NHFF

provident-community

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2011 NHFF Sponsor Kit

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Buzz McLaughlin, Grand Prize Judge

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:09:16 +0000

NHFF is pleased to welcome Grand Prize Judge Buzz McLaughlin, independent feature film producer and writer. He will determine the Grand Prize Award-Winning Screenplay once the Round One and Two Judges have narrowed the field to the top three screenplays.

Buzz

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:26:18 +0000

Adrien Grenier

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2011-slides-Rae-Dawn-Chong

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2011-slides-Ron-Wyman-Agadez

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Coppola-NHFF-Sponsor

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favicon

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being-elmo

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nhff-party

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2011 NH Night Laurels

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Festival Passes

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2011 NHFF Program

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2011-schedule-thumb-tall

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@jdyeaton-Brett-working

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@jdyeaton-Main-Stage

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Brett-at-MusicHall

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Segway

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WMUR

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PTS_3714

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NHFF 2012 Cover Art

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The Festival

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Box Office & Merchandise

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Events & Workshops

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Attend

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Panelists & Judges

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Submissions

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Filmmaker Travel & Accomodation

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Filmmaker Acceptance Kit

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The Board

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Social Media

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Volunteers

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Sponsor Info

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The Sponsors

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The Advertisers

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Media & Press

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Films

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Films

Brett Carneiro — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:32:50 +0000

Independent films selected by the New Hampshire Film Festival become part of a world-class program. Many of the filmmakers themselves partake in our educational workshops, round table discussions, and gala after-parties during the weekend.

Box Office & Merchandise

Brett Carneiro — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:33:20 +0000

The 2012 pass design is almost ready, keep checking for early release passes! Have a group of 15 or more and want everyone to attend for a specific day, or all weekend? Contact groupsales@nhfilmfestival.com to reserve passes for your group at a discount. Tickets and passes for New Hampshire Film Festival are available for purchase through our box office partner, The Music Hall. Attendees may purchase individual screening, panel/workshop, and party tickets or buy day passes, all-weekend passes, or patron (VIP) passes. Below is a list of pricing for NHFF 2011. Filmmakers, screenwriters and other artists who have their work featured during NHFF will receive all-access NHFF artist passes.

TICKET SALES:

The Music Hall Box Office- Tickets go on sale in September 28 Chestnut St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 Purchase by phone: 603.436.2400 Purchase online: www.themusichall.org NHFF Headquarters - Tickets only available the weekend of the festival. Tickets may be purchased at NHFF Headquarters the weekend of the festival only. Credit card purchases available. ALL SCREENING, WORKSHOP AND PARTY VENUES: All venues sell tickets at the door. Individual Tickets for screenings at The Francis Ford Coppola Main Stage at The Music Hall or The Access Sports Medicine Stage at The Loft are only available at The Music Hall Box Office. Tickets for screenings at The Provident Bank Screening Room at The Moffat Ladd House are available at The Moffatt-Ladd House, but cash only.

2011 TICKET PRICING:

NEW HAMPSHIRE DAY & NIGHT $15 Twelve hours of film and discussion, Thurs., Oct. 13 INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $12 Two-hour blocks including features or short blocks. DAY PASS $35 All access to film blocks, workshops and that day's parties. ALL-WEEKEND PASS $75 Four-day, all-access to blocks, workshops and after parties. NHFF VIP PATRON PASS $100 (FOR A LIMITED TIME! PRICE INCREASES TO $150 AFTER FRI., SEPT. 17!) Four-day, all-access, including VIP suite and special access. INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOP TICKET $5 Access to one of 12 workshops. INDIVIDUAL AFTER PARTY TICKET $5 Access to Friday or Saturday industry parties.

2011 MERCHANDISE:

NHFF merchandise may be purchased at any of the NHFF's 2011 venues. NHFF SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRT $20 NHFF LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT $20

Attend

Brett Carneiro — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:34:48 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is not only a great place to experience fantastic films, it’s location of Portsmouth, NH is a lovely destination. Portsmouth combines the charm of a quaint seacoast village with the amenities of a small city. Settled in 1623, Portsmouth is the nation’s third-oldest city. Great care has been taken to preserve its history, culture and quality of life. It is consistently honored on “best places to live” lists and has been named one of the “Top 100 Walking Cities” in America by Prevention Magazine. In 2009, Forbes Traveler listed Portsmouth as one of America’s Prettiest Towns.

Events & Workshops

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:35:00 +0000

There is much more to the New Hampshire Film Festival than screening a hand-selected batch of excellent independent films. Some of the most fulfilling and memorable experiences happen when the projectors are turned off. Most NHFF screenings include an opportunity for the film’s creator(s) to talk about his or her work and field questions from the audience. This is what truly sets the New Hampshire Film Festival apart from a traditional movie-going experience. It’s a time to break through the silver screen and learn about what went on behind the scenes in a very personal way. In addition to these question & answer sessions, each year the New Hampshire Film Festival offers professional development and educational opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters and interested film enthusiasts. NHFF prides itself on presenting several topical workshops, panel discussions and engaging conversations that range from purely professional for the established filmmaker to all-encompassing for even the freshest of amateurs. An annual staple of our film festival since its inception is the Young Filmmakers Workshop, a comprehensive, multi-day journey through filmmaking process for 14 - 18 year-olds. It is also important to note that the New Hampshire Film Festival is not just about the art and business of filmmaking. It is also about socializing, networking and above all, fun! New Hampshire Night, Opening Night Ceremonies, after-parties, Closing Night and the awards ceremonies are all chances to let loose and meet new people that share a passion for movies. These events are what make the festival a memorable, rewarding weekend!

Submissions

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:35:25 +0000

The 2012 Final Deadline has been Extended to September 1. New Hampshire Film Festival accepts and receives film submissions from around the world for consideration to be included in our festival schedule. We received over 600 films for consideration in 2011 and included 90 films in our 2011 schedule. ALL films must be submitted through Withoutabox or make reference to location of the direct link available on this page and/or other locations and must have been completed after January 1, 2010. Films are accepted in the following categories: - Feature (minimum 60 minutes) - Short (maximum 30 minutes) - Short (31 – 59 minutes) - Documentary (all length) - Animation (all length) - Student - NH Films Films in all categories are eligible for consideration for Awards. Films submitted to the NH Films category may also be considered for awards in other appropriate categories as well. Submission deadlines: -Early Bird Deadline: June 5 -Official Deadline: July 5 -Late Entry Deadline: Aug 5 -Final Deadline for Screenplays: Aug 15 -Final Deadline for Films: Sept. 1 Information is available on the NHFF Withoutabox page regarding fees. While we certainly understand the financial challenges of independent filmmakers, as a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, we face financial challenges of our own and rely on submission fees to help fund our festival. We do hope all filmmakers interested in being considered for the NHFF will submit. Estimated notification date for submission decisions is late September. Please contact Nicole Gregg, for further information: nicole@nhfilmfestival.com or 603-647-6439.

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About Us

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News

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Media & Press

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:43:14 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival celebrates its 12th anniversary in 2012 and will screen the best in independent film over four days. NHFF runs Oct. 11 - 14 in downtown Portsmouth, NH this year and is always held the weekend after Columbus Day. Stay tuned for more Media Opportunities during 2012! History NHFF relocated to Portsmouth in 2004 after starting in Derry, NH in 2001 when it was known as the New Hampshire Film Expo. In 2001, NHFF's first year, the festival showed 40 films, had 60 submissions, and drew about 500 people. In 2010, NHFF received more than 700 films and 200 screenplays for consideration, and expects to show 80 films and draw an estimated 9,000 people. NHFF has garnered national press coverage. Moviemaker Magazine has called NHFF "the film center of New England." More than a half dozen Academy Award-nominated films – as well as films from Academy Award-winning directors – have screened at New Hampshire Film Festival. With a lineup of films from international festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, and Cannes, (NHFF had more than 20 international films in 2009) the NHFF program has evolved to compare to major film festivals. NHFF entries are being accepted in the following categories: Feature, Documentary, Shorts under 30 minutes, Shorts 30 – 60 minutes, Student, Animation, and NH Films. NHFF 2011 will feature five sanctioned parties! We hope you'll join us:

Thursday night for our NH Film & TV Office Night Party at Flatbread Company
Friday night for our Absolut Vodka Party at The Portsmouth Gas Light
Saturday afternoon for our Robert's of Maine Grill & Kate Parker Events Hospitality Tent
Saturday night for our Moet and Chandon After Party at Surf
Sunday for our One Hundred Club VIP Brunch

Screenplay Competition The NHFF Screenplay Competition celebrates the contribution of writers to film. We accept and receive both feature and short screenplays from around the world. The Best Screenplay Award is presented during Closing Night Ceremonies to the winner of this competition. Submissions are accepted only through Withoutabox (www.withoutabox.com). NHFF's Young Filmmakers Workshop provides a weekend-long, hands-on instructional experience for young filmmakers 14 - 18 years-old to study the filmmaking process and to produce short films which are shown at the end of the festival. NHFF 2010 Highlights "The Extra Man" starring Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, John C. Reilly, and Katie Holmes"Leaves of Grass" starring Ed Norton, Kerry Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, and Susan Sarandon "Brotherhood" 2010 South by Southwest Audience Award winner "El Vuelco del Cangrejo" (The Crab Trap), a winner at the Berlin International Film Festival "The YellowBrickRoad" 2010 Slamdance Feature shot in NH "Highwater" From the son of Dana Brown, director of "Endless Summer." Action-packed doc on about Triple Crown Surf Championships in Hawaii "Family Affair" Director Chico David Colvard delves into his family's painful past to produce what the Boston Globe called "One of the most psychologically complex movies ever made." "Do It Again" Robert Patton-Spruill's film about about newspaper reporter Geoff Edgers's irrational quest to reunite the Kinks. "Herbert White" Directed by James Franco "Mary Last Seen" A 2010 Cannes Film Festival winner directed by Sean Durkin "The Fence" A insightful look at the the effectiveness of the US's $3.1 billion fence on its Southern border. NHFF 2009 Highlights Oscar-nominated documentary “Food, Inc.,” with a Q&A session with Stonyfield Farm CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg New England premiere of Boston-filmed “Don McKay,” starring Thomas Haden Church Farrely-brothers produced “Lost Son of Havana,” with appearance by Red Sox great Luis Tiant “The Burning Plain” with Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger “American Violet,” the story of a mother who fights wrongful drug charges in Texas. "That Evening Sun,” with veteran Actor “Hal Holbrook” Documentary “The Third Jihad” which explores radical Islamism Documentary "The Way We Get By" which follows greeters of US troops at an airport in Maine Ticket and Pass categories: VIP passes grant all-access for the entire weekend. All-weekend passes grant admission to all screenings, workshops and parties. Day passes grant access for all NHFF activities on the day they are purchased.

An Independent Film Festival for New Hampshire and Beyond

Brett Carneiro — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:48:46 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival takes place each fall the weekend after Columbus Day in Portsmouth, NH. Our mission is to support the art of filmmaking and to present the best in recent independent cinema from the region, nation and world. Download the NHFF 2011 schedule. NHFF unites professional filmmakers and screenwriters with industry experts, students, educators, and film lovers for an inspiring, four-day celebration of independent film through panels, workshops, screenings, and networking events. Founded in 2001, NHFF began as a small, grassroots organization to support local, regional, and student filmmakers. It now holds a place as a viable and recognized festival that showcases the brightest talent on the international film festival scene. NHFF presents the best of independent film on four state-of-the-art screening venues ranging in size from 65 to 900-seat theaters. The festival also emphasize creative collaboration, education, and networking through a half dozen panel discussions and workshops, as well as after-parties where filmmakers can mingle with special guests. Over four full days, NHFF can attract more than 9,000 attendees. In 2010, NHFF received more than 700 films and 200 screenplays for consideration. We screened more than 80 domestic and international films. With chances for education, discussion and socializing, our film festival offers plentiful networking opportunities among industry insiders. In 2009 NHFF received national press coverage from such periodicals as Moviemaker Magazine, which called Portsmouth “the film center of New England.” The NHFF experience has grown each year, culminating with significant validation from 2010 lead sponsor Francis Ford Coppola Winery. NHFF holds a special place in many filmmakers’ hearts. Dan Ferrigan, the DP of award-winning film “The Way We Get By,” told MovieMaker Magazine in its Winter 2010 issue of his immensely positive experience at NHFF. “NHFF programmers packed rustic screening locations from morning till night with the most compelling and honored films I’ve seen all year. Not since our premiere at SXSW had I seen such top notch docs and fictional gems. I soon realized this wasn’t just a festival on its way- it had already arrived. The excitement from NH is still with me…and I don’t want it to leave.” 2012 Call to Entries Opens January 15! Deadlines: Early Bird entries: June 5. Early entries: July 5. Late entries: Aug. 5. Submit films and screenplays through Withoutabox. Online film entries close Aug. 15. The New Hampshire Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Filmmakers & Writers

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:47:44 +0000

NHFF 2011 Official Selection Laurels

Download the 2011 NHFF Official Selection Laurels

NHFF 2011 NH Night Laurels

Download the 2011 NHFF NH Night Laurels

NHFF Logos

To download NHFF logos (.ai, .eps & .jpeg) click here.

New Hampshire Film Festival accepts and receives film submissions from around the world for consideration to be included in our festival schedule. We've received over 600 films for consideration in 2011 and expect to include about 80 films in our 2011 schedule. Upload Film Stills If your film has been accepted for NHFF 2011, you can upload photos and film stills or other promotional materials here. Filmmakers' Acceptance Kit Filmmakers can download the 2011 Acceptance Packet. Filmmakers Local Media Contacts Filmmakers can promote their films to regional New England by downloading this list: Local Media Contacts. Please contact Nicole Galovski, NHFF Programming Director, for further information: programming@nhfilmfestival.com.

News

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:48:06 +0000

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Festival Schedule

Brett Carneiro — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:49:28 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival selects its independent film program and schedules showings, events and workshops by September each year. This year's festival will begin on Thursday October 11th and will run through the end of the day on Sunday October 14th. Here are some things to expect: Thursday: NH Day & Night (NH-related films begin at 10 a.m.) NH Night Party Friday: (Films, workshops and panels begin at 10 a.m.) Opening Night Ceremonies Opening Night Party Saturday: (Films, workshops and panels begin at 10 a.m.) Signature Party Sunday: (Films, workshops and panels begin at 10 a.m.) Reception, Closing Ceremonies and Awards are generally scheduled for 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Click to download 2011 Schedule

Donate

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:18:25 +0000

As a nonprofit cultural institution, the New Hampshire Film Festival relies on the generous support of our sponsors to continue to provide the latest in independent film and to serve as an anchor for the NH independent film community. If you are interested in supporting NHFF either through donation, sponsorship or volunteer work, please contact us: info@nhfilmfestival.com or 603.647.6439.

Hotels & Travel

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:33:18 +0000

Some previous partnerships:

Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside
(603) 431-2300‎

Hilton Garden Inn
(603) 431-1499

Residence Inn
(603) 422-9200

Ale House Inn
(603) 431-7760‎

Hampton Inn
(603) 431-6111

Homewood Suites
(603) 427-5400

Venues

Brett Carneiro — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:33:40 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival couldn't take place without the support and generosity of our local venues. Below we have provided a brief description of each historic 2011 screening, workshop, and party venue. Stay tuned for our 2012 Venue Announcement!

Panels

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:34:13 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is proud to present professional development and educational opportunities on relevant subjects pertinent to the current state of independent filmmaking. Check back often for 2012 Panel and Panelist Announcements!

2011 NHFF Panels

ALL PANELS AND WORKSHOPS AT THE RULE | BOSTON CAMERA HEADQUARTERS ON THE OLDE PORT PROPERTIES STAGE Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel 250 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH

FRIDAY

INDUSTRY MEET-UP WITH THE NH FILM & TV OFFICE 10 am - 12 pm New Hampshire Film Festival attendees are invited to join in the discussion at this special edition of the Industry Meet-Up, which are presented quarterly by the New Hampshire Film & Television Office. As with the regular meet-ups, this gathering will provide filmmakers and members of the production industry with an opportunity to network with one another, with everyone having the chance to take a few minutes to introduce themselves and share information on their recent or upcoming endeavors (Yes, there is a time limit!) The meet-up will be moderated by Matthew Newton, director of the New Hampshire Film & Television Office, who will offer an update of what’s currently happening around the state. There will also be a networking session toward the end of the discussion at which attendees can make connections and talk further. MODERATOR: MATTHEW NEWTON DIRECTOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM AND TELEVISION OFFICE LAUNCHING A NEW HAMPSHIRE PRODUCTION COALITION 1 pm - 3 pm The New Hampshire Film & Television Office has played an instrumental role in promoting the state for all types of media production projects, as well as supporting New Hampshire’s production industry by working to build an infrastructure from the ground up. The foundation has been poured—and now, for our industry to strengthen and expand there must be an association of professionals that can work in tandem with the Film & Television Office and continue to advocate on behalf of our filmmakers, craftspeople and ancillary support businesses. The discussion will focus on what this group should be and what goals should be met, including a film tax credit to better compete with other states for production. This panel will feature some of the founding members of what will become the New Hampshire Production Coalition and attendees will have the opportunity to be heard and get involved as the Coalition takes shape over the next few months. MODERATOR: VAN MCLEOD COMMISSIONER, NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES PANELISTS: MARK CONSTANCE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, A713PRODUCTION PAUL DURHAM CHAIR, ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA AND PUBLISHING GROUP, SHEEHAN PHINNEY BASS + GREEN PA DEBRA FRANCHI PRESIDENT, HHG PRODUCTIONS JESSICA MAHER FREELANCE CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR FOR ENTERTAINMENT CONTRACTS, AFTRA/SAG JOE MAIELLA VICE PRESIDENT, SALES & GLOBAL CREWING, MEDIA SERVICES MOVING THE SCREENPLAY FORWARD INTO DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION 4 pm – 6 pm Join us for a lively panel discussion that examines the life of a screenplay. How do you move the printed pages from your computer screen to the big screen? Who helps in the successful navigation in that development? Should you do it yourself? What do you do when you’re not sure what the next step is? These and many more questions will be tackled by the panelists.

MODERATOR:

DANA BISCOTTI MYSKOWSKI PRODUCER, SCREENWRITER, PROFESSOR

PANELISTS:

BUZZ MCLAUGHLIN PRODUCER, SCREENWRITER MARTY SOLTYS FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN, CEO, TRANSMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS ROSS THOMAS PRODUCER, WRITER, DIRECTOR KEVIN O’MALLEY SCREENWRITER

SATURDAY

GOING FOR THE GREEN: FILM FINANCING AND PACKAGING 11 am – 1 pm Join a group of independent producers and other industry players in a discussion about what takes to put a project together in a way that can attract financing. Whether you’re working on a studio film, an indie or a documentary, what’s needed to seal the deal these days? What are third party financiers looking for when vetting potential projects? What resources are out there for information and help?

MODERATOR:

MICHELE MEEK FOUNDER, NEWENGLANDFILM.COM, BOARD MEMBER, THE INDEPENDENT

PANELISTS:

LAURA AZEVEDO ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVE CHASE BAILEY PRODUCER, DIRECTOR DAN CAREY PRODUCER KATHRYN DIETZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVE CHRIS STINSON PRODUCER, LINE PRODUCER

LATEST TRENDS IN MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

4 pm – 6 pm With the ups and downs of the economy and ever changing technology available to filmmakers and consumers, the motion picture industry has been morphing before our eyes. Join a conversation with a group of executives and gurus on the frontlines about the current state of marketing and distribution and what the future may hold.

MODERATOR:

AMY GREENLAW FOUNDER, FILMPOP!

PANELISTS:

JASON BRUBAKER PRODUCER, FOUNDER, FILMMAKING STUFF JOSH GREEN VICE PRESIDENT OF DISTRIBUTION, EMERGING PICTURES TIM NETT FOUNDER, TRAILER PARK INC. DANA VLADIMIR PUBLICITY AND MARKETING MANAGER, MAGNOLIA PICTURES JACOB WOLTERS NON-THEATRICAL EXHIBITION COORDINATOR, OSCILLOSCOPE LABRATORIES

SUNDAY

LANDSCAPE OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING 10:30 am – 11:30 pm Documentary films are receiving more and more attention each and every year. Funding, distribution and the desire to educate and enlighten using the documentary platform seem to still be on a steady rise. Join a group of filmmakers, advocates and public broadcasting professionals in a conversation about their experiences and their various perspectives on the current landscape of the documentary.

MODERATOR:

DAVID TAMES FILMMAKER, INSTRUCTOR, MASSART

PANELISTS:

MICHAEL BARNETT DIRECTOR, "SUPERHEROES" DAWN DEANGELIS CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER, NHPTV WHITNEY DOW DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, "WHEN THE DRUM IS BEATING" JAMES MILLER PRODUCER, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, "BEING ELMO" ZAK PIPER CO-PRODUCER, "THE INTERRUPTERS" SUSAN WALSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY A CONVERSATION ON COMEDY 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Join a motley crew of performers, writers, and directors currently working in the multi-faceted genre of comedy in a spirited conversation about getting funny onto the screen and the stage.

HOST:

RAE DAWN CHONG ACTRESS, WRITER

FEATURING:

TOMMY CHONG PERFORMER, DIRECTOR, WRITER ADAM JONES DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER JUSTON MCKINNEY COMEDIAN T.J. MILLER ACTOR, COMEDIAN JIMMY TINGLE SOCIAL/POLITICAL HUMORIST JEFF TOMSIC WRITER, DIRECTOR

Special Events

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:34:38 +0000

Thursday, the first day of the New Hampshire Film Festival, is New Hampshire Day and Night! New Hampshire Day and Night is a mini film festival dedicated to New Hampshire-affiliated films and promoting the filmmakers, producers and actors who hail from the great Granite State. It takes place exclusively on the state’s landmark stage and NHFF main venue, The Francis Ford Coppola Main Stage at The Music Hall, and culminates with the special New Hampshire Jury awarding the New Hampshire Film of the Year and New Hampshire Documentary Film of the Year. FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA WINERY CLOSING NIGHT CEREMONIES The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., 5:30 p.m. Closing Night and The Granny Awards culminate a weekend of independent film. Our famous awards, chiseled from granite, are awarded to the best films of the 2010 NHFF. Please join us for this and the unveiling of our young filmmakers’ short films.

Festival Team

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:08:32 +0000

Nicole Gregg: Executive Director nicole@nhfilmfestival.com Nicole Galovski: Programming Director programming@nhfilmfestival.com Brett Carneiro: Communications Director brett@nhfilmfestival.com Dan Hannon: Co-Founder/Workshop/Panels Director dan@nhfilmfestival.com Dana Biscotti: Screenplay Competition Director myskowski@comcast.net Ryan Plaisted: Technical Director ryan@nhfilmfestival.com Chris Proulx: Co-Founder/Young Filmmakers Workshop chris@nhfilmfestival.com John Herman: Young Filmmakers Workshop Director john@nhfilmfestival.com

Volunteers

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:09:19 +0000

Want to volunteer for our independent film festival? Great, we’d love to have you on-board. The NHFF generally has about 65 people helping at our venues all over town – and this year, we could use even more!

Our volunteers do a little bit of everything, but specifically, they take tickets, greet guests, register filmmakers, sell merchandise, monitor screenings, set up after-parties, put up promotional materials, work as drivers, work as runners, and much more!

Volunteer positions are available in four-hour shifts over the course of the weekend. Volunteers receive a ticket to a movie or workshop for each hour they work, an NHFF T-shirt, and the staff’s undying gratitude! You can request specific tasks, specific venues, or to work with your friends. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.

Ready to join the team? Great! Email Mark St. Laurent, our volunteer coordinator: mark@nhfilmfestival.com. Or call (603) 647-6439 to speak with someone. Once you’re on-board, you will be invited to an introductory meeting which will take place about a month before the festival. Become part of the New Hampshire Film Festival today!

Social Media

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:11:15 +0000

New Hampshire Film Festival strives to stay connected with our alumnus, supporters and the larger film community as much as possible. We encourage you to find us and communicate with us. There are many ways to stay in touch with the New Hampshire Film Festival. Sign up to get updates from our blog year round. Sign up for our newsletter to receive email announcements. Find us on online twitter.com/nhff facebook.com/nhfilmfestival youtube.com/nhfilmfestival

Awards

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:19:24 +0000

The NHFF recognizes the best films in several categories by presenting our Granny Awards. Weighing in at about 10 pounds, the Granny is hand-carved from granite. Each award-winning filmmaker also receives Portsmouth-manufactured, world-famous Bailey Works messenger bags and other special gifts. Grand Jury Award NHFF’s most prestigious award is presented each year to the best overall film as selected by our esteemed Grand Jury. The top three films selected by our screening committee will compete for this award. Audience Choice A sure measure of success for filmmakers is winning the Audience Choice Award. Movies are nominated for this award by the screening committee and then voted on by the NHFF audience throughout the festival. Online voting, size of crowds, and audience reviews will determine the Audience Choice Award winner. Given to one Documentary, and one Feature Film. Best Feature Film All feature length films are nominated for Best Feature Film which must be over 60 minutes or longer (excluding documentaries). Selected by the Screening Committee, this award recognizes the Best Feature Film in NHFF. Best Documentary All documentary films of at least 60 minutes in length are nominated for Best Documentary Film. Documentary films portray factual events and bring them to life through the art of storytelling. Best Short Comedy All short comedic films in the NHFF program are nominated for Best Short Comedy. Short comedies must be less than 60 minutes in length and involve comedic drama. Best Short Drama All short, dramatic films in the NHFF program less than 60 minutes in length are nominated for Best Short Drama. Short dramas involve dialogue about conflicts or contrasts of circumstance. Best Animated Film All animated short and feature length films in the NHFF program are nominated for Best Animated Film. These films use animated characters to tell their stories. Best Screenplay All screenplays are reviewed by three judges in Round One, resulting in the Top Ten advancing to Round Two, where each is read and scored by another three judges, yielding the top three screenplays, from which the Best is determined by our Guest Industry Judge. NH Night Awards New Hampshire Day & Night is dedicated to promoting films, filmmakers, producers, and actors who hail from the Granite state. Awards are presented to films and filmmakers who qualify for consideration as NH Film. The Van McLeod Award Named for Van McLeod, the current Commissioner of the NH Dept. of Cultural Resources, this award honors an individual who has made a significant career contribution to the film industry, especially in the state of NH. NH Film of the Year The best feature and short films nominated by the screening committee will be selected by the NH Grand Jury. NH Documentary Film of the Year All NH documentary films are nominated for NH Documentary Film of the Year. Documentary film portrays factual events and brings them to life through the art of storytelling. This award is voted on by the Screening Committee.

