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May… summer begins, allergies persist, and mothers are called. It’s also the kickoff of the big summer blockbuster season.

However, not everyone has a multi-million dollar budget and a massive soundstage in Mexico. But that shouldn’t prevent you from making a movie. Until May 14th, the Maine Film Office is accepting short films (duration of less than 20 minutes) for their annual Maine Filmmakers’ Forum Competition. The winning entries will be shown on July 10 at The 7th Annual Maine International Film Festival in Waterville during The Celebration of Maine Filmmakers’ Day. Besides that short film on a mini DV tape, you will need $10 and proof of Maine residence. See complete rules and the entry application.

If you happen to be a younger filmmaker (kindergarten to grade 12), The 26th Annual Maine Student Film and Video Festival will be accepting entries until June 1st. The winners’ work will also be shown on July 10th and prizes include scholarship. Get more information and applications.

PBS will begin airing "Colonial House" on May 17th. Filmed in Maine, this is from the same production teams responsible for "1940’s House" and the amazing "Manor House." Check local listings for airtimes and learn more about the show on the official site.

Moving southward, New Hampshire is where filming is set to begin this month for Bill Millios’ "Dangerous Crosswinds," a tale of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer assisting in the mercy killing of a friend. The state is still encouraging filmmakers to use their abundance of land and scenic resources. Information regarding grant funding can be found on their website.

On May 1st, the Fledging Film Festival will begin at 9:30am at the Morse Center for the Arts in St. Johnsbury, VT. This showcase has been dubbed as "An extravaganza of films by, for, and about youth." Click here for a complete schedule on the Kingdom County Productions website.

Kingdom County Productions will also be holding auditions on Saturday, May 8, from 8am to 3pm in Burlington for "Windy Acres," a 6-part comedy scheduled to debut on Vermont Public Television this fall. The series will be shooting during June and July.

On May 18th, Merdien-based Mean Time Productions’ 1998 feature "The Wind," will be available on DVD. The film was shot entirely in Connecticut and received the award for Best Picture (Horror/Thriller) at Shriekfest Los Angeles in 2001, and took Best Picture honors, Horror and SciFi, at the Bare Bones International Film Festival in 2002.

The entertainment magazine-style show filmed in Boston, "The INdustry" will air in the New England region on PAX-TV on 3 broadcast stations and in 5 New England states summer 2004. "The INdustry" depicts the process, stresses, sacrifices and efforts that make the entertainment (fashion, beauty, food/wine, hotel & music) industry what it is.

The story of Mary and Patty Bowden, indentured servants to George Washington’s family will be the subject of the film "The Bowdens of Popes Creek." The film is based on Ms. Wills book, "Notes And Documents of Free Persons of Color," which was released in October of 2003. The feature length film is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2005.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival 2003 trailer was one of the several spots nominated for the 27th Boston/New England Emmy Awards, taking place at the Seaport Hotel in Boston on May 2. Winning the award would make it the second Emmy for a trailer/public service announcement produced by RIIFF for the festival. The 8th Annual RIIFF is scheduled for August 8–14 and the deadline for applications is May 14th. As, well the 30-second public service announcement for "The Campaign for a Healthy RI" has been nominated for a New England Emmy. They don’t call Rhode Island the biggest little state in the union for nothing! This year’s awards will present 60 awards chosen from 324 nominees.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

On May 21st, "Stateside" opens. This Connecticut-filmed tale of mental illness stars Val Kilmer ("Real Genius") as a drill instructor, Rachel Leigh Cook ("The Baby-Sitters Club"), and Boston-native (and BU grad) Jonathan Tucker ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre").

"The Boston Red Sox Movie" expands beyond the land of Yankee-Haters on May 7th

At the Coolidge Corner Theater in Boston, John Waters stops by on May 1st as part of the Boston Independent Film Festival (April 29–May 2). At midnight, Waters begins his hysterical one-man show with Q&A afterwards. John Waters isn’t free, but at $28.50, he’s pretty damn cheap.