WILLIAMSTOWN FILM FESTIVAL
Over TWO weekends – October 21 – 23 & 27 – 29
Williamstown, MA & North Adams, MA
WilliamstownFilmFest.com
“Indie Film at its Peak.” This is a perfectly appropriate and catchy tag line for the impressive Williamstown Film Festival, a celebration of independent film at Williamstown’s Images Cinema and the Cinema Lounge within the breathtaking ‘art campus’ at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), a must-see gallery space in North Adams. The 2-weekend Fest, which began on October 21, continues this Thursday – Saturday, October 27 – 29. We here at the Lowell Film Collaborative feel like true compadres of the Fest now that we know about the WFF’s origins — turns out this stellar 13-year old event began as a small concept shared by a passionate few in the community. The full story is on their official website, and begins like this:
The Williamstown Film Festival was founded in 1998 to fill a cultural gap in a part of Massachusetts known for its world-class museums, theater, music, and dance – the Berkshires. Because film seemed the missing link in an artistically rich region, some two dozen local residents and graduates of Williams College felt strongly that a film festival could bridge the gap. After many meetings, the Williamstown Film Festival was incorporated as a non-profit organization and began planning. The goal was tripartite: (a) to honor America’s film past in the shape of classics, (b) celebrate the present day through panels, seminars, and q-and-a’s between audiences and the actors, writers, directors and producers of indie film, and (c) explore the new technologies which are carrying the art of film into the 21st century.
Our hats off to this thriving film community, which we had the pleasure of visiting this past spring. We encourage you to check out the Williamstown Film Festival Calendar for what’s up next and see their impressive array of screenings, special guests AND special events, which includes a Closing Night Salute to Sidney Lumé and After Party. The October 29 event will be attended by the famed director’s daughter, screenwriter Jenny Lumet, and many other guests. What a great way to close out a Fest!
The Berkshires are absolutely stunning in the fall, so hopefully there are some brilliant leaves still left on the trees. If your upcoming weekend doesn’t involve tricks or treats, make the trek to the Williamstown/North Adams area and spend some quality time with fellow filmies, and be sure to save time for exploring the vast galleries within MASS MoCA. Prepare to be amazed!
lowellfilmcollaborativema.org 