Wilder Summer

For its first announced presenter, the Fullerton Film Festival/F3 has chosen "a world-famous artist, performer, Internet radio host and film actor who just happens to be a robot." No, not Ben Affleck. It's Fast Karl, the creation of Fullerton artist/filmmaker Fred Wilder. Two Wilder films will screen during the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation's inaugural festival, which runs Aug. 3-6: Scream Karl, in which Fast Karl steals the Edvard Munch masterpiece The Scream, and Karl Bites, which casts the robot as a vampire that stalks voluptuous actress Trixie Saltzberg.

The F3 will raise much-needed funds to reopen the historic Fox Fullerton movie house. Festival organizers promise an "eclectic mix" of international, classic, and recent features and shorts, as well as music videos, animation and experimental works. They'll be screened at several downtown venues, including Plummer Auditorium, Wilshire Auditorium, Fullerton College, Fullerton Museum, and indie storefront theaters Stages and the Maverick.

For several months, the foundation has been staging outdoor screenings of classic films on the Fox's east wall to raise funds, and that's also how they intend to open F3, although no opening-night film has been announced. Once the Fox's renovation is complete, hopefully in 2010, organizers plan to move this festival into it.

Festival organizers are currently accepting any and all submissions, particularly from film students at Fullerton College, Cal State Fullerton and Chapman University. For deadlines and submission details, visit the festival's website, www.f3filmfestival.com, or call the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation at (714) 870-0069.

For more information on the announced films and filmmaker, visit Fast Karl at www.fastkarl.com and Fred Wilder at www.fredwilder.com.