Industry News | Local Industry | Reports

Industry News – August 2011

31 Jul , 2011  

Written by Casey Stirling | Posted by:

From Maine to Massachusetts, New England has plenty of film festivals to visit this August. Read on for opportunities, industry buzz and happenings in the local industry. To submit news, e-mail news@newenglandfilm.com.

Happenings

Check out the Rhode Island International Film Festival August 9–14. Highlights include opening night party, a screenwriting workshop, and a closing night celebration of short films. For a full festival schedule, visit http://www.film-festival.org/.

The KahBang Film Festival runs August 5–13 in Bangor, Maine. Screenings include Bob and the Monster, Boy Wonder, and Dying to Do Letterman. Festival passes are available. The KahBang Festival also features events in music and art. Learn more at http://www.kahbang.com/.

The Woods Hole Film Festival continues through August 6th on Cape Cod. The festival, celebrating its twentieth year, will host Heidi Ewing as this year’s Filmmaker in Residence. Learn more at http://www.woodsholefilmfestival.org/2011/, and read NewEnglandFilm.com’s profile of the festival here.

Maine Media College presents filmmakers Kyle Martin and Lance Edmands at Union Hall Theater (2 Central Street, Rockport Village, ME) on August 1st at 8 pm The pair recently worked on the independent film Tiny Furniture. The event is free and open to the public. Read more at http://www.mainemedia.edu/events/evening-lance-edmands-kyle-martin-august-1.

Save your money for ice cream afterwards and catch a free screening of No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti at the Harvard Film Archive on August 18th at 7 pm. The event is sponsored by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. Read more about this recent Taiwanese film at http://hcl.harvard.edu/hfa/films/2011julsep/nopuedo.html.

Providence, Rhode Island hosts Movies on the Block at Grant’s Block (corner of Westminster St. and Union St.) every Thursday through September 29th. All films begin at dusk and are free and open to the public. This month, catch There’s Something About Mary on August 4th, Dog Day Afternoon on August 11th, The Hangover on August 18th, and Mad Max on August 25th. Check out the event Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99983909480&v=info for more information.

Spend some time outdoors at Magic 106.7’s Free Family Movies at the Prudential Center South Garden in Boston. Films start on Saturdays at sundown and are free and open to the public. Catch Toy Story 3 on August 6th, The Princess Diaries on August 13th, Gnomeo & Juliet on August 20th, and Tangled on August 27th. Learn more at http://www.magic1067.com/FamilyFilmFest/index.aspx.

Industry Buzz

The recently signed 2011/2012 Rhode Island budget includes a 25% Rhode Island Motion Picture Tax Credit. Tax credits will be available through July 30, 2012. Learn more about the Rhode Island Film & TV Office at http://www.film.ri.gov/.

MassDevelopment is hoping to build a film and television production complex at Devens in Massachusetts, reports the Boston Globe. If the plans go through, MJM Development LLC of Andover, MA will build the complex, including sound stages and offices. Read the full story at http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-22/news/29803671_1_sound-stages-project-first-phase.

Film animation artist and Cambridge, MA resident Karen Aqua passed away earlier this summer. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she worked in and taught animation. Read more about her life and work at http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-05/bostonglobe/29686056_1_animation-karen-aqua-film.

The LEF Foundation has awarded $35,000 in pre-production grants to documentary filmmakers in New England. Check out the full list of recipients and their projects at http://lef-foundation.org/Home/News1/Summer2011Announcement/tabid/206/Default.aspx.

Opportunities

The Vermont International Film Festival is currently accepting submissions for its Vermont Filmmakers’ Showcase. Filmmakers with Vermont-made projects produced within the last year are encouraged to apply. Deadline is August 15th. Learn more at http://www.vtiff.org/for-filmmakers/.

The Camden International Film Festival encourages documentary filmmakers to apply to the Points North Pitch by August 31st ($25 fee). Read more at http://camdenfilmfest.org/.

The New Hampshire Film Festival is accepting submissions through August 5th (late deadline) for this fall’s festival. Learn more at http://www.nhfilmfestival.com/submissions/.

The Portland Maine Film Festival is currently accepting submissions for this October’s festival. Extended deadline is August 16th; Withoutabox extended deadline is August 29th. For more details, visit http://www.portlandmainefilmfestival.com/submissions.html.

Sign up now for the 48 Hour Film Project. Filmmakers will have 48 hours over the course of a weekend to create a short film. The event will take place this summer throughout New England. Visit http://www.48hourfilm.com/tour/ for cities and dates.