CONNECTICUT

"I would like to see a much broader range of film festivals," says Guy Ortoleva, the new managing director of the Connecticut Film, Video and Media Office. He is looking for more festivals to expand into the digital marketplace and take the future by the horns by focusing on new media. That isn’t to say the traditional film festivals will be overshadowed. Ortoleva assures us that the office supports them too, especially with the New Haven Film Fest around the corner (this interview occurred just before the event). "I’ll certainly be there to answer any questions" about doing business in the state, he says. He also looks at festivals as a good way to judge the area production in the state. "I think film festivals are great ways to focus on the number of projects," he relates, most likely due to the smaller productions not contacting the state or multi-media office while actually shooting.

Though Ortoleva has been in his position since February 1st, this is his christening in the Film Office Report (I figure a couple of months to grow into the shoes are sufficient). Ortoleva, an entertainment attorney, has been an adviser to the Connecticut Film Commission since 1995 and has been helping "people take advantage of the tax exemptions" the state has to offer, he says. Since taking office, a new website has appeared (http://www.ctfilm.com) and the office is sponsoring two seminars for the month of May on Connecticut’s connectivity to business. The first one deals with the broad topic of business in Connecticut, while the second is on copyrights and licensing agreements. Dates aren’t set in stone yet, so call the office at 1-800-392-2122 for more information.

Festivals aren’t the only things that should be looking toward the future. "We have the opportunity to build the industry," he says, looking at what the future of the internet might bring. Which is why high-speed data lines for streaming media is on the agenda as something to tackle. It is the Connecticut Film, Video and Media office, after all.

Another way that Ortoleva has placed himself in the high ranks of film office directors is by thinking regionally. "As a region, we will never die," he says, noting the symbiotic relationship the New England states have to each other due to their proximity to one another. "I’m equally as interested if a PA gets a job with a Japanese company," he explains, as he is to getting a feature or big-budget production into the Nutmeg State. The ‘think regionally but act locally’ campaign is an especially good sell to the below-the-line folks as well as the low-budget indies. "It’s about the people in the state getting more work," he says. And that seems like a pretty good sell to anyone in Connecticut.

Sounding off from the Southeastern Connecticut Film Office: a commercial and documentary are gearing up for shoots, says film office director Philip Hanson. Of course "we’ll be in New Haven," he insists.

RHODE ISLAND

Erik Olin, executive director of the Providence Film Commission–Mayor’s Office of Film & Video Arts, says that he concluded a tour with Bob Villa of a dozen homes in the Elmwood section of the city in preparation for a shoot Villa wants to do on renovating homes there. Then there are the catalog shoots and an independent feature. Even HBO is taking a slice of the Providence pie by taking a backpacking tour of the city during this summer.

On the film festival front, the Renaissance City Film Festival is being held July 28th — August 4th. Executive Director of the Festival, Carolyn Testa, explains that for this festival they wanted to focus strongly on the community. A board with influential business and community leaders will guarantee that. With an honorary board full of names like the Farrelly Brothers and actress Julianne Moore (plus many more names on the list), they are sure to receive a lot of attention. But special kudos and praise must go to Mayor Cianci for all the hard work he has put into the arts community in Providence. "Mayor Cianci is a true visionary," she says," and without him none of this [the festival] would have been possible, ever." And the festival isn’t just a spectator sport for the mayor; he’s an active participant with his smiling face showing up to events too.

If you are interested in submitting a film to the Renaissance City Film Festival, please visit their website at http://www.rcff.com. "We’re looking for films that have a specific level of aesthetic production values," Testa says.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Margaret Joyce, director of the New Hampshire Film and Television office, tells of at least two projects that are definitely shooting in the state. SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET, a drama to be shot on digital from Solar Entertainment, will begin rolling in May while MAGIC ROCK, a Reel Life Production out of New York, will be shooting from mid-June to early July. CLOSET is geared up for North Conway, and ROCK is seeing to set up shop in Ossipee.

NOWHERESVILLE, a Double Midnight production that shot in New Hampshire, had its premiere at the Palace Theater in Manchester. And SOMETHING SWEET, which shot in the state last October, is being cut at a post house in the Live Free or Die State.

