Take one part film groupie, add point of view and a passion for great stories and story-telling. The result? The Northern Lights Documentary Film Festival, the first of its kind in New England, slated for October 1-3 in the artsy seaport city of Newburyport, MA. International in focus, the festival will feature a wide variety of non-fiction films produced in New England, nationwide, and across the globe.

The brainchild of Hailey D.D. Klein and Michelle Fino - both of Newburyport -- the film festival will highlight the talents of the best and brightest in documentary filmmaking, with screenings of up to roughly 25 films - at venues within walking distance of each other - and awards given for the best feature and short feature, as well as the best film by a New England filmmaker. There will also be an audience award. Judges include noted film editor Karen Schmeer and Boston Globe film critic Ty Burr.

Submissions will be accepted through August 10, with selections announced later that month for both the short film (30 minutes) and feature film (over 50 minutes) category. Klein and Fino are seeking to represent a broad spectrum of themes and include both newcomers and veteran filmmakers. Filmmakers invited and planning to participate include New York filmmaker Tricia Cooke's WHERE THE GIRLS ARE, a spirited behind the scenes look at the Dinah Shore Golf Classic; and Jon Muir's ALONE ACROSS AUSTRALIA, about his solo on foot trek across the continent.

What inspired Fino and Klein to embark on the enormous task of putting on a festival? "We both love documentaries and all the questions, emotions and opinions they expose and explore," says Klein, a documentary filmmaker with over 15 years experience. "But for most viewers, finding documentaries becomes a real search. We want to offer an opportunity to highlight some of the amazing and important work being done out there."

With political consciousness on the upswing, especially in a presidential election year, the timing couldn't be a better time for the festival. "People have so many questions these days, and documentaries are filmmakers' attempts to seek and provide answers," adds Fino, who has produced theater and arts events for several years and runs a successful local film series.

Because of the strong community of documentary filmmakers in New England - not to mention its rich political history -- it seemed the perfect set and setting. Northern Lights Documentary Film Festival, a production of the non-profit Aurora Arts, Inc., is already generating excitement among local and national filmmakers.

"Finally, there's a hip new festival in New England showcasing documentary films. A lot of filmmaking talent lies nestled among the nooks and ridges of the Northeast. It's a great fit," said George Kachadorian, a New Hampshire filmmaker and producer/director of DIVINING MOM.

With an impressive advisory board already in place - including award-winning filmmaker Laurie Kahn-Leavitt (A MIDWIFE'S TALE and TUPPERWARE)"and Cathleen O'Connell (TIME CAPSULE: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE) - the Northern Lights team is hard at work securing corporate sponsors. Already on deck: Aloft Group, an international marketing firm based in Newburyport whose clients include AT&T Broadband, Disney/MGM and NASCAR. Aloft Group understands that creativity is often generated from possessing a unique point of view," explains president and CEO Matt Bowen. "Documentary films have that distinct perspective."

For more information on the festival, go to www.northernlightsfilmfestival.com