In a barn in Western Massachusetts on a Spring evening during a multi-arts festival, a selection of independent films were projected onto a bed sheet hung from the rafters. The audience was enraptured and wanted more. The New England Film Festival was born. By 1978, the organizers reconfigured the Festival as a competition and the following year, Boston Film/Video Foundation came on board, screening the award winning works in Boston as well as U Mass/Amherst.

Twenty five years later, this mature yet still completely maverick film festival celebrates its quarter century anniversary with the biggest line up ever: 33 award winning works from New England Film and Video makers with screenings at the Coolidge Corner Cinema.

From CLIFF & HAZEL by Ann Fessler

Throughout its history the mission of the festival remains unchanged: To give audiences access to a diverse body of work by independent and student video and filmmakers and to build the audience base for independent film; to provide artists with valuable professional credentials and an opportunity for audience media and industry exposure; and to encourage artists to stay in the region through recognition of excellence, thereby enhancing the climate in which independent film and video can thrive.

The works come in all lengths, genres and formats, from narrative shorts to feature films, from heart breaking documentaries to spellbinding personal animations and breathtaking experimental works. There is no other showcase like this in the country. Dedicated to the Spirit of Independents, this is much much more than the screening of the best local works.

From DYSLEXIC FAMILY DIARY by Dorthy Tod

Included in this years line up:

Jamaica Plain filmmaker Laurel Greenberg’s 94 YEARS AND ONE NURSING HOME LATER (Honorable Mention). Disturbed and motivated by her father’s revealing home videos of his mother in a nursing home, Laurel decided to intervene in their relationship and explore how her beloved grandmother had ended up alone at the end of her life.

Belle Greenberg, circa 1955. From the film 94YEARS AND 1 NURSING HOME LATER

RENDEZVOUS IN SAMARKAND (Special Premiere). Directed by Tim Bridewell from Edgartown, MA, this feature film follows an American rich kid and his French girlfriend as he attempts to smuggle a 4x4 across the Sahara Desert.

NIGHT ON THE TOWN (Best Student Film) from James Holland Rhode Island School of Design, Three children are left at home while their parents go out for the night. This 19 minute film keeps you guessing with twists and turns until the end.

From ONA RHEE by Rosalyn Rhee

LOOK BACK, DON’T LOOK BACK (Best of Festival) by Randy Bell & Justin Rice. Fascinated by the Bob Dylan of D A Pennebaker’s 1965 documentary "Don’t Look Back," these two Harvard film makers embark on a quest to talk with Dylan in person, brilliantly evoking the look, feel and spirit of Cement Verite and capturing us with their infectious enthusiasm.

The 25th Anniversary kicks off with a Gala Dinner Celebration at the Park Plaza on March 11. The evening which promises to be a who’s who of Independent Film Production in the region, includes a reception, silent auction and dinner and will be hosted by Miguel Arteta,. Miguel’s latest feature film CHUCK & BUCK caused a stir and was picked up for distribution at the Sundance Film Festival 2000. His first feature, STAR MAPS was the talk of Sundance 1998. Miguel will also screen his hilarious NEFVF award winning short, The BEST OF 2 5 YEARS OF FESTIVAL SHORTS on Monday March 8 at the Coolidge Corner.

For an entire schedule of screenings and festival events, check out the NEFVF 2000 website at www.newenglandfilm.

com/festival/2000/schedule00.htm. Boston Film/Video Foundation presents The 25th Anniversary New England Film & Video Festival March 27-April 1 at the Coolidge Corner Theater. 290 Harvard Ave, Brookline, MA. For directions call 617-734-2501. For festival tickets and Gala Dinner Celebration tickets call (617) 536-1540 ext.14. Visa & M/C cheerfully accepted.

Marie Jackson has worked in film and TV for 25 years as wirier, producer, and director. She has served on judging panels at Film Festivals from Cork to Stuttgart. She is a former board president at BF/VF.