INNOVATIVE BOSTON FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY WITH A FESTIVAL-RECORD 6 WORLD PREMIERES
FESTIVAL INCLUDES SPECIAL PROGRAM FROM WARNER BROS. TELEVISION FOCUSED ON BOSTON AREA COLLEGE STUDENTS
“SHEEPDOG” FROM DIRECTOR & STAR STEVEN GRAYHM TO LAUNCH OPENING NIGHT AT THE BOSTON IMAX/ANGEL STUDIOS PREMIERE OF PREMIERE OF SPORTS FILM “SWEETWATER” FROM DIRECTOR MARTIN GUIGUI
BOSTON – September 4, 2024 – The Boston Film Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary September 19-23, showcasing a diverse slate of films and highlighting some of the most innovative filmmakers in the industry. The live program includes the World premieres of three feature films and three documentaries. The feature films include the Opening Night debut of “SHEEPDOG,” along with Centerpiece Spotlight “Any Day Now.” Both films were shot locally throughout Boston and Massachusetts. The Boston Film Festival is thrilled to announce the addition of “Sweetwater,” Cannes Film Award winner and Image Award (NAACP) nominee for best Indie Feature, making its Angel Studios worldwide premiere at the festival. Rounding out this amazing slate of feature films is the Closing Night feature “Max Dagan,” making its East Coast premiere.
Documentaries making their world premiere at the festival include “Capturing Kennedy,” “Phillip Dutton: A Leap of Faith,” and “The Piping Plovers of Moonlight Bay.” The schedule also includes the U.S premiere of “Democracy Noir.” This incredible group of films reflect newsworthy topics exploring societal issues. Question-and-answer sessions with film creative representatives will follow all live premieres.
Attending the 40th Boston Film Festival are; Steven Grayhm (SHEEPDOG) ; Virginia Madsen (Sideways, Candyman); Vondie Curtis- Hall (Harriet, Raymond and Ray); Dominic Fumusa (Nurse Jackie, 13 Hours); Matt Dallas; Martin Guigui (The Bronx Bull, 9/11); Tim Moore (Million Dollar Baby, American Sniper); Jeremy Piven (Entourage, Serendipity); Everett Osborne (Chicago Fire); Kevin Pollack (A Few Good Men); Zachary Gordon (Diary of a Wimpy Kid); Terre Weisman (Max Dagan); Rafi Jacobs (Max Dagan); Zachary Gordon (Max Dagan); Lindsey Dresbach (Max Dagan); Eric Aronson (Mortdecai); Lilli Cooper (The Post, Tootsie); Paul Guilfoyle (Don’t Look Up, Spotlight); Taylor Gray (Star Wars Rebels); Alexandra Templer; Armando Rivera; Jan Egleson; Miguel Littin-Menz; Connie Field; Phillip Dutton (7-time Olympian); Tracy Egan (Phillip Dutton: Leap of Faith); Ellen Golbranson; Steele Burrow (Capturing Kennedy); Kim Smith (The Piping Plovers of Moonlight Bay).
“As the Boston Film Festival celebrates 40 great years, I would like to thank the filmmakers who’ve made it such a respected forum for the best in feature, documentary, short and animated films,” stated Robin Dawson, Executive Director of the festival. “The festival has richly entertained and enlightened over all those years but has also done so much more — providing a platform for vital, impactful voices to truly be heard, arming us all with the kind of perspectives we need to go out and change the world. It has been a boon to the city of Boston, enriching the cultural landscape, boosting tourism, and revving up the local economy. Congratulations to the filmmakers, the many festival directors, and the local production community”
One of the entertainment industry’s most-respected providers of original programming, Warner Bros. Television will host a special series of screenings on September 19 for Boston area college students. As part of WBTV’s ongoing mission to provide valuable educational media industry opportunities for college students across the United States, the studio and long-running film festival will present advance episode screenings and Q&A sessions of new and returning WBTV shows.
“SHEEPDOG” (Opening Night, September 20 at 7 p.m., Boston IMAX) A decorated US Army combat Veteran Calvin Cole (Grayhm), is court ordered into treatment and into the care of a VA trauma therapist in-training (Virginia Madsen), who still works the night shift at a diner to pay for college. Things become even more complicated when Calvin’s father-in-law and retired Vietnam Veteran (Vondie Curtis-Hall), shows up on his doorstep, having just been released from prison. When Calvin’s plan to run from the past blows up in his face, he learns through tough love and compassion that he must put himself back together again. Executive produced by Joe Newcomb (Dallas Buyers Club), and Producers Lynn d’Angona, Colin Kane and Grayhm. “SHEEPDOG” aims to lift the veil on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that is responsible for the Veteran Suicide Epidemic. Shot on location in Massachusetts, it is the first film for this generation that truly explores the physical and psychological repercussions of trauma, with a focus on Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). It is an uplifting original story, inspired by countless first-hand accounts about recovery, redemption, and the journey of healing; themes that now mirror our post-pandemic zeitgeist. The post-screening Q & A will include actors Steven Grayhm, Virginia Madsen, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Lilli Cooper, Dominic Fumusa and Matt Dallas. Ticket info available at bostonfilmfestival.org.
