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New England Film Industry News: February 2019
February 2019 New England film industry news including happenings, industry buzz and calls for films.
Written by Casey Stirling | Posted by: NewEnglandFilm.com
Stowe Story Labs application season begins, Salem Film Fest’s Mass Reality Check open to student documentary shorts submissions, plus other industry buzz ,upcoming festivals, awards, events, and grants.
Happenings
Celebrate the Academy Awards throughout New England on February 24. Venues hosting viewing parties and special events include the Ellie Fund, the Brattle Theatre, the Rockland Strand, Red River Theatres, the Kate, Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, and the Avon.
The Bright Lights Film Series, presented by the Department of Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College, spring series starts February 5th. The series is committed to screening at least 50 percent of films directed by women and crafting a diverse program including filmmakers of color, queer cinema, and films dealing with disability. The full program can be found here.
Brown University hosts the Providence French Film Festival February 21–March 1. Films screen at Brown’s Granoff Center for the Arts. Learn more here.
The Boston Israeli Film Festival runs February 7–14. Films will screen at several different venues, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Emerson College, and West Newton Cinema. For a full schedule and tickets, check out the festival website.
The Banff Mountain Film Festival tours the United States this winter, visiting Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire this month. Check out the festival website for dates and locations.
The Massachusetts Production Coalition hosts its Winter Meeting on February 25 from 6–9 pm. The reception and presentations will take place at WGBH in Boston. Learn more and register here.
The Providence Children’s Film Festival runs 15–28 at several Rhode Island venues and includes parties, workshops, and more. For tickets and more information, visit providencechildrensfilmfestival.org.
The 44th Boston SciFi Film Festival—the longest running genre film festival in the US—takes place February 8-18. In partnership with the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, the festival brings 11 days of films, panels, parties as well as the 24-hour ‘Thon (film marathon). Most screenings will be followed by in-depth Q&A discussions with filmmakers and experts. For schedule, tickets, and information, visit www.bostonscifi.com.
Industry Buzz
Over 300 members of the film community joined together on Jan. 27th, 2019 to celebrate the 25th annual SAG awards. Attendees enjoyed a buffet, cake, and a chance to walk the red carpet. After the broadcast, they held a post show raffle and awarded grand prizes to those whom were able to pick/match the most winners on a handed out pre-show ballot.
Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals have named their Man & Woman of the Year. Woman of the Year Bryce Dallas Howard was honored on January 31; Man of the Year Milo Ventimiglia will be honored on February 8. Learn more and get tickets here.
Gravitas Ventures will release Massachusetts filmmaker Cheryl Eagan-Donovan’s documentary Nothing Is Truer than Truth on February 12. The film, which focuses on the 16th century life of Edward de Vere, will be available on DVD and several streaming platforms, including iTunes and Google Play. Learn more here.
Academy Award nominations were announced last month. Nominees include Rhode Island native Peter Farrelly, whose film Green Book is nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing; and Connecticut native Glenn Close, who is nominated for Best Actress for The Wife. The ceremony will take place on February 24; check out the full list of nominees here.
Nominations for the 25th annual Chlotrudis Awards were finalized by the film group’s nominating committee, ahead of its March 17th awards ceremony, as Chlotrudis marks its 25th anniversary. Films featuring unique takes on dance came away with the largest haul of nominations among the 34 films selected, with the experimental Madeline’s Madeline earning eight nods, and the Suspiria remake grabbing six. Both films had nominations in the same categories, among them Best Movie, Director and Supporting Actress. See their website for details.
Opportunities
Massachusetts college students or recent graduates can submit films to Salem Film Fest’s Mass Reality Check student documentary shorts program. Filmmakers selected to screen at SFF 2019 (March 29 – April 4) receive a pass to the festival and are eligible for an award and prizes. The submission deadline is Friday, February 22 – for more information visit their website.
The Nantucket Film Festival is open for submissions. For deadlines and fees by category, visit the festival website.
Submit now to the Berkshire International Film Festival. Regular deadline is February 1, late March 1, WAB extended March 4. Learn more here.
The MacDowell Colony is accepting submissions for fall 2019 fellowships. Artists in architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts are encouraged to apply. Deadline is April 15. Learn more here.
The Independent, the 40-year old film publication, is seeking a new organization, institution or individual to take it over. See their call for proposals due March 1, 2019.
Applications for the 2019 Stowe Story Labs opens on February 14. Stowe Story Labs brings top emerging creative talents from around the world together with seasoned industry professionals to help get projects made and seen. More information at https://stowestorylabs.org.
