THE 2003 SUMMER FILM FESTIVALS IN NEW ENGLAND

2003 Newport International Film Festival 6th Annual Film Festival June 10 through June 15, in Newport, RI

The Newport International Film Festival of 2003 will continue to provide an eclectic array of acclaimed feature films, documentaries, short films and animation. In addition, the festival will bring back its compelling panel discussions with industry insiders, and will introduce a new film series especially for children, as well as a collection of movie musicals.

The Newport International Film Festival (NIFF) announced the appointment of its new and first full-time Executive Director, Greg DiStefano of Jamestown, Rhode Island. DiStefano brings an impressive background in public relations and marketing to the position. His accomplishments include representing such high-profile clients as DeBeers, the largest diamond mining and marketing company in the world.

DiStefano is approaching his new position at NIFF with expertise and enthusiasm; “My goal is to continue fulfilling the festival’s mission to become an integral part of the Newport and Rhode Island communities and to provide a pleasurable destination for filmmakers. To do this, I’ll work to make the festival a better-known event locally and throughout the northeast, attracting more people to the cultural and artistic experience.”

The sixth annual Newport International Film Festival, June 10-15, 2003, will feature over seventy U.S. and international feature films, documentaries and short films; filmmaker panel discussions; a comedy improv night; and evening galas. New this year are: A First time Feature Filmmakers Competition; A Musical Series; A Children’s Series of American and international film screened after school hours; Portuguese Language Films to showcase the best in contemporary films from Portugal, Brazil and other Lusophone countries; A Comedy Improv Night; and a unique work-in-progress session offering professionals and non-professionals the opportunity to participate in critical stages of documentary production.

For more information call the new NIFF office at 1-401-846-9100 during regular business hours; or visit our web site at www.newportfilmfestival.com.

2003 Provincetown International Film Festival 5th Annual Film Festival June 18 through June 22, in Provincetown, MA

This year the Provincetown International Film Festival will screen more than 50 independent American and international films. The Festival will also honor writer/director Todd Haynes as the 2003 "Filmmaker on the Edge." Winner of five top awards at this year's prestigious Independent Spirit Awards, Haynes' FAR FROM HEAVEN garnered international acclaim. Haynes will be on hand to receive the award and introduce his films. In past years, the Festival has honored luminaries such as comedienne Lily Tomlin; actress Marcia Gay Harden; directors Gus Van Sant, John Waters and Mira Nair; and producers Ted Schamus and Ted Hope.

Also at the Festival: "Breakfast WithS," a series of intimate gatherings with leading industry artists who share behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking
… Glamorous receptions and parties galore: Opening Night Block Party, Chick Flicks Beach Party, HBO Video Party, and HBO Audience Awards at the Closing Night Party… A Night at the Wellfleet Drive-in, featuring classic film and celebrity guests… The Costume Gala, with a special exhibit of glamorous gowns worn in classic films, such as Vivien Leigh's drapery dress from GONE WITH THE WIND, Judy Garland's pinafore from THE WIZARD OF OZ, and the gold lame gown that Marilyn Monroe made famous in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES… The Youth and Diversity Program, providing young adults a safe, open forum to explore the messages behind films that highlight the concerns of today's world

Attendees may also catch a glimpse of silver-screen favorites including HAIRSPRAY creator and director John Waters, Richard Blackwell (Blackwell's List) and Academy Award-winning producer Christine Vachon (FAR FROM HEAVEN, BOYS DON’T CRY).
Film buffs can take advantage of Festival passes (on sale now) that offer discounts and preferred seating, or purchase individual film and event tickets beginning May 23. The complete film schedule will be available May 23.

For more information, visit www.ptownfilmfest.org or call 877.776.8677.

THE 2003 NANTUCKET FILM FESTIVAL 8TH Annual Film Festival June 19 through June 22, in Nantucket, MA

Executive Director Jill Goode and Artistic Director Mystelle Brabbee have announced that two-time Oscar© winning screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, will be honored with NBC's Screenwriter Tribute at this year's Nantucket Film Festival (NFF). Prawar Jhabvala won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar© for A ROOM WITH A VIEW and for HOWARD’S END. Her screenplay for THE REMAINS OF THE DAY was nominated for the Oscar©, BAFTA,
Golden Globe and WGA awards. Her next project LE DIVORCE will be released
by Fox Searchlight Pictures later this year. Previous recipients of the NBC
Screenwriter Tribute have included Jay Presson Allen, Paul Schrader, Walter
Bernstein, Ring Lardner Jr. and James Schamus.

