Located to the top and to the right on your standard map of the USA sits the fairly large and incredibly beautiful state of New Hampshire. People under populate much of it while at the same time it has managed to become overpopulated by the whimsical wonders of Mother Nature. While outdoor enthusiasts have flocked to it's borders for years, artists are now taking notice much in thanks to a growing film festival known as the New Hampshire Film Expo, which is headed into its second year. The NHFX will return to the quaint town of Derry on October 11th -14th.
NHFX made its debut in 2001, only three days after the horrific events of September 11th occurred. While many who planned the event wondered if they should continue so near the tragedy, the responses of those who attended the festival praised their "show must go on" attitude.
"I think a lot of the people that came out last year were just grateful that they had a moment of clarity from everything that had happened," says NHFX Communications Director, Dan Hannon. "You couldn't go a moment without being reminded of the attacks and I think that people found it helpful to take a vacation from the televisions, radios and newspapers that surrounded them."
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With the first year in the bag, NHFX organizers began scrambling to right the wrongs of the first year and in the process make the festival stronger as a whole. Luckily for them, there wasn't much to correct. The first year managed to be a success even at a time when the country was in a state of confusion. Films were screened to eager moviegoers and a tradeshow and workshops were held for interested parties. Nevertheless, those behind NHFX saw places to improve upon and in doing so they have made the 2002 version well worth taking the trip up Rt. 93 to check out.
The biggest and most noticeable change in NHFX is visible by simply looking at a calendar. Held in September of last year, organizers pushed the event back to October for 2002 in order to capitalize on their peak foliage season. Now, in between films and workshops, weary travelers can rest their eyes upon a pallet of colors draped from tree to towering tree. It's the perfect backdrop to an already perfect small town setting. Add to the mix a slew of creative artists and you have yourself the potential for greatness.
Other changes to NHFX include the attachment of an additional day, a dramatic 50% increase in the number of films screening (over 60 local, national and international films!), new workshops ranging from novice to professional, a screenplay competition, live classical music and staged readings. (Whew -- let me catch my breath.) As you can see, the festival has gone through an impressive upgrade over the course of a year. Its maturity from infancy to toddler has reached leaps and bounds and while 2002 is proving to be one to see, you can almost smell the ongoing future success and growth of NHFX as time progresses.
The four-day event is cut up into six sessions, which include Friday, early Saturday and late Saturday, early Sunday and late Sunday as well Monday. Passes can be bought for the entire event or for separate sessions and prices are as cheap as they come when it comes to film festivals these days. An all-access four-day pass is only $50.00 while separate session rates are $10.00 each. Even registering for a booth at the NHFX Tradeshow Expo is only $25.00 - spaces are still available.
"We've really tried to give something for everybody while making it affordable for anybody," states NHFX Programming Director, Chris Proulx.
Another highlight of the event is the Young Filmmakers Workshop, which proved extremely successful last year. The four-day workshop is open to eager film enthusiasts from the ages of 14-18. Young men and women interested in learning the ins and outs of film and video production are invited to burn their creative sparks alongside a group of their peers in the categories of camera, lighting, audio, direction, editing and performance. Spots are still available by registering at the website, www.nhfilmexpo.com.
Located at West Broadway in Derry, the Adams Memorial Opera House will be the center of operations for many of the screenings and workshops held by the New Hampshire Firm Expo. The Opera House recently went through a 1.5 million dollar renovation plan that has not only boosted its historical appeal, but has made it the perfect hot spot for a small town festival with big city eyes on quality.
If independent film is your ticket to the movies, then make the trip to Derry, New Hampshire for a still growing festival that puts long running ones like it to shame. NHFX is A'OK. In fact, it's the best-kept secret this writer has come across as of late, but like all secrets, word is getting out.
(2002 NHFX sponsors include WNDS TV-50, Pennyhorse Advertising, Union Leader Corporation, Rath, Young & Pignatelli, New Hampshire Film Office, Double Midnight Productions, Southern NH Community School of the Arts and Greater Derry Arts Council)