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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Found Footage Fest Brings Oddly Exhilarating Films To The Big Screen

Found_Fest_Facercize.jpg
'Facercize' is an instructional video hosted by Carole Maggio. (Film still: Courtesy of the Found Footage Festival)

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The Found Footage Festival, now celebrating its 10th year, returns to Los Angeles tonight for a two-night run, bringing a new slate of old, odd and ephemeral films to the New Beverly. Hosts and festival founders Nick Prueherand Joe Pickett will once again present audiences unintentionally hilarious video clips in between bits of comedy and commentary.

The found footage—industrial films, infomercials and home movies on VHS that have literally been found in garage and sales, thrift shops, etc.—are now appropriated for our entertainment purposes.

Among the films on the 2014 program are:

  • An exercise video mashup of a Christmas workout and martial arts;
  • A tape called “Butt Camp”;
  • A “bizarre” instructional 1997 video: “How to Have Cybersex on the Internet”;
  • Newly uncovered 1980s footage of John & Johnny, really obnoxious home shopping hosts.


We had to ask Prueher whether they’ve heard from people who learned that their old videos ended up being the butt of jokes in the festival. “We have been contacted by people in the show who weren't happy about it—most notably Jack Rebney (aka "Winnebago Man"),” he writes in an email. “But when we invite them to the show and they see how much joy their video brings people, they're totally onboard. Jack Rebney actually hugged us at the end of the night and he's a guy who's been called ‘the angriest man in the world,’ so we feel like we're doing something right.” Tickets to the Found Footage Festival are $13. and are available in advance at or at the door. The screenings begin at the New Beverly at 9 pm on both nights.

Oh and we couldn't help but post "Winnebago Man" in case you haven't seen this video. He's amazingly angry with language that's totally NSFW:

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