“Democracy Noir” (September 21 at 2 p.m., Boston Public Library) Few politicians have proven as adept at undermining democracy as Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán. A hero to his country’s Christian conservative population as well as an acolyte to Donald Trump and the republican party, Orbán fastens methodical steps to successfully chip away at Hungarian democratic institutions. With unparalleled access, “Democracy Noir” follows three courageous activists – Timea, Babett, and Niko – as they reveal the layers of deception embedded within Orbán’s government. Wielding expertise in law, journalism and healthcare, these women organize innovative ways to take on one of the West’s most powerful demagogues. But they face an increasingly well-financed and sophisticated opposition in Orbán’s Fidesz party, who control the media. “Democracy Noir” paints a damning portrait of how Orbán, over the years, systematically destabilized the country’s democratic institutions for financial gain while enjoying widespread approval from Hungarian nationalists. The film reveals an urgent cautionary tale for all democracies through the story of Orbán’s relentless work to build an autocratic white Christian state. But amidst this dark, new brand of authoritarianism, vital resistance remains. Through the testimony and actions of Timea, Babett and Niko, we not only witness the terror of a democracy in free fall, we see first-hand what it takes to try and claw precious freedoms back from the abyss. “Democracy Noir” serves as a warning and a ray of hope: it reveals the undemocratic nature of Orbán’s regime and the courage of three women, representing many, who will not acquiesce. Brought to you by executive producers Romain Bessi and Phillippe Lavasseur and producers Connie Field, Sigrid Dyejær, and Heino Deckert. The documentary will be screened in Rabb Hall at the Boston Public Library, followed by a Q&A with Academy Award nominated and Emmy winning director Connie Field. Tickets are free but require registration at the Boston Public Library website (bpl.org).
“Phillip Dutton: Leap of Faith” (September 21 at 6 p.m., at Emerson Paramount Center, Bright Family Screening Room) chronicles the inspiring life of Aussie-American equestrian legend Phillip Dutton, a seven-time Olympian in the sport of Eventing, as he strives to qualify for his eighth consecutive Olympics at the age of 60. Post-screening panel will feature Director Tracy Egan, Producer Ellen Golbranson, and Cinematographer/Editor David Layton to be joined virtually from the Blenheim Horse Trials in the UK by Phillip Dutton himself and his wife Evie; moderated by screenwriter Timothy Michael Hayes. Ticket info available at bostonfilmfestival.org.
On March 18, 1990, hundreds of millions of dollar’s worth of art were stolen from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. In the fictional telling of this notorious story in “Any Day Now,” (September 21 at 8:15 p.m., at Emerson Paramount Center, Bright Family Screening Room), a celebrated art thief ropes a night guardsman into a criminal world of oddballs, misfits and lost souls as dirty as the Charles River. Steve wonders if it’s a change for the better or whether he’s about to make the worst decision of his life. This is a truly home-grown independent Boston film. The film was written, financed, and shot entirely in Boston and, the lead actor, Paul Guilfoyle, is from Milton and maintains strong ties to the area. This film was produced by Mark Donadio, Dana Scott, Emily Sheehan, Jan Egleson and Paul Guilfoyle. The panel will include actors Paul Guilfoyle, Taylor Gray, Alexandra Templer, Jan Egleson and Armando Rivera, along with Eric Aronson (writer/director/producer), Miguel Littin-Menz (cinematographer) and Donadio. Nancy Eckersley will moderate. Ticket info available at bostonfilmfestival.org.
“Capturing Kennedy” (September 22 at 4 p.m., Emerson Paramount Center, Bright Family Screening Room) shares the untold story of photographer Jacques Lowe, a young immigrant and Holocaust survivor who became JFK’s personal photographer at the age of just 28. Based on newly discovered historic interviews with Lowe and unprecedented access to his estate and records, the film captures Lowe’s journey from his survival through WWII to the unexpected loss of his negatives at Ground Zero. Through Lowe’s perspective, “Capturing Kennedy” tells one of the last untold stories from the Kennedy Presidency. Director Steele Austin Burrows will participate in a post screening Q & A, along with Professor Fred Logevall (Kennedy Center), Victoria Allen (Lowe’s daughter) and Frank Harvey (Lowe’s longtime friend). This is the first feature documentary from the award-winning photographer and produced by Steele Burrow, Andrew Lawton, and Keith Soucy. Ticket info available at bostonfilmfestival.org.
