New Haven Film Fest
Written by Steve Abrams | Posted by: Anonymous
In early April, independent film lovers in New Haven, Connecticut will enjoy the third annual FilmFest New Haven. The festival offers 15 feature length films and 50 shorts that will be screened in local theatres in from April 3-5. The festival also includes some none-film offerings, such as a staged reading of an entry from the New Century Writer Awards.
Film Fest New Havens goal is to bring great independent films to Connecticut audiences, showcasing the innovation and the unique view for which independent films are known. But although its focus is not on films with New England themes, the festival is giving a nod to some local ties.
On opening night, independent filmmaker Brad Anderson, formally of Madison, Connecticut, will be honored by the Connecticut Film Commission for his contribution to independent film. Andersons film Next Stop Wonderland, which is set in Boston, was shown at this years Sundance Film Festival, and is due for national release in Fall 98.
New England films showing in this years festival are Coventry, a film about family life in early 20th century New England written and directed by Connecticut native J. Trumbull Foster; the drama Neptunes Rocking Horse and the documentary short film Henry Ossawa Tanner/American Painter African American Legend both have ties to Yale University.
Charles S. Dutton, a Yale School of Drama alum and star of both TV (Roc) and Film (Alien 3, Get on the Bus), will lead a discussion entitled "From Actor to Director." This will follow a screening of First Time Felon, Duttons directorial debut. Duttons work as an actor will also be represented, as he stars alongside fellow Yale alum Courtney Vance in Blind Faith, a court room drama set in 1950s New York.
Film Fest New Havens website, at http://www.filmfest.org provides detailed information on scheduled times, and venues. The website also offers information on other New England film festivals.