NewEnglandFilm.com

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Ah…the end of summer.  Maybe the DNC didn’t bring in the financial windfall everyone thought it would, but at least it provided one week where (to the rest of the country) Boston was not just a city that provided a good reality television cast base.

But New Englanders knew that already.  The region is one of the best areas to be in the industry, even if Ben Affleck becomes Senator. 

Before it’s too late, check out the Woods Hole Film Festival through Saturday, August 8th.  Located in Cape Cod , this year’s Festival features workshops with award-winning documentarian Kate Davis and screenwriter J.P. Oulette.  Information can be obtained by checking out the Woods Hole Film Festival website.  Films presented range from fiction to animation and experimental.  A great way to spend a few lovely summer days in the resort area, while also taking in some of the latest in regional film.

The 8th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival gets underway on August 10th, going through the following Sunday.  This year’s Festival features some amazing international entries in every category.  It’s a great way to check out what is being made throughout the world.  Legendary character actor Kim Chan will be receiving this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  For more information and ticket purchasing visit www.riiff.org.  

Residents of Connecticut who want to get started in filmmaking can take advantage of useful workshops during the month of August.  On Tuesday, August 3rd, the Media Arts Center in Orange hosts its Digital Video Workshop.  It takes place on the first Tuesday of every month and begins at 6pm .  Better yet, it’s absolutely free to the public.  For more information, click here. 

Still want more knowledge about digital filmmaking?  Sign up for the workshop held by DVNY on August 21–22 in NY.  Its limited to 12 participants, but the information one can glean is amazing, due to the hands-on instruction by Columbia University grads.  The course will include use of and discussion on the Panasonic DVX-100a "24P" camera and the editing of a short film.  

The Community Theatre Foundation continues their screening and discussion series on August 3rd with "2001: A Space Odyssey."  Brooks newspaper film critic Susan Granger will host the discussion and introduce the star of the legendary Kubrick masterpiece, Keir Dullea.  Tickets range between $20–30 and more information is available on the Foundation’s website.  

The Greenwich Film Festival is now accepting submissions!  The Festival will be held from September 26–October 2.  Discussions, workshops, and parties will begin in August, so check back for the latest news regularly.  Even if you’re not submitting, the Festival does need volunteers and it would be a great source for networking and meeting others in the area.  

Connecticut and Connecticut personalities will be featured on Mo Rocca’s (The Daily Show) new Bravo vehicle, 10 Things I Hate About You.  The premiere (which took place on July 20th) featured local 96.5 radio personalities “Patrick and Rene”. (Wall to Wall Media followed the couple for two weeks in January).  The third episode premiering August 3rd at 9 PM features a couple from Stamford who Wall to Wall shadowed for two weeks in March.

In Maine, the Annual Maine Film and Video Conference will take place on August 11th.  Panels and focus groups will focus on everything from cinematography to screenwriting.  More information is provided on the Conference’s website.

Enjoy the final, hazy and humid days of summer in an air-conditioned theatre and look forward to the upcoming fall festivals in Boston and Maine.  It may get a bit hotter throughout the month, but there is never a lack of quality entertainment in New England .

Editor’s Aside

If you missed the national media-a-thon of the Democratic National Convention taking place in Boston, catch all the speeches (without the commentary — what a relief) at www.c-span.org. For some old and new historical moments — from "Flashback: A Rare Broadcast of John Kerry’s 1971 Speech Against the Vietnam War Before the Senate" to "Michael Moore: I Will Bring Cameras to Florida to Monitor November Election," watch clips at www.democracynow.org.  For some intelligent and humorous relief, view some clips from "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" (filmed in Boston during the Convention).  Especially funny, Indecision: John Kerry: Here’s Not George W. Bush –Oh yeah and you might want to register to vote.