Screenplay Competition

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:19:45 +0000

NEW to 2012 Screenplay Competition: Grand Prize Winner to Receive Weeklong Writer’s Residency at Fabulous Star Island Retreat Center Celebrated Author Joyce Maynard to serve as Grand Prize Judge Portsmouth, NH – The New Hampshire Film Festival (NHFF) is pleased to announce that in addition to the existing prize package, the Grand Prize Winner of the NHFF Screenplay Competition will now receive an all-inclusive weeklong writer’s residency at the Star Island Family Retreat and Conference Center. Thanks to a generous sponsorship package offered by Star Island Corporation, this year’s top screenwriter and a guest will receive room, board, and ferry transportation to Star Island, which sits among the Isles of Shoals in the ocean off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire. “We are pleased to partner with the film festival, and intend for this to be an annual commitment to NHFF and the beginning of a long tradition,” said Vicky Hardy, Chief Executive Officer for Star Island Corporation. The festival, which runs the weekend following Columbus Day every year (this year: Oct. 11-14), is committed to supporting the art of filmmaking, which includes what is often the first step in a film: the screenplay. Founded in 2001, NHFF began as a small, grassroots organization to support local, regional, and student filmmakers. It now holds a place as a viable and recognized festival that showcases the brightest talent on the international film festival scene. In addition to the already generous weeklong package at Star Island, the writer and a guest will receive a lobster dinner, internet access, parking at the secure dock in Portsmouth, NH, a $100 gift certificate to the retreat’s snack bar, plus massages for two. The residency’s Saturday to Saturday dates are to be worked out between the winning scribe and Star Island staff, something that this year may have to be scheduled for the 2013 summer season since the Center closes in mid-September, just as the judging process concludes. The NHFF Screenplay Competition is accepting entries via Withoutabox through August 5, 2012. Those writers who already submitted screenplays are automatically entered for a chance to win the Grand Prize Writer’s Residency Prize Package, valued at approximately $3500. The wining scribe will also receive accommodations for two (in the same room) to the Festival, two NHFF Filmmaker passes to attend Festival screenings and events, and a “Granny”—a ten-pound granite brick sourced from a NH quarry. Celebrated Author Joyce Maynard to serve as 2012 Grand Prize Judge Selecting this year’s Grand Prize Winning Writer is noted author Joyce Maynard, who will join attendees in Portsmouth at the October 11-14, 2012 festival. A native of Durham, NH, and a longtime resident of Hillsboro and Keene, NH, Maynard has also been a Writer-In-Residence on Star Island with the Southern New Hampshire University MFA program. She first rose to national attention with the publication of her 1973 New York Times cover story, “An Eighteen Year Old Looks Back on Life,” when she was enrolled as a freshman at Yale. Since then, Maynard has been a reporter and columnist for the The New York Times; a syndicated newspaper columnist whose “Domestic Affairs” column appeared in more than 50 papers nationwide; a regular contributor to National Public Radio (NPR) and national magazines, and a performer with “The Moth” in New York City. She is also a fellow of the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH. Maynard is the author of fourteen books, including the best-selling memoir, At Home in the World, which has been translated into fifteen languages. Her novel To Die For was adapted by Buck Henry for the award-winning film of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman and directed by Gus Van Zant in 1995. Maynard's novel Labor Day, a story with a New Hampshire setting, was adapted for the screen by Jason Reitman, who is also directing the film, starring Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet. The mother of three grown children (all proud New Hampshire natives), Maynard has taught at writing programs around the country, and she runs workshops in both fiction and memoir. Her newest novel, still unnamed, is due out in the summer of 2013; Maynard is currently adapting it for film. She can be found at her website. Both NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg and NHFF Screenplay Competition Director Dana Biscotti Myskowski are thrilled to be working with Joyce Maynard and with Vicky Hardy of the Star Island Corporation to bring screenwriters this incredible offer. The deadline to enter this year’s NHFF Screenplay Competition is August 5, though the Withoutabox Extended Deadline is August 15; the site can be accessed Here. (Note: Photo above features the 2009 NHFF Screenplay Grand Prize Award Winners.)

Young Filmmakers Workshop

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:26:27 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers Workshop is an intense, three-day, hands-on workshop that walks teens through the process of filmmaking from script development to shooting and editing. Over the course of the weekend, our young filmmakers will learn about the various elements of the filmmaking process from industry professionals. The young filmmakers will then use these new skills to create an original short film, which will be screened at the NHFF Closing Ceremonies. The course is open to teens of all experience levels. No prior experience is necessary! In the past nine years, more than 100 students have participated in the Young Filmmakers Workshop and have moved on to film school and to work on and create their own film projects!

Restaurant Program

Brett Carneiro — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:28:53 +0000

Few things in life are better than great films and great cuisine, which is why NHFF is proud to announce the “NH Film Festival Restaurant Program” which started in 2010, in celebration of our 10th Anniversary. This fall we are honored to invite back the establishments that supported NHFF so well last year, in addition to many new friends of NHFF that have joined us for our 2011 season.

Portsmouth boasts a dynamic downtown culinary scene rich in variety and savor. NHFF offers guests a variety of NHFF-friendly places to rest your feet, enjoy yourself and talk about all those amazing films you just watched. The restaurants listed here - during the week of our festival - will be offering our guests a variety of specials (direct from our sponsors) and so expect to see each of these places not only promoting NHFF, but offering wines, drink specials and delicious plates which were prepared in honor of the New Hampshire Film Festival.

We are so happy to welcome this impressive lineup of restaurants which are the culinary cornerstones of the Portsmouth dining scene. Ask any local what they think of any of these restaurants and we guarantee you hear nothing but great feedback. NHFF is proud that they will be a part of our festival community this fall, and helping us to welcome YOU to Portsmouth.

While you are in town for the festival, or as you prepare for your trip to Portsmouth, please feel free to reference this page for details to any of our favorite eateries.

If you are a local establishment, and would like to receive more information on this program, please contact Nicole at programming@nhfilmfestival.com.

Bar and Restaurant Participants

Flatbread Co.

Surf Restaurant

Blue Mermaid Island Grill

The Library Restaurant

Portsmouth Gas Light Co.

Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe

The Oar House

Cava

The Page Restaurant & Bar

One Hundred Club

106 Kitchen & Bar

MoJo's BBQ Grill & Tavern

Fat Belly’s Grill and Bar

Ri Ra's Irish Pub

Cafe Mediterraneo

Award Archive

Brett Carneiro — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:04:20 +0000

2011
Best Feature: Adam Kassen, Puncture
Best Documentary: Bryan Storkel, Holy Rollers
Best Animation: Ryan Gibeau, Dirty Night Clowns
Best Short Comedy: Jeff Tomsic, I'm Having a Difficult Time Killing my Parents
Best Short Drama: Mel Miskell, Static
Audience Choice – Documentary: Constance Marks, Being Elmo
Audience Choice – Feature: Aimee Lagos, 96 Minutes
Grand Jury Award: Yan Vizinberg, Cargo
Best Screenplay: Kevin O’Malley, Bananafish Sandwich
Best NH Documentary: Marc Dole, In Danger of Being Discovered
Best NH Performance: Ben Robertson, Anywhere But Here (Directed by: Ross Thomas)
New Hampshire Film of the Year: Robert Scott Wildes, Thule
Van McLeod Award: Chris Stinson

2010
Grand Jury Award: Will Canon, Brotherhood
Best Feature: Tanya Hamilton, Night Catches Us
Audience Choice Narrative: Bob Meyer, Drunkboat
Audience Choice Documentary: Adrian Grenier, Teenage Paparazzo
Best Documentary: Matthew Groff and Ami Horowitz, U.N. Me
Best Short Comedy: Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Successful Alcoholics
Best Short Drama: Dan Hannon, The Pond
Best Screenplay: Tim Steed, “Dance of the Spike” (“Spike Driver Blues”)
MyTV’s New England Film of the Year: Andy Mitton, YellowBrickRoad

2009
Grand Jury Award: Scott Teems, That Evening Sun
Best Feature: Tim Disney, American Violet
Best Documentary: George Kachadorian, Shooting Beauty
Best Short Drama: Eric D. Howell, Ana’s Playground
Best Short Comedy: Arran Brownlee and Corran Brownlee, The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers
Best Animation: Sally Pearce, Elephants
Best Student Film: David Jibladze, Beholden
Audience Choice Narrative: Brant Sersen, Splinterheads
Audience Choice Documentary: Aron Gaudet, The Way We Get By
Screenplay Competition: Ed Boyle and Kevin Carey, Peter's Song
NH Filmmaker of the Year: Chase Bailey, Crooked Lane
Best NH Documentary: Marc Dole, Mito-Kids: Documenting Life

2008
Best Short Comedy: Kate Hudson, Cutlass
Best Short Drama: Colin Cunningham and Madison Graie, Centigrade
Best Animation: John Cernak and Danny Oakley, The Magistical
Best Student: T.J. Volgare, The Abattoir
Best Documentary: Patrick Creadon, I.O.U.S.A.
Grand Jury Award: Vadim Perelman, The Life Before Her Eyes
Best Feature: Giuseppe Tornatore, The Unknown Woman
Best Screenplay: David Bertoni, The Stunning Box
Audience Choice: Vanessa Gould, Between the Folds
New Hampshire Documentary Film Award: Jay B Childs, Communities and Consequences
New Hampshire Film of the Year: Justin Nowell, Sick Sex
The Van McLeod Award: Chase Bailey

2007
Feature: Aaron J. Wiederspahn, The Sensation of Sight
Documentary: Luke Wolbach, Row Hard, No Excuses
Short Drama: Harry Kellerman, The Little Gorilla
Short Comedy: Jonathan Browning, The Job
Animation: Alex Weil, One Rat Short
Student: Robert Scott Wildes, Neptunus Rex
Screenplay: Voices, Susan Klos
Grand Jury: Dave McLaughlin, On Broadway
New Hampshire Jury: Stephen Croke, The Busker

2006
Feature: Mark Hammond, Johnny Was
Documentary: Randy Olson, Flock of Dodos
Short Drama: Lance Edmands, Vacationland
Short Comedy: Will Hartman, Moosecock
Animation: J. Zachary Pike, The Toll
Student: Dan Eckman, Checkout
Screenplay: The Langlais Brothers, Unity
Audience: Christoph Gelfand, Chasing Buckner
Grand Jury: Ricki Stern, Anne Sundberg, The Trials of Darryl Hunt

2005
Feature: Ken Tipton, Heart of the Beholder
Documentary: Ron Wyman, Tunde
Short Drama: Michael Gillis, The Listeners
Short Comedy: Diego Velasco, Day Shift
Animation: John Cernak, Joyride
Student: Stefan Glidden, S. Katz, VP
Screenplay: Rock Shaink Jr. and Tim Anderson, Winter's Edge

2004
Feature: Brent Sterling Nemetz, Amazing Floydini
Documentary: E.S. Wochensky, Shoot the Moon
Short Drama: Keith Bearden, Raftman's Razor
Short Comedy: Doug Stradley, Thunder Road
Animation: Danny L. Oakley, Flyaway
Student: Ballard C. Boyd, Super 7
Screenplay: Alfred Thomas Catalfo, Mall Cop
Granite State Filmmaker: Scott Hancock, The New Voice of Fenway Park

2003
Feature: Terre Weisman, Developing Sheldon
Documentary: Jennifer Campbell, Nine
Short Drama: Chris Ohlson, The Meat Market
Short Comedy: Larry LaFond, Gaydar
Animation: John Cernak, Dear, Sweet Emma
Student: Jerome Schwartz, Cullen Hoback: Chasing Days
Screenplay: Joshua Howes, A House Divided

2002
Feature: Julia Montejo, Jesus Nebot, No Turning Back
Documentary: Bill Holloway, Go the Distance
Short Drama: Jeff Bemiss, The Book & The Rose
Short Comedy: Vengeance
Animation: The Last Mouse
Screenplay: Richard Guimond, The River Pirates
Granite State Filmmaker: Bobby Owen

2001
Feature: Gregory Joyce, Working Stiff
Documentary: Jay Fedigan, The Angry Heart
Short Drama: Mellon
Short Comedy: Beverly Allyn Chase, Going Postal

Panelists & Judges

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:10:15 +0000

Stay tuned for updates on our 2012 Jury Members!

2011 Grand Jury

Mark Adam

Mark T. Adam is president and CEO of the Zyacorp Companies based in Bedford, NH. Mark began his career as a theater manager at Canad Cinemas and subsequently held a senior executive position as Canad Cinemas became the largest theater chain in New Hampshire until its sale in 1997. Mark currently owns and operates Zyacorp Entertainment's Cinemagic Stadium Theaters in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The addition of two IMAX venues, Digital 3D, Previews Grill & Bar and the Grand Bistro provides Zyacorp's patrons with the finest of family entertainment and dining. Zyacorp Entertainment has been named to INC Magazine's Hot 500 List and Business NH Magazine's Top 100 privately owned companies. Mark is also the President of Zyacorp Inc., a professional management company and commercial real estate developer. Mark has been the executive producer of a number of locally produced film projects, and he is a member of the advisory board for the National Association of Theater Owners and serves as vice president of the Theater Owners of New England.

Nic Baisley

Nic Baisley, owner of FilmSnobbery.com, is an advocate and passionate speaker for indie film, a film reviewer, and the host of the web broadcast series FilmSnobbery Live! Nic also offers his services as an independent film consultant whose passion is giving a voice to independent content creators.

Leah Buono

Leah Buono is currently director of casting for Disney Channel and Disney XD where she oversees casting for pilots, series and television movies for the network. She began her casting career in feature films working for such directors as Wim Wenders, Neil LaBute and Wayne Wang. She also served as a talent and casting executive at Nickelodeon for seven years specializing in both live-action and animation programming. Leah has a B.A. in journalism and film studies from Michigan State University.

Tommy Chong

Grammy Award winning comedian Tommy Chong is legendary for his invaluable contribution to American counter-culture as part of the iconic comedy duo Cheech & Chong. During their reign, the twosome recorded six gold comedy albums, including the 1973 Grammy winner "Los Cochinos," and starred in eight films, most of which Chong co-wrote and directed. The first, "Up In Smoke", was the highest grossing comedy of 1978, topping $100 million at the box office. Others were "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie" (1980), "Nice Dreams" (1981), "Things Are Tough All Over" (1982), "Cheech and Chong: Still Smoking" (1983), and "The Corsican Brothers" (1984). Tommy has appeared in several other films including 1990's "Far Out, Man!"" and "National Lampoon's Senior Trip" (1995). Chong has also starred, most notably, as Leo on Fox's "That 70's Show," and has guest starred on ABC's "Dharma & Greg" and "The George Lopez Show." Chong recently released his new book "Cheech and Chong: The Unauthorized Autobiography" about the exploits of the infamous duo's smoke-filled world. Making history this year, Tommy Chong reunited with his old comedy partner, Richard "Cheech" Marin to announce their first tour in over 25 years, with Shelby Chong opening the show. The "Cheech & Chong: Light Up America & Canada" tour has proven to be one of the most successful comedy tours of the year, selling out multiple shows from coast to coast.

Brett Cullen

A veteran film and television actor who has appeared in a number of feature films including Apollo 13, Something to Talk About,and The Replacements. In addition to My Mother's Curse, Cullen will next be seen in a string of high profile films including the MGM film, Red Dawn, the indie drama Puncture, starring Chris Evans and Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated sequel The Dark Knight Rises. Cullen also had the extreme pleasure of just finishing playing Ben Graw in the new Paramount film , My Mother's Curse" opposite Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogen. Other motion picture credits include The Life Before Her Eyes, Skateland, The Runaways, Guillermo Arriaga's The Burning Plain. On television, the Houston, Texas-native has starred in numerous different series including "Young Riders," "Orleans," "Simple Life," and "Legacy." Most recently, Cullen has had recurring roles on ABC Family's "Make It Or Break It," NBC's "Friday Night Lights," FX's "Damages," and "The Gates" among others. Cullen is also known for his character 'Goodwin' in ABC's "Lost" and roles on "NCIS," "The Mentalist," "Desperate Housewives," "Private Practice," "Once and Again," "CSI: Miami," and "West Wing" among others.

2011 NH JURY

Dawn DeAngelis

Dawn DeAngelis has been NHPTV's chief content officer since December 2008. She currently manages the broadcast, online and outreach efforts for the station. Prior to her promotion, Dawn was the executive producer for public affairs, producing the award-winning series New Hampshire Outlook and a variety of specials. Before joining NHPTV, Dawn spent twenty years in the San Francisco Bay Area producing television news programs for ABC and CBS affiliate stations. Along with supervising the daily production of LIVEnewscasts, Dawn planned and managed special events. Her specialty was election and disaster coverage – not necessarily in that order. She lives in Lee, NH with her husband, two sons and a dog named Chipper.

AMY DIAZ

A veteran judge of our NH Night program, we are honored to have distinguished film critic Amy Diaz back for this year's program. Amy is the film critic at The Hippo, New Hampshire's largest weekly newspaper, and, when she's not at the multiplex, also serves as the paper's editor. With readers from Concord to Manchester and Nashua, the Hippo is the state's largest weekly newspaper and Southern New Hampshire's source for news, arts, and entertainment. Before joining the Hippo full time, she worked at daily newspapers in southern California and New Hampshire. Amy resides in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Rachel Forrest

Rachel Forrest is a restaurant critic, food and features writer for Seacoast Media Group and many magazines as well as a cookbook author. She is an avid film buff and has attended many film festivals including Telluride, Tribeca and Toronto Film Festivals as well as Telluride by the Sea and NH Film Festival. She was a member of the screenplay jury for the festival in 2009.

Greg Kretschmar

Greg Kretschmar is the host of popular morning radio show Greg and the Morning Buzz, heard on 100.3WHEB, Rock 101-WGIR FM, Maxx-93.9FM and Keene Classics 99.1FM during weekdays from 5:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. In his own words, "I'm a normal guy, in an abnormal job. I'm a New Hampshire guy, born and raised. I have a wife, Valerie, and two kids, Caitlin and Tyler – and because of them, I'm the luckiest guy in the world.UNH graduate (84) and proud of it. I was the audio/visual aide in high school – so if you're overhead projector needed fixin' – I got the call over the p.a. (Mad props to all my A/V geeks out there!) I've been doing mornings since 1987 – and believe it or not – I still really enjoy it. It's great getting to come in to work everyday- work with the people I do, and talking to and with all of you tuning in! We try to make the show like you were entering into your living room, and all of your friends are there. It's casual, fluid, and sometimes famous people drop in."

Karen Marzloff

Karen Marzloff has been writing for local media for 15 years, and eight years ago helped bring a new independent media voice to the Seacoast with The Wire, the region's news and culture weekly paper. The thriving arts scene inspired her to co-found Seacoast Local, a non-profit that advocates rooting more money locally in order to build a strong local economy. Movies have been there all along, however, from the old days watching classic weekend matinees on Boston's channel 56 to an early career as an editor, projectionist and college sports camera operator. Writing stories won out, but her love of movies remains.

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The Festival

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:20:33 +0000

Festival Archive

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:25:57 +0000

The Films

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:26:46 +0000

Stay tuned for the official announcement of our 2012 films. Independent films selected by the New Hampshire Film Festival become part of a world-class program. Many of the filmmakers themselves partake in our educational workshops, round table discussions, and gala after-parties during the weekend.

Parties

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:44:57 +0000

NHFF's after parties are great networking opportunities for film enthusiasts, filmmakers and industry guests. And they're just fun. Discuss your passion for film. Hang with some recognizable, inspiring actors and filmmakers. Enjoy the Portsmouth nightlife. The following is a list of our 2011 Parties and Ceremonies, stay tuned as we get closer to the 2012 festival for Party Announcements. New Hampshire Film Festival’s Annual Media Party The Page at 172 Hanover St. During this informal cocktail party, NHFF will confirm our media list for press covering NHFF 2010 Oct. 14 - 17; distribute press passes for the year’s festival; share DVDs and media packets of film screening at NHFF 2010; and premiere the NHFF 2010 trailer. This is a not-to-be missed event for any media covering NHFF – or for any fans of NHFF – as local filmmakers, sponsors and others involved gather in anticipation of another year of inspiring independent film. Thursday: NH FILM AND TELEVISION OFFICE NH NIGHT AFTER PARTY Flatbread Co., 138 Congress St. 9:30 p.m. Thursday at NHFF is a mini film festival dedicated to New Hampshire-affiliated films. It takes place exclusively on a NH landmark stage, The Music Hall, and culminates with the NH Grand Jury awarding the New Hampshire Film of the Year and New Hampshire Documentary Film of the Year immediately following the final screening. To conclude, all pass and ticket holders are invited to the Official NH Night After Party at Flatbread Co. Friday: OPENING NIGHT CEREMONIES The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St. 7:00 p.m. Includes a catered reception followed by our opening night program. The program begins with a short introduction to staff and sponsors, a program of events, a review of changes to the schedule and announcements. The opening night program then concludes with the NHFF opening night feature film. ABSOLUT VODKA AFTER PARTY Portsmouth Gas Light Third Floor Night Club, 64 Market St. 9:30 p.m. After the opening night feature, all pass and ticket holders are invited to the official Opening Night After Party to celebrate the 11th Annual NHFF! Saturday: ROBERT'S MAINE GRILL & KATE PARKER EVENTS HOSPITALITY TENT One Harbour Place (Riverfront patio.) 1 - 4 p.m. Join us for a New England lunch with Robert’s Maine Grill on the banks of the Piscataqua River in one of Portsmouth’s most picturesque locations. A special VIP tent will also feature Francis Ford Coppola Wine tasting and cocktails from Absolut Vodka. MOET & CHANDON SIGNATURE AFTER PARTY Surf Restaurant, 99 Bow St.,10 p.m. The Signature After Party is hosted and catered by Surf Restaurant and sponsored by Moet & Chandon. This is the featured after party at the festival. All ticket and pass holders are invited to come out for a swanky good time where you’ll enjoy mingling with special guests, industry insiders, and film enthusiasts. Sunday: VIP BRUNCH One Hundred Club, 100 Market St., 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Entry to: VIP, Sponsors and Artist pass holders. Join us for the most-anticipated event of the festival. The One Hundred Club opens their Members-only club to our most important guests for this exclusive brunch on the top floor of the city’s tallest building

Screening Venues

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:07:46 +0000

SCREENING VENUES

The Francis Ford Coppola Main Stage at The Music Hall The Music Hall is a nonprofit performing arts center that entertains 100,000 patrons, including 20,000 school children, annually with acclaimed film, music, theater, and dance performances. Its historic 900-seat theater, built in 1878, is the oldest in New Hampshire and designated an "American Treasure" by the U.S. Senate. The Music Hall presents diverse and relevant programming, including its signature series and innovative community outreach programs, and hosts numerous community fundraisers and celebrations for the benefit of more than 40 local nonprofits. 28 Chestnut Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 436-2400 www.themusichall.org The Access Sports Medicine Stage at The Loft Just around the corner from the Historic Theater, the Music Hall Loft is a critical extension of The Music Hall’s mission to be an active and vital arts center for the enrichment of the Seacoast community. 131 Congress Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 436-2400 www.themusichall.org The Provident Bank Screening Room at The Moffat Ladd House A National Historic Landmark, the Moffatt-Ladd was erected in 1763 and has been open to the public as a historic house museum since 1912. One of America’s finest Georgian mansions, Moffatt-Ladd’s renovated Warehouse comfortably seats about 100 people and hosts screenings. 154 Market Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-7708 (603) 436-8221 www.moffattladd.org The Cinemagic Screen Room at The Sheraton Amphitheater Experience convenience at every turn at Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, convenient to Portsmouth's shopping, fine dining, recreation and museums. Settle in and enjoy an array of amenities in their 180 guestrooms. Outstanding service, cozy accommodations, and familiar comfort. 250 Market St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 www.sheratonportsmouth.com

Reception and Ceremony Venues

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:09:05 +0000

Reception and Ceremony Venues Coming Soon

Headquarters

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:10:21 +0000

HEADQUARTERS

The Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside 250 Market St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 603.431.2300 www.sheratonportsmouth.com IOS Business Centers This office building a block from The Music Hall houses NHFF's day-to-day business offices and also hosts the Young Filmmakers Workshop. 155 Fleet St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 NHFF office: 603.647.6439 www.iosnh.com

Party Venues

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:11:30 +0000

PARTY VENUES

Flatbread Co. Organic, wood-fired pizza, micro-brews and a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere make Flatbread Co. a perfect stop to recharge during your NHFF experience. It's also the traditional host of the NH Night after-party on Thursday. 138 Congress St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 436-7888 www.flatbread.com Portsmouth Gaslight One of Portsmouth's largest nightspots, the Gaslight traditionally hosts the Friday night after-party. 64 Market St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 430-9122 www.portsmouthgaslight.com Surf Restaurant Nine years after Surf's initital unveiling in Nashua, Chef and Owner Michael Buckley just this year opened his second location in Portsmouth, NH. Here, Chef Buckley will introduce his unique concept of fresh seafood to a new region of the state. 99 Bow St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-334-9855 www.surfseafood.com The Marina at Harbour Place Exclusive Deep-water Docking in the Heart of Historic Downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire on the Piscataqua River 1 Harbour Pl. Portsmouth, NH 603.436.0915 www.marinaharbourplace.com The Page Bar & Grill The Page is a comfortable, sleek leisure bar in the heart of the city and is featured as an official nightspot sponsor for NHFF. 172 Hanover St. Portsmouth, NH 603.436.0004 www.pageportsmouth.com

Panel & Workshop Venues

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:12:51 +0000

HEADQUARTERS

NHFF Guide

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:15:46 +0000

NHFF Guide Coming Soon

Festival by Day

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:20:06 +0000

Festival by Day Coming Soon

Filmmaker Travel & Accomodations

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:32:14 +0000

NHFF arranges discounted rooms at conveniently located hotels all across town each year. We select a few ranging area accommodations to offer something for everyone’s budget and taste. Continue to check back as the festival gets closer to see our partnerships, and book a room before they sell out! Some previous partnerships: Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside (603) 431-2300‎ Hilton Garden Inn (603) 431-1499 Residence Inn (603) 422-9200 Ale House Inn (603) 431-7760‎ Hampton Inn (603) 431-6111 Homewood Suites (603) 427-5400

Traveling to the New Hampshire Film Festival

By car:

Portsmouth is conveniently located on U.S. 95, one hour north of Boston and one hour south of Portland, ME.