"Ruth Prawer Jhabvala considers herself primarily a novelist and not a
screenwriter, so it should come as no surprise that her screenwriting has
tackled great works of literature by authors like Henry James and E.M.
Forster," said Brabbee. "Ruth has adapted some of the most challenging and
complex classics into award winning screenplays, bringing her novelistic
sensibility to the cinematic medium." Prawer Jhabvala is best known for her frequent collaborations with Ismail Merchant and James
Ivory,

The NFF has established itself as a premiere U.S. film festival that
continues to present an intimate forum for screenwriters, producers, agents
and development executives to enjoy the many notable films that will unspool
on the island. The festival screens both domestic and international
features, world and U.S. premieres, shorts, docs and video from every genre,
all selected with an eye towards storytelling. Q & A's with the writers and
filmmakers follow each screening.

For four days in June on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts,
screenwriting is celebrated with screenings of over 40 feature-length and
short films and is further explored through panel discussions, a screenplay
competition, an emerging screenwriter's mentorship program, an evening of
late night storytelling, staged readings of un-produced screenplays, an
educational program for teens and beach screenings.

Film selections, nominees for the Tony Cox Award for Screenwriting presented
by Showtime Networks Inc. and new additions to this year's program will be
available May 15.

For more information, please visit www.nantucketfilmfestival.org.

The Maine International Film Festival The 6th Annual Film Festival July 11 through 20, in Waterville, Maine

Founded in 1998, the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) is a project of Friends of Art & Film in Central Maine, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the arts in Maine.
During the 10 days of the festival MIFF shows nearly 100 films, representing the best of American independent and international cinema. They also spotlight some of Maine and New England's most exciting and innovative filmmakers.
It’s more than just movies, audiences also have opportunities to meet and talk with some of the people behind the movies - directors, producers, writers, musicians. Every year the festival honors members of the independent film industry whose contributions to cinema deserve recognition. Their honored guests and visiting filmmakers host panel discussions as well as informal Q&A sessions, giving the audiences an incredible chance to hear about the art of film from those on the front lines. MIFF's special guests have included Mid-Life Achievement Award winners Jonathan Demme (MIFF 2002), Sissy Spacek (MIFF 2001) and Terrence Malick (MIFF 2000).
MIFF takes place at two Waterville venues. The Waterville Opera House is a 940-seat turn of the century proscenium theater, specially outfitted with modern projection equipment for the festival. This beautiful venue hosts films throughout the festival, and is the site for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The Railroad Square Cinema is one of central Maine's leading cultural centers, showing the best of independent, foreign and specialized films since 1978. A Maine Times poll declared it the "Best Place to See Movies in Maine." Railroad Square popcorn is considered to be the best popcorn in the known universe.
For more information, visit www.miff.org where their schedule will soon be posted.

The Woods Hole Film Festival 12th Annual Film Festival July 26 through August 2, in Woods Hole, MA

The Woods Hole Film Festival once again promises to be one of the most interesting and exciting to date. This is the oldest film festival on Cape Cod and the Islands. It offers eight days of screenings, workshops, special events, staged readings, panel discussions, parties and more. The Woods Hole Film Festival screens work submitted from around the world, with special emphasis on the work of New England and first-time filmmakers.

A sampling of the films that will screen during the Festival includes, documentary filmmaker Anne Makepeace's film ROBERT CAPA IN LOVE AND WAR about the Hungarian-born Andre Friedman who reinvented himself as an American named Robert Capa who became a celebrated photographer specializing in documenting the war; Harvard University instructor Robb Moss's personal documentary THE SAME RIVER TWICE, Fran Solomita's hilarious film, WHEN STAND UP STOOD OUT, and several work-in-progress screenings, including Bill Plympton's new animated feature HAIR HIGH. In addition, the Woods Hole Film Festival will offer a special event evening with Michael Sappol, curator and historian of the National Library of Medicine screening selections from the archives that show psychiatric films through the years.

A sampling of workshops includes ANIMATION, with award-winning animator, Bill Plympton; THE INFINITE FORMS OF DOCUMENTARY FILM, a study of how style works with content in the shooting and editing of non-fiction, by the award-winning documentary filmmaker Kate Davis; HOW TO MARKET AND SELF-DISTRIBUTE YOUR FILM, with Laura Bernieri and David Kleiler, and WORKING WITH DISTURBING IMAGES with Michael Sappol.

The Reel Blues Fest, which will take place on Sunday, August 31st, is a collaboration between the Woods Hole Film Festival and the New England Blues Society to present a one day concert and film event that raises funds to support the programs offered by each. The Reel Blues Fest will be held at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis and will feature the New Orleans sounds of Dr. John and the Texas Blues of Delbert McClinton and the award-winning documentary HONEYBOY, by Chicago filmmaker Scott Taradash.

