The Found Footage Fest - Haute Trash

There's a lot to be said for the web's effects on what we watch and how we judge it, but one thing's for sure - it has completely upended the critical hierarchy, as bad video is now considered high art. How many clips of poorly sung songs, goofy dances, embarrassing moments and guerrilla adventures does one have to watch before feeling forced to admit that the amateur is now the aesthete? Maybe 156,781 or so, but, of course, most of us have watched many more than that.

Now, two guys have decided to dedicate their lives to this new haute trash phenomenon. They are Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, and they've founded The Found Footage Festival, "a one-of-a-kind event that showcases footage from videos that were found at garage sales and thrift stores and in warehouses and dumpsters throughout the country. Curators Joe and Nick host each screening in-person and provide their unique observations and commentary on these found video obscurities. From the curiously-produced industrial training video to the forsaken home movie donated to Goodwill, the Found Footage Festival resurrects these forgotten treasures and serves them up in a lively celebration of all things found."

The Festival is appearing in cities around the country all through the fall, ending on Dec. 18, 2009, in Chicago, IL. It's a not-to-be-missed extravaganza of humorous video detritus. And I know you haven't seen enough of that!

Photo via Found Footage Fest.