By air:

Portsmouth is easily accessed from the following airports:

By train:

Amtrak Acela trains make stops at the Portsmouth Transportation Center (Amtrak station code PTS).

By bus:

Portsmouth is accessible by bus through C&J Bus Lines and Greyhound. Please note that the train station and C&J bus stop are located outside the main part of the city and you will need to arrange transportation from the station to downtown. Click here for taxi companies in the area. Greyhound makes limited stops in downtown Portsmouth, consult their schedule for details.

Accepted Filmmaker Information

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Accepted Filmmaker Information Coming Soon

Press and Promotions

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Radio Newspapers Portsmouth Herald The Wire Foster' Daily Democrat Television NHPTV NH Chronicle Bloggers Shortstream.tv Social Media @NHFF

The Board of Directors

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Board of Directors Zac Gregg, chair Rae Dawn Chong Chase Bailey Tracey Becker George Venci Marc Dole Jeff Greenfield Jennifer Chinburg Carter Siegel Anne Lapointe Darren Goldberg Dan Hannon Chris Proulx Neil Gibb

Sponsor Kit

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:45:17 +0000

2012 Sponsorship Kit

NHFF draws filmmakers who make it. Actress Morena Baccarin, star of TV's "V" and "August" director Austin Chick at NHFF 2009.

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NHFF offers interaction with filmmakers. In 2009, the “I.O.U.S.A.” panel featured US Sen. Judd Gregg, director Patrick Creadon, and writer Addison Wiggin.

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NHFF supports the art of filmmaking. In 2008, Emmy winners Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar served as NHFF Artists-in-Residence.

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:26:13 +0000

Francis Ford Coppola Winery Is Lead Sponsor Of 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:32:24 +0000

NHFF, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, and NH State Liquor & Wine Outlets Offer Promo

PORTSMOUTH, NH – The New Hampshire Film Festival is extremely pleased to announce Francis Ford Coppola Winery is the lead sponsor for the 2010 independent film festival Oct. 14 – 17 when NHFF will celebrate its 10th anniversary in downtown Portsmouth.

This major sponsorship from the winery owned by Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola ("The Godfather," and "Apocalypse Now") is significant validation for the independent, non-profit NH Film Festival, which started in 2001 as a local film expo. Francis Ford Coppola Winery branding will be featured on all 2010 NHFF marketing materials and Coppola wines will be featured at events throughout the festival.

"Francis Ford Coppola Winery is proud to be a major sponsor of the 2010 New Hampshire Film Festival," said Francis Ford Coppola Winery General Manager and Director of Winemaking Corey Beck. "This is an exciting combination of award-winning wines and award-winning films."

In addition, NHFF will partner with Francis Ford Coppola Winery and the NH State Liquor Commission to offer a promotional contest through Aug. 1. The contest features a pair of NHFF VIP passes and hotel accommodations as grand prize as well as six pairs of NHFF weekend passes as second place prizes.

"We are honored to welcome Francis Ford Coppola Winery as our lead sponsor for our very special tenth anniversary," said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. "This is a remarkable opportunity for NHFF to continue to bring the finest independent film to the Granite State and to New England. The support of Francis Ford Coppola Winery is invaluable."

Gregg credited Van McLeod and Matthew Newton of the New Hampshire Film & Television Office, and the NH State Liquor Commission for being instrumental in facilitating the Coppola partnership. Peter Emery, vice president and general manager of Southern Wines and Spirits of New England (a Francis Ford Coppola Winery distributor) said NHFF's status as one of the top independent film festivals in New England made the winery sponsorship and promotional tie-in with the NH State Liquor Commission a tremendous opportunity.

"I think the growth of the New Hampshire Film Festival obviously warrants support of this type and we're fortunate to be working with Francis Ford Coppola Winery to support the arts," Emery said. "Because of the tie-in with the film industry, working with the NH State Liquor Commission as a medium to promote the event is a great fit."

As part of its 10th anniversary festivities, NHFF will also launch a preferred restaurant program this year to highlight the portfolio of Coppola wines, as well as other potential beer and spirits sponsors. Interested sponsors of any NHFF activities should contact Nicole Gregg by email: Nicole@nhfilmfestival.com.

About Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis Ford Coppola puts it best, saying the winery is "a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life." Francis Ford Coppola Winery is located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville, CA accessed from US HWY 101 at the Independence Lane exit. Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a wine tasting bar, two restaurants, swimming pools, movie memorabilia, a performing arts pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. Francis Ford Coppola Winery opens at 11 a.m. daily. For more information, call (707) 857-1400, toll free (877) 590-3299 or visit www.FrancisCoppolaWinery.com.

NHFF draws well-known actors and filmmakers as well as national media coverage. Actress Ann Cusack is interviewed here by NECN at NHFF 2009.

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:02:43 +0000

NHFF is a four-day independent film event, drawing acclaimed actors such as Brett Cullen, pictured here at NHFF 2009.

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2010 NHFF CALL FOR ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:36:15 +0000

NH Film Festival Opens Call For Entries, Announces 2010 Dates for 10th Annual Film Fest Oct. 14 – 17 in Portsmouth, NH

FEB. 3, 2010  PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – The New Hampshire Film Festival has officially opened its call for entries for 2010 and is now accepting film and screenplay submissions for the 10th Annual NHFF, Oct. 14 - 17 in downtown Portsmouth, organizers announced today. Online film entries close Aug. 15.

"This is the beginning of the process we go through each year to select the finest independent film that we can bring to Portsmouth," said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. "We urge filmmakers and writers to enter as early as possible. There are many films and screenplays to consider and we've always been very fortunate to have such an incredible volume of submissions."

Drawing nearly 9,000 attendees in 2009, NHFF has garnered national press coverage including from Moviemaker Magazine which called NHFF "the film center of New England." In 2009, NHFF received more than 700 films and 200 screenplays for consideration. Filmmakers should submit films through www.withoutabox.com upload service.

With a lineup of films from international festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, and Cannes, (NHFF had more than 20 international films in 2009) the NHFF program has evolved to compare to major film festivals, according to Gregg. NHFF entries are being accepted in the following categories: Feature, Documentary, Shorts under 30 minutes, Shorts 30 – 60 minutes, Student, Animation, and NH Films.

Submission deadlines
Early Bird entries: June 5. Early entries: July 5. Late entries: Aug. 5. All entries must be submitted through Withoutabox. Online entries close Aug. 15. For more information, contact NHFF Program Director Deb Barry, deb@nhfilmfestival.com or 603.647.6439.

NHFF will continue to host NH Day and Night on Thursday of the fest – Oct. 14 – this year and NHFF will announce prizes and juries as sponsorships, participating artists and other details are finalized for the year.

NHFF's 2009 award winners included:
Best Short Comedy: Arran Brownlee and Corran Brownlee, "The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers;" Best Short Drama: Eric D. Howell "Ana's Playground:" Best Animation: Sally Pearce, "Elephants;" Best Student Film: David Jibladze, "Beholden;" Best Documentary: George Kachadorian, "Shooting Beauty;" Grand Jury Award: Scott Teems, "That Evening Sun;" Best Feature: Tim Disney, "American Violet;" Best Screenplay: Ed Boyle and Kevin Carey, "Peter's Song;" Audience Choice - Narrative: Brant Sersen, "Splinterheads;" Audience Choice – Documentary: Aron Gaudet, "The Way We Get By;" Best NH Documentary: Marc Dole, "Mito-Kids: Documenting Life;" and NH Filmmaker of the Year: Chase Bailey, "Crooked Lane."

NH FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2009 GRANNY WINNERS

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:05:10 +0000

"That Evening Sun" wins NHFF Grand Jury Award. Nearly 9,000 attend 80 independent films.

OCT. 19, 2009 PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – After four days of independent film that drew nearly 9,000 attendees to several sold-out screenings and talk-of-the-town, standing-room-only after-parties, the New Hampshire Film Festival announced 2009 Granny Award winners during closing ceremonies Sun., Oct. 18.

Hundreds of VIP attendees, artists, and industry icons flooded the independent film festival's fabulous after-parties and VIP suites at Flatbread Co., Portsmouth Gas Light Co., the One Hundred Club, and Pesce Blue. NHFF attendees included actors Brett Cullen and Ann Cusack, and Hollywood producer Mark Urman. Info at www.nhfilmfestival.com, www.twitter.com/nhff, www.facebook.com/NHFilmFestival, or 603.647.6439.

NHFF 2009 GRANNY AWARD WINNERS
Grand Jury Award, Scott Teems, "That Evening Sun" - Best Feature, Tim Disney, "American Violet" - Best Documentary, George Kachadorian, "Shooting Beauty" - Best Short Drama, Eric D. Howell "Ana’s Playground" - Best Short Comedy, Arran Brownlee and Corran Brownlee,  - "The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers" - Best Animation, Sally Pearce, "Elephants" - Best Student Film, David Jibladze, "Beholden" - Audience Choice Narrative, Brant Sersen, "Splinterheads" - Audience Choice Documentary, Aron Gaudet, "The Way We Get By" - Screenplay Competition, Ed Boyle and Kevin Carey, "Peter's Song" - NH Filmmaker of the Year, Chase Bailey, "Crooked Lane" - Best NH Documentary, Marc Dole, "Mito-Kids: Documenting Life"

"That Evening Sun" follows an aging farmer who returns to his homestead to confront family betrayal, an old enemy and the loss of his farm. Teems adapted the screenplay from a short story by William Gay. The packed house for Audience Choice Narrative-Winner "Splinterheads" was NHFF's largest daytime audience in history.

"We thank all of our independent filmmakers, filmgoers, panelists, special guests and corporate sponsors such as Irving Oil who made NHFF 2009 so memorable," said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. "We are also eternally grateful to our army of volunteers and to the high levels of sponsorship from companies like Vital Design, Access Sports Medicine, Left Bank Films, Rule | Boston Camera, The Provident Bank, Hilton Garden Inn and the Sheraton Harborside."

More than 80% of screened films were represented by someone from the film, including Director Chris Nyst, who flew from Australia to screen his film, "Crooked Business." Other highlights included independent film documentary "Food, Inc.," which included a Q&A session with Stonyfield Farm CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg; the Farrely-brothers produced "Lost Son of Havana," on Red Sox great Luis Tiant's return to Cuba; and the acclaimed feature "The Burning Plain" with Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

About NHFF
The non-profit New Hampshire Film Festival is the only event of its kind in the state. Its mission is to celebrate the art of filmmaking by uniting professional filmmakers, screenwriters, and film students with industry experts, educators, and film connoisseurs from around the globe. More info online at www.nhfilmfestival.com. Advertising, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities available.

2009 NH DAY & NIGHT WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:21:11 +0000

"Crooked Lane" & "Mito-Kids" Honored.

NH Film Festival kicked off Thursday with a packed house at The Music Hall to see Marc Dole's "Mito-Kids: Documenting Life" win NH Documentary Film of the Year and Chase Bailey's "Crooked Lane" win NH Film of the Year. Both awards were determined by the NH Jury.

NHFF 2009 Screenplay Competition Judge and renowned playwright Ernest Thompson also was awarded the Van McLeod Award for his contributions to the state's film or television industry. Named for the current commissioner of NH's Dept. of Cultural Resources, the award honored NH resident Thompson for his long, Oscar-winning career, including "On Golden Pond."

In "Mito-Kids," Dole, the owner and founder of Hatchling Studios, told the story of his four teenage daughters who have grown up with disabilities that stem from mitochondrial disease, a chronic, genetic disorder that occurs when the mitochondria of the cell fail to function properly.

When Bailey's name was called for "Crooked Lane," the entire cast and crew joined him on stage, including stars Ann Cusack ("The Informant!"), Brett Cullen ("Lost"), Eliya-Quaye Constance, 9, of Brentwood; Noa Siegel, 11, of Exeter; executive producer Mark Constance and co-producer Bethany Constance (parents to Eliya-Quaye).

NH FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ACCEPTED FILMS FOR 2009, OCT. 15 – 18 IN PORTSMOUTH

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:24:13 +0000

"Serious Moonlight," with Meg Ryan, Kristen Bell, Justin Long and Timothy Hutton heads more than 80 independent films

Sept. 23, 2009 PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – The New Hampshire Film Festival judges are pleased to announce a roster of 80 accepted films for what organizers expect to be the event's largest turnout to date, Oct. 15 – Oct. 18 in downtown Portsmouth.

"I am stunned at the volume and quality of films we received this year," said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. "We feel so fortunate to have attracted this type of interest from talented filmmakers across the globe. I only wish we could screen them all."

NHFF drew more than 700 submissions this year from independent filmmakers in New Hampshire, the U.S., and the world. Headlining films include "Serious Moonlight" with Meg Ryan, Kristen Bell, Justin Long and Timothy Hutton; "Paper Heart" featuring Michael Cera of "Juneau" and "Arrested Development;" and "Mystery Team," a comedy shot in New Hampshire from Manchester filmmaker Dan Eckman.

Below is the list of films selected for the 2009 New Hampshire Film Festival.

Features
“Serious Moonlight” Directed by Cheryl Hines
“The Burning Plain” Directed by Guillermo Arriaga
“American Violet” Directed by Tim Disney
“Don McKay” Directed by Jake Goldberger
“Dear Lemon Lima” Directed by Suzi Yoonessi
“Mystery Team” Directed by Dan Eckman
“Adventures of Power” Directed by Ari Gold
“Empty Nest” Directed by Sebastijan Jemec and Jocelyn Spaar
“Paper Heart” Directed by Nicholas Jasenovec
“That Evening Sun” Directed by Scott Teems
“Splinterheads” Directed by Brant Sersen
“Crooked Business” Directed by Chris Nyst

Feature Documentaries
“Mine” Directed by Geralyn Pezanoski
“Shooting Beauty” Directed by George Kachadorian
“Accelerating America” Directed by Tim Hotchner
“Food, Inc.” Directed by Robert Kenner
“Prom Night in Mississippi” Directed by Paul Saltzman
“Delta Rising” Directed by Michael Afendakis and Laura Bernieri
“The Way We Get By” Directed by Aron Gaudet
“Lost Son of Havana” Directed by Jonathan Hock
“I Need that Record” Directed by Brendan Toller
“A Walk to Beautiful” Directed by Mary Olive Smith
“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
“Kassim the Dream” Directed by Kief Davidson
“The Third Jihad” Directed by Wayne Kopping and Erik Werth
“Playground” Directed by Libby Spears
“Return to Mexico City” Directed by Maura Mandt and Joie Walls
“American Faust: From Condi to Neo-Condi” Directed by Sebastian Doggart
“Left Field” Directed by Ben Steger
“Quest for Honor” Directed by Mary Ann Smothers Bruni

Shorts
“Kung Pow Wow”
“Viko”
“The Lake”
“The Last Page”
“Ana's Playground”
“The Beneficiary”
“Welcome Home the Airman”
“Home is Where You Find It”
“Janusz”
“Melting the Snowman”
“True Beauty this Night”
“The Man with All the Marbles”
“Once More to the Cabin”
“Un Café L'Amerique”
“Patient”
“Open Your Eyes”
“Beholden”
“Witness to Hiroshima”
“Eiko”
“Samantha”
“Denouement”
“Happy Hunting”

Animation
“Red Revenge”
“Jelly Fishers”
“Fuzzy Inside”
“Elephants”
“Skylight”
“Hey Diddle Diddle”
“The Mouse That Soared”
“Blast Off”

NH Shorts
“Drawing From Life”
“Ear Whacks”
“Breaking Up”
“Cinema 93”
“Catching On”
“Don't Just Stand There”
“Stalling”
“The Way They Were Inside”
“Arbor Day”
“Team Hannah”
“The Tell-Tale Heart”
“Killing Dinner”
“Crooked Lane”
“The Making of Some Place Like America”
“Mito Kids”
“Tweet”
“No Good Reason”
“Lucky”
“The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers”
“The Waiter”

NH High School Short Film Festival Winners
“The Interview”
“Art Speaks”
“Clay”
“Parasi”
“Boy in the Snow”
“Falling Up”

Film and Screenplay Submissions Deadline Aug 5! Enter Via Withoutabox

nhff — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:52:35 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival (NHFF) is still accepting independent film submissions for our 10th Annual NHFF, Oct. 14 - 17 in downtown Portsmouth! But hurry because online entries close Aug. 5. We also have an extended deadline for Without a Box registrants of Aug. 15. In 2009, NHFF received more than 700 films and 200 screenplays for consideration. Film submissions come in from all over the US and many countries around the world.

Independent Film Submissions
Independent filmmakers should submit films through our Withoutabox upload service. Submissions are accepted in the following categories:

Features
Documentaries (all lengths)
Shorts 30-60 min.
Shorts under 30 min.
Animation
Student
NH Films (for films and filmmakers connected to NH)

The NHFF annually recognizes the best films in several categories by presenting its Granny Awards on NH Night and at our Closing Ceremonies. Each award-winning filmmaker also receives Portsmouth-manufactured Bailey Works messenger bags. Cash, equipment rental packages, in-kind donations, and industry connections are also presented to some award recipients. If you've read through our independent film submissions page and still have questions, e-mail NHFF Programming Director Deb Barry.

Screenplay Competition

The deadlines for the NHFF Screenplay Competition are also Aug. 5, extended deadline Aug. 15. This year's competition promises to be a memorable one as NHFF welcomes Dana Biscotti Myskowski as NHFF Screenplay Competition Director. An adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire, Biscotti Myskowski is a professional screenwriter and producer and holds an MFA in creative writing: screenwriting from Goddard College. She is also a member of the NH Film Commission Board of Directors.
Screenplay submissions can also be made through NHFF's Withoutabox submissions page. More information on the NHFF Screenplay Competition is available here.

About NHFF
The New Hampshire Film Festival is a four-day cultural experience set in the fall foliage of picturesque Portsmouth, NH. One of the largest film fests in New England, NHFF draws celebrities, Academy-Award winners, film industry veterans and local film lovers. NHFF offers workshops and discussions for young and new filmmakers to interact with industry pros and to learn the art and business of film. Held the weekend after Columbus Day, NHFF drew an estimated 9,000 attendees and 80 films in 2009. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 603.647.6439 or emailing NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg.

Submissions for 2010 NHFF Have Closed

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:10:17 +0000

Submissions for the 2010 Festival are now closed. Thank you to all who entered! Next year's submissions will be accepted during the spring and summer of 2011 via Withoutabox. We look forward to receiving yours and thank you for your interest!

Look for our official announcement of accepted films in mid-September. Screenplay Finalists will be announced this weekend, August 21-22.

Check back frequently for news on the 2010 NH Film Festival. Thank you.

Top Ten Screenplay Finalists Announced

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:27:22 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is pleased to announce the top 10 finalists in the annual NHFF Screenplay Competition. The panel of judges will now determine the top three finalists who will be announced in September.

Congratulations to the Following Scribes who have advanced to Round Two:
Dale Andersen, "The Martyrdom of Madeline Slezak"
Benjamin Bates, "Love and Fluids"
Carl Clark, "American Ridge"
Thad Halcli, "Last Exit This Galaxy"
James Lantz, "Hide Fox"
Adam Meyer, "The Other Side of the Wall"
Jonathan Miller, "Agent Cynthia"
Franz Pagot, "Greenhorn"
Mari SanGiovanni, "Greetings From Jamaica"
Tim Steed, "Dance of the Spike"

The Top Three Finalists will be announced in September; please check back for updates. For more information on the NHFF Screenplay Competition, contact NHFF Screenplay Competition Director Dana Biscotti Myskowski.

NHFF Announces the Preferred Restaurant Program

Brett Carneiro — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:06:39 +0000

Few things in life are better than great films and great cuisine, which is why NHFF is proud to announce the “NHFF Preferred Restaurant Program” in celebration of our 10th Anniversary this fall. Portsmouth boasts a dynamic downtown culinary scene rich in variety and savor. And now NHFF will offer guests a variety of NHFF-friendly places to rest your feet, enjoy yourself and talk about all those amazing films you just watched.

The complete list of our participating restaurants is an impressive representation of Portsmouth's strong culinary culture but there is still room for more. If you are a local establishment, and would like to receive more information on this program, please contact NHFF Communications Director, Brett Carneiro by email.

Preferred Restaurant Program Participants

Rudi's - Rudi’s is a contemporary American restaurant with something for everyone. Sample the freshest of local farms and Seaport’s bounties with menus for cool, quiet lunches (daily, 11:30-3) and upbeat, lime-lit dinners (nightly, 4-close) featuring a wide array of traditional dishes with signature twists.

20 High Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4022 (603) 430-7834 Map + Menu

Black Trumpet - Black Trumpet is a two-story bistro and wine bar in the heart of Portsmouth’s historic old port. Both floors offer views of the Piscataqua River and the oft-photographed tugboats that still escort enormous tankers into the harbor.

29 Ceres Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-3727 (603) 431-0887 Map + Menu

Oar House - Located in the historic "Merchant's Row" building at the edge of Portsmouth's old harbor, The Oar House serves fine food in a setting filled with mementos of the city's long and proud maritime heritage.

55 Ceres Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-3779 (603) 436-4025 Map + Menu

FOUR - Our goal at Four is to stimulate the taste buds and create an emotional reaction, as we believe that an excellent meal should be a moving experience. With a caring staff that will treat you like family, we strive to provide our guests with an atmosphere that is elegant yet comfortable.

189 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-3827 (603) 319-1547 Map + Wine List

Brazo -Welcome to Brazo. Where the flavors of Latin and South American cuisine are completely at home in northern reaches. It’s everything an exotic journey should be, while only an arm’s length from downtown Portsmouth.

75 Pleasant Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4504 (603) 431-0050 Map + Menu

The Green Monkey - The Green Monkey offers New American Cuisine with a flare. Enjoy a unique and comfortable atmosphere while indulging in our exclusively designed martinis, specialty beers and wines from around the world.

86 Pleasant Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4505 (603) 427-1010 Map + Menu

Dolphin Striker - Set in a historic building at the corner of Ceres and Bow Streets, adjacent to the Portsmouth Harbor, The Dolphin Striker is a gem in Portsmouth's dining scene. Their thoughtfully crafted menu drawn from cuisine worldwide and tailored to New England tastes looks to celebrate the region's freshest bounty.

15 Bow Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-3896 (603) 431-5222 Map + Menu

Cava - Located in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Cava is the dream of two long time friends John Akar and Gregg Sessler. Together they combined their years of experience in the restaurant business to build Cava. Cava features two wine bars and a chef's bar serving modern and classic Mediterranean cuisine.

10 Commercial Alley #1 Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 319-1575 Map + Menu

Library Restaurant - Join us for traditional New England fare, while surrounded by architectural treasures of an era gone by. Library is prestigious while reasonably priced, with something for everyone through all seasons. It is the perfect setting for a business luncheon or dinner. You can also enjoy lighter fare or a friendly cocktail in our lounge.

401 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4070 (603) 431-5202 Map + Menu

Radici - Experience the authentic tastes of the old country in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As you step inside, the low lights, candles & cool music create an intimate atmosphere as flavors mingle and simmer in the air, taking you away to Italian landscapes & seaside villas.

1 Middle Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4391 (603) 373-6464 Map + Menu

Blue Mermaid - Our innovative menu is inspired by the fun and festive foods of the Caribbean. Come in and enjoy our friendly service, eclectic atmosphere and Portsmouth's best margaritas, tropical coolers and unique draft beer selection.

409 The Hill Portsmouth, NH 03801-3736 (603) 427-2583 Map + Menu

Portsmouth Gas Light Co. - Portsmouth Gas Light Co. brings casual American dining and brick-oven pizza to the Seacoast.

64 Market Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 431-9122 Map + Menu

Jumpin' Jays Fish Café - Located just two blocks down from Market Square, Jay's has become an overnight institution among locals who appreciate exceptional seafood. The quality of fare is unsurpassed. The atmosphere is casually hip, with no pretense.

150 Congress Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4019 (603) 766-3474 Map + Menu

Pesce - The new Pesce Italian Kitchen continues to provide its unique commitment to fine service and authentic Italian cuisine through the talents of their Executive Chef, James Walter. The restaurant now specializes in simple rustic Italian food at a moderate price, based on simplicity, quality, and a passion for food, wine, and service.

