Eurovision 2015: Finnish punk band with learning disabilities applies to raise awareness - News - Music - The Independent PKN (Pertti Kurikan Nimipaivat), whose members are living with Down's syndrome and autism, will compete against 17 other bands to represent Finland at the annual event, to be held this year in Vienna. Finnish TV viewers will make the decision but PKN are already excited about the process and hoping they will make it to the grand final stage. “Pertti the guitarist is a big fan of Eurovision,” manager Kalle Pajamaa told Sputnik. “Their families are supportive as well as the fans. Even the punk scene has been very supportive for the guys.” Pertii Kurikka, Sami Helle, Kari Aalto and Toni Valitalo believe that appearing at Eurovision could help boost support for social programs helping inform more people about Down’s Syndrome. They first got together at a workshop run by adults with intellectual disabilities charity Lyhty and plan to perform “Aina Mun Pitaa” at Eurovision, which translates to “I Always Have To”. Loading gallery In pictures: Eurovision 2014 1 of 32
Podcasts and Downloads - Great Lives Beautiful Illustrated Plotting Of Fiction Genres The world of fiction is one that is only limited by your own imagination. There are endless possibilities for stories to head in one direction or another, but this excellent poster from Pop Chart Labs investigates the links between myriad genres and the famous books that define them. It's entitled A Plotting Of Fiction Genres, it's available to buy as an 18" x 24" poster for $29 (£18.80) From soft-boiled mystery to quantum highbrow, take a look at the image below and browse your way round the fascinating world of literary fiction. Click on the image to see a larger version. (Image: Pop Chart Lab)
11 Shorts Films from the 2016 SXSW Film Festival Austin’s population swells by 100,000 every year for SXSW, but our viewership is way more than that! I’m here judging the narrative shorts, but safe to say there are more than a few of you that are maaaaaybe feeling a bit of FOMO. Don’t! The excellent SXSW shorts lineup is filled with awesomely cute, gross, freaky, captivating shorts that you can watch right now. Go grab takeout from your favorite taco joint, and dig into these 11 official SXSW selections we’ve rounded up. Dir: Kelsey Goldych Kelsey Godlych‘s senior thesis film from SCAD is tailor-made made for the internet: brief, adorable, and about cats. Dir: Mohammad Gorjestani A short profile doc on street artist MissMe—a sort of Banksy-esque underground figure with a feminist bent. Dir: Andrew Laurich Who would have thought this dirty little sketch would have such legs when we first featured it way back in June of last year? Dir: Price James Dir: New Media Ltd Dir: Danny Madden Dir: Darius Clark Monroe Dir: Eduardo Casanova Dir: Anonymous