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Sean Vincent Biggins
(on left) stars in WORKING STIFF, an "American
Pie"-style comedy that revolves around filming
a sexual harrassment training video. Photo by
Claire Folger.
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Their motto is simple and it speaks
specifically for the state in which they are located,
"Live Film or Die." This isn't a threat spoken from
the lips of the 1st Annual New Hampshire Film Expo
organizers. No, it is a passionate call to arms (the
ones holding video cameras) taken from the New Hampshire
State motto of "Live Free or Die." If you don't believe
us, just take a look at one of the state's license
plates.
The inaugural event will be chipping
away at the Granite State from September 14th through
the 16th and will offer a wide variety of independent
film and educational workshops. The event, which will
take place in Derry, will show originality amongst
the hundreds of other festivals popping up around
the country by showing a concentration on youth and
education.
The New Hampshire Film Expo (NHFX)
was put into motion by Manchester-based Double Midnight
Productions and the Greater Derry Arts Council. The
three-day film extravaganza will be taking place during
the Derryfest celebration. This annual event draws
an average of 20,000 people every year and organizers
hope that some of this number will spill over into
the screening halls that will be hosting the films.
NH is not necessarily a mecca for
area film lovers to descend upon, but that is something
organizers see will work to their advantage. "We are
bringing this to the people of New Hampshire so that
they don't have to travel to Boston or Providence
just to get a little cinematic culture," says Dan
Hannon, the 26 year-old NHFX communications director
and actor/producer with Double Midnight. "It feels
pretty good when your community can be home to something
like this and yet still have it be considered 'in
the backyard' for area film fans."
Things should certainly be "feeling
pretty good" for Hannon and the rest at Double Midnight.
The independent film company recently completed their
first feature-length film, entitled NOWHERESVILLE,
which will screen at the festival. Aside from a little
self-promotion, NHFX will feature films from all over
New England and from around the country. Awards will
be handed out for the categories of feature, comedy
short, dramatic short, and documentary.
Co-writer/producer of NOWHERESVILLE
and NHFX programming director, Chris Proulx, agrees
that the event isn't about the film or the production
company that made the festival possible. "This event
was conceived to put the spotlight on other local
filmmakers," says Proulx. "This is meant to benefit
all area filmmakers and at the same time act as entertainment
for the average moviegoer."
The newly renovated Adams Memorial
Opera House will be the major operating stand for
NHFX. This is where they will screen the majority
of their feature and short films. The 450-seat opera
house could be the first place many of these filmmakers
will see their visions on the big screen and in front
of an audience.
NH youth are given the rare opportunity
to become the director and producer during a weekend
long workshop taught by members of another local production
company, Sideburn Films. Some of the subjects highlighted
during the workshop will include writing, lighting,
editing, directing, and acting.
Junior high and high school students
are the main focal point of the program. The one on
one atmosphere and hands on nature of the workshop
ensures that only a small handful of young NH residents
can take part.
Production companies, modeling agencies,
and other companies and individuals will also be on
hand in an expo-style format. Tables will be set up
at the Veterans Memorial Building (across the street
from the opera house) offering festival attendees
and Hollywood hopefuls the opportunity to network
and schmooze.
WNDS TV, The Union Leader Corporation, and the NH
Film Office sponsor NHFX, with additional help from
Pennyhorse Advertising, Incite Media Group, Dannonweb
Studios, and WOKQ.
The festival also recently hooked
up with The Green Room Magazine, a bi-weekly online
entertainment magazine featuring interviews with some
of Hollywood's brightest stars and the music industry's
hottest talent. The magazine is located at www.greenroommag.com.
A taste of the films to be screened
include:
In the Feature-length category:
WORKING STIFF, a comedy directed by Greg Joyce
and winner of the Best Screenwriting Award at this
year's Rhode Island International Film Festival.
BOY GEORGE MICHAEL JACKSON BROWN, an offbeat
smorgasbord of comedy directed by Memo Salazar that
is screening for the first time at NHFX.
NOWHERESVILLE, a coming-of-age comedy directed
by Christian Gompert, and Double Midnight's first
feature.
In the short comedy category:
THE SICK SENSE, an award winning and successfully
distributed parody directed by Bill McNally.
GOING POSTAL, a quirky, slapstick adventure
directed by Beverly Allyn Chase.
BREAKDOWN, a comedic profile on two wannabe
break-dancers directed by John Webb.
In the short drama category:
I AM FOLLOWED EVERYEHERE, a surreal look into
schizophrenia directed by Tom Placke.
CAMERA EYES, a drama profiling a stalker with
a video camera directed by Marc Landers.
MAGIC IN MOVEMENT, a story about moving objects
with your mind, directed by Benjamin Woodard.
In the documentary category:
THANATOS RX, a look at the ongoing debate regarding
the death penalty.
THE ANGRY HEART, a look into the relationship
between heart disease and African Americans.
FOR BAD OR FOR WORSE, a look at the lives of
a divorced couple from their daughter's point of view.
Websites to check out:
www.nhfilmexpo.com:
Complete listing of workshops, film screenings, admission
prices and all other festival related business.
www.doublemidnight.com:
More information on local production company and festival
founders.
www.derryarts.org:
More on The Greater Derry Arts Council.
Jason
M. Burns is a writer with two films stuck in pre-development
hell. He spent 4 years as an entertainment reporter
for a Massachusetts based newspaper before breaking
free to establish the Green Room Magazine. He enjoys
short walks on the beach and even shorter conversations.
