Politics and Filmmaking Panel

WHY IS NEW HAMPSHIRE A POLITICAL FILMMAKER’S PARADISE?

Join a panel discussion with documentary filmmakers who chased down the next Leader of the Free World across New Hampshire during the chaotic 2016 election and in past NH Primaries. The Granite State is famous for its up-close- and-personal presidential campaigns, and that same in-your- face style enjoyed by voters is also a huge advantage for filmmakers. Panelists will share their experiences and strategies for getting access to the campaigns, as well as their stories from the political front lines.

Moderator:

MATTHEW NEWTON
DIRECTOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM & TELEVISION OFFICE

Newton is the Director of the New Hampshire Film and Television Office, and Co-Founder of the New Hampshire High School Short Film Festival. He is also proud to be a 2011 New Hampshire Union Leader “Forty Under 40” honoree.

Panelists:

KEVIN BOWE
FILMMAKER

Bowe is the director of the upcoming film Democracy through the Looking Glass, a media critique of the 2016 Presidential race and how it has been covered thus far by mainstream media. He is also the creator of the Stories from New Hampshire political web series, and has shot more than 125 campaign events during this election cycle alone.

DARREN GARNICK
JOURNALIST/FILMMAKER

Garnick is a journalist and filmmaker who has written and produced three election specials for PBS, and who has covered six New Hampshire Primaries since 1996. He will share the backstory behind Why Can’t I Be President? – a film about “fringe candidates” on the NH ballot – and also discuss his 2016 piece Dinosaur Primary, an offbeat effort to photograph his plush Dino Flintstone doll with every presidential candidate.

ROD WEBBER
FILMMAKER/MUSICIAN

Webber, a filmmaker and musician better known as “Flower Man”; on the 2016 campaign trail, is the director of the upcoming film Flowers for Peace. In this documentary, he attempts to give every presidential candidate a flower to encourage peace. He was shunned by some campaigns, and embraced by others – but his persistence was unmatched.