans Film Festival MySpace page at myspace.com/cansatrachaels; Admission $3 or a canned food donation; Benefits Hoosier Hills Food Bank