September 2018
MFA e-News

by Elizabeth Hall

News and updates about all things film in Maine.

IN THIS EDITION:

UPCOMING MFA EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

Don’t miss these upcoming MFA Workshops and Events!

THIS Saturday, September 8 – MFA Writer’s Workshop: The Foundations of Narrative Screenwriting
Just a couple of spots left– sign up today to claim your spot!

WHAT: MFA Writer’s’ Workshop: The Foundations of Narrative Screenwriting
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 10am – 5pm
WHERE: Portland Media Center, Portland
DETAILS:  mainefilm.org/writers-workshop
REGISTRATION: Eventbrite $50 MFA Members; $60 non-members (discount code: MAINEFILM); $25 students/professors (discount code: WRITER)

September 22 – Basic-Level Graphics & Animation Workshop: Green Screen & After Effects
This basic-level workshop gives participants hands-on experience capturing footage using green screens, and an introduction to the tools and methods to get the most of this visual effects technique. Learn more and sign up at mainefilm.org/green-screen!

WHAT: Basic-Level Graphics & Animation Workshop: Green Screen & After Effects
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10am – 4pm
WHERE: USM Communication & Media Studies Production Center, 21 Durham Street, Portland
DETAILS:  mainefilm.org/green-screen
REGISTRATION: Eventbrite $50 MFA Members; $100 non-members; $35 USM students with an MFA Membership.
This full-day workshop is limited to 16 participants.

MFA Happy Hour with Damnationland

WHAT: MFA Happy Hour with Damnationland
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 4, 5-7pm
WHERE: Oxbow Blending & Bottling, 49 Washington Ave, Portland
DETAILS:  mainefilm.org/happy-hour-damnationland

Want free or discounted admission to all MFA events and workshops? Become a member today!

UPCOMING SCREENINGS & FESTIVALS

Sept.: Maine Outdoor Film Festival
It’s that time of year: MOFF is traveling all throughout the state, bringing outdoor films to communities in every county in Maine. Check out their schedule, grab your camping chair, and head to a screening near you! Visit maineoutdoorfilmfestival.com for all the details.

Sept. 13-16: Camden International Film Festival in Camden, Rockport, Rockland
Once again, CIFF has a packed festival schedule, filled with feature films, shorts, forums, special events, and storyforms. Get your passes today at pointsnorthinstitute.org!

Sept. 16: “The Manitoba Story: A Basic Income Film” in Bangor
Interested in learning about universal basic income? Don’t miss the screening of “The Manitoba Story: A Basic Income Film” on Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, 96 Harlow Street, Bangor. More information here.

"The Home Road" stillSept. 18: “The Home Road” in Sanford
On September 28, MFA Member Tonya Shevenell will present her film “The Home Road” at Goodall Memorial Library in Sanford at 6 p.m. Joining Tonya is her father Ray Shevenell who retraced his great-great grandfather Israel’s pioneering journey, walking from Compton, Quebec to Biddeford in 2017. The feature-length documentary features Ray’s ancestral trek, woven with historic photos, interviews, and an original soundtrack by Sumner McKane. Learn more about this screening, or find one in your area at thehomeroad.com.

Sept. 27: “DAWNLAND” in Brunswick
For decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to save them from being Indian. In Maine, the first official “truth and reconciliation commission” in the United States begins a historic investigation. “DAWNLAND” goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations. Get your tickets today for the Southern Maine premiere on Thursday, Sept.27, at 7pm at Frontier.

Sept. 30: “Hearts of New England” Premiere in Saco
The Maine-produced web series “Hearts of New England” will premiere its first five episodes at the Saco Drive-In on Sunday, September 30. Lewiston native J.R. Fortin wrote, directed, and stars in this series depicting the struggles faced by a veteran re-entering into Maine society. Get your tickets here.

Oct. 12: Damnationland in Portland
As it has for the past 8 years, Damnationland presents genre-defying original works that redefine the classic thriller and horror categories. The 2018 program will showcase world premieres of short features produced in Maine by Maine-based filmmakers, crafted especially for the Halloween season. These are dark, surreal, and fantastic pieces, and they offer fans of cinema an excellent sampling of the talent producing the independent film in Maine today.

Oct. 30: “Nosferatu”in Portland
Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ present “Nosferatu” with live organ accompaniment by municipal organist James Kennerley on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 pm at Merrill Auditorium. Get your tickets for the silent film at fogo.org and get into the Halloween spirit!

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: 2018 MFA MEMBER SHOWCASE

The Maine Film Association seeks submissions of MFA Members’ work to be included in its 2018 MFA Member Showcase. The first annual MFA Member Showcase aims to highlight the diversity of MFA Members’ work through an array of platforms: at the 2018 Annual Meeting on November 3, through an MFA Member Showcase Vimeo Channel, and at MFA Happy Hours throughout 2019.

All MFA Members are encouraged to submit their work to share with industry colleagues and the general public. We welcome submissions of all kinds: live action or animated, commercial, documentary, short films, feature-length film trailers–you name it! Learn about the requirements  and  submit your work today at mainefilm.org.

MAINE FILM NEWS

Film Scratches Focuses on Walter Ungerer Films
The column Film Scratches focuses on the world of experimental avant-garde film, and has spotlighted two works by MFA Member Walter Ungerer this summer. Check out author David Finkelstein’s reviews of Walter’s short films “Green Eye” and “Parva Sed Apta Mihi,” and learn more about his work and process. “Ungerer has a beautiful way of assembling forms and allowing them to evolve organically over time, so it is enthralling and mesmerizing to watch him as he follows his visual and musical thoughts,” writes Finkelstein. Visit Walter’s Vimeo channel to view both films and more!

MFA Member Spotlight: Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF)
The Maine Outdoor Film Festival joined the MFA as a Supporting Business Member in March this year. We recently caught up with MOFF’s co-founder Nick Callanan to learn more about the festival, their lineup this year, and how their membership to the MFA supports the festival’s goals and mission. Read the full Member Spotlight here.

MFA Member Phoebe Parker Wins Audience Favorite in Broke & Stoked Short Film Competition
Phoebe Parker’s short film “Fly Girls” took the fan-favorite award in MOFF’s Broke and Stoked short film competition this year, the festival announced on Sept. 4. We’re not surprised–Phoebe beautifully wove together footage of girls ripping around trails on their mountain bikes and interviews with the girls speaking to how the Portland Gear Hub’s programming empowers them to feel confident, solve problems, and enjoy the wind on their faces. Great work, Phoebe! Check out the video (and the other finalists’ videos) here.

DEADLINES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES!

Keep an eye on PBS’ POV For Filmmakers Calendar for many more deadlines, opportunities, and festival submission reminders!

MFA UPDATES

New and Returning MFA Members
Thank you to our members who have joined or renewed their membership since our August e-News:
Mary Kidd, Casey Maguire, Erin Murphy, David Pierson, Shirley Savage, Juliette Sutherland, and Lynne Williams.

Send Us Your News
Got anything to share? Send us information about your work, articles, events, requests, job openings, or interesting news items to us at info@mainefilm.org, and we’ll be sure to get the word out!

Thank you to our Marquee Business Member Storm Warriors International
for their generous support!

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