Film Festivals

2nd Annual NH Film Expo

1 Oct , 2002  

Written by Simon Rucker | Posted by:

In its sophomore year, the NHFX continues last year’s success with more screenings, workshops, and a trade show exhibition.

Last year, the first ever New Hampshire Film Expo (NHFX) faced more than the usual jitters and apprehensions that all new festivals endure — this one opened in Derry the weekend after the 9/11 attacks. Instead of canceling, the organizers thought that people would need film more than ever as a distraction and comfort, and the many attendees were most thankful. The Expo was such a success that this year organizers Chris Proulx, Judy Krassowski, Dan Hannon and Brett Parker are offering more screenings, more workshops, and an even an extra day to handle all the events in the 2nd Annual NHFX.

Hannon, NHFX’s Communications Director, says that his co-founders and staff (a welcome addition) have gone about planning as if "this year was the premier year" of the festival. They decided to schedule the Expo as an event in its own right, instead of in conjunction with the area’s other annual event, DerryFest.

Last year’s astounding turnout and the return of nearly all of the 2001 sponsors (and the addition of many more) fueled the expansion, but the desire to screen independent and local films has played an even larger part. Submissions have nearly doubled compared to last year, with the result that there will be 68 screenings over four days for the Columbus Day weekend. The line-up includes features, documentaries, shorts, animation, international films and, of course, films from New Hampshire and New England. Screenings will take place in the recently renovated Adams Memorial Opera House in Derry, which has been in operation since 1904.

The Expo opens with "Shakers," a feature from Ward 9 Productions of Raleigh about three disaffected men against "the system." Saturday’s session includes the New Hampshire feature "On the Fringe," and on Sunday there are shorts like "Kowloon Castaway," which stars one of New England’s finest entertainment personalities — WNDS Weatherman Al Kaprielian. Documentaries include "Undetectable: The New Face of Aids," and what appears to be one of the treasures of NHFX, "The Poor Made By God" –a journey through a Roman Catholic village in remote Northwestern China.

The New Hampshire Film Expo is deliberately called such because this isn’t just another small film festival. Hannon and company are concerned with all aspects of film — education, marketing, promotion, writing, and almost anything else — so NHFX also offers workshops and trade show exhibition, both of which take place in facilities within a short walk of the opera house. A few of the workshops require registration fees but many more are free. Highlights include sessions on business in film, distribution, non-linear digital editing, and two programs especially for young filmmakers and young actors.

Though all trade show exhibitors have yet to be posted, last year’s expo featured equipment dealers, local production groups, and other filmmaking-related companies. As with the screenings and workshops, there’s something for everybody.

Check the website (www.nhfilmexpo.com) for information on screenings, workshops, tradeshows and everything the 2002 New Hampshire Film Expo has to offer. Opening reception Friday, October 11th at 6pm in Derry, NH. Closing ceremonies (including awards) begin 4:30 pm on the following Monday.


Check the website (www.nhfilmexpo.com) for information on screenings, workshops, tradeshows and everything the 2002 New Hampshire Film Expo has to offer. Opening reception Friday, October 11th at 6pm in Derry, NH. Closing ceremonies (including awards) begin 4:30 pm on the following Monday.

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