THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE is a groundbreaking 30-minute TV show that provides a riveting look at the world of cinematic innovation -- an independent film festival in your own living room. The series airs on The Seattle Channel (cable 21) and will be seen twice on Thursdays -- at 7:30 pm and TBD -- with a new episode premiering every week.

Each week new films will be shown from emerging and established independent film and video makers, highlighting diverse work not normally seen on TV. Interviews and overviews will be part of the show, which will include mini-documentaries about the week's filmmakers, their past achievements and where they are taking cinema now.

THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE will exhibit film and video that takes creative risks. The program is seeking work that is innovative and provocative, experimental or dramatic. THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE is committed to presenting diverse points of view and airing diverse types of film and video styles.

THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE production team is headed by Karl Krogstad, who will also host the show. One of Seattle's most celebrated independent filmmakers, Krogstad began his zany and insightful career as writer, director and producer in 1968 and has since created over 60 works of film and video art. Krogstad will tap into his vast community of connections and direct his boundless energy into shaping vibrant and compelling television.

Without the work of avant garde filmmakers, much that is admired in cinema today would not exist, says Krogstad. This is an untold story, a wellspring of inspiration for the next generation. Filmmaking is like a magnet for the imagination of the young, and THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE will collide the rich past of influential work from the 60s, and onward to the most current efforts of film and video makers nationwide. It will combine the history and the future of independent film and video making by accepting a range of work from across generations and across the country.

In addition to airing daily on TV, THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE will also stream live on the Internet and link viewers to web sites that further explore the stories featured on the program. The program is truly interactive and will allow viewers an opportunity to offer feedback and ideas to THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE production team.

The Seattle Channel is only the first outlet being targeted by the show's producers, who plan on expanding into other regional and national TV markets. Development of THE AMERICAN AVANT GARDE was greatly helped by The Seattle Channel general manager, Gary Gibson, a respected and award-winning name in quality television programming for over 25 years.