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'Blade Runner,' Bacon Headline Annual Film FestivaliBerkshires - April 01, 2008
 | | Douglas Trumbull will talk about his work on 'Blade Runner.' |
GREAT BARRINGTON — The Berkshire International Film Festival will screen some 60 U.S. and international independent films when it runs from May 15 through May 18.
Films from a dozen countries will be represented and the festival will host more than two dozen filmmakers. This year's events include a screening of the new digital edition of Ridley Scott's groundbreaking film "Blade Runner," with special-effects icon Doug Trumbull offering a behind-the-scenes presentation; a screening of "The Gates," followed by a Q&A with legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, and a tribute evening honoring actor/director and Berkshire favorite Kevin Bacon for his Achievement in Film.
"Entering into our third season, I am more than ever amazed at the variety of talent and the vibrance of filmmaking skill found in the titles we are presenting," founder and director Kelley R. Vickery said in a statement. A staggering 300-plus films were submitted this year, a testament to the talents working all over the globe to share their stories with passion and commitment."
In addition to the feature films, documentaries and shorts, there will be panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers, screenings of the finalists from the Berkshire Student Film Festival, and a jury award for best first-time filmmaker.
Venues for all of the weekendlong events and screenings will be the Triplex Cinema and the historic Mahaiwe Theatre and Mixed Company.
Opening the festival will be the Jury and Audience prize-winning film from Sundance "Man on Wire" about Philippe Petit legendary wire walk between the then newly constructed World Trade Center's twin towers on Aug. 7, 1974. then the world’s tallest buildings.
The young Frenchman spent an hour dancing on the wire (with no safety net or harness) between the world's tallest buildings - then was arrested and thrown into prison. Until his appearance on the wire, no one but Petit and his team of accomplices, who had spent months planning their illegal "coup," knew anything about it. James Marsh's documentary brings Petit's extraordinary adventure to life through the testimony of the co-conspirators who created what became known as "the artistic crime of the century." Petit will be in attendance.
Variety called the film "one of the most wildly entertaining docs of recent years"; it will be released later this year by Magnolia Pictures.
For a complete listing of films, click here.
The festival will also have three short film programs showcasing some 22 shorts from around the world and also will showcase the winners of the Berkshire Student Film Festival. The BSFF received nearly 20 films from five different Berkshire area schools. The finalists' films will be shown twice during the festival with an award ceremony to follow the second screening on Sunday, with an ice cream social provided by SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington.
Opening night festivities include a cocktail party at Pearl's prior to the screening of "Man on Wire," with other Great Barrington restaurants as well as galleries and merchants staying open into the evening with promotions for festivalgoers. The festival is hoping to close off Railroad Street for a dance party with live music.
Premiere sponsors include the Triplex Cinema, Berkshire Living Magazine, Studio Two, Canyon Ranch, GWFF, the Red Lion Inn and Berkshire Mountain Distillers Inc. Supporting sponsors include Stella Artois, Abbotts Livery, Medoff Inc. and Mixed Company.
Kevin Bacon |
The 2008 festival tribute will be given to Bacon, whose 30-year career includes more than 60 films. After his film debut in "Animal House," he appeared in such films as "Diner," "Footloose," "Apollo 13," "Mystic River," "Flatliners" and "The Big Picture." The tribute will include guests and friends of Bacon at the Mahaiwe on May 16. It will include a cocktail party with Bacon and the screening of Christopher Guest's "The Big Picture."
The evening will be catered by chef Michael Ballon of Castle Street Cafe. Other Bacon films to be screened that weekend are "The River Wild" and his award-winning performance in "The Woodsman."
"BIFF is showcasing the best in feature films, documentaries and shorts today. BIFF is also showcasing the talents of our own Berkshire filmmakers and Berkshire students, said Vickery in the press release. "I am proud of how the community has embraced the festival, and I am confident that BIFF will continue to be an integral part of the Berkshire cultural community."
Passes are on sale now at $100, $250 and $500. Individual tickets go on sale Thursday, April 3, and may be purchased at www.biffma.com, by phone at 1-866-811-4111 or by visiting the Triplex Cinema or the Mahaiwe box office.
BIFF is a 501c3 non-profit organization under the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. For more information, to be a sponsor, volunteer or make a contribution to BIFF, contact kelley@biffma.com or lauren@biffma.com. |
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