103 Congress Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4005 (603) 430-7766 Map + Menu

Flatbread Co - Relax and enjoy a natural pizza baked in a primitive wood fired oven. Experience a meal prepared with organic produce, free range chicken, and nitrate free meats. A community oriented company, where we work hard, have fun and do our part in saving the planet, all in a days work. We serve local organic produce, free range and clean meats. All of our major ingredients are made in house and cooked in a wood fired cauldron or in a hand built wood burning earthen oven.

138 Congress Street Portsmouth, NH 03801-4019 (603) 436-7888 Map + Menu

Foobar - Foobar features an eclectic menu centered around fresh ingredients and well prepared dishes. We are focused on providing a great experience for our patrons.

21 Congress Street Portsmouth, NH, 03801 603-373-8973 Map + Menu

Panel Video Stream

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:05:49 +0000

See our Workshops/Events page for all the details. Panel Video Stream is offline. Stay tuned for hosted versions of the panels.

Expect the Unexpected

Doug Ridley — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

In two short days the 11th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival will be upon us! With five separate screens located all within walking distance in downtown Portsmouth this year's festival is posed to be bigger than ever. Festival goers can download a copy of this year's program before heading to the festival: 2011 NHFF Program.

Here are five very cool happenings to watch for over the weekend:

1. Lindt Chocolate Sampling and Tasting - GETTING SOMETHING FROM BRETT

2. Robert's Maine Grill & Kate Parker Events Hospitality Tent - Join us for a New England lunch with Robert’s Maine Grill chowder on the banks of the Piscataqua River in one of Portsmouth’s most picturesque locations. A special VIP tent will also feature Francis Ford Coppola Wine tasting and cocktails from Absolut Vodka.

3. Our Sustainability Sponsor EarthTec

4. Kevin Gant will be attending the festival to give a special acoustic performance on Sunday morning during his documentary film Kevin.

In Austin, TX in the early '90s, Kevin Gant was the Duplass Brothers' hero. They reveled in Kevin's exploratory musical style and playful spirituality. But in 1995, Kevin mysteriously disappeared. Jay Duplass' documentary debut explores who Kevin is, how he lost his inspiration, and what he must do to get it back. - IMDB.com

5. Special discounts for Segway tours throughout Portsmouth. Sign up at the festival HQ.

NHFF 2011 Programs Now Available!

admin — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

We are excited to announce that the official New Hampshire Film Festival program is now available at locations around downtown Portsmouth. Stop in to the IOS Business Center lobby at 155 Fleet St., the Music Hall or the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel to pick up a copy of the 2011 program.

The NHFF program is packed with information about the festival, including schedules, film synopses and a handy map that will tell you where to go for this weekend's exciting films, events and parties. You can also read more about our panelists, special guests and the NHFF Granny awards. Inside you'll also learn about our generous sponsors, without whom this incredible weekend would not be possible. This is your guide to all things NHFF, so be sure to pick up your copy today!

admin — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:35:42 +0000

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admin — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:35:42 +0000

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2012 Sponsors

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:46:53 +0000

2012 Sponsors Coming Soon

Second-Round Judging Yields Top Three Screenplays

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:49:28 +0000

Congratulations to the following Scribes who have emerged as the Top Three Screenwriters after our Second Round of Judging in the New Hampshire Film Festival's 2010 Screenplay Competition:

Thad Halcli, "Last Exit This Galaxy"

Adam Meyer, ""The Other Side of the Wall"

Tim Steed, "Dance of the Spike"

In addition, an Honorable Mention is extended to James Lantz for his script, "Hide Fox."

Round Three Judges have been sent the Top Three Screenplays and will determine the Winning Scribe for this year's competition. Results will be announced during the NH Film Festival, October 14-17.

Thank you again to all who entered.

Our New Website Design!

nhff — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:08:17 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is pleased to announce the launch of a new website http://www.nhfilmfestival.com, featuring custom design and Web development by Vital Design as well as the original photography of Portsmouth's Philip Case Cohen.

"Our new site is absolutely beautiful but also gives our independent film festival the ability to give supporters, fans and artists fresh news on all of our independent film fest's activities through a wonderful blog and news section," said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. "We are thrilled with the art of Vital Design and Philip Case Cohen."

The new site coincides with NHFF's 10th anniversary year as well as a new sponsorship this year from Francis Ford Coppola Winery, owned by the Academy-Award winning director. With more than 9,000 attendees and more than 700 film entries, the indie film festival has grown into a major player on the Northeast's independent film fest circuit.

The NHFF website news area: http://www.nhfilmfestival.com/category/nhff-news/ serves as an information resource for interested filmmakers and attendees, empowering staff and volunteers to share news as it happens on the ground.

The new website is the latest in a string of successes for NHFF, including the Coppola sponsorship, a new sponsorship from Absolut Vodka, and the addition of actress Rae Dawn Chong to the NHFF Board of Directors.

The site also provides an interactive experience and includes social media streams from Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to help NHFF communicate with and listen to its growing audience.

Vital Design created a customized platform for NHFF using WordPress; a CMS tool which enables NHFF website managers to update content internally. It also provides NHFF with increased flexibility to share news, receive feedback, and encourage discussion.

Special VIP Pass Offer From NHFF

nhff — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:44:08 +0000

Today is the last day to buy New Hampshire Film Festival VIP Passes at a special 10th anniversary rate of $100. On Saturday, the VIP Pass price will increase to $150 to reflect new VIP offerings this year.

The NHFF VIP Pass brings unlimited access to VIP parties, preferred seating, and valet parking. As a special offer to NHFF fans, veteran attendees, supporters, and past artists, NHFF has made VIP Passes available at $100 each until Friday, Sept. 17. Buy VIP Passes now!

This special offer is being made as a thank you to our long-time supporters, fans and attendees. After Fri., Sept. 17, VIP Pass prices increase to $150. So please order yours today through our box office partner, The Music Hall at just $100 each.

We also still have limited ad space available for this year's program. If you are interested in joining advertisers such as Absolut Vodka, Stella Artois, and Francis Ford Coppola Winery in the NHFF program, please email us today or call 603.766.1902 and ask for Vital Design's Bitty Birge. A complete list of current sponsors can be found here.

Absolut Vodka and Stella Artois Sponsor NHFF

nhff — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:47:07 +0000

New Hampshire Film Festival organizers have announced two more internationally known brands as sponsors. Absolut Vodka and Stella Artois will officially support NHFF, joining major underwriter Francis Ford Coppola Winery.

The lineup of national advertisers allows the indie film fest to expand its networking and social events Oct. 14 - 17 in downtown Portsmouth. Among the new events will be a Stella Artois Beer Tent on Sat., 1 - 4 p.m. on the Portsmouth waterfront at One Harbour Place that will feature Stella Artois beer as well as New England-themed food. Kate Parker Weddings will provide decor for a VIP area at the event which will also feature a wine tasting from Francis Ford Coppola Winery in the VIP section.

"Stella Artois is proud to support the local and regional arts community via our partnership with The NH Film Festival," said Tyler Kelly, VP of Marketing for New Hampshire Distributors, Inc. "We believe NHFF fans will love the new Stella Artois beer experience tent and wish the NHFF continued success."

For the first time, NHFF will also add a new VIP Filmmakers Brunch on Sunday at the One Hundred Club in Portsmouth. Other parties include the Flatbread Co. NH Night Party on Thurs., the Absolut Vodka Party at the Gas Light Third Floor Night Club on Friday, and the Signature NHFF Francis Ford Coppola Winery Party on Saturday at Pesce Blue.

"Absolut Vodka is proud to be part of the tenth annual New Hampshire Film Festival and to partner with the local arts community at the same time," said Ryan DeVecchio, the manager of the Absolut portfolio for Southern Wine and Spirits of New England. "This will be a great event for the public to attend and with the rising growth of the Film Festival, now is a better time than ever to get involved."

With more than 9,000 attendees and more than 700 film entries, the NH Film Festival has grown into a major player on the Northeast's independent film fest circuit. The four-day fest includes workshops and panel discussions, showings of more than 80 films at four screening venues, and a bevy of after-parties.

"We sincerely appreciate the support and involvement of Absolut Vodka and Stella Artois in the NH Film Festival," said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. "To have such a well-respected brands sponsoring NHFF is validation of our hard work and perseverance to provide a world-class film festival. And it’s going to take our after-parties and special events to a whole new level."

The new Absolut and Stella sponsorships are the latest in a string of successes for NHFF, including the Francis Ford Coppola Winery sponsorship, the launch of a new website, and the addition of actress Rae Dawn Chong to the NHFF Board of Directors. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for NHFF 2010. To take advantage of this unique chance to advertise in one of NH's premier cultural events, contact Nicole Gregg, nicole@nhfilmfestival.com or 603.647.6439.

About Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka is one of the world’s best selling premium spirits brands and achieved sales of 10.7 million nine-liter cases in 2007 (96.6 millions of liters). Some 500,000 bottles of ABSOLUT VODKA are produced every day. Every bottle of Absolut Vodka is produced in Åhus, in southern Sweden.

About Stella Artois
Stella Artois traces its origin back to 1366 to the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, just outside of Brussels. The beer was originally brewed to celebrate Christmas, and it was named Stella (Latin for "star") for its exceptional clarity. Stella Artois has long been associated with film, including organizing and sponsoring film and television events. Stella Artois has been a primary sponsor of the film festivals of Cannes, Melbourne, and Sundance.

Download logos: Stella_Absolut
Media Contacts: Nicole Gregg 603.647.6439 | Nicole@NHFilmFestival.com
Brian DeKoning 603.766.1902 | Brian@NHFilmFestival.com

Media Party To Be Held Oct. 6

nhff — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:33:26 +0000

New Hampshire Film Festival’s annual media party will be held Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. at The Page at 172 Hanover St.

During this informal cocktail party, NHFF will also distributes press passes for the year’s festival; share DVDs and media packets of each film; and announce special guests. This is a not-to-be missed event for any media covering NHFF – or for any fans of NHFF – as local filmmakers, sponsors and others involved gather in anticipation of another year of inspiring independent film. Register to attend today.

David Morse and Alicia Witt star in NHFF 2010 short "The Pond" directed by NHFF Founder Dan Hannon.

nhff — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:10:59 +0000

23 NH Films Accepted for NH Night Oct. 14

nhff — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:59:27 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival (NHFF) has accepted 23 films with NH connections. The films will screen at the NH Night Program on the first day of NHFF's 10th anniversary Oct. 14!

The Granite State films are slated to kick off four days of more than 80 independent film screenings Oct. 14 - 17 at four venues in downtown Portsmouth.

Some of the films in the NH Night Program will also be shown again during the weekend. The films will compete for four Granny Awards to be presented Thursday night including New Hampshire Filmmaker of the Year, Best New Hampshire Documentary, Best New Hampshire Short, and Best Performance - New Hampshire. The Van McLeod Award, which recognizes lifetime achievement in New Hampshire film, will also be presented Thursday night.

Drawing nearly 9,000 attendees in 2009, NHFF has garnered national press coverage including from Moviemaker Magazine, which called NHFF "the film center of New England." This year, NHFF received 700 films and about 200 screenplays for consideration. NHFF is underwritten by Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
"Our NH filmmakers have produced a remarkable lineup of engaging, important films," said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. "We are truly fortunate to have these artists and I encourage all film fans to see the Thursday screenings."
A full schedule of all film screenings will be announced during a special Media Party on Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. at The Page, 72 Hanover St., Portsmouth, NH.

Nine NH films will be shown both in the NH Night Program on Thursday and during NHFF weekend:
"YellowBrickRoad," feature, Andy Mitton
"Agadez: the Music & the Rebellion," documentary, Ron Wyman
"Bound by Haiti," documentary, Jon Bougher
"Bighorn," short, Alfred Thomas Catalfo
"Dark Scribbles," short drama, Michael Venn
"The Pond," short drama, Dan Hannon
"Subcutaneous," animation, Mike Rishkofski
"Sunday Morning Coming Down," short drama, Tara Parian
"Wanting Alex," short comedy, Chris Akers

The following films will be shown during the NH Night Program on Thursday:
"Giving Women Credit," documentary, Kai de Mello-Folsom
"Mayflower," documentary, Gary Anderson
"Backwater," short, Michael Fisher
"The Bureau," short, Marc Dole
"The Cost," short, Mitchell Long
"Deaf Perception," short, Marc Dole
"Hosed," short, Juston McKinney
"IOKA," short, Kyle Glowacky
"Shades of Colour," short, Dan Deering
"The Stay at Home Dad," short, Adam Jones
"Tuesday Morning," short, Mike Gillis
"This Is Who We Are," short, Stephanie Willis

The following films will be screened at part of the NH Film & Television Office's NH High School Shorts Film Competition:
"Home Vs. Homeless," high school short, Jeremy Holbert, Ben Pacocha, Tim Taylor
"Beginning's End," high school short, David Nieman

Party Tonight! Schedule and Trailer to Be Released.

nhff — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:27:42 +0000

Don't miss the 2010 NH Film Festival Media Party tonight, 5 p.m. at The Page at 172 Hanover Street in Portsmouth! Register now on Eventbrite.
At this annual event, NHFF will:

Unveil a special, 10-year retrospective trailer created by Matthew Collins.
Release the entire NHFF weekend programming schedule.
Provide press passes and film screener kits to the media.
Offer a glimpse into the parties, films, and workshops of our 10th anniversary celebration.
Recognize our sponsors who have made this year possible.

Hors d'oeuvres will be served and this is always a great event where you can connect with the local filmmaking and cultural community. We encourage all to attend including members of the media, filmmakers, sponsors, fans of NH Film Festival, and anyone interested in learning more about NHFF.

If you are a member of the news media (newspapers, tv, blogs, magazines, etc.) please note that we have created a handy media page where you can download 2010 NHFF branding, 2010 NHFF photo stills, and other info. See a full list of NHFF 2010 independent films here.

If you are interested in volunteering for NHFF 2010 (and getting a free weekend pass) please contact NHFF Volunteer Coordinator Mark St. Laurent.

2010 NHFF Accepted Films Announced!

nhff — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:32:35 +0000

We are extremely happy to announce that more than 80 independent films will be shown during NHFF 2010! Selecting the final films to screen was more difficult than ever this year as the quality and quantity we received was unprecedented. On behalf of the NHFF Screening Committee and the NHFF Board of Directors, we want to thank all of the artists who submitted films. The 2010 lineup includes films created by NH filmmakers as well as national and international filmmakers and winners from film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and South by Southwest. Among the highlights are "The Extra Man" starring Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, John C. Reilly, and Katie Holmes as well as "Leaves of Grass" starring Ed Norton, Kerry Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, and Susan Sarandon.

The Full List of NHFF 2010 Accepted Films
5th Annual NH Night Program Competition
"Backwater," Michael Fisher
"Giving Women Credit," Kai de Mello-Folsom
"Mayflower," Gary Anderson
"The Bureau," Marc Dole
"The Cost," Mike J. Hamill
"Deaf Perception," Alyssa Dole & Chase Bailey
"Hosed," Juston McKinney & Marc Dole
"IOKA," Kyle Glowacki
"Shades of Colour," Dan Deering
"The Stay at Home Dad," Adam Jones
"Tuesday Morning," Mike Gillis
"This is Who We Are," Stephanie Willis
Finalists NH High School Shorts Film Comp - NH Film & Television Office
"Home vs Homeless," Jeremy Holbert, Ben Pacocha & Tim Taylor (Pinkerton Academy)
"Beginning's End," David Nieman (Brewster Academy)

Documentary Films
Feature Documentaries (60 minutes or longer)
"Agadez: the Music and the Rebellion," Ron Wyman
"Bound by Haiti," Jon Bougher & Roman Safiullin
"Climate Refugees," Michael P. Nash
"The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan," Henry Cora
"Do It Again," Geoff Edgers
"Deforce," Daniel Falconer
"Family Affair," Chico Colvard
"Highwater Paradise Lost Paradise Found," Dana Brown
"Just Like Us," Ahmed Ahmed
"Mundo Alas," León Gieco, Fernando Molnar & Sebastián Schindel
"The Oath," Laura Poitras
"Orgasm, Inc.," Elizabeth Canner
"Sins of My Father," Nicolas Entel
"Sons of Perdition," Tyler Measom & Jennilyn Merten
"Teenage Paparazzo," Evan Ferrante
"U.N. Me" Matthew Groff & Ami Horowitz
"Waste Land," Lucy Walker, Karen Harley & João Jardim
"War Don Don," Rebecca Richman Cohen
"What I Meant to Tell You: An American Poet's 'State of the Union," Ethan Dufault
"Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks," Dan Klores

Short Documentaries (Under 60 minutes)
"Adam Blank Gets a Vasectomy," Adam Blank
"Calling my Children," David Binder
"Enter the Beard," Scott Ballard & Matt Lawrence
"The Fence," Rory Kennedy

Feature Films
"Another Harvest Moon," Greg Swartz
"Afterschool," Antonio Campos
"Armless," Habib Azar
"Black Ocean," Marion Hänsel
"Brotherhood," Will Canon
"The Extra Man," Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini
"Drunkboat," Bob Meyer
"Hello Lonesome," Adam Reid
"It's Not Me I Swear," Philippe Falardeau
"Leaves of Grass," Tim Blake Nelson
"Lovers of Hate," Bryan Poyser
"New Low," Adam Bowers
"Night Catches Us," Tanya Hamilton
"One Too Many Mornings," Michael Mohan
"El Veulco del Cangrejo," Oscar Ruiz Navia
"YellowBrickRoad," Andy Mitton

Short Films
"Banana Bread," Barton Landsman
"Bighorn," Alfred Thomas Catalfo
"The Camera and Christopher Merk," Brandon Cronenberg
"Dark Scribbles," Michael Venn
"Deep Sleep," Alejandro Alvarez
"Dolores," Manuela Moreno
"Herbert White," James Franco
"Kavi," Gregg Helvey
"Laura," Gallien Guibert
"The Macabre World of Lavender Williams," Nick Delgado
"Mary," Narasimhan Krishnamachari
"Mary Last Seen," T. Sean Durkin
"My Mom Smokes Weed," Clay Liford
"Patrol," John Patton Ford
"Poi Dogs," Joel Moffett
"The Pond," Dan Hannon
"Raw Love," Juan Chappa & Martin Deus
"Scottish Bob," Darren McFarlane
"Shamasani," Blackhorse Lowe
"Slap," Grant Barbeito
"Successful Alcoholics," Jordan Vogt-Roberts
"Sucker Punch," Ryan Gould
"Sunday Morning Coming Down," Zachary Borst
"Wanting Alex," Chris Akers

Animation & Family
"Kidnap," Sijia Luo
"Madagascar, a Journey Diary," Bastien Dubois
"Magic Mark's Traveling Show," Mark Carapezza
"Subcutaneous," Keith Rishkofski, Mike Rishkofski
"The North Star," Gary Goldberger, John Lechner & Peter Reynolds
"Wisdom Teeth," Don Hertzfeldt

NHFF Survival Guide

nhff — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:31:30 +0000

Compiled by Zac Gregg, Chair of the NHFF Board of Directors

Undoubtedly the best way to do the NH Film Festival is with a downtown hotel room because the after parties last late, the movies start early, and once you start, you won’t want to miss a minute. So book now! Last year every downtown hotel room was booked by the weekend of the festival. Next you’ll want to purchase tickets or passes.

Now, if the only way to do the festival is for the weekend, then the only pass you’ll want to buy is the VIP Pass. It’s simple: VIP Admission to every NHFF event, priority seating and behind the ropes access, One Hundred Club VIP Reception: Light Brunch & Cocktails, the Stella Artois VIP Tent, early admission to all sold-out shows, need I say more? If you’re not interested in the VIP events, the All-Weekend Pass is an awesome deal at $75. They both provide access to every event every day except the VIP action. Don’t worry, you can buy an individual ticket to any event or any film block, although that would hardly be in the festival spirit.

With your tickets secured and hotels booked, the stage is now set for what will surely become your favorite weekend in Portsmouth. What exactly does every event every day mean? Well it’s too much to describe here, so here’s my list of 2010 highlights:

Thursday is NH Night, an all-day mini festival featuring NH artists, NH actors, NH filmmakers and NH as a movie set. If you love NH you’ll these films. Watch NH’s best compete, as we award NH Film of the Year, NH Documentary of the Year, and The Van McLeod Award. Evening events hosted by Portsmouth native and nationally recognized comedian Juston McKinney.
Friday night is the Opening Night Reception, Opening Night Film and the can’t-miss Opening Night After Party, sponsored by Absolute Vodka and held at the Portsmouth Gas Light. Who knows? You might rub elbows with a Hollywood star.
Check out the Festival Headquarters and the Flatbread Co. Hospitality Suite at it’s new location, the new Residence Inn Marriot Harbor Events Center. Here you can pick up your tickets, the newest NHFF swag, surf the new iMacs at our Mac Edge Internet Café, and eat free pizza complimentary of Flatbread Co.
Check out a film in the uniquely NH, Moffat Ladd House screening room.
Saturday afternoon. The Stella Artois Beer and chowder event on the Harbour Place patios covered in Sperry Tents may prove to be the feather in NHFF’s cap. The newest event at this ultimate Portsmouth location is the event we have all been waiting for, chowder, beer and the beautiful Piscataqua river.
Saturday night! What will the Signature Pesce Italian Kitchen After Party look like this year? Always a fusion of film and studio 54, this party is a can’t miss!
Ahhhh Sunday Morning. The 100 Club VIP Reception after a long weekend of film and wine. This Sunday morning respite is just what the doctor orderd: free food, free drink and a view from the highest spot in downtown Portsmouth.
Check out a workshop, a seminar or a panel discussion at our conference venue (Residence Inn) where some of the biggest Hollywood names and the brightest NH talents lend their unique views, lessons, and perspectives from the film industry.
The most important night to some is Closing Night Ceremonies when NHFF hands out awards. We are a competitive film festival after all.
Most of you already know our pièce de résistance, The Music Hall, which together with the city of Portsmouth is the real draw for this wonderful festival. Events and movies throughout the weekend at the finest venue in New England.

NHFF Announces Panels for 10th Annual Festival!

Brett Carneiro — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:00:17 +0000

40 Special Guests. Starz/Anchor Bay Entertainment, Magnolia Releasing, Shorts International, Tribeca Film Fest and Rule Boston Camera Join Award-Winning Filmmakers and Producers!

Each year the New Hampshire Film Festival offers professional development and educational opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters and interested film enthusiasts. NHFF prides itself on presenting several topical workshops, panel discussions and engaging conversations that range from purely professional for the established filmmaker to all-encompassing for even the freshest of amateurs.

"For our tenth anniversary, we really pulled out all the stops. This lineup of panels and roster of great people participating in them is our most impressive to date," said NHFF Co-Founder and Panel Director Dan Hannon. "I’d like to extend a huge thanks to these panelists and moderators for their time and passion they’re dedicating to NHFF, its attendees and filmmakers," he added.

The 10th Annual NHFF 2010 Panels and Workshops

DISTRIBUTION & RELEASING IN THE 2010s
Moderated by Erin Trahan, Film Journalist, Travel Writer, Publisher of The Independent
Arianne Ayers, Director of Marketing & Publicity, Magnolia Releasing
Sharon Badal, Short Film Programmer, Tribeca Film Festival
Darren Goldberg, Producer, Atlantic Pictures
Josh Green, Vice President of Distribution, Emerging Pictures
Linda Olszewski, Co-Head of Global Acquisitions, Shorts International
Connie Rosemont, Executive Director, Red Rivers Theatres
Josh Thomashow, Director of Acquisitions, Starz Entertainment Group

TRENDS IN DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
Moderated by Jendra Jarnagin, Director of Photography
Marc Dole, Director/Producer, Hatchling Studios
Brant Fagan, Camera Operator
Afton Grant, Steadicam/Camera Operator
Mike Sutton, Senior Sales Executive, Rule/Boston Camera
Tom Talbot, Director of Technology, Rule/Boston Camera

FILMMAKER AWARENESS BUILDING
Moderated by Kerry O’Donnell, Associate Editor, NewEnglandFilm.com & The Independent
Nic Baisley, Host/Film Blogger, FilmSnobbery.com
Brian DeKoning, Communications Director, Vital Design
Amy Greenlaw, Co-Founder/President, FilmPop!
Leslie Poston, Co-Author, Twitter for Dummies
Corissa St. Laurent, Regional Development Director, Constant Contact

LANDSCAPE OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Moderated by Deb Barry, Director of Programming, New Hampshire Film Festival
Courtney Bent, Producer, “Shooting Beauty”
Chico Colvard, Director/Producer, “Family Affair”
Henry Corra, Director/Producer, “The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan”
Ami Horowitz, Director/Producer, "U.N. Me"
Beth Murphy, Director/Producer, “Beyond Belief”
Ron Wyman, Director/Producer, “Agadez: The Music & The Rebellion”

A CONVERSATION ON COMEDY IN FILM
Hosted by Rae Dawn Chong, Actress & Writer
Dan Carey, Producer, Touchy Feely Films
Juston McKinney, Actor/Comedian
Kris Meyer, Producer, Conundrum Entertainment
Brandt Sersen, Writer/Director
Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Writer/Director

FILMMAKING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Moderated by Van McLeod, Commissioner, NH Dept. of Cultural Resources
Dan Carey, Producer, Touchy Feely Films
Mark Constance, Producer & Director, a713 Productions
Dan Hannon, NHFF Co-Founder, Writer/Director “The Pond”
Dana Biscotti Myskowski, Screenwriter, Professor
Matthew Newton, Director, NH Film & Television Office

In 2010, NHFF is enjoying a watershed year with support from international brands including underwriter Francis Ford Coppola Winery as well as Absolut Vodka and Stella Artois beer. The fest has also relocated festival headquarters to the newly built Marriott Residence Inn, added actress Rae Dawn Chong to the NHFF Board of Directors, and added two new VIP events to its already robust list of networking opportunities.

