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Producer/actor Mike Houlihan

IN THE COMEDY “TAPIOCA,” actor/producer Mike Houlihan stars as a cynical comedian taught a lesson in the golden rule when he’s cursed by a homeless man (Ben Vereen). His son Paddy directed.

“Tapioca” screens Oct. 11 in the Other Venice Film Festival in Venice Beach, Calif., and premieres locally Nov. 20 at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

“Tapioca” also stars improv comedians Mark Borchardt, Tim Kazurinski and David Pasquesi.

The Indie Film Focus column by Ed M. Koziarski that ran today incorrectly identified "Tapioca" director Mike Houlihan's one-man show "Goin' East on Ashland" as addressing Houlihan's "battle with alcoholism."

The play "is a comic memoir about growing up Irish in Chicago. I have never 'battled alcoholism,'" Houlihan said. ReelChicago regrets the error.

See mikehoulihan.com.

Esau Melendez

CH. 20 EDITOR ESAÚ MELENDEZ screened selected scenes from his epic in-progress documentary about the immigration reform movement, “Immigrant Nation!” to a packed house last week at the National Museum of Mexican Art.

Melendez followed the movement from the half-million strong protest marches in March 2006, and the saga of activist Elvíra Arellano, who spent a year in a church sanctuary before deportation last year.

Melendez is raising finishing funds through his Clandestino Films. See indiegogo.com/immigrantnation.

“Tripp”

ALEXANDER ROJAS starts production this week on “Mexiskin,” the story of a young Latino girl who is drawn into skinhead culture.

It stars Rosa Frausto, Frank Zieger, and Joey Bicicchi as a teenage skater fleeing gang violence and family responsibility in Little Village.

Gary Michael Shultz is producing through his GMS Productions.

Meanwhile, Rojas’ short “Tripp,” will screen in the upcoming Chicago Underground Film Festival. “Tripp” premiered last year at the Slamdance Film Festival.

Schultz is in post-production on his own short “Hellcat and Tala,” a love story between a reluctant vampire and a young werewolf. Email Schultz at highertribe@yaoo.com.

KY DICKENS hosts a fundraiser Oct. 11 at Mary’s Attic for her documentary “Fish Out of Water,” which examines the intersection of faith and sexuality, and the small but growing gay rights movement within American Christianity.

Dickens, a freelance commercial, music and event producer and videographer, is producing “Fish Out of Water” through her Yellow Wing Productions.

See fishoutofwaterfilm.com.

CORTEZ MACK began production on “What About the Children,” a Christian film that spotlights the neglect that children face at the hands of families, schools and communities. Mack has written and produced a number of plays through his Jkbu Productions. Email jkbu2003@yahoo.com.

Ed M. Koziarski is in post-production on the feature film “The First Breath of Tengan Rei.” Email:

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