Festival passes on sale June 1st, tickets on sale July 1st. For more information call (508) 495-3456 or check online at www.woodsholefilmfestival.org.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival 7TH Annual Film Festival August 5 through 10, in Providence, RI

The Rhode Island International Film Festival celebrates the independent spirit in film and has become a haven for independent filmmakers from throughout the world. This year, The Festival’s theme is “Discover the New Voices of Independent Film.” In 2002, the Festival presented 23 World Premieres and 12 US Premieres to sold-out houses. Films came from 23 countries and 31 states. Attending the Festival were more than 200 filmmakers, producers, cast and crew. The Festival is dedicated to the creation of opportunities for artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, backers, and the film-going community. Of special note is that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has elected to recognize the Rhode Island International Film Festival as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the Annual Academy Awards. With more than 1400 film festivals worldwide, only 47 have this recognition.
RIIFF 2003 will turn the Festival’s host city into the “Providence Backlot” where a plethora of activities will enchant, entertain and enthrall filmmakers and filmgoers alike. The Festival has created a synergy with local businesses that will cover a multitude of elements that make up the world of film. For the time of the Festival in August, Providence will be the backlot for filmmakers and filmgoers. Look for restaurant tie-ins with special festival meals, discounts, and a month of activity celebrating their film arts heritage.
To learn more visit www.film-festival.org.

The Roxbury Film Festival The 5th Film Festival August 14 through 17, in Roxbury, MA

The Roxbury Film Festival showcases feature-length films, documentaries, and shorts written by or, directed by persons of color. While New England filmmakers of color are the focus of the festival, we do screen films by other filmmakers of color not from New England.
The Roxbury Film Festival is one of four events of the Roxbury Arts Series sponsored annually by ACT Roxbury Consortium with The Color of Film Collaborative, Inc. and held at Northeastern University's Roxbury campus and at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The film festival is held as part of Northeastern's Artstuff: Cross Cultural Arts Fest.
All genres of films (i.e. narrative, documentary, shorts, features, and animation) produced, directed and/or written, by or about people of color are eligible for submission. Some preference is given to past or current New England residents.
This festival is still accepting submissions for its 5th annual festival.
The final deadline for submission is May 31, 2003. Submission forms and guidelines can be obtained by visiting the websites: www.actroxbury.org or www.roxburyfilmfestival.org or by calling 617/541-3900 ext. 223.

Northeast Silent Film Festival August 15 through August 17, in Bucksport, Maine

Star Qualities: It’s Still It: Movie actors come and go, most of them forgotten well before they’re gone. A few, though, have an afterglow. Call it charisma or star power or sex appeal, whatever “it” is, they had it. They still have it! Star Qualities: It’s Still It will be presented at the Alamo Theatre with the musical accompaniment of pianist Philip Carli and Clayton W. Smith and the Bon-Ton Salon Orchestra. Comic short subjects selected by the Museum of Modern Art’s Anne Morra will be shown throughout the festival.

The featured stars are: Clara Bow, who truly flaunted her sex appeal on the silver screen, does just that in IT (1927). The original America’s Sweetheart, Mary Pickford, is a dime-store stockroom girl in MY BEST GIRL (1927). Lillian Gish, the frail-looking beauty with astonishing emotional power, stars as Anna, a serving girl in D.W. Griffith’s WAY DOWN EAST (1920). When Anna lies exhausted on an ice floe sweeping toward a waterfall we are all frozen. Douglas Fairbanks, the most dashing movie star of the Twenties, stars in
THE MOLLYCODDLE (1920). Victor Fleming directs. Gloria Swanson, the glamorous star whose every move-especially her lavish fashion moves-were closely watched by fans, stars in THE AFFAIRS OF ANATOL(1921). Directed by Cecil B. DeMille.
Charlie Chaplin, the “tramp philosopher,” brings his comic yet sensitive
touch to THE IMMIGRANT (1917). First Chaplin goes with the flow on a rolling
America-bound ship. In THE ADVENTURER (1917), Chaplin is an escaped convict who rescues a drowning woman and her boyfriend. As Chaplin had his mustachioed bowler-wearing tramp, Harold Lloyd had his bespectacled optimistic man. In THE FRESHMAN (1925), he is Harold “Speedy” Lamb, nerd on campus.
Excellent film prints will be shown, thanks to colleagues at the Library of
Congress, Milestone Film and Video, Film Preservation Associates, the Museum
of Modern Art, and UCLA.

The Alamo Theatre is located at 85 Main Street, Bucksport, Maine. For more information call 207 469-0924, or visit www.oldfilm.org.

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