Tickets are moving faster than expected this year, so please be sure to buy yours early! You can also enter to win free passes by visiting our site!

For a complete list of NHFF Films, click here!

NHFF 2010 Trailer & Schedule Released!

nhff — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:34:24 +0000

The NHFF 2010 trailer and the 2010 schedule were both unveiled last night at the NHFF Media Party held at The Page. The trailer features clips from 10 years of independent films shown at NHFF as well as an inspiring soundtrack of Florence and the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over."

Played before a packed house that included members of the media, a few celebrities, and local filmmakers at The Page, Matt Collins' emotional trailer elicited more than a few wet eyes. The trailer is also available on its own 2010 NHFF Trailer page.

[flv:http://www.nhfilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-nhff-trailer.flv 320 240]

The NHFF 2010 Schedule was also released. It features two new parties on Saturday afternoon at One Harbour Place and Sunday brunch at the One Hundred Club. Download the NHFF 2010 schedule by clicking here.

2010 NHFF Program Available

nhff — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:20:51 +0000

The 2010 NHFF Program is now available for download. You can access scheduling, venue information, workshop information as well as complete synopses for our film program by downloading the 2010 NHFF Program here.

NH Night Program Nominees Announced!

nhff — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:56:55 +0000

New Hampshire Film Festival is pleased to announce the finalists for the NH Night Program happening Thursday, Oct. 14. The following films have been nominated by the NHFF screening committee. One winner in each category will be selected and announced during the NH Night Awards Ceremony on Thursday, at 8 p.m. The full NHFF program nominees will be announced later today!

NHFF NH Night Program
Nominations Best Short – Voted on by Grand Jury
"Bighorn," Freddy Catalfo
"Dark Scribbles," Michael Venn - Director
"Wanting Alex," Chris Akers, Director
"Sunday Morning Coming Down," Tara Parian, Director
"The Pond," Dan Hannon, Director

Finalists Best Documentary - Chosen by Directors
"Mayflowers," Gary Andersen
"Giving Women Credit," Kai de Mello-Folsom
"Bound by Haiti," John Bougher
"Agadez: The Music and the Rebellion," Ron Wyman

Finalists Best Performance – Chosen by Directors
John Forest in "Wanting Alex"
Mike Walsh in "Bighorn"
Whitney Smith in "Tuesday Morning"
Adam Jones in "Stay at Home Dad"
Juston McKinney in "Hosed"

Finalists NH FilmMaker of the Year – Chosen by Directors (Must be a Director/Producer)
John Bougher for "Bound by Haiti"
Freddy Catalfo for "Bighorn"
Marc Dole for his involvement in seven NH films.
Mike Gillis for "Tuesday Morning"
Dan Hannon for "The Pond"
Adam Jones for "Stay at Home Dad"
Mitchell Long for "The Cost"
Tara Parian for "Sunday Morning Coming Down"
Michael Venn for "Dark Scribbles"

Full Program Nominees Announced!

nhff — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:17:50 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is pleased to announce the nominees for our full program NHFF 2010 Granny Awards. (Nominees for the NH Night Program were announced earlier.)

NHFF Full Program Finalists and Nominations
Grand Jury Award
"Brotherhood"
"Drunkboat"
"YellowBrickRoad"

Finalists Best Documentary
"Agadez: The Music and the Rebellion"
"Bound by Haiti"
"Climate Refugees"
"Do It Again"
"Family Affair"
"Just Like Us"
"U.N. Me"
"War Don Don"
"Waste Land"

Finalists Best Feature Film
"Brotherhood"
"Drunkboat"
"Hello Lonesome"
"YellowBrickRoad"

Finalists Best Short Comedy
"Banana Bread"
"Dolores"
"Mary"
"My Mom Smokes Weed"
"Scottish Bob"
"Slap"
"Successful Alcoholics"
"Wanting Alex"

Finalists Best Short Drama
"Dark Scribbles"
"The Camera and Christopher Merk"
"Kavi"
"Mary Last Seen"
"The Pond"
"Poi Dogs"
"Shamasani"
"Sunday Morning Coming Down"

Finalists Best animation
"Subcutaneous"
"Kidnap"

Nomination Audience Choice Narrative
All Feature Films

Nomination Audience Choice Documentary
All Documentary Films

NHFF Announces Special Guest Adrian Grenier

nhff — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:59:30 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is pleased to welcome Adrian Grenier, star of the HBO series "Entourage" as a special guest of NHFF 2010. Adrian will attend NHFF in support of his documentary "Teenage Paparrazo," which he directed.

"Teenage Paparrazo" documents the true story of a relationship between 14 year-old paparazzo Austin Visschedyk and Grenier. Inspired by a chance encounter with Visschedyk during a night out, Grenier (who previously directed the documentary "Shot in the Dark") turns the cameras on the paparazzi in an effort to document this unique teenager’s world. But Grenier finds the project turning into a personal challenge as he is forced to take responsibility for his influence on his subject’s life. As Visschedyk succumbs to the lure of fame, Grenier sets out to understand what makes that lure so powerful—hoping that he and Austin can find something more authentic than the relationship of mutual exploitation that now exists between them.

Tickets and passes are still available for NHFF 2010. To secure yours, please visit our pass page or contact The Music Hall. Underwritten by the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, NHFF 2010 is a celebration of the independent film fest's 10 years.

NHFF 2010 is Here! Gov. Lynch Proclaims NH Film Festival Weekend in NH!

nhff — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:25:47 +0000

The New Hampshire Night (and day) Program began this morning at 10 a.m. with a block of short films including our high school runner up "Beginning's End," and high school winner "Home vs. Homeless." We are also happy to announce that Gov. John Lynch has officially proclaimed Oct. 14 - 17 "New Hampshire Film Festival Weekend" for the state of NH! Thank you, Gov. Lynch! The proclamation will be read tonight during the NHPTV NH Night Reception with host Juston McKinney at The Music Hall at 7 p.m.

A reminder that you can buy passes, pick up programs and buy our special Bill Paarlberg inspired 10th Anniversary T-Shirt at the Residence Inn Marriott at 100 Deer St. where we have set up NHFF Headquarters for the weekend. You can also buy passes and tickets at The Music Hall at 28 Chestnut St.

If you're still at work, be sure to arrive at The Music Hall as early as possible tonight. "YellowBrickRoad," an award-winning thriller set in NH screens at 5:50 p.m. leading into the NH Night Reception. The short block of films tonight is slated to start at 8:30 p.m. and includes "Bighorn," "Dark Scribbles," "Wanting Alex," "Sunday Morning Coming Down," and "The Pond."

Checking in at NHFF on Foursquare or tweeting at the festival? Use hashtag #NHFF or #NHFF2010! And follow NHFF!

NHFF 2010 is underwritten by Francis Ford Coppola Winery and receives major support from Rule Boston Camera, NHPTV, Access Sports Medicine, The Music Hall, Absolut Vodka and Stella Artois.

Marc Dole NH Filmmaker of the Year! Ken Burns receives Van McLeod Award.

nhff — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:08:41 +0000

Filmmaker Marc Dole was named the NH Film Festival New Hampshire Filmmaker of the year Thursday evening during the NHPTV NH Night Program. Dole is involved in at least seven films accepted at NHFF this year and is a fixture in the NH and New England filmmaking community.

The New Hampshire Public Television NH Night Program was, by all accounts, a rousing success. A special thanks to comedian Juston McKinney for hosting and making this one of the most memorable - and enjoyable - NH Nights in memory at NHFF.

The complete list of NHPTV NH Night Award Winners
Van McLeod award: Ken Burns
Named for Van McLeod, commissioner of NH Dept. of Cultural Resources, this award honors a NH filmmaker for significant, lifetime contribution to the NH film industry.

Best NH Performance by a NH Actor: John Forest "Wanting Alex"
Voted on by our screening committee, this award honors the best performance by an actor in a NH Night film.

Best NH Short Doc: "Agadez: The Music and the Rebellion," Directed by Ron Wyman
Awarded by the screening committee for the most outstanding documentary screened during NH Night.

Best NH Short (juried): "The Pond," Directed and written by Dan Hannon.
Awarded by the screening committee for a film less than 60 minutes in legnth.

NH Filmmaker of the Year: Marc Dole
Awarded to an outstanding filmmaker taking part NHFF. Recognizes the annual contribution and achievements of a NH filmmaker.

Reception Starting Now! Day 2 at NHFF.

nhff — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 23:25:14 +0000

Friday at New Hampshire Film Festival has been incredible so far. As the Opening Night Reception begins now at The Music Hall (7 p.m.), we wanted to share a few highlights. We had several high-quality films screen today and several filmmakers and industry folks rolled into town from away. Highlights so far:

Adrian Grenier Q&A
Following a screening of his documentary "Teenage Paparazzo," Actor/director Adrian Grenier (star of HBO series "Entourage," held a 20-minute question and answer period at The Music Hall. The session even featured a cameo from his grandmother and aunt who live in New England and traveled to see him at NHFF!

Filmmaking in NH Panel
Moderated by NH's venerable Commissioner of the Dept. of Cultural Resources, this panel featured Matt Newton of the NH Film & TV Office; producers Mark Constance and Dan Carey, Filmmaker/NHFF Co-Founder Dan Hannon, and Screenwriter/Professor Dana Biscotti Myskowski. Wow. Talk about a meeting of the cultural minds in NH film. The discussion included tips on scouting NH locations, the business of getting a film made in NH, and hands-on experience of the logistics of making film in NH.

"Family Affair" at Moffatt-Ladd House
Chico Colvard's piercing foray into his troubled family's history resonated with the audience at the exceptionally intimate Moffatt-Ladd House where the documentary screened. Nominated in the NHFF full program documentary category, this film clearly had an impact on those who saw it today.

What's Next at NHFF Day 3 This Afternoon and Evening

nhff — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:46:40 +0000

We're more than half the New Hampshire Film Festival in the books, 2010 has already been a fantastic year. If you're just rolling out to NHFF today, here's what is on tap for this evening and late night:

"Armless"
Screens at Foobar, 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. This quirky, funny feature explores the world of body integrity identity disorder, a real-life psychological condition in which an individual paradoxically doesn't feel 'whole' unless he loses one or more major limbs. Odd, original and definitely worth your time.

"Drunkboat"
This off-kilter character study features John Malkovich playing a Vietnam veteran trying to soothe his survivor's guilt with alcohol; John Goodman as a used-boat salesman; and Dana Delaney and was produced by Portsmouth's own Chase Bailey. Screens at The Music Hall, 4:25 - 6:05 p.m. Q&A to follow.

"Do It Again"
Follow Boston Globe reporter Geoff Edgers on his slightly unrealistic quest to reunite legendary rock band The Kinks. With Sting, Zooey Deschanel, Clive Davis, Robyn Hitchcock, Paul Weller and Peter Buch. See what happens when Geoff heads to London for the annual Kinks convention and encounters the leaders of the band, Ray and Dave Davies. Screens 5 - 6:05 p.m.

"Climate Refugees"
This documentary examines what happens when an over populated world with lack of resources and a changing climate all collide with each other and the NHFF screening at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre will feature a special Q&A with the filmmakers following. 4:50 - 6:40 p.m.

Two great features tonight: "Brotherhood," at The Music Hall at 8:30 p.m.; and "YellowBrickRoad" at Seacoast Repertory Theatre at 8:25 p.m.

And don't miss the Stella Artois & Robert's Maine Grill Beer and Chowder Tent at One Harbour Place, 1 - 4 p.m. or the Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Pesce Italian Kitchen Signature NHFF 2010 Afterparty at Pesce, 10 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Congratulations to the 10th Annual NHFF Winners

nhff — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:36:52 +0000

After an inspiring and exceptionally successful 10th New Hampshire Film Festival, the NHFF Grand Jury and Screening Committee are pleased to announce the winners of the 10th Annual NH Film Festival Granny Awards.

Grand Jury: “Brotherhood,” Will Canon
Best Feature: “Night Catches Us,” Tanya Hamilton
Audience Choice Narrative: “Drunkboat,” Bob Meyer
Audience Choice Documentary: “Teenage Paparazzo,” Evan Ferrante
Best Documentary: “U.N. Me,” Matthew Groff & Ami Horowitz
Best Short Comedy: “Successful Alcoholics,” Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Best Short Drama: “The Pond,” Dan Hannon
Best Screenplay: Tim Steed, “Dance of the Spike” ("Spike Driver Blues")
MyTV's New England Film of the Year: “YellowBrickRoad,” Andy Mitton

2010 Panel Videos

admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:01:13 +0000

The 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival was proud to present several professional development and educational opportunities on relevant subjects pertinent to the current state of independent filmmaking. Courtesy of sponsors AF Media and AV Technik, videos of these panels are available for download using the links below. For more information on the 2010 panels and panelists, visit the Workshops & Panels page of the NHFF website.

2010 NHFF Panel 1: Filmmaking in New Hampshire (250MB)
2010 NHFF Panel 2: Landscape of Documentary Filmmaking (200MB)
2010 NHFF Panel 3: Distribution & Releasing in 2010 (250MB)
2010 NHFF Panel 4: Trends in Digital Cinematography (200MB)
2010 NHFF Panel 5: A Conversation on Comedy in Film (250MB)
2010 NHFF Panel 6: Filmmaker Awareness Building (200MB)

Filmmaking in New Hampshire Excerpt
[flv:http://www.nhfilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Panel-2-short.flv 400 224]

Landscape of Documentary Filmmaking Excerpt
[flv:http://www.nhfilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Panel-1-short.flv 400 224]

NHFF needs YOUR HELP! Cast YOUR VOTE!

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:53:31 +0000

The Provident Bank is hosting its annual campaign for local non-profit organizations. They have selected 35 organizations to compete for a portion of $20,000 dollars. The New Hampshire Film Festival is just one of these non-profit organizations which received a nomination and is eligible for part for this generous prize. This is where YOU come in: The more VOTES we get…The MORE donations we receive!

The winners of this year’s event are entirely up to YOU! Help NHFF achieve our 2011 Film Festival goals so that we can bring another incredible year of independent film to Portsmouth, NH! If you are a fan of film, a fan of Portsmouth and New Hampshire -> please be sure to VOTE for the New Hampshire Film Festival TODAY!

Click on this link below which will take you to The Provident Bank home page. You will see an icon on the bottom left that says "Our Community, Your E-Vote"

www.theprovidentbank.com

Spread the word! Tell your friends! Vote for NHFF! Voting continues until May 31!

- MORE DETAILS -

The Provident Bank is proud to host its annual OUR COMMUNITY, YOUR E‐VOTE campaign with your organization as a beneficiary. The Provident Community Foundation has donated more than $3 million to local charities since 1998 and it continues to provide funding for many noble causes.

Each year, they let the community decide how to allocate the $20,000 set aside by The Provident Community Foundation for this program’s non-profit organizations. The voting process is entirely online through a link on the homepage of their website and requires a person’s name and e‐mail address for each ballot entry. It’s that easy!

The voting process is entirely online and requires the person’s name and e‐mail address for each ballot entry. We have created a button on the home page of our website (TheProvidentBank.com) that links to the “ballot”. Only one vote can be cast per person. The vote is open from May 1 through May 31. Email addresses are for the purpose of voting only; The Provident Bank does not contact or retain any email addresses.

Two Clicks for NHFF in May: $20,000 at Stake

Leslie Poston — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:06:20 +0000

Two Clicks for NHFF in May, that's all it takes to put us in the running!

Click THIS link to go to Provident Bank --> https://www.theprovidentbank.com/#/home

Then look for the Big Green Button on the lower left of the Provident Bank page, and click there too!

The contest requires you to type in your email, but they won't do anything evil with it. We talk about that in more detail in this post from yesterday.

Did you know you can vote as many times as you have email addresses? If you're anything like us, you have at least two, and maybe a lot more!

Did you know that you don't have to live in NH to vote? If you support film and local festivals and live in Iceland or Antarctica, your votes matter too!

Put those old emails to use for a good cause!

We only have until MAY 31, 2011 to enter, so tell your friends to give two clicks for NHFF, too.

Twitterati? Hashtag #24NHFF and link to this blog post or to the note on our Facebook Fan Page.

Announcing NHFF Screenplay Competition 2011 Grand Prize Judge: Buzz McLaughlin

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:34:12 +0000

Buzz McLaughlin is an active independent feature film producer and partner in Either/Or Films that produced The Sensation of Sight starring Academy Award-nominee David Strathairn; the film won the Best Feature Award at the New Hampshire Film Festival. He is currently in development with Either/Or Films’ next feature Someplace Like America.

A writer who has written many plays and screenplays, including Sister Calling My Name that won the National Play Award, Buzz is also the author of the best-selling book The Playwright’s Process and has spent over three decades as a dramaturg/teacher/consultant working with hundreds of emerging and established writers in theatre and film. He holds a Ph.D. in dramatic literature, taught scriptwriting as Playwright-In-Residence for many years at Drew University, founded the Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, a professional theatre currently in its 25th year dedicated to the development of new plays, and currently runs a Script Consulting Service. He also maintains a blog on scriptwriting.

Electronic submissions to the 2011 NHFF Screenplay Competition are currently being accepted via Withoutabox until early-August.

A look inside The Music Hall after a screening at the 2010 New Hampshire Film Festival.

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:00:02 +0000

Comedy panel at 2010 New Hampshire Film Festival featuring Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Carey, Juston McKinney, and Kris Meyer.

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:03:35 +0000

The 2010 New Hampshire Film Festival staff.

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:06:57 +0000

Q&A with Director Ron Wyman about his film, "Agadez, the Music and the Rebellion," a documentary film about the Tuareg culture of the Sahara Desert.

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:07:15 +0000

Adrian Grenier, star of the HBO series "Entourage," discusses his movie, “Teenage Paparazzo” at the 2010 NH Film Festival.

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:07:50 +0000

The 2011 Submission Deadline has been extended to September 1!

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:51:24 +0000

The 11th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival is shaping up to be our best year yet! We don’t want you to miss the excitement this October, so save the date: October 13-16 2011! If you have a project that you’d like to share with us, and haven’t already done so, we are extending the submission deadline to September 1. Please submit your film through Withoutabox for the chance to be a part of this effervescent weekend spilling over with the beauty, enlightenment, and progressiveness of independent film.
Weekend and VIP passes go on sale August 19 at the Music Hall Box Office.

New Hampshire Film Festival Announces an Eleventh Finalist to the 2011 Screenwriting Competition

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:47:57 +0000

Submitted by NHFF Screenplay Competition Director Dana Biscotti Myskowski

Following a last-hour extension to the submission deadline for the New Hampshire Film Festival entries, an eleventh finalist has emerged from the late submissions. For her submission of “Fin Chaser,” Screenwriter Maria Cozzi joins the other ten finalists previously announced.

Congratulations to the following Top Ten Eleven Finalists of this year’s NHFF Screenplay Competition:

Sean Armstrong “A Country of Strangers”

Alyssa Rallo Bennett “Dean James”

Maria Cozzi “Fin Chaser”

Beth & Gary Hoover “The Little Death”

Barry Leach “Saving Sergei”

Kenneth Lemm “”Reunions and Other Lies”

Kevin O’Malley “Bananafish Sandwich”

Lisa Orkin “Sex, Drugs, & Minivans”

Deirdre Patterson “Auntie”

Patrick Penta “Flash Voltner”

Elle Ramsay “Instant Message”

The top three screenplays will advance to the final round where they will be read and scored by our featured guest judge Buzz McLaughlin of Either/Or Films, who will determine the Grand Prize Winner of this year’s competition.

An award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and published author, Buzz works with writers to help hone their craft. He and his business partner are in development on several films, and have recently launched the Either/Or Script Development Lab, which features stage readings of plays and screenplays at the Starving Artist studio in Keene, NH. Buzz can be found at his website and on his blog.

This year’s New Hampshire Film Festival in Portsmouth, NH runs October 13-16. It features top independent films from around the globe; informative, entertaining and helpful panel discussions, and fabulous opportunities to network and connect with fellow filmmakers and film aficionados. Please visit www.nhfilmfestival.com for complete information about this year’s festival.

Three State Agencies Partner With NHFF to Promote Culture, Tourism and the Arts!

nhff — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:55:40 +0000

Everyone at the New Hampshire Film Festival is extremely excited to announce a new partnership between NHFF and three major New Hampshire agencies to promote the film fest and the economic benefit it brings to New Hampshire’s Seacoast Area.

The cross-promotional effort includes the NH Liquor Commission, the NH Division of Travel & Tourism and the NH Film & Television Office, a part of the NH Department of Cultural Resources. To support hospitality and tourism, the NH Liquor Commission has joined forces with film sponsors Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Absolut Vodka, and Moët & Chandon Champagne.

“The NH Film Festival has established itself as a destination cultural event,” said Joseph Mollica, Chairman of the NH Liquor Commission, in a press release. “It presents the opportunity to enjoy film and culture, and to enjoy an evening out at the many restaurants in the Seacoast. It creates a positive impact on the economy of this region and ultimately benefits the image and quality of life of the state as a whole.”

“Simply put, NHFF is the highlight of the year for New Hampshire’s independent film community,” said Van McLeod, Commissioner of the NH Department of Cultural Resources, which oversees the NH Film & Television Office. “Our department has long supported this treasured cultural event and we are proud to again lend support in a new capacity.”

“The film festival helps make NH even more of a destination in the fall,” said Lori Harnois, Director of the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development. “It’s a cultural treasure for the state and working collaboratively to support NHFF is a win-win for NH tourism.”

NHFF drew an estimated 9,000 people to Portsmouth as well as media coverage from around the country when it celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010. In 2011, NHFF is planned for Oct. 13 - 16 at a dozen venues in historic downtown Portsmouth including The Music Hall. The four-day fest features independent film from NH, the United States and the world, as well as educational seminars and networking events. It has drawn hollywood celebrities and indie film luminaries from around the world.

Working with the three state entities in such a collaboration is a benchmark for the non-profit NH Film Festival which has grown into one of NH’s most prominent social and cultural happenings since starting in 2001 in Derry, NH as the NH Film Expo. It is now one of the largest independent film festivals held annually in the Northeast.

About the New Hampshire Liquor Commission

The NHLC operates retail locations throughout the Granite State and serves more than 9 million customers each year. Visit http://www.LiquorandWineOutlets.com to locate a store, search for product availability, learn about monthly sales, review wine tasting schedules, and sign up to receive significant savings with monthly Email Extras. More than $2 billion in net profits have been raised for the state since the first store opened in 1934. NHLC is expecting to net an additional $1 billion for the state in the next 10 years.

About the NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

The Division of Travel and Tourism Development, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, works with the state’s seven travel regions to increase visitation, travel and visitor expenditures in order to expand business activity and employment throughout the state. The division is responsible for domestic and international advertising and public relations, literature publication and distribution, www.visitnh.gov administration, grant administration and research to monitor and measure the impact of travel and tourism to the state. For more information about New Hampshire tourism, call 603-271-2665 or visit www.visitnh.gov.

About the NH Department of Cultural Resources

New Hampshire’s Department of Cultural Resources includes the State Council on the Arts, the Film and Television Office, the Division of Historical Resources, the State Library and the Commission on Native American Affairs. The Department strives to nurture the cultural well-being of our state. From the covered bridges and traditional music of our past to the avant-garde performances and technological resources of today and tomorrow, New Hampshire’s culture is as varied as its geography and its people. This strong cultural base—which truly has something for everyone—attracts businesses looking for engaged workforces, provides outstanding educational opportunities and creates communities worth living in. Learn more at www.nh.gov/nhculture/.

About the NH Film & Television Office

The New Hampshire Film and Television Office, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources, works to expand business activity and employment throughout the state by acting as a liaison between the film industry and an established network of government agencies, the state’s film industry workforce, and local property owners. The office is responsible for location assistance, public relations and general production support in an effort to broaden the cultural and economic impact of film and television production in the state. For more information about film and television production in New Hampshire, call (603) 271-2220 or visit www.nh.gov/film.

Route 1 Billboard and Fleet St Banner

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:40:35 +0000

Those of you Route 1 regulars may have noticed a change in the scenery along the stretch from Hampton to Portsmouth. A New Hampshire Film Festival billboard went up directly across from Lagos Lone Oak Ice Cream in Rye on Sunday September 3. “4 Days, 80 films, celebrity guests, world premieres” the billboard reads with the festival dates, October 13-16 2011, and logos of the event’s major sponsors: Francis Ford Coppola Wine, Absolut Vodka, Moet & Chandon, Access Sports Medicine, NH Liquor Outlet, and Vital Design. Another banner with the festival’s logo went up on downtown Portsmouth’s IOS Building located on Fleet St. The banners are in effort to conjure a local buzz about the upcoming indie film extravaganza.

Coppola Winery Sponsors the 11th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

Doug Ridley — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:01:34 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is proud to acknowledge the support and partnership of Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Coppola's commitment to the art of filmmaking unites professional filmmakers and screenwriters with industry experts, students, educators, and film lovers for an inspiring, four-day celebration of independent films.

Where You'll See Coppola Winery
As well as being this year's lead sponsor, you will see Coppola at all the events and after parties, and their wines will be featured in the festival's preferred restaurants. We hope you'll join us at One Harbor Place, on Saturday, October 15th, 1-4PM, as all of our beverage sponsors host a tasting in the hospitality tent.

We'll see you Premiere Night, October 13th.

