The first annual Manchester Film Festival Vermont, June 27th - 30th 2002 (please note this document will be updated and amended weekly)
Like its renowned and respected predecessors, the Sundance Film Festival and the Venice International Film Festival, the Manchester Film Festival [MFF] aims to become the premiere international film festival venue in North America on the East Coast. Conceived and founded by Vermonter Michael C. Hill and Scotsman Alan Scott-Moncrieff, to establish the Manchester Film Festival and promote the very best of cinema set against the natural beauty and cultural richness of Manchester, Vermont. Hill is a former creative executive in film development, production, and distribution and is an award-winning playwright who has also written numerous scripts for film and television. Scott-Moncrieff is a widely-exhibited artist and latterly a film and theater director who's credits include "The Prodigal", "Sky Burial" and "Funk Off Green"; a multimedia performance piece that won a Capital Award at the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland.
The MFF is proud to be a vital and visible presence in Manchester's cultural and business community. Like the film festivals in Aspen, Telluride and Park City, the MFF will positively impact upon the local economy as well as enhance the profile, image and awareness of this bucolic area and resort community in the eyes of the world by attracting thousands for this annual event. The Manchester Film Festival and it's parent organization, The Manchester Film Foundation, are an approved Vermont not-for-profit 501(c)3 Arts and Education tax exempt organization. The MFF is dedicated to preserving the art of independent film and to providing an international forum for filmmakers around the globe to showcase new and exciting content.
MFF Program
We aim to create a film festival experience that will leave a great impression with all attendees, and celebrate the full range of film artistry. The Manchester Film Festival's guiding philosophy is to discover, promote and exhibit the highest quality films via our long-standing relationships with film industry professionals throughout the world, and to be a dynamic educational resource for aspiring filmmakers.
FILMS
The MFF will showcase feature films, documentaries, animation, music videos, and short films from 32 countries worldwide. The submission deadline was March 31st and we have received hundreds of submissions from all over the globe - including: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, and the USA. Ticket prices are as follows: $10 per screening or group of short-films.
MFF has brought on board Michael Ellenbogen currently of Passport Pictures and USA Films, to be the Director of Programming. Recently he has produced the independent film and festival favorite, MARGARITA HAPPY HOUR (directed by Ilya Chaiken).
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
The MFF will host a number of exciting panels: "Women In Film" Friday 28th June. "Native Vision" Saturday 29th June. "Composing For Film" (in development). "Financing, Distribution & Exhibition" (in development). Ticket prices are as follows: $25.
SEMINARS
Elliot Grove from Raindance, London, gives 3 high-energy 6-hour seminar/crash-courses on "No-To-Low Budget Filmmaking" and "Screenwriting" plus hosts the hilarious "Live Ammunition" - a pay-and-pitch Gong Show in front of a jury of industry professionals - on one afternoon of the festival. David Breashears - co-director, cinematographer, and expedition leader for the IMAX film; "Everest" - will screen his new 40 min. IMAX documentary "Kilimanjaro" on Sunday June, 30th: and will talk of his mountaineering expeditions and the documentation of them on film. Ticket prices are as follows: $50 for Elliot Grove seminars. $5 for "Live Ammunition" admission, $5 if you wish to pitch. $25 for David Breashears seminar.
MUSIC IN FILM MASTERCLASSES
In conjunction with Ariel Rudiakov and the Manchester Music Festival, the MFF will offer "Master Classes" for new and emerging film composers, offering them an opportunity to have their film scores performed by professional musicians. Ticket prices will be $50.00
PREMIERES
On both the Opening and Closing Night of the festival, there will be a premiere of a soon-to-be-released motion picture courtesy of one of our industry sponsors. Ticket prices are as follows: $25.
CELEBRATIONS
Parties, cocktail parties, brunches, and other related events on each day and evening of the festival. Some will have a cover-charge, others by invitation only.
OOMFF!
In conjunction with the festival, the MFF will showcase OOMFF!, The Digital Cinema Event. OOMFF! will feature an array of workshops on production and post-production methods presented by digital producers, directors, DP's and industry experts from such companies as Sony, Apple, Avid and many others. Through discussions, digital screenings and vendor exhibits, OOMFF! will offer existing and aspiring filmmakers, producers and distributors an unmatched educational experience on the techniques, technologies and products for digital motion picture creation. OOMFF! ticket prices range from $15 - $25 with free exhibit admission for MFF ticket holders and for local residents on a select OOMFF! community day.
FILMMAKER'S LOUNGE/CYBER CAFE
Couches, coffee and computers for creatives and cinefiles to co-mingle and communicate. (MFF merchandise available at this venue also.)
FREE CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL
A selection of some of the world's greatest children's movies running throughout the day.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Prominent Industry talents talk of their experiences in the business and answer audience questions.
SPECIAL FILM SERIES
Beginning with "Wendigo", independent filmmakers Larry Fessenden and Doug Buck will present a series of horror films covering different aspects of the genre.
RETROSPECTIVES
Celebrated filmmakers are recognized and honored for their contribution to the art.
VENUES
There will be five screening venues throughout the center of town: Village Picture Shows Twin Cinema, Southern Vermont Art Center's Arkell Pavilion, the Dorset Playhouse, Riley Center at Burr and Burton Academy and Hunter Auditorium at Burr and Burton Academy. OOMFF! will be held at the Riley Rink at Hunter Park. Panels and Seminars will be held at a number of choice locations throughout town. Celebrations & parties will be held at select restaurants, and at various prestigious inns and beautiful private homes.
MFF BATTENKILL AWARDS
Awards will be presented at the MFF Awards Ceremony in the following categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Short, Best Documentary, and Best Screenplay.