There is talk of the Telluride By The Sea Film Festival this year, but I haven’t heard anything definite. There was a film festival for children, supposedly having concluded the last week in March (and which I personally think is a great idea. Why aren’t there more of them?)

MAINE

Vacationland has a multitude of film festivals happening, according to Lea Girardin, director of the Maine film office. The Maine International Film and Video Festival happens in conjunction with the Maine Student Film Festival (July 7th — 16th). As their website says, "MIFF will feature a wide variety of foreign, American independent, and Maine-made films. Approximately sixty films will be shown over the ten days of the festival, with multiple screenings of most. The festival will include seminars and receptions with visiting filmmakers and other members of the film industry." For more information visit them on the web at http://www.miff.org

In honor of the anniversary of PEYTON PLACE, which was shot in Maine, there will be a special screening with some of the cast as well community events surrounding the affair (May 5-7). The Bar Harbor Film Festival will occur in September.

And with the Jewish Film Festival completed a month ago, festival season in Maine seems to be off to a good start.

"We sponsor a film at all the festivals," Girardin notes, usually sponsoring the opening or closing night presentation. "Our goal is to help out the people who put on the film festivals as much as possible," she says.

MASSACHUSETTS

The 2000 festival season is about to get into high gear in the Bay State. "For Massachusetts, the film festivals have brought visibility to the state as a serious production center," says Robin Dawson, director of the Massachusetts Film Office. By getting local artist’s work seen and bringing in visiting filmmakers and executives, the festivals ultimately "generate interest in the state," she says. Like when AMERICAN BEAUTY had the U.S. premiere at the 15th Annual Boston Film Festival last year and Dreamworks executives were exposed to different aspects of the hub. In the case of visiting directors, crucial contact could be made that makes the locales of Massachusetts unbearable to be without for their next project.

Nantucket, Woods Hole, P-Town, and Northampton all have festivals as well. Very well respected ones, no less. "We try to provide as much support as we can," says Dawson.

In other production news, the MGM feature WHAT COULD BE WORSE (not the slightest bit connected to Zack Stratis’ Sundance entry COULD BE WORSE!) may very well come to Mass. in June. Final details are still being worked out, so stay tuned for a definite announcement soon. Also, the production of THIRTEEN DAYS, starring Kevin Costner and being directed by Roger Donaldson (NO WAY OUT, DANTE’S PEAK), will utilize Mass. Maritime Academy students as well as the commissioned Kennedy boat for scenes in the upcoming film. Proceeds from renting the boat will subsidize a couple scholarships for students to attend the school. Also, the low-budge indie LIFT will give the state a boost in May when it rolls its cameras. Demane Davis and Khari Streeter are directing with Mark Hankey and Cathy Konrad producing, says Dawson.

VERMONT

The Green Mountain Film Festival ran from March 24th — 30th at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier. The husband and wife team of Rick Winston and Andrea Serota ran the theater and helped to put on the festival. Winston says the real "driving force" behind the small fest is projectionist Chris Wood.

"Because Montpelier is off the beaten track," says Winston, "we turned our disadvantages into advantages." In other words, while big distributors like Sony Pictures Classics weren’t receptive to offers to premiere their films at the festival, the programmers decided to give some films that barely had a first run in major markets like New York (in and out in a week, if that) a chance. Films like FOLLOWING and REGENERATION. They also were able to show some restored versions of classic films. Although a restored print of a 1937 obscure British film may not seem a likely candidate for an out of the way film festival, THE EDGE OF THE WORLD (directed by Michael Powell) screened to packed audiences — twice.

"One thing we can’t afford to do at this time is get [more recent] international films," says Winston, but that is a definite hope for the future. As is the possibility of paying for more filmmakers to come to Montpelier for the Fest. If you would like to donate time, money, or even some kind words, you can contact the Green Mountain Film Festival (for information, too!) at: Focus on Film, 26 Main St., Montpelier, VT 05602.

Some events this year included a screening of WAY DOWN EAST (1920, dir. D.W. Griffith) with live music accompaniment, and socio-political talk-backs after the screenings dealing with the issues from the films.

Carl Hansen lives in Bubank, CA and is trying to get his short film PEARLY WHITES into film festivals. You can reach him at fhansen1@netzero.com