Film Festivals

New Haven Film Fest

1 Apr , 1998  

Written by Steve Abrams | Posted by:

The 3rd Annual Film Fest New Haven’s gives a nod to some local ties, in addition to celebrating independent films from across the country.

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 Haven’s 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. Anderson’s film Next Stop Wonderland, which is set in Boston, was shown at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and is due for national release in Fall ’98.

New England films showing in this year’s 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 Neptune’s 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, Dutton’s directorial debut. Dutton’s 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 1950’s New York.

Film Fest New Haven’s 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.