"Randy Parsons: American Luthier" and "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet" Screening Together at Raindance

Sept. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Seattle filmmaker David Aldrich is proud to announce the London Premiere of his award-winning documentary "American Luthier" at the 20th Annual Raindance Film Festival, in London, England. The film will screen with award-winning film festival circuit favorite, "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet" on Saturday 29 September, 18:15 at Apollo Cinema Piccadilly Circus. Tickets are available at http://www.raindance.co.uk/.

"Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet" tells the story of guitar legend Jason Becker, who refused to give up on his dream of being a musician despite being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) when he was just 19 years old. Doctors said he would never make music again, and that he wouldn't live to see his 25th birthday. 22 years later, without the ability to move or speak, Jason is alive and making music with a computer that he controls with his eyes. The film, directed by Jessie Vile, has been recognized with awards at numerous film festivals, including the winner of "Outstanding Achievement" in Music at the Newport Beach Film Festival and "Best Documentary" at Chicago International Movies and Music Festival 2012.

David Aldrich's short documentary, titled "American Luthier," recounts Randy Parsons' transformation from aspiring musician to guitar-maker. The guitar had been Parsons' identity since he was a child, but after studying classical and jazz guitar in college, he realized that he would never make a living as a musician.  So he gave it up -- and then one day he had a vision of how the guitar would come back into his life. Now he's creating instruments that are highly sought after works of art by musicians such as Jack White and Jimmy Page.

"This is a film about someone who gave up their passion for playing guitars and discovered that they had a passion for making guitars. Audiences have been inspired by Parsons' story and his commitment to preserve the art of making guitars." says Aldrich.

"American Luthier" has had an impressive film festival run. The journey began in October 2011 when it premiered at the ITSA Film Festival in California, and won the Jury Award for Best Documentary. The film has also become a festival circuit favorite, screening at more than 30 festivals in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, England, and Korea.

The Raindance Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2012, and continues to offer the best in independent cinema. This year’s lineup includes 105 features and over 138 shorts and 64 UK Premieres, 13 International Premieres, 5 European Premieres, 20 World Premieres and 24 Directorial Debuts from 38 countries. The festival will take place from September 26th to October 7th.