AMIA Reels of Steel

If you have a rare, exciting and entertaining piece of film or video in your collection that you would love to show to others, bring it along with you, and win a great (well, a semi-great) prize. The screening and competition will take place on Wednesday, November 16 at 11:30 pm. It will be a party atmosphere, with beer available and lots of fun clips played for the amusement of a relaxed audience of archivists and film buffs.

If you want to participate, just email Lars Nilsen (lars.nilsen@drafthouse.com) with the particulars about format (16mm, 35mm, DVD & Blu-Ray) and length so we can schedule the run of the show. Admission and contest entry are free. Do not miss it! Location is: Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz, 320 E. 6th St, Austin, 512-476-1320, www.drafthouse.com.

"Battles" between hip hop DJs have been going on for nearly 30 years. The two participants set up their turntables and try to blow each other off the stage by cutting up crazier and more obscure vinyl. This November 16 we're going to put a whole new spin on it. Because this time instead of DJs, the competitors are hotshot film archivists, in town for the Association of Moving Image Archivists Convention, and they're bringing their most obscure, entertaining short films. It's a battle to the finish as each archivist, armed with reel after reel of educational films, cartoons, home movies, stag films and more, tries to get the crowd pumped into a frenzy and win the fat gold chain that signifies AMIA Emulsion Propulsion Champ 2011!