MFF BATTENKILL AWARD JURY
Thus far, Gerald M. Levin, Will Battersby (ICM) and Stephen Nemeth, (Executive Producer of FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS) have agreed to sit on the jury.
MFF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
The MFF will announce the first annual MFF Screenplay Competition at the Festival to promote and support talented new screenwriters.
IN DEVELOPMENT
Film trade publication interview with prominent filmmaker in front of a live audience.
MFF Sponsors
The Manchester Film Festival is proud to announce the support of the following industry sponsors: USA Films, HBO, New Line Cinema, AOL Time Warner, Sensation Pictures, SAG Indie/Screen Actors Guild, Vermont Film Commission along with the following local community sponsors; Manchester Designer Outlets, Village Picture Shows, Giorgio Armani, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Versace, Escada, The Wilburton Inn, The Historic Inns of Manchester, Questech Metals, Yellow Dog Productions, Vermont News Guide, Factory Point National Bank, Cornucopia, Ad Planet, Hand Motors, Candeleros Mexican Cantina, Mikasa, Johnston and Murphy, Northshire Bookstore, Bromley Mt, The Equinox Hotel, Vermont Pure Water, Vermont Country Birdhouses, W. Hardy Interactive Services, Inc, WVBK-LPTV, Weathervane Motel, and a host of generous private donors.
MFF Board of Directors
The MFF Board of Directors is comprised of the following persons. Ben Hauben, President of Vanderbilt Equities Corporation; Ralph Colin, Former Senior VP of Business and Government Affairs for Columbia House Company; Steve Evanczuk, President of TechDecision; Alvin Cooperman, President Alvin Cooperman Productions, Inc; and Barbara Riley Levin. Also on the Board of Directors are the festival Directors Michael C. Hill and Alan Scott-Moncrieff.
MFF Associates
The MFF has been blessed with the invaluable assistance of its Associates who have worked diligently and selflessly to realize this event. Ian Roy, MFF Design and Publicity Director, is a leading British designer and independent filmmaker who has helped create the film festival profiles of Cannes, London and Edinburgh and now the MFF with a strong and dynamic visual identity. Michael Ellenbogen, MFF Director of Programming, currently of USA Films and Passport Pictures and former Director of the Albany Short Film Festival; has brought his wealth of experience and contacts to help attract quality film programming both domestically and internationally. Steve Evanczuk, OOMFF! Program Director, likewise has applied his extensive experience to the soup-to-nuts construction of this vital digital component of the MFF. Pamela Buck, MFF Liaison Director, embodies the accomplished blend of corporate and artistic backgrounds to assist the MFF with national/corporate fund-raising and as intermediary with industry talent. Janet Evanczuk, MFF Director of Development, brings years of non-profit experience to MFF's fundraising activities and has helped create a solid foundation of development materials and organizational relationships for future growth. Shelly Gibson, MFF Director of Special Events, has and will continue to throw wonderful and elegant MFF fundraising parties throughout the year and during the festival itself. Dakota LaCroix, instigator of "Hike for Hope" (an eleventh-month walk across the US from Miami to Seattle), applies a broad base of skills in his assistance toward the MFF. Jim Hart, Director of Double Take Documentary Film Festival and Cabot Orton, former Director of Slamdunk Film Festival are Executive Consultants to the MFF. Also Bob Stannard, Simone Talbot, Sam Stern, Roxanne Joffe, Andra Adolfson and Judy Wheeler have all devoted significant time and energy into actualizing a successful debut Manchester Film Festival.
MFF Advisory Board
The Manchester Film Festival has recruited the following Hollywood industry professionals to serve on its Advisory Board: Charlotte Ayanna, Steven Bach, Eleanor Bergstein, David Breashears, Ken Burns, Chris Eyre, Jack Foley, Spalding Gray, Ray Hartwick, Monte Hellman, Edgar Lansbury, Gerald M. Levin, Ismail Merchant, Rebecca Pidgeon, W.D. Richter, Fisher Stevens, David Wasco, Treat Williams, Gary Winick, and Steve Zahn. To learn more about them, visit www.manchesterfilmfest.com http://www.manchesterfilmfest.com.
VT State Joint House Resolution
Both Houses of the Vermont Legislature passed a joint resolution honoring the Manchester Film Festival on 5th of April, 2002, after only one reading. Sponsored by Representative Judy Livingston (who also serves on the Board of the Vermont Film Commission) and drafted by Michael Chernick of the Vermont Legislative Council (with additional language by Bob Stannard) introduced the resolution and was signed by the Speaker of the House, Walt Freed; the Clerk of the House, Don Milne; and Lt. Governor Doug Racine, in his role as President of the Senate.
So, MARK YOUR CALENDARS. Have a look...www.manchesterfilmfest.com
We would love to see YOU in June 2002 at the Manchester Film Festival located in these beautiful, rolling green mountains of southern Vermont! Come and celebrate 4-Days of great independent films and related events from around the world.
INFORMATION IS FREE and we encourage you to share IT! Please forward this to the people you know who can benefit: Filmmakers and Talent, Distributors, Journalists, Teachers, Managers and Agents, Film Lovers, and of course, your friends and loved ones.
Watch this space!
Michael C Hill Alan Scott-Moncrieff Executive Director Executive Artistic Director
The Equinox Hotel Official Hotel of the MFF For lodging reservations call The Equinox Hotel on 1 800 362 4747 (We recommend you book quickly as reservations for this premiere MFF event are going fast)
MFF Office For MFF general information call The MFF Office on 1 802 362 9960 www.manchesterfilmfest.com info@manchesterfilmfest.com