Absolut Hosts Friday Night Gaslight Night Club Party

Doug Ridley — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:19:32 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is proud to acknowledge the support and partnership of Absolut. Absolut's commitment to the art of filmmaking unites professional filmmakers and screenwriters with industry experts, students, educators, and film lovers for an inspiring, four-day celebration of independent films.

Where You'll See Absolut
Don’t miss Absolut as they host the Friday Night Gaslight Night Club Party. They’ll be at the party with new products and specialty drinks to enjoy. We hope you'll also join us at One Harbor Place, on Saturday, October 15th, 1-4PM, as all of our beverage sponsors host a tasting in the hospitality tent.

We'll see you Premiere Night, October 13th.

Being Elmo Brings Producer James Miller Back to NH

Doug Ridley — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:02:20 +0000

We're proud to announce that Being Elmo will be a featured film at this year's film festival. Producer James Miller will be at the festival and participating in a Q&A session and a panel discussion. We hope you'll be able to join us for this wonderful story.

Being Elmo is a Puppeteer's Journey
Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop. - beingelmo.com

About the Producer
DP and Producer of Being Elmo, James J. Miller is back on his home turf in New Hampshire. Starting his Cinematography career in Durham, he got his start as a Cameraman / Director of Photography at the New Hampshire Public Television, PBS affiliate station Channel 11 in Durham. Miller gained much of his experience in camera, lighting and sound from the award winning cinematographers and Directors. This gave him the tools he need to tap into the New York Market where he freelanced on many entertainment shows and documentaries including Sesame Street. There, he worked with puppeteers Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Miller has won multiple Awards including three Emmys.

NHFF Announces 2011 Accepted Films!

Brett Carneiro — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:35:26 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is very excited to announce that over 80 films have been selected for the 2011 NHFF.

Thank you to everyone who submitting films this year and congratulations to all those accepted!

NH Film Festival:

The Full List of NH Film Festival 2011 Program – Accepted Films

Feature Films

“96 Minutes,” Aimee Lagos

“All She Can (Benavides Born),” Amy Wendel

“American Animal,” Matt D’Elia

“Baaria,” Giuseppe Tornatore

“Brief Reunion,” John Daschbach - NH Film

“Bucksville,” Chel White

“Cargo,” Yan Vizinberg

“Happy, Happy,” Anne Sewitsky

“Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy,” Rob Heydon

“Point Blank,” Fred Cavayé

“Puncture,” Adam Kassen

“Restive,” Jeremiah Jones

“Stuck Between Stations,” Brady Kiernan

“The Good Doctor,” Lance Daly

“The Green,” Steven Williford

Documentaries (60 minutes or longer)

“Addiction Incorporated,” Charles Evans Jr.

“Age of Champions,” Christopher Rufo

“Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey,” Constance Marks - NH Film

“Crime After Crime,” Yoav Potash

“Dog Poo – The Truth at Last,” James Boldiston

“El Ambulante,” Eduardo de la Serna, Lucas Marcheggiano & Adriana Yurcovich

“Eyewitness Gaza” - NH Film

“Family Portrait in Black and White,” Julia Ivanova

“Holy Rollers,” Bryan Storkel

“How to Start a Revolution,” Ruaridh Arrow

“If A Tree Falls,” Marshall Curry

“Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream,” Vincent Straggas - NH Film

“Marathon Boy,” Gemma Atwal

“South of the Border,” Oliver Stone

“Superheroes,” Michael Barnett - NH Film

“The Interrupters,” Steve James

“Up with Down’s: The Peruvian Challenge”

“Vigilante, Vigilante The Battle of Expression,” Max Good

“When the Drum is Beating,” Whitney Dow

“With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story,” Will Hess

Short Documentaries (Under 60 minutes)

“Challenging Impossibility,” Sanjay Rawal

“Come on Down and Pick Me Up,” Jon Bougher / Nicholas Corrao - NH Film

“Grandpas Wet Dream,” Chihiro Amemiya

“In Danger of Being Discovered,” Marc Dole - NH Film

“Kaziah, the Goat Woman,” Amy Duzinski Janes

“Kevin,” Jay Duplass

“One Family in Gaza,” Jen Marlowe

“Out of Reach,” Jakub Stozek

"Sun City Picture House," David Darg

Short Films

“Against the Wall,” David Capurso - NH Film

“Andy and Zach,” Nick Paley

“Anywhere But Here,” Ross Thomas

“Back,” Juan Pablo Félix Torres - NH Film

"Beneath," Christopher Fernandez

“Break A Leg,” Jesse Shamata

“Carta a Julia,” David González Rúdiez

“Deeper than Yesterday,” Ariel Kleiman

“Dirty Night Clowns,” Ryan Gibeau - NH Film

“Ex-Sex,” Michael Mohan

“Fatakra,” Soham Mehta

“Good Men,” Brian Connors - NH Film

“Good Morning, Beautiful,” Todd Cobery

“Homecoming,” Gursimran Sandhu

“I’m Having a Difficult time Killing My Parents,” Jeff Tomsic

“Junkyard Jesus,” Christoph Kuschnig

“Love Birds,” Brian Lye

“Love, Lots of it," Rob Feld

“Match,” Kate Barker-Froyland

“Pioneer”, David Lowery

“Proposal,” Chris King

“Retrato de una Familia,” Victoria Rivera

“Rough Skin,” Cathy Brady

“Shikasha,” Isamu Hirabayashi

“Shuffle,” Aron Thompson

“Starsucker,” Nathan Skulnik - NH Film

“Static,” Mel Miskell

“The Escape,” James Connelly

“The Strange Ones,” Chris Radcliff & Lauren Wolkste

“Thule,” Robert Scott Wildes - NH Film

“Último Recurso,” Barney Elliot

Animation

“Brick Novax,” Matt Piedmont

“Choke,” Michelle Latimer

“Love and Theft,” Andreas Hykade

“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” Dean Fleischer-Camp

“Something Left, Something Taken,” Max Porter & Ru Kuwahata

NH Night Program:

The NH Night Program is a selection of films that are uniquely NH. These films were either created by a NH resident, acted in by a NH resident or filmed here in NH. This day and night dedicatd to NH has become our favorite day of the festival. Congratulations to this years finest NH films.

The Full List of NH Night 2011 Program – Accepted Films

“Breakaway/Backdown,” Ralph Morang

“Brush and Pen,” Andrea Melville

"Cravings," Jin Kim

"Etz Chayim: Tree of Life," Gwen Wilson

“Hunting,” Laura Maxfield

“It Could Be,” Christopher I. Ivanyi

“The Man at the Counter,” Brian McAllister

“Three Ring,” James Wood

“Trouble,” Mark Constance

“Turning of the Seasons,” Alex Keown

"Superheroes" a documentary by director Michael Barnett.

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:57:40 +0000

What’s Next? Moving the Screenplay Forward into Development & Production

Dana Biscotti Myskowski — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:31:39 +0000

Friday, October 14, 4-6 pm, Location TBA

Join us for a lively panel discussion that examines the life of a screenplay. How do you move the printed pages from your computer screen to the big screen? Who helps in the successful navigation in that development? Should you do it yourself? What do you do when you’re not sure what the next step is? These and many more questions will be tackled by the five panelists.

Buzz McLaughlin is an independent feature film producer and partner in Either/Or Films that produced THE SENSATION OF SIGHT starring Academy Award nominee David Strathairn. He is in development with Either/Or Films’ next feature SOMEPLACE LIKE AMERICA. A writer of many plays and screenplays, including Sister Calling My Name that won the National Play Award, Buzz also wrote the best-selling book The Playwright’s Process and has worked with hundreds of emerging and established writers in theatre and film as a dramaturg, teacher, and consultant. He holds a Ph.D in dramatic literature, taught scriptwriting as Playwright-In-Residence for many years at Drew University, founded the Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, and currently runs a script consulting service and a blog on scriptwriting.

Marty Soltys is Founder, Chairman and CEO of TransMedia Entertainment Partners, Ltd. He works with and invests with entrepreneurs, producers, writers, directors, and designers of video game, mobile and web applications to create and develop TransMedia Storytelling. Marty's film & television academic background and experience is as a screenwriter, executive producer, producer, partner, and consultant. He's been a script reader for American Zoetrope and acted as a funding intermediary for the feature films FRANKIE & ALICE and CELL 213. He serves as an Ivey Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Richard Ivey School of Business and holds an MFA in Film & Television from UCLA. His full bio is available as a link located at the Richard Ivey School's website.

Ross Thomas is the director, editor and producer of Anywhere But Here, a current NHFF short film, and winner of the 2010 Steeltown Film Factory screenwriting competition. His experience as an independent filmmaker is in using new technologies to produce and raise funding for his work. Ross is also a motion graphics artist, working with independent filmmakers to provide titles and effects for their films. His most recent work includes Almost There, Sentenced Home, and The Rape of Europa.

Kevin O’Malley is this year’s Grand Prize Winner of the NHFF Screenplay Competition. His Coming of Age script, BANANAFISH SANDWICH, is a quirky, heart-felt portrayal of teen ingenuity and determination. His short script, The 254 Year Old Boy, was a finalist selection in this years’ IFFF. He wrote and produced a documentary video on Life Magazine’s millennium issue entitled, Deconstructing Life. His documentary film, From the Other Side of the Desk, was featured as a teaching video for California Association of Independent Schools teachers. He has been the editor and production coordinator of the series, Speaking of Movies, with interviewer Jason Rietman (director of Juno and Thank You for Smoking). Kevin has taught film production and still photography at the Harvard-Westlake School in California since 1979, and has taught at the university level and at workshops across the country.

Dana Biscotti Myskowski, Emmy-nominated producer, screenwriter, professor, playwright, and mom, produced the film UNWOUND with Granite Creek in September as part of the Producers Guild of America's Weekend Shorts Competition to benefit the Debra Hill Fellowship. She is in development on the feature PLOWING UP A SNAKE and she is co-producing THE POINT with Maywood Productions in June 2012. Her TV series THE PROVIDER has been optioned, and she will be writing remaining episodes and co-producing the series with colleagues at a713production and TransMedia Entertainment. She can be found at Green Chair Pictures one night a week teaching screenwriting at New England College this semester.

Join Us for Our 2011 Festival Kick-Off

Doug Ridley — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:57:10 +0000

We'd like to invite you, a friend of the festival, to this year's kick-off event at The Page.

When: Wednesday, October, 5th, 5 to 7 PM
Where: The Page, 172 Hanover Street, Portsmouth, NH

Get a sneak peak at this year’s films as well as some of our multimedia pieces produced by Pixel Media and Fuel Creative. Attendees can also look forward to the release of our 2011 schedule.

We'll see you on the 5th!

NHFF Announces 2011 Juries and Panels

Bitty Ritchie — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:25:29 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is proud to present professional development and educational opportunities on relevant subjects pertinent to the current state of independent filmmaking.

2011 NHFF Panels

ALL PANELS AND WORKSHOPS AT THE RULE | BOSTON CAMERA HEADQUARTERS ON THE OLDE PORT PROPERTIES STAGE

Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel
250 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH

FRIDAY

INDUSTRY MEET-UP WITH THE NH FILM & TV OFFICE
10 am - 12 pm
New Hampshire Film Festival attendees are invited to join in the discussion at this special edition of the Industry Meet-Up, which are presented quarterly by the New Hampshire Film & Television Office. As with the regular meet-ups, this gathering will provide filmmakers and members of the production industry with an opportunity to network with one another, with everyone having the chance to take a few minutes to introduce themselves and share information on their recent or upcoming endeavors (Yes, there is a time limit!) The meet-up will be moderated by Matthew Newton, director of the New Hampshire Film & Television Office, who will offer an update of what’s currently happening around the state. There will also be a networking session toward the end of the discussion at which attendees can make connections and talk further.

MODERATOR:

MATTHEW NEWTON
DIRECTOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM AND TELEVISION OFFICE

LAUNCHING A NEW HAMPSHIRE PRODUCTION COALITION
1 pm - 3 pm
The New Hampshire Film & Television Office has played an instrumental role in promoting the state for all types of media production projects, as well as supporting New Hampshire’s production industry by working to build an infrastructure from the ground up. The foundation has been poured—and now, for our industry to strengthen and expand there must be an association of professionals that can work in tandem with the Film & Television Office and continue to advocate on behalf of our filmmakers, craftspeople and ancillary support businesses. The discussion will focus on what this group should be and what goals should be met, including a film tax credit to better compete with other states for production. This panel will feature some of the founding members of what will become the New Hampshire Production Coalition and attendees will have the opportunity to be heard and get involved as the Coalition takes shape over the next few months.

MODERATOR:

VAN MCLEOD
COMMISSIONER, NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES

PANELISTS:

MARK CONSTANCE
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, A713PRODUCTION

PAUL DURHAM
CHAIR, ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA AND PUBLISHING GROUP, SHEEHAN PHINNEY BASS + GREEN PA

DEBRA FRANCHI
PRESIDENT, HHG PRODUCTIONS

JESSICA MAHER
FREELANCE CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR FOR ENTERTAINMENT CONTRACTS, AFTRA/SAG

JOE MAIELLA
VICE PRESIDENT, SALES & GLOBAL CREWING, MEDIA SERVICES

MOVING THE SCREENPLAY FORWARD INTO DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION
4 pm – 6 pm

MODERATOR:

DANA BISCOTTI MYSKOWSKI
PRODUCER, SCREENWRITER, PROFESSOR

PANELISTS:

BUZZ MCLAUGHLIN
PRODUCER, SCREENWRITER

MARTY SOLTYS
FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN, CEO, TRANSMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS

ROSS THOMAS
PRODUCER, WRITER, DIRECTOR

KEVIN O’MALLEY
SCREENWRITER

SATURDAY

GOING FOR THE GREEN: FILM FINANCING AND PACKAGING
11 am – 1 pm

Join a group of independent producers and other industry players in a discussion about what takes to put a project together in a way that can attract financing. Whether you’re working on a studio film, an indie or a documentary, what’s needed to seal the deal these days? What are third party financiers looking for when vetting potential projects? What resources are out there for information and help?

MODERATOR:

MICHELE MEEK
FOUNDER, NEWENGLANDFILM.COM, BOARD MEMBER, THE INDEPENDENT

PANELISTS:

LAURA AZEVEDO
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVE

CHASE BAILEY
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR

DAN CAREY
PRODUCER

KATHRYN DIETZ
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVE

CHRIS STINSON
PRODUCER, LINE PRODUCER

LATEST TRENDS IN MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

4 pm – 6 pm

With the ups and downs of the economy and ever changing technology available to filmmakers and consumers, the motion picture industry has been morphing before our eyes. Join a conversation with a group of executives and gurus on the frontlines about the current state of marketing and distribution and what the future may hold.

MODERATOR:

AMY GREENLAW
FOUNDER, FILMPOP!

PANELISTS:

JASON BRUBAKER
PRODUCER, FOUNDER, FILMMAKING STUFF

JOSH GREEN
VICE PRESIDENT OF DISTRIBUTION, EMERGING PICTURES

TIM NETT
FOUNDER, TRAILER PARK INC.

DANA VLADIMIR
PUBLICITY AND MARKETING MANAGER, MAGNOLIA PICTURES

JACOB WOLTERS
NON-THEATRICAL EXHIBITION COORDINATOR, OSCILLOSCOPE LABRATORIES

SUNDAY

LANDSCAPE OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
10:30 am – 11:30 pm

Documentary films are receiving more and more attention each and every year. Funding, distribution and the desire to educate and enlighten using the documentary platform seem to still be on a steady rise. Join a group of filmmakers, advocates and public broadcasting professionals in a conversation about their experiences and their various perspectives on the current landscape of the documentary.

MODERATOR:

DAVID TAMES
FILMMAKER, INSTRUCTOR, MASSART

PANELISTS:

MICHAEL BARNETT
DIRECTOR, "SUPERHEROES"

DAWN DEANGELIS
CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER, NHPTV

WHITNEY DOW
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, "WHEN THE DRUM IS BEATING"

JAMES MILLER
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, "BEING ELMO"

ZAK PIPER
CO-PRODUCER, "THE INTERRUPTERS"

SUSAN WALSH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY

A CONVERSATION ON COMEDY
2 pm – 4 pm

Join a motley crew of performers, writers, and directors currently working in the multi-faceted genre of comedy in a spirited conversation about getting funny onto the screen and the stage.

HOST:

RAE DAWN CHONG
ACTRESS, WRITER

FEATURING:

TOMMY CHONG
PERFORMER, DIRECTOR, WRITER

ADAM JONES
DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER

JUSTON MCKINNEY
COMEDIAN

JIMMY TINGLE
SOCIAL/POLITICAL HUMORIST

2011 Program & Schedule Released!

Bitty Ritchie — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:34:39 +0000

The 2011 NHFF Program is now available for download. You can access scheduling, venue and workshop information as well as complete synopses for our film program.

Download Program

Download Schedule

This year we will screen over 80 films from New Hampshire, the nation, and around the world. This event should not be missed! We invite you to take part in all the films, workshops, panel discussions, Q&A's, cocktail receptions, networking events and nightly after parties that the 11th annual New Hampshire Film Festival offers.

To order your tickets now, contact The Music Hall box office at 603.436.2400.

And the winner is...

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:03:22 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is pleased to announce the winner of our All Access Pass Giveaway. The Grand Prize winner is Dan Young, who will receive a night’s stay at the Ale House Inn on Bow Street in Portsmouth and two VIP passes to the festival. Our 10 runners-up will each receive a pair of weekend passes. Congratulations to Dan and our lucky runners-up. We hope you and your guests have a fabulous weekend at the festival!

A special thank you goes out to sweepstakes sponsor the Ale House Inn. The Ale House is Portsmouth's premier boutique hotel and is situated in the heart of our beautiful historic downtown. It's also the first hotel in the world to offer iPads in every room. It's safe to say that our prize winner will be relaxing in style between great films and the many other offerings of the NH Film Festival.

We would also like to thank the many venues participating in the NHFF Preferred Restaurant Program, as well as our major sponsors Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Absolut Vodka, Rule | Boston Camera, Moët & Chandon Champagne, Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, The Provident Bank, the NH Liquor & Wine Outlets, Zyacorp Entertainment's Cinemagic, and Vital Design.

Free Live Webcast: NH Film Festival Industry Panels

Doug Ridley — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:53:01 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is proud to present professional development and educational opportunities on relevant subjects pertinent to the current state of independent filmmaking.

See the schedule below and JOIN US LIVE RIGHT HERE, at NHFilmFestival.com, as industry experts discuss a wide variety of topics surrounding independent filmmaking.

Friday, October 14th 2011

10am-12pm: INDUSTRY MEET-UP WITH THE NH FILM & TV OFFICE

New Hampshire Film Festival attendees are invited to join in the discussion at this special edition of the Industry Meet-Up, which are presented quarterly by the New Hampshire Film & Television Office. As with the regular meet-ups, this gathering will provide filmmakers and members of the production industry with an opportunity to network with one another, with everyone having the chance to take a few minutes to introduce themselves and share information on their recent or upcoming endeavors (Yes, there is a time limit!) The meet-up will be moderated by Matthew Newton, director of the New Hampshire Film & Television Office, who will offer an update of what’s currently happening around the state. There will also be a networking session toward the end of the discussion at which attendees can make connections and talk further.

1pm-3pm: LAUNCHING A NEW HAMPSHIRE PRODUCTION COALITION

The New Hampshire Film & Television Office has played an instrumental role in promoting the state for all types of media production projects, as well as supporting New Hampshire’s production industry by working to build an infrastructure from the ground up. The foundation has been poured—and now, for our industry to strengthen and expand there must be an association of professionals that can work in tandem with the Film & Television Office and continue to advocate on behalf of our filmmakers, craftspeople and ancillary support businesses. The discussion will focus on what this group should be and what goals should be met, including a film tax credit to better compete with other states for production. This panel will feature some of the founding members of what will become the New Hampshire Production Coalition and attendees will have the opportunity to be heard and get involved as the Coalition takes shape over the next few months.

4pm-6pm: MOVING THE SCREENPLAY FORWARD INTO DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION

Saturday, October 15th 2011

11am-1pm: GOING FOR THE GREEN: FILM FINANCING AND PACKAGING

4pm-6pm: LATEST TRENDS IN MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

Sunday, October 16th 2011

10:30am-12:30pm: LANDSCAPE OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING

2:30pm-4:30pm: A CONVERSATION ON COMEDY

Join a motley crew of performers, writers, and directors currently working in the multi-faceted genre of comedy in a spirited conversation about getting funny onto the screen and the stage.

It's that time of year again!

Bitty Ritchie — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:55:40 +0000

I know this because every conversation I've had over the past couple weeks is similar, "Zac can you tell me which films, which special events, which panels which workshops and most importantly which parties to go to?"

So before I circle another film pick on another program, I figure it's time to broadcast my picks for NH Film Festival 2011.

Let's face it, this festival is daunting: 90 films, eight panels and workshops, three after parties, VIP brunch, hospitality tents, NH Day and Night Program, Opening Night Ceremonies, award ceremonies, receptions, participating restaurants etc, so here are some tips to best navigate this year's fest.

A couple things to remember…. I am a guy and I tend to like guy things. This isn't Nicole's picks. She's too busy. Since I'm the only one, other than her who has seen all of these films, you're stuck with my picks. So enjoy them, for whatever they are worth.

First, a couple general announcements.

1. Headquarters opens Thursday morning at the Sheraton Harborside. The 2011 Rule Boston Camera Headquarters, Mac Edge Internet Café and Olde Port Properties Panel and Workshop Stage are all at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside this year. Not the Connie Bean Center or the Marriot Residence Inn Downtown.

2. The Saturday Night Moet and Chandon After party is at Surf Restaurant not Pesce Blue. They are going all out for it, this is a can't miss!

3. Robert's Maine Grill and KPW Events are going all out for the hospitality tent, Saturday, down at the decks at Harbor place on the river. Our sponsors, Stella, Moet and Chandon, Absolut and Francis Ford Coppola are pouring off libations and Robert's award winning chowder will be flowing.

4. There is a lot of nudity in this year's films.

5. I apologize in advance for talking about myself in the third person.

6. I have split my picks into Zac's Picks and Zac's Schedule. This way if you plan on attending the whole fest make sure you see my top picks and if you only have one day or one time of one day you can choose the best thing happening during that time period.

Zac's Schedule by Day

THURSDAY- NH Day and Night

NH Day and Night is all about NH.

These films are all made in, made by or have actors from NH.

These films are stunning and show off the breadth of professional and amateur filmmaking coming out of our great state.

The only Thursday screening venue is at The Music Hall.

The NH Film and Television office puts on two great panels at the Sheraton (check the program for names and times).

Morning time getting ready at the Rule Boston Camera Headquarters at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside .

1:45 Eyewitness Gaza - NH Film Festival Alumni Tom Jackson and Granny Award Winner.

2:15 Brief Reunion - This feature film by Dartmouth students inspired by Bill Pence (Of the Telluride Film Festival) is a very well done thriller on what had to be a miniscule budget. It is rare that NH Day and Night accepts a feature film. So this is a rare treat for a Thursday. Although it starts slow, they are really just setting the stage cause this film got really intense and kept me on the edge of my seat.

5:00 Superheroes - Concord NH's Michael Barnett another NHFF alumni and past Granny Award Winner does an incredible job w this feature length documentary about regular people who do amazing things. You have to see this.

6:30 to 7:00 NH Night Reception- A couple drinks in the lobby of The Music Hall catered by Flatbreads Pizza

7:00 - 10:00 NH Night Begins! I get the best seat I can, I like the balcony. I get a tub of popcorn and I sit back and enjoy the show.

My favorite part of NH Night is Portsmouth's own, comedian Justin McKinney. He's amazingly funny and hosts this special evening of shorts.

The final 2 blocks of shorts are in a competition for best NH Short Film and they are all amazing

Who will win the Van McLeod award or NH Filmmaker of the Year?

10:00 Flatbreads After party NH Film and Television Office NH Night After Party, for me this is when the festival really begins. I love this party and the food! You won't want to miss this spread.

FRIDAY- The Music Hall TMH, The Loft TL, Moffatt Ladd House MLH, Sheraton Amphitheater SA

All films at The Music Hall are amazing! So I will talk about where I would be if I were not at The Music Hall

Baaria, playing at 10am at The Music Hall which is an amazing epic…. is 2hrs and 40 Mins long

Friday is Opening night of the International Film Festival portion of the NH Film Festival

10:15 am Challenging Impossibility, Sun City Picture House, TL… Both of these Short Doc's are what Film Festivals are all about… worth getting up for!

11:25 am Marathon Boy, TL…. Could be my favorite doc of the fest and this is it's only showing DO NOT MISS THIS SCREENING!

3:00 pm When The Drum is Beating, TL… Incredible story about Haiti and Music… so good!

4:10 - 7pm Every film that starts during this time period is great! I love the Short Block at SA, ditto for the Short Block at TL or Holy Rollers at TL a doc about a Christian black jack team, so good!

7-8pm Opening Night Reception at TMH… have a couple drinks and relax before Opening night ceremonies and our opening night feature

8:20pm Puncture at TMH, our opening night feature film. Quite possibly the best film of the fest! Brett Cullen is in attendance.

10:00 - The opening night party sponsored by Absolut Vodka at The Gaslight, Third Floor Club. This is quite simply the hottest ticket, the biggest and best party of the festival!

SATURDAY - The Music Hall TMH, The Loft TL, Moffatt Ladd House MLH, Sheraton Amphitheater SA

All films at The Music Hall are amazing! So I will talk about where I would be if I were not at The Music Hall.

11:50 Sun City Picture House, Kazziah the Goat Woman, TL… Both of these Short Doc's are what Film Festivals are all about…. Truly Incredible, especially Kazziah!

