September 2020 MFA e-News

by Elizabeth Hall


News and updates about all things film in Maine.

IN THIS EDITION:

MFA EVENTS

SEPT. 24: Outdoor Film Screening
MAINE 2020: 200 years of statehood culminates in one wild year

WHEN: Thursday, September 24, 7:00 pm (doors at 6:30 pm)
WHERE: Urban Farm Fermentory, 200 Anderson Street, Portland
DETAILS: mainefilm.org/maine-2020
PRE-REGISTRATION: (required) $15 on Eventbrite

Celebrate Maine’s bicentennial with a live outdoor film event featuring two special programs, one that celebrates Maine people’s lives over the years through a contemplative curation of Mainer’s own historic home movies; and another, a collection of shorts edited during the pandemic in Maine’s 200th year, 2020.

The program features two compilations of Maine short films:

Antidote Collaborative Film Project – Short films from the wild Maine year of 2020. The Maine Film Association opened a call for submissions  – 34 minutes
Maine’s Home Movies – 200 years of statehood from the images of Maine families – 57 minutes

Come check out your fellow Maine filmmakers short films from today and the past. The Antidote Collaborative Film Project features the following films by Maine Filmmakers:

  • Visual Quarantine Diary – April 19th 2020, Sam Brosnan – Director
  • BabyC News, Jessica Jones, Director/Editor
  • Beach Visit, Lavinia Dube
  • New York Strong, Lesley MacVane photography, Andrew Abbott Audio
  • Juniper’s Finger, Robert Nixon Director, Juniper Nixon Actor
  • Descent into reality, Denise Shannon
  • Effects of COVID-19 on Rangeley Maine, Fletcher Della Valle
  • Playing Indoors, Jeshua Soucy
  • 5-2020: Yes, It’s Real, Al Kryszak: Director, Writer, Photographer
  • Nonessential, Jasper Lowe – Filmmaker
  • Twinkle, Sharyn Paul Brusie ~ Director, Producer, Writer, Editor. Kevin Brusie ~ Camera
  • Pruning your World, Jim Merkel
  • Seek and find, Yoon S. Byun
  • Eight Weeks, Stacey Koloski (DP, original illustrations, stop motion animation, editing)
  • 2020: A Class Dismissed, Bailey Beltramo, Host & Producer | Meg Robbins, Director | Dan Dinsmore, Executive Producer | Eric Bailey, Editor
  • You gotta do Something, Geoffrey Leighton, Anita Clearfield, LumenArrts, Regan Chase, Tina Davidson
  • F.O.D. , Adam Fisher: Director, Animator, Editor

COMING SOON: The Media Makers Optimism Toolbox – Strategies for the Future

Are you prepared for work in this changing landscape? What are the new approaches and opportunities that can help you achieve your filmmaking goals? The Maine Film Association and the Center for Independent Documentary present a workshop series devised to share actionable recommendations, tips, and hacks that can support your efforts. The workshops will consist of 4 x 90-minute sessions with guest experts – half the session for their remarks, half for q&a. At the end of each session, participants will be polled for breakout session requests to be scheduled separately. Stay tuned for dates and details!

MAINE FILM NEWS: IN PRODUCTION IN MAINE 

TIME’S UP

Maine horror masterminds are creating a new feature length slasher flick that will be shot in locations around Portland. Director Corey Norman, who brought you “The Hanover House” ,”The Invoking 2″, and “The Witching”, along with actor/producers Damian Maffei and L.C. Holt have pulled together a cast and crew of horror veterans to make this movie into everyone’s new cult favorite. 

“On New Year’s Eve, a faculty party for teachers, still reeling from the suicide of a bullied student, goes horribly wrong when an unexpected guest arrives with an unusual request: participate in a scavenger hunt or die!  Accompanied by a diligent reporter and a girl bent on discovering the truth about her friend’s death, the party-goers race to unearth secrets about their mysterious tormentor before the first firework explodes, and the New Year begins with a bloody surprise!”

You can learn more about the production and support its development on indiegogo.

SUFFOCATION

Bath director and writer Cody Curtis will be kicking off production of SUFFOCATION, a feature-length film about mental health, that will support Greater Portland Health. The film will focus on characters who struggle with depression, loss, and anxiety. 

The all-Mainer cast and crew will begin filming in October and end in November. The  majority of them are young people in their late teens and early 20s. We’re looking forward to supporting these young filmmakers and seeing the end result!

FILM PRO JOB BOARD

Film Team Seeks Composer for Maine Masters Documentary

Leighton Images is looking for a composer for a new documentary about an activist artist in Maine. Although part of the Maine Masters series, it has an unconventional tone — they’re looking for innovative sound work and though they feel badly that we can’t pay much, we’re looking for that person (like them) who might believe in an exciting/worthwhile project and enjoy adding their creativity to a politically active team. The work is 40 minutes long, but doesn’t need solid music. Open to suggestions! Send them your reel, email or give them a call — Leighton Images 207.353.7151 or leightonimages1@me.com.

UPCOMING FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

Sept. 12: MOFF 2020 Selects Tour in Bethel

MOFF 2020 Selects Tour brings a program of short films to Bethel’s Gem Theater’s backyard on Saturday, September 12. The program will last about two hours with a 10-minute intermission. Purchase your tickets in advance, bring your mask and camp chair, and enjoy some great films that celebrate the great outdoors! More details, tickets, and film selections here.

Sept. 17:  Fem.Cine.Anarchy

The fifth and final edition of Fem.Cine.Anarchy will bring seven female-directed short films to a (virtual) screening on Thursday, September 17. Filmmakers include Kate Kaminski, Mariah Klapatch, Jill Harrigan, Christina Raia, Carlota Pereda, Eva Saiz Lopez, and Sarah Kennedy. Check out the trailer below, and visit Film Freeway for the details about the screening and to get your free tickets. 

Sept. 18-27: 5th Annual International Maritime Film Festival

The organizers of the International Maritime Film Festival have adjusted to the 2020 conditions, and are making the 5th edition of the festival virtual. The good news is, anyone can enjoy the films they’ve curated from the comfort of their home. Check out the 2020 lineup and start streaming on the 18th!

Sept. 24: MAINE 2020 – 200 years of statehood culminates in one wild year in Portland

The Maine Outdoor Film Festival, MFA, Northeast Historic Film and Urban Farm Fermentory are teaming up for an outdoor film screening bicentennial celebration.  The program includes “Antidote”, the collaborative film project that Maine filmmakers from across the state contributed to this spring, and Maine’s Home Movies, 200 years of statehood from the images of Maine families compiled by Northeast Historic Film. Learn more and get your tickets today at mainefilm.org.

Virtual Screenings: Curated Collections

Maine movie houses continue to present virtual screenings of awesome documentaries, indie films, and fan favorites. Be sure to check out the selections curated by local establishments, and get renting today to support these great arts organizations:

Have other film screenings to suggest? Send us a tip at info@mainefim.org.

DEADLINES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES!

MFA UPDATES

New and Returning MFA Members
Thank you to our members who have joined or renewed their membership since our August e-News:

Bruce Hilsmeyer, James Picariello, Shirley Savage, Megan Ricks, 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!