Congrats to Our NH Night Award Winners!

What an amazing first day of the 15th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival!

With many saying that today was one for the books, there was no doubt that our NH Night would turn into a grand celebration. Hundreds of film enthusiasts flocked the streets throughout the day, with crowds lining up for screenings at The Music Hall Historic Theater and The Music Hall Loft.

Did you know that all of the films screened today have a New Hampshire affiliation—meaning that they were either filmed in New Hampshire, or that the lead actor or a lead cast member (director, producer, screenwriter or cinematographer) is from New Hampshire? That’s right. It was a pretty impressive day for New Hampshire film all around.

The New Hampshire Night Reception took place in the Founders Lobby of The Music Hall, catered by Grill 28. The New Hampshire Night Welcome included recognition of this year’s Van McLeod Award Recipient, Gordon Clapp. Clapp, a native of North Conway, New Hampshire, started his film career in 1979’s Running, starring Michael Douglas. In 1993 he parlayed a guest role into a 12-year stint on NYPD Blue, winning the 1998 Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series as Detective Greg Medavoy. Clapp shared with the audience how proud he is of being from New Hampshire, and what a big part of his life New Hampshire still is.

Manglehorn, starring Al Pacino, was produced by New Hampshire native Lisa Muskat (a previous Van McLeod Award winner). Muskat was in attendance with Manglehorn, and introduced her film and participated in an audience Q&A session after the film. Muskat was awarded the Van McLeod award in 2013. She said after seeing the film so many times she did not expect to enjoy seeing it again so much — but the experience of watching it with the NH Film Festival crowd was like no other.

Following the Manglehorn screening and Q&A, the NHPTV NH Night Awards were presented. The NH Jury was made up of: Peter Biello, Host of NHPR’s All Things Considered; Larry Clow, Editor of The Sound; and Matt Grady, Founder of Factory 25.

A very warm congratulations to all of tonight’s award winners! The following New Hampshire Awards were presented:

• The Van McLeod Award — Gordon Clapp (in attendance)
• NH Film of the Year — Winter Light, directed by Julian Higgins
• NH Filmmaker of the Year — Sophia Savage, director of Total Moon (in attendance)
• Best NH Feature Narrative — Manglehorn directed by David Gordon Green and produced by Lisa Muskat (Muskat in attendance)
• Best NH Feature Documentary — Brew Hampshire directed by Meagan Frappiea and Bryant Naro (in attendance)
• Best NH Short Narrative — The Smell, directed by Jesse Ruuttila (in attendance)
• Best NH Short Documentary — Go Jackson Doll, directed by Ben Severance (in attendance)
• Best NH Performance — Matt Gallagher for Bob and the Trees (in attendance)

Best NH Feature Documentary Brew Hampshire was a highly-anticipated and well-attended film, which premiered at 3:40 p.m. at The Music Hall Historic Theater. Brew Hampshire, which was directed, produced and written by Bryant Naro and Meagan Frappiea, is a documentary on the craft brew movement in New Hampshire. The film closely follows Able Ebenezer Brewing Company from garage to opening day of their new tasting room. The duo also follows 12 other New Hampshire-based breweries to give more shape to the beer scene in the region. Naro and Frappiea were both in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. For those who missed this screening, a second screening is scheduled for Sunday at 2:10 p.m. at 3S Artspace.

Bob and the Trees, directed by Diego Ongaro and starring Matt Gallagher, who was awarded Best NH Performance for his role in the film, was another highly-anticipated New Hampshire film. Enthusiastic attendees for the 7:40 p.m. screening at The Music Hall Loft arrived for the screening as early as 5:25 p.m. this afternoon. The screening was followed with a Q&A. For those who missed Thursday’s screening, there is a second showing of Bob and the Trees scheduled for Sunday, Oct 18 at 3:50 p.m. at The Music Hall Loft.

To finish out the night, festival attendees moved celebrations from the Music Hall to the Anchor Line After Party at Flatbread Pizza Company!

Many congratulations once again to all of tonight’s award recipients!

We’re ready to take on Day 2 at NHFF—have you mapped out your film schedule yet?