1:00 Jimmy Tingle's American Dream w/ Special Program, TL... Jimmy is a local comedian who as an entrepreneur starts a comedy club in Somerville Ma. The club hosts the who's who of the comedy circuit but eventually succumbs to the failing economy. However this doesn't hold him back from achieving even more… You'll have to see it understand. This film is good but Jimmy is great and he will be in attendance and will do an interactive comedic Q&A immediately following

1:00 - 4:00 Roberts Maine Grill and KPW Hospitality Tent our awesome sponsors Francis Ford Coppola, Stella, Absolut pour their libations while Robert's Maine Grill serves up the best Chowder in the world! Fast becoming my favorite event of the fest…. this event is located on the Piscataqua River under a heated Sperry Tent on the Decks of Harbor Place

2:30 - 3:30 El Ambulante- Awesome foreign doc!/ American Animal- Really "out there" Independent feature film, weird but really good if you like this stuff/ SHORT BLOCK- Animation Block w/ bonus short doc Challenging Impossibility. The animation is awesome this year. Challenging Impossibility the story of Sri Chinmoy is a short doc about a Spiritual Leader who can lift more weight than the strongest men in the world. He lifted all four wheels of a car off the ground at the age of 80!

4:45 Holly Rollers, TL… The story of a Christian Black Jack team that set out to beat the house based on a foundation of Christian trust…. Really cool film!

6:35 Short Block, TL…. This is the best short block of the fest which means these are some of the best shorts of the year both nationally and internationally, Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca award winners…. I love "I'm having a hard time killing my parents and all of these.

8:00 - 8:15 Terri TMH or Point Blank TL both of these films are amazing, go to whichever film you can't see at another time during the fest (Both films play twice)…. for that matter I love Bucksville too!

10:00 Moet and Chandon Party at Surf Restaurant…. Join me at this can't miss party at Portsmouth's newest restaurant Surf. I can't see what they are going to do for this but I hear both the sponsors and Surf are going all out for this one.

SUNDAY - The Music Hall TMH, The Loft TL, Moffatt Ladd House MLH, Sheraton Amphitheater SA

All films at The Music Hall are amazing! So I will talk about where I would be if I were not at The Music Hall.- All films on Sunday are great! You can't miss!- 11 - 2 pm VIP Brunch at the 100 Club. This is the best food event of the festival but you have to have a VIP ticket to attend.- 1:55 am How to Start a Revolution MLH… one of my favorites docs.- 3:35 pm Short Block TL … Amazing!- 5 pm Closing night reception.. At this point, if your anything like me, you will need some great food and a drink.- 5:30 pm Francis Ford Coppola Closing Night Ceremonies…. join me to find out who the award winners are.- 6:30 pm Puncture TMH this is one of the best films of the festival.

Zac's Picks by Category

DOCUMENTARY

Marathon Boy - 4 year Indian slum boy who'd give Forrest a run for his money. (Friday Morning only- Don't miss this film)

Holly Rollers - Christian Black Jack team aims to take down the casinos

Being Elmo- So good, not for children. NH Filmmaker

When the Drum is Beating- Incredible story about Haiti and Music

How to Start a Revolution - You'd have to see it to understand it… Must see!

SHORT DOC

Kaziah, The Goat Woman- Inspirational story and woman

Sun City Picture House- Story of how a movie theater in Haiti gave hope to the hopeless

In Danger of Being Discovered

FEATURES (there is not a bad feature film in the bunch but these are my favorites in order)

Puncture - Chris Evans

Terri - John C. Reilly

Point Blank - Heart pounding suspense foreign film… so good!

Happy Happy/ 96 Minutes/ The Good Doctor - All very different and very good, read the program for more

Bucksville/ Cargo/ American Animal - same with these.

SHORTS and ANIMATIONS

I'm Having a Hard Time Killing My Parents

Rough Skin

Pioneer

Strange Ones

Thule

Junkyard Jesus

Good Morning Beautiful

Every Short Block!

Dirty Night Clowns

Ex Sex

See you at the movies,

Zac

Congratulations to our 2011 Award Winners

Doug Ridley — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:11:29 +0000

After an inspiring and exceptionally successful 11th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival, the NHFF Grand Jury and Screening Committee are pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 NH Film Festival Granny Awards.

Best Feature: Puncture
Best Documentary: Holy Rollers
Best Animation: Dirty Night Clowns
Best Short Comedy: I'm Having a Difficult Time Killing my Parents
Best Short Drama: Static
Audience Choice – Best Documentary: Being Elmo
Audience Choice – Best Feature: 96 Minutes
Grand Jury Award: Cargo
Best Screenplay: Bananafish Sandwich

Save the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the Department of Cultural Resources!

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:54:08 +0000

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has scheduled two hearings on bills directly affecting the Department of Cultural Resources and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Both will be heard on Thursday, January 12, in Executive Departments and Administration, Room 306, Legislative Office Building, Concord. House Bill 1274 - Abolishing the Department of Cultural Resources will be heard at 10am and House Bill 1285 - Repealing the State Art Fund will be heard at 1:15pm. Citizens are invited to attend the hearings and to contact committee members. For updates and additional information, check the NH Citizens for the Arts website. You can contact your rep here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx

Sundance Shout-Out: Michael Mohan

Nicole Galovski — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:01:21 +0000

Michael Mohan filmmaker of NHFF 2010 Feature One Too Many Mornings, and NHFF 2011 Short Ex-Sex returns once again to the Sundance Film Festival with Save the Date starring Lizzy Caplan (NHFF 2010 Best Short Comedy Successful Alcoholics) and Alison Brie. The film focuses on two sisters navigating through modern-day relationships as one sister plans her wedding. We wish Michael and the rest of the cast and crew the best of luck at Sundance!! Read indiewire's Meet the Filmmaker article on Mr.Mohan.

Sundance Shout-Out: Lizzy Caplan

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:45:09 +0000

Lizzy Caplan from NHFF 2010 Best Comedy Short Successful Alcoholics stars in two Sundance Features: Save the Date about two sisters navigating through modern-day relationships as one sister plans her wedding also starring Alison Brie. And in the film Bachelorette also starring Kirsten Dunst and Rebel Wilson about a wild and crazy bachelorette party rimmed with bitterness and jealousy. We’re all anxious to see both these flicks. Read New York Magazine's article/interview about the flicks, and Lizzy's Sundance "It" girl status.

Sundance Shout-Out: Isamu Hirabayashi

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:56:31 +0000

Isamu Hirabayashi filmmaker of NHFF 2011 short Shikasha goes to Sundance with another short film: 663114. Holding this short synopsis: I am a 66-year cicada. There was a big earthquake. There was a big tsunami. There also was a big accident. We can hardly contain our excitement for the always creative, edgy and brilliant Isamu.

Sundance Shout-Out: Jay Duplass

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:17:20 +0000

Jay Duplass director of NHFF 2011 Short Documentary Kevin steps in as executive producer alongside his brother Mark on Sundance Feature Black Rock. It’s a family affair with this one as Mark Duplass is also the screenwriter, and his wife Katie Aselton directs and stars. The film also stars Kate Bosworth and Lake Bell about a girl’s reunion trip on an island in Maine that turns dark and sinister. After it's Saturday midnight premiere the film was instantly picked up on Sunday morning by new distribution unit LD Entertainment. Congratulations to the whole Duplass clan on their suspenseful thriller! Read about this Sundance acquisition and others.

Sundance Shout-Out: Paul Dano

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:04:57 +0000

Paul Dano star of NHFF 2010 Feature The Extra Man stars and is an executive producer in Sundance Feature For Ellen. Dano plays a struggling musician father fighting for his last chance at shared custody for his daughter, Ellen. Paul always gives a great performance, and we’re excited to hear all the buzz sure to surround For Ellen!

In Danger of Being Discovered SOLD OUT tonight at The Music Hall!

Nicole Galovski — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:44:33 +0000

Congratulations to NHFF 2011 Documentary In Danger of Being Discovered for selling out the Music Hall with their extended cut, pre-festival tour, benefit showing! The NHFF premiere of IDOBD was incredible, with so much buzz, a huge crowd, and the most lively audience the fest has ever seen, so much so that we can't even imagine what tonight is going to be like for the filmmakers, musicians, and enthusiasts. Best of luck to the doc and all the people surrounding it, tonight, and in all its future ventures! Visit the IDOBD blog. Read an interview with filmmaker, Marc Dole, in The Hippo.

T.J. Miller = Hilarious

Jeff Ellis — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:09:30 +0000

Last year we were lucky enough to get T.J. Miller's hilarious short I'm Having a Difficult Time Killing My Parents. Just recently he co-starred with the likes of Paul Rudd, Emily Mortimer, and Zooey Deschanel in the heart-waming quirky comedy Our Idiot Brother (trailer). A must see!!!

The Poker Room in Hampton Falls Partners with The New Hampshire Film Festival Feb. 9th-19th!

Nicole Galovski — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:54:43 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival is proud to announce a very special partnership with The Poker Room in Hampton Falls! The Poker Room has partnered with over 85 non-profits in New Hampshire to raise over $5 Million Dollars in the last four years, and now we are added to their ranks. Come down to The Poker Room February 9-19 to show your support, catch up with festival friends, and to enjoy some no limit poker fun!

NHFF Casino Night... TONIGHT 2/16!!!

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:26:29 +0000

Cancel all your plans for tonight and head down to what is sure to be the most fun time on the Seacoast: NHFF Casino Night! Our 10-day promotion with The Poker Room in Hampton Falls is coming to a close this weekend and we are taking the opportunity to try to pack the house with festival friends and supporters TONIGHT! The Poker Room has more than just poker, oh yes, they have black jack, roulette, and a fully stocked bar!! We're planning our extravaganza for 5-7:30 but come early and stay late, we'll have some food provided by the festival, a tournament starts at 5:30 ($80 buy in, Hold 'Em) and the poker room doesn't close til 1 am. If that's not enough to get you pumped listen to Lady Gaga's Poker Face until you are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY-vXcmpZIw

Holy Submissions Batman!

Nicole Galovski — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:24:29 +0000

We're about one month into our open submissions season for the 12th annual New Hampshire Film Festival and we couldn't be more ecstatic that the films are already starting to pile up! Don't miss your opportunity to be part of NHFF this October 11-14, 2012 in scenic Portsmouth, NH.

Submission deadlines: Early Bird entries: June 5. Regular entries: July 5. Late entries: Aug. 5.

All entries must be submitted through Withoutabox. Online entries close Aug. 15. For more information, contact NHFF Programming Director: Nicole Galovski, programming@nhfilmfestival.com.

Fresh Faces

Jeff Ellis — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:04:04 +0000

With the Oscars right around the corner one of the faces you will want to be on the lookout for is Tom Hardy. You should remember him from “Inception” as his English swag ended up stealing him every scene he was in. This year he was in the intriguing John Le Carre film "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" which picked up 3 Oscar nominations and showed how versatile an actor he is veering away from the tough guy roles. He also co-starred with Joel Edgerton in "Warrior" Don’t let the veneer of it being about MMA fool you it is truly well written and acted, a story of redemption and forgiveness. Nick Nolte also picked up a much deserved Oscar Nom for his portrayal of their alcoholic father. Tom Hardy is definitely a fresh face to the game and I can’t wait for more.

Check out" Bronson" for its Physical and Emotional rawness.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJ1c3qxOWc[/youtube]

NHFF 2011 Documentary IF A TREE FALLS lands Oscar Nomination

Nicole Galovski — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:25:12 +0000

We are so excited that Documentarian Marshall Curry got the Oscar Nomination on NHFF 2011 Film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front. If you weren’t lucky enough to see this film at the festival, here’s a quick synopsis:

In December 2005, Daniel McGowan was arrested by U.S. Federal agents in a nationwide sweep of radical environmentalists involved with the Earth Liberation Front, a group the FBI has called America's "number one domestic terrorism threat." For years, the ELF, operating in separate anonymous cells without any central leadership, had launched spectacular arsons against dozens of businesses they accused of destroying the environment: timber companies, SUV dealerships, wild horse slaughterhouses, and a $12 million ski lodge in Vail, Colorado. This film tells the remarkable story of the rise and fall of this ELF cell, by focusing on the transformation and radicalization of one of its members.

The film has gotten amazing reviews, and we feel so honored to have had it in our 2011 Festival Line-up. Congratulations Marshall, and best of luck this Sunday at the Oscars!!

Watch the trailer: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAGxy85R380[/youtube]

Read Some Reviews: The Telegraph, The NY Times

Buy it

See the full list of Oscar Noms

Be sure to watch the 84th Academy Awards on Feb 26!

Check check check it out: Bullhead

Jeff Ellis — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:14:40 +0000

Don't miss this great film from Belgium, Bullhead. It was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fTx89BTIVg[/youtube]

NHFF Alum Josh Radnor’s “Liberal Arts” Gets Picked Up By IFC films

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:25:13 +0000

If Josh Radnor’s name doesn’t sound familiar, you’d definitely recognize his face, he is most commonly known for playing Ted Mosby on the CBS Television Series How I Met Your Mother. His directorial debut happythankyoumoreplease (he also wrote and starred) came to NHFF in 2010, and his latest film Liberal Arts premiered at Sundance this year. Radnor writes, directs and stars again in the dram-com about a listless 35-year-old who returns to his alma mater to speak at his professor’s retirement dinner and falls for a sophomore at the school. It received a standing ovation after its first screening, and later that week was picked up in a 7-figure deal with indie distributor IFC films. Theatrical release dates have not been announced… yet (excepting a possibly fake Australia release date in late September via IMDb). But keep it on your radar, Radnor is a name in acting, writing and directing that is sure to stick around progressing with every meaningful piece of layered dialogue.

No official trailer but check out the clip: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrXhX4oSE5U[/youtube]

Rory Kennedy’s HBO Documentary “Ethel” Beautifully Blends American History, Politics, and Family

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:07:13 +0000

Rory Kennedy the youngest of Ethel and Robert’s 11 is no new name to documentary filmmaking. Her diverse social issue infused credits include, American Hollow (1999) about a struggling Appalachian family, Indian Point: Imagining the Unimaginable (2004) which takes a “what-if” look at the catastrophic consequences of a radioactive release at the Indian Point Energy Center, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (2007) an examination of the events of the 2004 Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal, and The Fence (La Barda) (2010) showcased by NHFF, about the US-Mexico border fence, barely scratch the surface of her projects.

Kennedy’s latest doc, Ethel, takes a break from the surging social and political issues, and for the first time gets up-close and personal with her own family. Focusing on her mother, Kennedy documents Ethel’s journey from childhood, to her courtship with Robert, through his assassination, and trials of being a single mother of 11 while continuing to be a human and civil rights activist. The film allows a deeply personal look at the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond through the eyes, mind, and soul of a woman with front row seats to the major events of present history. Full of family photos, home movies, news footage, and interviews Kennedy produces an enthralling and private look into American History.

The documentary premiered at Sundance in January, and will air on HBO later this year.

Rory Kennedy talks Ethel: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6gIg0UXzJA [/youtube]

NHFF 2011 Film "96 Minutes" on VOD; Announces Cities and Dates for Theatrical Release

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:23:33 +0000

96 Minutes picked up the Audience Award--Feature at NHFF 2011, and we want to extend a huge congratulations to the cast and crew for its distribution. If you missed it at the 2011 fest, 96 Minutes is a Thriller Drama, the synopsis reads: “[It is] the harrowing story of a carjacking and four kids caught in the terrifying maelstrom of one night. Intercutting between the car and the beginning of that day, we follow the separate stories of each kid - where they come from, who they are, and how they all ended up in one car on this fateful night. Their worlds are starkly divided along class lines, but on this one night, their lives slam headlong into each other. Not all of them are innocent. Not all of them survive. These 96 minutes will change everything.”

The film has made quite the festival circuit since last March, beginning at SXSW, hitting New Hampshire and on to the Woodstock Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, and most recently at the Pan African Film Festival (just to name a few). It was picked up by ARC Entertainment and XLrator Media in November of 2011, and the film will have its theatrical debut in select cities April 27, 2012:

New York City - AMC Empire 25
Los Angeles - AMC Burbank 8
Atlanta - AMC Phipps Plaza 14
St. Louis - AMC Creve Couer 12

If you’re around any of those areas make sure you show your support, or if it’s too far a hike, lucky for you, it hit VOD March 22!

Watch the trailer: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8aN9cyVa38[/youtube]

Beloved NHFF 2011 Documentary, “Being Elmo”, Awaits Television Broadcast Premiere

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:05:22 +0000

If you weren’t fortunate enough to grab a seat at the sold out screenings of Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey, with special guest producer James Miller at NHFF 2011, now’s your chance to see the inspiring doc at home. PBS will premiere the film on April 5^th at 10pm with an encore presentation on April 9^th at 10pm.

Synopsis: Every day, millions tune in to Sesame Street to see one of the world's most adored and recognizable characters — a furry red monster named Elmo. Yet, with all of Elmo's fame, the man behind the icon is able to walk down the street without being recognized.

Meet Kevin Clash.

As a teenager growing up in Baltimore in the 1970s, Kevin had very different aspirations from his classmates — he wanted to be a puppeteer. More specifically, he wanted to be part of Jim Henson's team, the creative force responsible for delivering the magic ofSesame Street on a daily basis. With a supportive family behind him, Kevin made his dreams come true.

Combining amazing archival footage with material from the present day, filmmaker Constance Marks explores Kevin's story in vivid detail and chronicles the meteoric rise of Jim Henson in the process. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and including interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O'Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others, this insightful and personal documentary offers up a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.

Being Elmo won the Audience Award—Documentary at NHFF 2011, and we can’t stress it enough: Don’t miss this film!

Trailer: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SVywTDFuuo[/youtube]

Rae Dawn Chong

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:00:35 +0000

Tommy Chong

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:13:04 +0000

Audience

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:17:26 +0000

West African Musical Sensation "Bombino" Performs Live Benefit Concert Thursday April 5th at The Music Hall

Nicole Galovski — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:45:00 +0000

In 2009 well-known filmmaker and NH native, Ron Wyman, traveled across the world to seek out the captivating and talented Tuareg guitarist and songwriter, Omara “Bombino” Moctar. With Bambino’s voice and instrument pulsing with personal songs of freedom and justice, resistance and rebellion, it is no wonder that Wyman found the young artist completely enthralling. After their meeting, Wyman featured Bombino and his music in his 2010 Documentary Agadez: The Music and the Rebellion about the Tuareg and their two decade struggle for peace culminating in a vibrant concert at the Grand Mosque in Agadez celebrating the end of the war. The Documentary premiered at NHFF 2010, and Wyman took home the award for Best NH Documentary.

The concert will be in effort to benefit, the NGO, RAIN for the Sahel and Sahara. From their website: RAIN partners with nomadic Wodaabe and Tuareg people of West Africa. While many NGO's help Africa, RAIN is among the few on the ground in rural and remote areas of Niger.

Infused with African and American influences like Ali Farka Toure, and Jimi Hendrix brought together with a Bob Dylan folky flare, don’t miss the chance to see this inspirational and extraordinarily talented young musician LIVE at the Music Hall on Thursday April 5th.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tneOdum6f68&feature=player_embedded#![/youtube]

Buy Tickets

Learn More About RAIN

Check out the Doc: Agadez: The Music and the Rebellion

WSCA Radio

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:16:19 +0000

NHFF Sustainability Partner, EarthTec, Celebrates Earth Day with Style

Nicole Galovski — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:06:04 +0000

In celebration of Earth Day, we at NHFF would like to give a special shout-out to our sustainability partner, EarthTec.

EarthTec is an environmentally conscious clothing shop. From their facebook page: “EARTHTEC is a sustainable lifestyle apparel brand. We produce top quality garments from the most innovative eco textiles in the world.”

The eco textiles are really quite amazing and Earthtec prides itself on only using recycled or renewable fabrics: Organic Cotton, Natural Wool, and Recycled PET.

Organic Cotton means genetically unmodified cotton grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. EarthTec wants to specifically work with and support farmers with the health of the earth on their mind, reducing the amount of chemicals, and improving the fertility of the earth’s arable soil.

Natural Wool comes from EarthTec’s hand-selected ranchers who treat their animals humanely, and are as green as possible when processing their raw wool fibers.

And perhaps the most interesting is Earthtec’s Recycled PET. PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is used in almost all the plastic packaging in the US. It is the most reusable in the form of water/soda bottles, which about 150 billion of get tossed into landfills around the world every year. With a new innovative technology EarthTec is giving these plastic bottles new use, by turning them into a polyester hybrid fabric. The condensed (and easier to explain) process goes like this: The bottles are ground into poly flake, the poly flake is melted down and extruded into fiber, and the fiber is woven into fabric. This waste plastic finds new purpose as a polyester yarn in fleeces, jackets, and hoodies. About 12 bottles are used in each one of Earthtec’s recycled PET garments, keeping them out of landfills, starting to minimize waste.

Last year EarthTec generously donated 30 NHFF logo’d fleeces and vests for the 2011 festival, (See photo of NHFF Board Chairman Zac Gregg in his EarthTec fleece vest with Tommy Chong and Executive Director Nicole Gregg) and contributed plastic bottle collection bins at all of our venues as part of their Earth360 program.

To celebrate today’s holiday EarthTec launched a 20% off sitewide/storewide sale that started Thursday 4/19 and continues through until today 4/22. They are also holding a photo contest on their facebook page today. The best photo winner will receive a free Earth Tec T-shirt, contest results will be announced on Monday. To enter, post a photo of what’s blooming in your yard on the store’s facebook page.

So if you weren’t able to plant a tree this Earth Day (and even if you were) get some green living in and visit the store at 76 Congress St. or browse/shop their online store. Happy Earth Day!

NHFF 2011 Art Film "American Animal" Itches for Release on May 18

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:58:58 +0000

American Animal was one of my favorite films at the festival last year, I really enjoyed the complexity of themes taking place amidst a background of simplicity. The entire set consists of one loft apartment, taking place over one day, with a cast of just four people, but wastes no time diving into questions of why we do the things we do, the difference between reality and perceived reality, and an analysis of an entitled generation.

The synopsis from American Animal’s website: Jimmy is a terminally ill young man. He is also quite eccentric, bordering on plain old crazy, and starting today he has decided that he is ‘happy’ and no longer sick. Jimmy’s roommate James is a healthy, dreamy young man. They’re best friends. They live together. They don’t do much of anything and they seem very happy that way. Today, they have a couple of female friends over to their downtown Los Angeles loft for just another day of drinks, drugs, board games and casual sex, among other things. All seems well. But trouble arises when it gets revealed that James will be leaving for a new job in the morning. Jimmy, feeling betrayed, is not pleased by this development. He sees it as nothing short of the destruction of the perfect little world that they’ve set up, and a humorous battle of wills ensues as James prepares for the real world and Jimmy falls deeper and deeper into his world of illness, isolation, and make-believe.

In Slant Magazine’s Review of the film it is called “uncompromising” and like a lazy writer I’m going to concede to the fact that Slant got it totally and completely right and stop searching the thesaurus for an all encompassing synonym for edgy, crazy, forceful, and insightful. Because the film does not care about the cringing, and laughing audience, in fact it continues with no care for any audience reaction at all, but instead is completely driven by a strong cast that stays true throughout.

We had the pleasure of having writer, director and lead actor, Matt D’Elia in attendance, who was so very far from the Jimmy of American Animal, that it was shocking. As D’Elia conducted his Q&A, it was amazing to me how he kept all three of his film entities separate, never compromising on what he as an actor would be comfortable with as oppose to what the script he wrote called for, and continually pushing himself as the director to get to the right intensity as Jimmy. It was fascinating.

The film was picked up by Screen Media Films and opens on May 18 at the Village East Cinema in NYC.

Don't miss this film.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jMhqPZMWNw&ob=av3e[/youtube]

Celebrating Wine Month with NHFF Premier Sponsor Francis Ford Coppola Wines

Nicole Galovski — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:18:52 +0000

In 2011, the British Organization The Wine & Spirit Education Trust officially declared that May was National Wine Month. They released a website, www.maketimeforwine.org, and the restaurant event buzz skimmed across the pond to the US. Not wanting to miss out on the excitement this year, we started preparing the NHFF clubhouse for a month of fermented fun, however, we didn’t realize that the Brits hadn’t kept it up for 2012. The website domain has been repossessed by www.godaddy.com, no one has tweeted since May 31^st last year, and there is no current press coverage anywhere. The more I researched the one-year wonder, the more perplexed I became. But alas, I am happy to announce I have decided that no matter what happened with the organization and their lack of upkeep of wine month this year, we at NHFF are still celebrating. We will stock our office/clubhouse with the appropriate products, hold semi-daily Francis Ford Coppola wine tastings, and drink while we work, like good stewards of a sponsorship should. (If sponsor NH Liquor Commission is also reading this, we’re kidding about drinking while we work.)

Host your own Francis Ford Coppola wine tasting:

Choose your tasting to mimic what you would get at the actual winery. You can choose from these three options:

The Rosso and Bianco table wine tasting:
Rosso
Bianco Pinot Grigio
Shiraz
Chardonnay
Moscato

Cathy’s Portfolio:
Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc
Director's Cut Pinot Noir
Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon
Francis Coppola Reserve Syrah

Family Flight:
Diamond Collection Pavilion
Sofia Rosé
Director's Merlot
Diamond Collection Alicante Bouschet

Preparation:

Use a white tablecloth to easily be able to distinguish the colorings of the wine. Any wine glasses will do, but a thin rimmed glass with a thicker middle that is deep enough to be able to swirl without splashing is ideal. It is best to use separate glasses for each wine, but it is also acceptable in a casual setting to use one and lightly rinse after each wine, so a pitcher of water should be provided. Don’t burn scented candles or potpourri, or anything else that will interfere with the scent of the wine, as smell is the second most important sense for wine tasting.

