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Industry News
Written by Melinda Green | Posted by: Anonymous
Email news to news@newenglandfilm.com.
Every month in Industry News, regional film festival deadlines and screenings are noted. Traditional film festivals, however, only provide exposure for completed film. What about the large group of talented filmmakers who yearn to find funding for future projects? Movies have never been cheap…
The burning question of funding has led 7 Fluid Oz. Productions LLP partners Aaron and Seth Howland to launch the Boston Motion Picture Awards. The sole purpose of the Awards is to provide independent filmmakers the opportunity to obtain funding for future work. Fork over a small application fee and a qualified panel (the Howards and members of the industry) will evaluate the submitted, previously-made film in order to decide who gets funding for a future project.
This year’s panel includes Sayed Badreya, award-winning filmmaker ("T for Terrorist") and actor ("Shallow Hal," "The Insider"). Sponsors of the event include Creative Screenwriting magazine and Peter Bielagus, a New-England-based financial author and speaker. The panel will be meeting in December and more information about the Boston Motion Picture Awards can be found at
www.bostonawards.com.
Syndicated radio personality Tonia King is opening a small, microcinema/café in the Western Massachusetts area. The microcinema will be an intimate venue, seating only approximately 40–50 viewers. Creative Voice Media wants to do promote independent films and filmmakers by featuring screenings followed by Q&A sessions with those involved. King is looking for suggestions and ideas, so please email her at tonia@creativevoicemedia.com.
Of course, September is the month for the 20th Annual Boston Film Festival (www.bostonfilmfestival.org). From September 10-19th (and $10/movie), anyone can take in the action at the Lowes Boston Common. This year’s Film Excellence Award will be presented to Annette Benning. The lineup of films includes John Sayles’ apt political satire "Silver City" (starring Massachusetts resident and Oscar-winner Chris Cooper), Kevin Bacon as a pedophile in "The Woodsman," and the 2004 Sundance Grand Jury Prize Selection "Primer." International entries include Ondrej Trojan’s Zelary (Czech Republic) and "The Boy From County Clare" (Ireland/ Germany/U.K.). Definitely check out a few films during the week, as previous premiers have included "Secretary," "The Quiet American," and "Reservoir Dogs."
The award winning family comedy "Freedom Park," shot entirely in Massachusetts, will hold it’s premiere at Showcase Cinemas North in Worcester, MA on Thursday Sept. 9, 2004. The public opening will be on Friday Sept. 10th at theaters in Worcester, Belmont, Amesbury, Clinton, and New Bedford. From 3 Souls Films and Ludicrous Productions, "Freedom Park" is the story about two guys in debt over $500,000 to crime boss Tommy the Goat in Las Vegas. They return to their hometown of Freedom Park, MA and start a gambling ring on Little League baseball to try and pay off their debt. It stars Massachusetts natives Tim Fields, Andrea Ajemian, Brendon Boyd, Peter Talieri, Paul McKinney, Natalie Warila, as well as Matt McDonald of Los Angeles.
The Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars arrive in Boston, MA for their acclaimed 2-day filmmaking seminar on October 16 & 17. For more information, check out www.actioncut.com.
There are still things going on outside of Massachusetts. On September 30th, the Wallingford Public Library (in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities) begins a six-part film and discussion series on 1960’s American History. The Wallingford, Connecticut library was one of only 25 libraries nationally chosen to receive the program which is organized by the National Video Resources and American Library Association. Topics will include the civil rights and counterculture movements. "The Sixties" will run on Thursday evenings for six weeks. For more information, call (203) 265–6754.
Connecticut residents that are perusing their passions is the subject of CPTV’s "Positively Connecticut." Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Diane Smith brings to life these unique individuals in the new season premiering on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 9 pm.
The New Haven Film Festival (www.filmfest.org/ffnh9.htm) takes place from September 16-19th. On Saturday, September 18th at 11:00am, find out how Greg Pak obtained true independent success with his film, "Robot Stories." After premiering at FFNH8 in 2003, "Robot Stories" has gone to play other in other festivals and was released in several U.S. cities, including NY and Los Angeles. The Q&A information session with Pak will take place at the Marriott Courtyard and many of the screenings will take place at the York Square Cinema.
If you’re a New England resident, then New York City is sometimes just a Fung Wah bus ride away. So make sure you travel down the coast as New York hosts one of the largest markets and conferences for independent films. From September 19-24th, the 26th IFP Market (http://market.ifp.org/) offers chances to meet others in the industry and see the latest in production technology. The conference features everything from workshops and screenings, to cocktail parties and "industry mixers." The IFP Market is an absolute for any aspiring filmmaker…or anyone considering working in independent film.
September may signal summer’s demise but opportunities for regional filmmakers are abounding. Some of the month’s festivals and workshops not only provide essential information, they are also amazing places to network. Networking… very crucial in this business.
