Film Festivals | Industry News | Massachusetts | Rhode Island | Screenwriting
Industry News
Written by Allison Twomey | Posted by: Anonymous
Founded in 1998, this year’s Newport International Film Festival runs June 6-11, 2000, in Newport, R.I. The festival will show shorts, documentaries and feature films from around the world. For information about tickets, festival passes and directions, please call 40-848-9443, e-mail newportff@aol.com, or visit www.newportfilmfestival.com.
The Nantucket Film Festival will take place June 21-25, 2000. A noncompetitive festival, with the exception of the Audience Awards, the Nantucket Film Festival was created in 1996 to recognize original voices in film and to honor the screenwriters who created them. For further information please visit their Web site at www.nantucketfilmfestival.org or call 508-325-6274.
The Williamstown Film Festival returns for a second season, running from June 23-25, 2000. The festival was created to celebrate American independent cinema and classics of the past by bringing together filmmakers, critics, students, fans and industry professionals, to encourage serious dialogue on all aspects of movies. For details please call 413-458-9700, e-mail Wareatty@aol.com, or visit www.Williamstownfilmfest.com
The WriterDirector.com Film Festival has announced the Winners and Merit Awards for the Spring 2000 festival competition. The WriterDirector.com Film Festival is open each season only to films and videos with a hyphenate creator — writer-director — the festival chooses winners in three length categories(60 minutes or longer), featurette (15 to 59 minutes) and short (under 15 minutes). Entrants are accepted for works produced on either film or video, and in narrative, documentary, animation, experimental and music video categories. Entry fees range from $15 to $30, depending on length. The deadline for submissions for the summer awards is JUNE 20, 2000. For more information, contact Peter Bohush at (508) 842-2301, email festival@writerdirector.com, or visit www.writerdirector.com.
Screenings
Adam Mutterperl’s debut feature film, "Donald’s Last Dance," screens in a midnight showing at the Coolidge Corner Theater on Friday, June 2. The film chronicles five guys in their attempt to relive their high school days by reuniting their rock and roll band, the Donald Avocado. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Coolidge Box Office at 617-734-2501. If you would like more info about the film, including a VHS preview copy, contact Adam Mutterperl at 617-290-5613 or e-mail him at muttspictures@hotmail.com.
"94 Years and 1 Nursing Home Later" by Laurel Greenberg, produced in cooperation with the Center for Independent Documentary, returns to the Museum of Fine Arts on Sunday, June 4, at noon. For ticket information and reservations, call 617-369-3770. For details about the film itself, contact Laurel Greenberg at laurel@ultranet.com
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation present a new dance film/video series featuring the works of three outstanding choreographers: Mark Morris, Bill T. Jones and Maguy Marin. The series kicked off in May with Morris’ "Falling Down Stairs." It continues Sunday, June 4, with Jones’ "Still/Here" and concludes Sunday, June 11, with Marin’s "Coppelia." The series is free and open to the public. For additional information on the Coolidge Dance Video program, contact executive director Joe Zina at 617-734-2501.
Also in the News
BuyIndies.com, the first online community for buying and selling independent films, announces an alliance with several award-winning filmmakers, including David Sutherland of "The Farmer’s Wife" and Jay Craven of "A Stranger in the Kingdom." For the first time, buyers will be able to locate and purchase these filmmakers’ harder-to-find titles online. For more information, please visit www.buyindies.com
Edgewood Studios, the Vermont-based mini-studio founded by filmmakers David Giancola and Peter Beckwith, has released its largest production to date, "Icebreaker" at Blockbuster Video stores nationwide. The feature film was shot on location at the Killington Ski Resort in Vermont. More information and current production updates are available at www.edgewoodstudios.com.
Hamzeh Mystique Films recently secured the necessary funds for the feature film "Shadow Glories." The independent feature film will be directed and produced by Ziad H. Hamzeh. Filming will begin August 2000 for a five-week shoot in the New England area. The company hopes to film in either Rhode Island or Massachusetts. Casting notices will be available shortly. The film will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and at Cannes.
Midget Media, the first online community for horror-comedy and science fiction movie fans, recently launched. The site allows fans to preview and purchase the company’s own award-winning titles, as well as choose from a selection of listings from independent filmmakers and production companies. Midget Media helps filmmakers promote their films by offering free services, including marketing, tape duplication, packaging and shipping. They also offer movie trailers, enabling visitors to preview movies online before purchasing. An online store will provide film-related products, including hats, T-shirts and toys. For more information, visit www.midgetmedia.com.
