Still in his first year of a two-year MFA program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Kit Hung has wasted no time in taking action. Following a series of conversations with fellow SAIC school mates, Hung has organized the school's first Queer Film and Video Festival. The festival ( April 23- May 10 ) is a welcome addition to Chicago's teeming film and video festival circuit. Call ( 312 ) 443-3703 or e-mail whung@artic.edu .
I recently sat down with Mr. Hung for an interview.
Gregg Shapiro: I'd like to begin by talking about your background. Where were you born?
Kit Hung: I'm from Hong Kong, former colonial city of the British government. This is the first time I came to the United States. I arrived ( in Chicago ) last August.
GS: You are a student at the School of the Art Institute. What can you tell me about your educational background?
KH: I come from a design/graphic/commercial background. ( In my studies ) I combined critical theory and visual communication—advertising and theory. I produce my work using video and film, like audio visual media.
GS: So, is that from where your interest in film and the film festival derives?
KH: Yeah. I was working in Hong Kong for one year, teaching film in the University. I came here ( to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago ) for my experimental film and video studies. It's a two-year MFA ( program ) . I am a graduate student.
GS: How did the concept for the SAIC Queer Film and Video Festival come about, and what can you tell me about your role as Programming Director?
KH: ( laughs ) It came from conversations with me and some of my school mates. We wanted to see more works. We wanted to gather some works together and let the SAIC students see more different types of works, especially queer works. We know there is a queer community among the artistic community. A school festival is interesting because it is run by students.
GS: What are some of your goals as program director? For example, would you like to make this an annual event?
KH: I'm not sure yet. It would be really great to make it an annual festival, but I would like to have a formal committee to work with so that I can really work as a programmer instead of doing everything else.
GS: Chicago is overflowing with film festivals, including a few targeted to LGBT audiences. What is it about the SAIC Queer Film Fest that sets it apart?
KH: To speak for this year's program, we have a lot of Asian ( selections ) , because of my background and culture. I have brought a lot of Asian programs here. Most of it is student work. It's really amazing. You wouldn't think that it is student work, especially the Taiwan program. This festival is run by students, selected by students, inside the context of the Art Institute. I think we are more able to select experimental work with artistic value. For myself, coming from a commercial background, I know what the mainstream things are like, what is eye candy, so when I program, I tend to mix different varieties together. So, when people go to a program, they will have different types of things. They will have some of their favorites and they will be able to see different types of media representation together.
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