User:Festival14

The Montclair Film Festival (MFF) http://montclairfilmfest.org is a community-based organization that produced its first multi-day, multi-venue film festival in May 2012. MFF was created to nurture and showcase talented filmmakers from around the world while creating a cultural focal point for the Township of Montclair, surrounding communities and the region.

MFF unites, empowers, educates and celebrates Montclair’s diverse cultural heritage and robust artistic community by presenting a wide assortment of engaging and affordable programs and events all year long.

History

The idea for a film festival was formed when WNET-TV Vice President and General Councel Bob Feinberg, a Montclair resident, gave a tour to an associate considering a move to the New Jersey city. Known as a place where arts and culture flourish, his associate asked “Where is the film festival?” Feinberg set out to establish MFF, hiring veteran festival programmers and directors Thom Powers http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/8818089-innovative-filmmaking-at-the-montclair-film-festival/  and Raphaela Neihausen http://www.baristanet.com/2013/04/coffee-with-raphaela-neihausen-festival-director-of-montclair-film-festival/ and developing a Board of Directors comprised of many of Montclair’s prominent residents, including film and media professionals, philanthropists and community leaders.

Inaugural Festival, May 2012

Modeled after popular film festivals around the country that have revitalized small arts-oriented towns like Montclair, MFF organized to deliver innovative programs to regional film enthusiasts who flocked to its two independent arts cinemas. Relying on the expertise and connections of many industry insiders who reside within the community, and maximizing its impact by collaborating with many of the region's prominent arts organizations, MFF was born. http://www.northjersey.com/community/149888325_All_eyes_on_Jersey_at_the_debut_of_the_Montclair_Film_Festival.html

The inaugural festival in May 2012, originally estimated to attract 5,000 visitors, reached 7,500 motion picture enthusiasts, arts patrons and cultural tourists. Over 45 films and XX guests were in attendance including actors Oliver Platt, http://www.baristanet.com/2012/05/montclair-film-festival-a-baby-bird-takes-fligh t/ Kathleen Turner http: //www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/celebrities/150125645_No_Title_-__-_mffkathleenturnertribute_0503.html, Olympia Dukakis http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/celebrities/150231875_Montclair_Film_Festival__Welcome_home__Olympia_Dukakis_.html  and Patrick Wilson, filmmaker Michael Moore http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/movies/150386975_Filmmaker_provokes_audience__as_if_on_cue.html and author Judy Blume. Early screenings of art house successes included The Oranges, Your Sister’s Sister, 2 Days in New York and Robot and Frank. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/arts/may-6-12.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1336313187-66gMWb+IsBEcz6YIuBC6dw&

Second Annual Festival, May 2013

According to The New York Times, MFF, the winner of the Discover Jersey Arts 2012 People’s Choice Awards for favorite film festival, is “A film festival with more of everything http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/nyregion/at-montclair-film-festival-more-films-more-locations-more-days.html?_r=1& .” Over one week in May 2013, at seven venues across one community, the festival nearly doubled in size and attracted more than 14,000 attendees to 80+ films and events including selected world and New Jersey premieres http://www.awardscircuit.com/2013/04/29/top-10-anticipated-films-from-2013-montclair-film-festival/. The Montclair Times noted, “If last year’s inaugural festival was like an indie hit, then this year’s outing is a glossy sequel.” In addition to offering films by emerging filmmakers, the festival provided opportunities to see some of the year’s most critically acclaimed films first in Montclair with post-screening discussions and conversations http://www.northjersey.com/community/207177781_In_Conversation__Montclair_Film_Festival_filmmakers_chat_with_audience.html  with special guests including directors, producers and actors, and occasions to hear from promising new artists from the film industry. A favorite film category, NJ Spotlight, offered a platform for dozens of talented and lesser-known filmmakers from New Jersey to exhibit new work http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/movies/205968171_Montclair_State_University_s_young_filmmakers_showcased_at_Film_Festival.html. http://www.northjersey.com/community/207177781_In_Conversation__Montclair_Film_Festival_filmmakers_chat_with_audience.html Prominent guests included a return visit from Michael Moore, Harry Belafonte, Darlene Love, Lake Bell, Ice-T, Alex Gibney and The New York Times’ David Carr.

Films screened included the critically acclaimed Twenty Feet From Stardom, The Attack, Blackfish, Frances Ha, The Act of Killing, The Spectacular Now, Dirty Wars, In A World, Kings of Summer, Computer Chess, Still Mine, Stories We Tell and Valley of Saints.

Year-Round Programs

MFF also presents a growing schedule of dynamic educational and public programs http://www.baristanet.com/2013/08/montclair-film-festival-shares-behind-the-scenes-of-breaking-bad /and events for audiences across our region including: Free Summer Series Under the Stars; Kidz Shortz Filmmaking Competition and Workshops for youth ages 9-18 http://www.northjersey.com/community/174699741_Montclair_Film_Festival_announces_second_annual_Kidz_Shortz_filmmaking_competition_action__kids_.html Free African American Heritage Month screenings; The Underdog Festival at Montclair State University featuring screenings of rarely seen Oscar-nominated shorts; Behind the Screen: Media Career Day for high school and university students http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2012/12/free_day_of_media_seminars_for.html ; Screenings with industry insiders and up-and-coming stars; Festival Poster Competition; Community-wide art projects for youth; Networking events for industry insiders and newcomers; Celebrity Winter Fundraiser (with Advisory Board Member Stephen Colbert) http://www.today.com/entertainment/jon-stewart-tells-stephen-colbert-i-nearly-quit-daily-show-1C7546805?franchiseSlug= todayentertainmentmain, Oscars’ Eve Party, Trivia Night and more

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