Chill whites between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit and reds between 60 and 65. Include some palate cleansers between each tasting -- french bread and lightly salted mozzarella work really well. At a wine tasting, you’re not technically meant to swallow the wine so as to keep your senses completely aware and alert, but I don’t think that method is any fun. If you do desire to provide your guests with this option, you can use coffee mugs as spittoons for each person. A large bucket or pitcher centerpiece for waste and leftovers should be included. Paper and pens can be helpful for taking notes about each wine, or you can choose to keep everything verbal. Each person should receive about an ounce and a half to two ounces of wine per taste.

The Tasting: Four Main Components

Examine: Look at the color, determine clarity/opaqueness, check for floaties.

Swirl: The swirling motion is said to release aromas, it also coats the glass which lets you see the wine’s thickness. The faster the droplets return to the bottom the thinner the wine.

Smell: Don’t be shy -- stick your nose right in the glass to inhale the released aroma. Take notes on what scents comes to mind, or shout them out.

Taste and Savor: Take a sip and hold the wine in your mouth, remaining extremely conscience of the pending analysis, swish it around every part, and slowly take in some air through your teeth to vaporize the wine’s essential tastes. Use a spittoon, or swallow and enjoy.

Keep your comments centered around the aromas and signature tastes, the texture, the balance of the flavors, the aftertaste, and how it lingers on your palate.

If you’re new at this, I’ve compiled some conversational tips:

Do use these words and phrases: light, crisp, full-bodied, soft, rough, smooth, fruitful, There’s a great harmony of its components, Does anyone else taste a bit of chocolate? I’m getting some oak.

Don’t use these words and phrases: grapey, Does anyone mind if I chug?, Is that a hint of cumin?, Can’t we just drink Kool-Aid instead?

Further educate yourself with this online wine dictionary.

We'd like to thank Francis Ford Coppola Wines for their continued sponsorship and support, their wines are available at every NH Liquor Outlet, and at their online store. Happy wine month, please drink responsibly!

New Hampshire Film Festival Actively Seeking Sponsors and Advertisers for 2012!

Nicole Galovski — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:03:02 +0000

The 12^th annual New Hampshire Film Festival is only five months away, and it is shaping up to be the most prominent festival to date. NHFF takes place over four days in four screening venues and multiple event locations across downtown Portsmouth. The event grows every year, drawing upwards of 9,000 festival-goers. This massive cultural and artistic event is simply not possible without support from a range of sponsors. Each year as we increase in size and enhance in prestige, we need to reach out and include more local and corporate sponsors and advertisers.

By advertising with/sponsoring NHFF, you’ll align your company’s brand with New England’s premier film festival -- an established cultural event that reaches a range of stakeholders. Depending on the level of sponsorship, your benefits will vary.

Sample Benefits:
-Brand placement on our website
-Inclusion in print and web articles/advertisements
-Tags, check-ins, shout-outs on social media pages
-Brand visibility on banners/billboards/outdoor signage
-Advertisements in our program
-Venue/Event/Award naming rights
-Inclusion in presentation announcements
-Onscreen logo placement prior to each film
-Distributing samples of your product to festival participants and attendees
-Logo placement on hundreds of t-shirts worn by volunteers, and festival enthusiasts
-Radio and television exposure
-Announcements at year round events and screenings

Be a part of NHFF this fall when Portsmouth rolls out the red carpet and takes center stage on the international film festival circuit. To take a look at our sponsorship kit or to create a custom package designed specifically to compliment your brand, please contact Nicole Gregg: nicole@nhfilmfestival.com.

"Trouble" NHFF 2011 Short Film to Screen at Portsmouth Public Library Sunday, May 6

Nicole Galovski — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:34:39 +0000

Awareness UNlimited, Larkin Ltd, and a713productions present a screening of the short film, Trouble along with guest speakers at the Portsmouth Public Library, on Sunday, May 6, from 1-3:30 p.m. Trouble is a film about children in trouble and how in the modern world children must cope with inner strength in difficult times. Directed by Mark Constance of a713production, and shot in Portsmouth, the film stars New England based actors Lucas Ardagna, Nate Krawshuk, Eliya-Quaye Constance, Jordan Celli, Drew Rydell, NHFF sponsor through the Provident Bank Steve Scott, and NHFF screenplay competition director Dana Myskowski-Biscotti.

Speakers at the event are Fran Page, a theater artist and activist based in Portland, Maine and James Reilly, a special education instructor at Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. Don’t miss this enlightening afternoon at the Portsmouth Public Library. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXUdZPXldts[/youtube]

Vote for NHFF on The Provident Bank's "Our Community, Your E-Vote" Program

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:03:14 +0000

The New Hampshire Film Festival needs your help! PLEASE VOTE for NHFF for The Provident Bank's "Our Community, Your E-Vote" program. NHFF is honored to have been nominated again to receive a portion of $20,000 donated by The Provident Bank. Last year we received significant funding through this program that allowed us to bring over 90 independent films to the seacoast as well as celebrate a thriving community of filmmakers here in the granite state. Help us do it again! Your vote means the world to us and we can't thank you enough for taking a minute to continue to support us. Click on the BIG VOTING BUTTON on our home page!

NHFF Founder Dan Hannon’s Short Film “The Pond” Finishes Festival Run, and is Released on Itunes

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 28 May 2012 21:45:54 +0000

Dan Hannon, one of the original NHFF Founders, concludes the festival run for his short film THE POND at the NewFilmmakers Series at the famous Anthology Film Archives in New York City. The film screens on Wednesday, May 30 at 7:15 PM at the Archives, located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan at 32 Second Avenue.

"It's an honor to have the film recognized in this very cool screening series for new filmmakers," said the film's writer and director Dan Hannon. "The film's had an amazing run, and what better place to wrap it up than in one of the best venues in New York City," he added.

THE POND world-premiered at the 2010 Palm Springs International ShortFest and has been fest-ing ever since picking up numerous awards and honorable mentions along the way. The short film is a moving and surprising story about a young woman distraught over the death of her husband, who sets about scattering his ashes in a place they had both loved and in doing so makes a discovery for which no one could ever be prepared. The richly cinematic film was shot entirely in the picturesque state of New Hampshire and represents Hannon's directorial debut.

Joining the writer/director are the recognizable onscreen talents of Alicia Witt (NBC's "Friday Night Lights," THE UPSIDE OF ANGER, MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS), David Morse (HBO's "Treme," THE HURT LOCKER, THE GREEN MILE) and Todd Rotondi (HOWL). The powerful story also attracted offscreen talents including producer Francine DiChiara, cinematographer Jendra Jarnagin and composer Justin R. Durban.

If you’re going to miss this last official screening in NYC, do not worry! THE POND is also set to officially release on iTunes on June 1, 2012, and is currently airing on ShortsHD - The Short Film Channel.

Congratulations Dan, on an incredible film journey, and thanks for the dedication to the art of film making in the state of NH, and beyond!

To learn more about the NewFilmmaker Series, visit www.newfilmmakers.com.
For more information about THE POND visit www.thepondmovie.com.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqts4ElODns[/youtube]

NHFF Venue Partner, The Moffatt-Ladd House, Celebrates 100th Season Kick-Off: “Our Old House Festival” Saturday, June 2nd

Nicole Galovski — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:26:05 +0000

Portsmouth, NH—The Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden located at 154 Market St. in downtown Portsmouth is a National Historic Landmark built in 1763, and has been open to the public as a historic house museum since 1912. The house is furnished to showcase its original features and to reflect its use as a private home from 1763 through 1900. The Garden was laid out in its present form by Alexander Hamilton Ladd in the late nineteenth century, and some highlights include an English damask rose planted in 1768 by Sarah Catherine Mason Moffatt and the enormous horse chestnut tree planted in 1776 by General William Whipple upon his return from signing the Declaration of Independence. Also on the property is The Moffatt-Ladd Coach House which represents one of only a few 18th century shops or warehouses to survive on the New Hampshire Seacoast, and went through a massive renovation and restoration process in 2008 and the beginning of 2009.

After the renovations were complete in 2009, the New Hampshire Film Festival began using the Historic Coach House as a screening venue. The Warehouse has become a favorite among festival goers and filmmakers for its unique and intimate setting, and NHFF is excited to continue this partnership for 2012!

Please support the Moffatt-Ladd as they celebrate the beginning of their 100^th season with the“Our Old House Festival.” [From http://www.moffattladd.org/]: The Festival will highlight all of the many activities that have been important to the museum throughout its history, and will feature workshops, demonstrations, and presentations throughout the house, garden, and warehouse covering a wide range of subjects on conservation and restoration of historic buildings, flower arranging for the historic home; historic archaeology, and caring for the museum's historic trees. Family and children's activities including mural painting, making marbled paper, writing with a quill pen, face painting, and more -- will be ongoing throughout the festival. Garden committee members will be selling heirloom plants taken directly from the garden. The celebration culminates with a concert by Great Bay Sailor in the 18th-century Warehouse building at 4:45.

The Festival is FREE and open to the public, and will be held RAIN or SHINE in the House, Warehouse, and under tents! Don’t miss this wonderful event!

Only Three Days Remain Until NHFF Film Submission Early Bird Deadline on June 5

Nicole Galovski — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 22:34:53 +0000

Portsmouth, NH | The New Hampshire Film Festival opened its call for entries on January 19 for the October 11-14, 2012 event, and after 4 months of submissions rolling in, the festival approaches its first of three deadlines on June 5. After the June 5 deadline submission fees in every category go up $10.

This is the first year Online Submissions have been accepted, and submissions have almost doubled since this point in 2011. Executive Director Nicole Gregg comments: “I’ve been so surprised at not only the quantity of films we’ve been receiving, but the quality, the amount of talent in these films is just incredible. The programming department and I really have our work cut out for us this year.”

All films must be submitted through Withoutabox, and must have been completed after January 1, 2010 for consideration in the 2012 festival.

The official deadline is July 5, and the late deadline is August 5. Filmmakers will be notified by the end of September regarding submission status.

Submit your film NOW: http://www.withoutabox.com/login/3777

NHFF Alum TJ Miller Featured in "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" Alongside Steve Carell, and Keira Knightley in theaters June 22

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:43:46 +0000

Instead of an adrenaline pumping, asteroid stopping, ride of a film, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, twists the Armageddon story line that everyone is used to and dives into normal, everyday people for their journey to the end. From IMDb: As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbor who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan.

The trailer is moving, funny, and captivating examining the way some people would go into shock, some would refuse to believe it, some would try to keep some sense of normality, or wouldn’t have anything else to do without their jobs. I get goose-bumps every time from the scenes of people wearing all the things they never wore, throwing parties and having yard sales, the emotional breakdowns, riots, mass exoduses to beautiful places, and a mad rush to do all the things left undone without regard for the consequences.

TJ Miller makes an appearance as the “chipper host” in a hilarious scene, the film also stars Steve Carell opposite Keira Knightley, and hits theaters June 22.

Check out the trailer: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T43InzvBm-k[/youtube]

Hello world!

admin — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:39:51 +0000

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Time is Running Out to Vote for NHFF on The Provident Bank’s “Our Community, Your E-Vote” Program

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:59:10 +0000

The deadline for voting is June 15^th, and if you haven’t already, please cast your vote for The New Hampshire Film Festival for The Provident Bank’s “Our Community, Your E-Vote” program. NHFF is honored to have been nominated again to receive a portion of $20,000 donated by The Provident Bank. Last year we received significant funding through this program that allowed us to bring over 90 independent films to the seacoast as well as celebrate a thriving community of filmmakers here in the granite state. Help us do it again! Your vote means the world to us and we can’t thank you enough for taking a minute to continue to support us.

Click on the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KL9BHXL

Select New Hampshire Film Festival

Tell all your friends!

Catch NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg, and Programming Director Nicole Galovski Live on WSCA 106.1 Wednesday June 20 for Portsmouth Community Radio’s Pledge Week

Nicole Galovski — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:22:02 +0000

The Nicoles will be on the radio between 11:50-12:10 Wednesday June 20 sharing some behind the scenes stories of festivals past, and tid-bits about the upcoming festival. They will also be auctioning off 2012 Weekend Passes for WSCA pledgers. Tune into 106.1, or listen online at http://portsmouthcommunityradio.org/

Pledge Drive Info:

Pledge Week began on Friday, June 15, and is running through Thursday, June 21. The Pledge Drive is WSCA’s opportunity to ask their listeners to chip in to keep Portsmouth Community Radio on the air. If you are interested in supporting Portsmouth Community Radio during the Pledge Drive, you can call your pledge in at 603-430-9722, pledge online, or stop into the Portsmouth Community Radio studios at 909 Islington Street, Portsmouth, to make your pledge. All donors are automatically entered into the grand prize drawing -- a summer CSA share from Heron Pond Farm: Weekly fresh fruits and vegetables worth $550!

History of WSCA:
The Portsmouth Community Radio project was initiated in June 2000 when signs were posted around Portsmouth announcing a meeting to discuss applying for a Low Power FM license. WSCA 106.1 FM Portsmouth went on the air on September 12, 2004, and has since been broadcasting a diverse and eclectic mix of music, public affairs, arts, and cultural programming 24/7/365.

Portsmouth Community Radio Mission:

The mission of Portsmouth Community Radio is to operate a nonprofit, listener supported, volunteer driven, non-commercial FM community radio station dedicated to serving the greater Portsmouth community. Portsmouth Community Radio broadcasts diverse and alternative programming which is primarily produced locally and reflects the cultural, educational, artistic, civic, and business fabric of the listening community.

We’re proud to be a supporter of Portsmouth Community Radio, and are thankful for what it adds to our community, be sure to listen between 11:50-12:10 on June 20!

New Hampshire Film Festival Approaches Official Submission Deadline on July 5

Nicole Galovski — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:52:25 +0000

Portsmouth NH| The New Hampshire Film Festival has been receiving submissions steadily since January 19^th, for the October 11-14, 2012 event, and the festival now approaches its second of three deadlines on July 5.

After the July 5^th deadline submission fees in every category go up $10.

This is the time of year when submissions increase exponentially. “We’re putting our rally hats on for long nights in the screening room, and the more films, the more enabled I am to make our program the best it’s ever been.” says Programming Director, Nicole Galovski.

All films must be submitted through Withoutabox, and must have been completed after January 1, 2010 for consideration in the 2012 festival.

After the official deadline passes on July 5, filmmakers have one more month to submit until the late deadline on August 5^th. Filmmakers will be notified by the end of September regarding submission status.

Happy Independence Day from NHFF!

Nicole Galovski — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 19:06:26 +0000

Living and working in Portsmouth, the 3^rd settled city in the US in 1630, means it is saturated with history, and holidays like Independence Day take on great celebrations and a reverence for the times from which we’ve come.

One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple, lived at the Moffatt-Ladd House, who we partner with as a screening venue. Many homes have been preserved from the 17^th and 18^th centuries and turned into museums encapsulating the way of life from the past. It is not only colonial homes that have been preserved but much of the city’s architecture remains intact due to the Portsmouth Historic Society.

The 4^th of July is a great reason to pause and embrace how great the city in which we live truly is, the significance of the document that declares us free, and the revolutionary men and women throughout our nation’s history who have fought and are fighting to keep us that way.

For NHFF that freedom allows us the opportunity to bring uninhibited art and visionaries to Portsmouth, making history in a different way, and we couldn’t be more thankful that we get to do what we love in the city of Portsmouth, in the state of New Hampshire, and in the United States of America.

We hope the summer air, the barbeques, and the exploding lights across the sky are indulged in this holiday and that the freedom we share is celebrated extensively!

NHFF 2010 Feature Film DRUNKBOAT Awaits Multi-City U.S. Theater Release July 13

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:54:47 +0000

The drama written by Robert Meyer and Randall Buescher and starring John Malkovich, John Goodman, Dana Delaney, Jason Zachar, Jim Ortlieb, and Skipp Sudduth captivated audiences and won the NHFF 2010 Audience Choice Narrative Award, and after the lengthy distribution process unfolded the film now awaits its US Theatrical Release.

“It’s been a long and tiresome road, but we’re glad to finally get here.” Said Chase Bailey, Executive Producer, about the multi-city release.

Drunkboat tells the story of a young teenager, Abe (Jacob Zachar) who manipulates the unsuspecting help of his alcoholic uncle (John Malkovich) to buy a boat (a Drunkboat) from a con man named Mr. Fletcher (John Goodman) when his mother Eileen (Dana Delaney) is out of town. The story resonates with the struggle of Uncle Mort, making the story much deeper than a simple tale of a boy and his boat. Both the uncle and Abe come of age in the story.

Based on Bob Meyer's original play and brought to audiences by Left Bank Films, Magnificant Mile, and Warner Brothers the film can be seen starting July 13 in these US Cities and theaters:

NYC - Empire 25; Sunshine
Chicago - River East; Century Centre & Renaissance Place
Philadelphia - Cherry Hills 24; Ritz
Boston - Boston Common; Kendall Square or Fresh Bond
San Francisco - Van Ness
Seattle - Pacific Place
Minneapolis - Southdale (may change); Lagoon
St. Louis - Chesterfield (may change); Tivoli
San Diego - Mission Valley
Denver - Highlands Ranch; Greenwood Village
Dallas - Magnolia
DC - E Street

For updates and last minute city additions, check out the Drunkboat release facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/391671224203659/

The Arts are Ground-Zero, a Conversation with NHFF Sponsor Olde Port Properties

Nicole Galovski — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 22:27:48 +0000

Portsmouth, NH | NHFF sat down with George Carlisle and Jeff Mountjoy, owners of Olde Port Properties for a conversation on the arts, Portsmouth, and why they are dedicated NHFF enthusiasts, and financial supporters.

Jeff: We wanted to start out and let you to know that the Festival is our favorite four days of the year.

George: 5 years ago, we thought it was a bit ambitious, but now we’re total and complete believers in what NHFF is capable of, what it brings to our city, and its contribution to the Arts Community. I was at the Times Square Theater, in New York City a few months ago, and listed was the documentary U.N. Me, about the exposition of the United Nations, which I saw two years ago at NHFF, and had the opportunity to interact with the directors afterward. That says it all.

NHFF: What are some of your favorite parts of the weekend?

George: When I’m sitting in a film and look next to me and realize I’m sitting next to the cast, where else can you do that? It’s magical.

Jeff: I love it when the students present their films from the Young Filmmakers Workshop; to see the joy of the students and their families to premiere their film on the screen at the Music Hall is just incredible.

George: I love it, it’s not always about the Big Features, but about the community. That weekend Portsmouth becomes one big theater, and we’re all a part of it.

Jeff: It’s not like going to the movies at Fox Run, [at NHFF] each venue has its own personality, and it has this… grittiness to it, this tangibility… every film becomes more than just a film, it becomes an experience. I also really enjoy the broad range of film.

NHFF: Why do you come alongside NHFF as a financial sponsor?

George: It is the most unique event in Portsmouth, and it is organic and homegrown. It is a world-class experience in one of America’s Great towns. There are different things that different places are known for, Sundance is a big deal for Park City, Tribeca is a big deal for New York City. Here in this community this [NHFF] is a big deal and we love doing whatever we can do to stand behind it.

Jeff: We also don’t want to be left out, NHFF is a rocketship, and we want to make sure we’re on board.

NHFF: What are some of the benefits of sponsoring?

Jeff: We don’t give to get back. We give because it’s our way of giving back to Portsmouth.

George: Portsmouth wasn’t always the Portsmouth it is today. It was a very different place in the 60’s and 70’s, what it didn’t have was the arts. The arts saved SoHo, San Fran, and Brooklyn, and it is the arts that changed Portsmouth. The arts are ground-zero, and it is incumbent for local businesses to give to the arts, because it is an investment in the quality of life.

NHFF needs more sponsors like Olde Port Properties, if you think partnering with us is a good fit for your business, and you want to be a part of the excitement this October please Download our Advertising and Sponsorship Packet, or contact Nicole Gregg: nicole@nhfilmfestival.com

*We want to extend a huge thank you to George and Jeff for meeting with us, cheering us on, and standing behind us for the last few years. To learn more about George, Jeff, and Olde Port Properties, please visit their website.

Celebrated Author Joyce Maynard to serve as Grand Prize Judge for NHFF Screenplay Competition / Grand Prize Winner to Receive Weeklong Writer’s Residency at Fabulous Star Island Retreat Center

Nicole Galovski — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:53:44 +0000

Portsmouth, NH – The New Hampshire Film Festival (NHFF) is pleased to announce that in addition to the existing prize package, the Grand Prize Winner of the NHFF Screenplay Competition will now receive an all-inclusive weeklong writer’s residency at the Star Island Family Retreat and Conference Center.

Thanks to a generous sponsorship package offered by Star Island Corporation, this year’s top screenwriter and a guest will receive room, board, and ferry transportation to Star Island, which sits among the Isles of Shoals in the ocean off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire.

“We are pleased to partner with the film festival, and intend for this to be an annual commitment to NHFF and the beginning of a long tradition,” said Vicky Hardy, Chief Executive Officer for Star Island Corporation.

The festival, which runs the weekend following Columbus Day every year (this year: Oct. 11-14), is committed to supporting the art of filmmaking, which includes what is often the first step in a film: the screenplay. Founded in 2001, NHFF began as a small, grassroots organization to support local, regional, and student filmmakers. It now holds a place as a viable and recognized festival that showcases the brightest talent on the international film festival scene.

In addition to the already generous weeklong package at Star Island, the writer and a guest will receive a lobster dinner, internet access, parking at the secure dock in Portsmouth, NH, a $100 gift certificate to the retreat’s snack bar, plus massages for two. The residency’s Saturday to Saturday dates are to be worked out between the winning scribe and Star Island staff, something that this year may have to be scheduled for the 2013 summer season since the Center closes in mid-September, just as the judging process concludes.

The NHFF Screenplay Competition is accepting entries via Withoutabox through August 5, 2012. Those writers who already submitted screenplays are automatically entered for a chance to win the Grand Prize Writer’s Residency Prize Package, valued at approximately $3500. The winning scribe will also receive accommodations for two (in the same room) to the Festival, two NHFF Filmmaker passes to attend Festival screenings and events, and a “Granny”—a ten-pound granite brick sourced from a NH quarry.

Celebrated Author Joyce Maynard to serve as 2012 Grand Prize Judge

Selecting this year’s Grand Prize Winning Writer is noted author Joyce Maynard, who will join attendees in Portsmouth at the October 11-14, 2012 festival. A native of Durham, NH, and a longtime resident of Hillsboro and Keene, NH, Maynard has also been a Writer-In-Residence on Star Island with the Southern New Hampshire University MFA program. She first rose to national attention with the publication of her 1973 New York Times cover story, “An Eighteen Year Old Looks Back on Life,”when she was enrolled as a freshman at Yale.

Since then, Maynard has been a reporter and columnist for the The New York Times; a syndicated newspaper columnist whose “Domestic Affairs” column appeared in more than 50 papers nationwide; a regular contributor to National Public Radio (NPR) and national magazines, and a performer with “The Moth” in New York City. She is also a fellow of the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH.

Maynard is the author of fourteen books, including the best-selling memoir, At Home in the World, which has been translated into fifteen languages. Her novel To Die For was adapted by Buck Henry for the award-winning film of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman and directed by Gus Van Zant in 1995. Maynard’s novel Labor Day, a story with a New Hampshire setting, was adapted for the screen by Jason Reitman, who is also directing the film, starring Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet.

The mother of three grown children (all proud New Hampshire natives), Maynard has taught at writing programs around the country, and she runs workshops in both fiction and memoir. Her newest novel, still unnamed, is due out in the summer of 2013; Maynard is currently adapting it for film. She can be found at her website.

Both NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg and NHFF Screenplay Competition Director Dana Biscotti Myskowski are thrilled to be working with Joyce Maynard and with Vicky Hardy of the Star Island Corporation to bring screenwriters this incredible offer. The deadline to enter this year’s NHFF Screenplay Competition is August 5, though the Withoutabox Extended Deadline is August 15; the site can be accessed Here.

NHFF 2012 Cover Art Unveiled: Thanks to Vital Design and Phillip Case Cohen Photography

Nicole Galovski — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:23:59 +0000

The 2012 design couldn't be more perfect and encapsulating of our beautiful festival home in Portsmouth, NH. We are so lucky to be able to work with such talented people: Jesse Rand our designer at Vital Design utilizing the incredible photography of Phillip Case Cohen. As the festival draws nearer, be sure to keep checking back for the release of our other promotional materials, and marketing pieces in addition to accepted films, and celebrity guest appearances. Don't miss the excitement October 11-14!

Late Deadline for Film and Screenplay Submissions: August 5th

Nicole Galovski — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:44:46 +0000

Portsmouth NH | The New Hampshire Film Festival is approaching its late deadline for film and screenplay submissions on August 5.

The October 11-14, 2012 event is gaining momentum and with more submissions than ever before this year’s festival is going to be the best one yet.

After the August 5^th deadline, there is a Withoutabox Extended Deadline on August 15th for Withoutabox registered users.

All films must be submitted through Withoutabox, and must have been completed after January 1, 2010 for consideration in the 2012 festival. Filmmakers will be notified by the end of September regarding submission status.

Don’t wait, submit your film today!

NHFF Final Deadline Extended to September 1, 2012

Nicole Galovski — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:46:10 +0000

Portmsouth | NH The New Hampshire Film Festival announced today that they will be extending the final deadline for submissions to September 1^st 2012. This applies to all film categories, but not the Screenplay Competition. The Final Deadline for the Screenplay Competition will remain August 15^th 2012.

“We just want to be able include as much talent as possible.” Says Executive Director Nicole Gregg. “We hope the extra time to submit will encourage filmmakers that are in the final stages of post-production to get us their projects.”

If you would like to submit to the New Hampshire Film Festival, please do so through Withoutabox: https://www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festival_id=3777