“Sweetwater” (September 22, 7 p.m., Bartos Theater, MIT Media Lab) The story of “Sweetwater” takes place in the fall of 1950, when New York Knicks head coach Joe Lapchick and owner of the team Ned Irish join forces to persuade the NBA into allowing Black players into the league. Enter Abe Saperstein, owner and coach of the unbeatable all-Black team Harlem Globetrotters, who travel the country destroying every opponent. By fans demand, the NBA Champion Minneapolis Lakers play the Globetrotters in what is hailed as a true world championship, and the Globetrotters shock everyone defeating the “white” NBA champions. As a result, Knicks coach Joe Lapchick goes after Globetrotter star Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the best unknown basketball player of that era, and tries to convince Sweetwater to join the Knicks franchise. A powerful and dangerous war of politics ensues. Other NBA team owners jump in to make “change” when Boston Celtic owner Walter Brown shocks the sports world and drafts Duquesne’s College Black basketball player Chuck Cooper. Washington Capitols’ owner Bones McKinney follows the Celtics and drafts Black player Earl Lloyd from American University. A cutthroat and competitive battle ensues to see which Black player will become the “first” Black basketball player to walk onto an NBA court and become the “Jackie Robinson” of basketball. Politics and high emotions take on cultural evolution as Sweetwater attempts to overcome all odds and risk everything to fulfill his destiny and bring change and a “new” game to the world. Produced by Tim Moore. Director Martin Guigui grew up and began his career in New England and has close family ties to the city of Boston. The post screening panel includes actors Jeremy Piven, Everett Osborne, writer/director Guigui and Dr. Danielle Wood (MIT). Tickets are free on a first come, first serve basis, but must be reserved at bostonfilmfestival.org.
“The Piping Plovers of Moonlight Bay” (September 23 at 5:15 p.m., Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport). Come discover the wondrous story of “The Piping Plovers of Moonlight Bay.” Told through the adventures of Pippi and Papi Plover, and their blended family of chicks, experience the heartwarming story of the Piping Plover, from courtship to nesting to fledging to migration. The film’s director and producer Kim Smith will participate in a post screening Q & A. Smith shot the film on Cape Ann, MA, and is a local resident. Tickets are free but require reservation at the Rockport Music website (rockportmusic.org).
The Closing Night feature is the East Coast premiere of “Max Dagan” (September 23 at 7:15 p.m., Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport) starring Rob Morrow, Zachary Gordon, Michael Madsen, Lindsey Dresbach, Jay Mohr and Kirk Fox. After his father is sentenced to 15 years for the manslaughter of a California State Trooper, Max Dagan fights to uncover the truth and get his now terminally ill parent out of prison with a compassionate release. Max must open up old wounds, including seeking the help of his estranged uncle and the daughter of the dead trooper, to find the evidence that could set his father free. In a race against time, two divided families discover they have more in common than they think. The panel discussion will include Terre Weisman (director/writer), Rafi Jacobs (producer), Zachary Gordon (“Max Dagan”) and Lindsey Dresbach (“Alaina Brennan”). Tickets are free but require reservation at the Rockport Music website (rockportmusic.org).
An impressive live shorts series will be shown on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 22; 12:30 p.m.), at Emerson’s Paramount Center, Bright Family Screening Room.)
The Boston Film Festival will present a robust program of feature, documentary, animated and short films presented as part of the virtual schedule. It extends the number of films offered and provides film enthusiasts the opportunity to watch films from the comfort of their homes. (for info, go to bostonfilmfestival.org).
Information on BFF parties, virtual film premieres and Q&A sessions can be found at the festival’s website.
The sponsors of the Boston Film Festival are: Boston Harbor Studios, Omni Hotel Boston at the Seaport; Boston Public Library; Shalin Liu Performance Center and Dream Alley.
Filmgoers and virtual viewers can access www.bostonfilmfestival.org for more details and to obtain tickets. For Facebook: Boston Film Festival; Instagram: @Bostonfilmfestival; Twitter: @Bostonfilmfest.
The Boston Film Festival is one of America’s longest-running and industry-recognized events for film. Celebrating its 40th program in September 2024, the festival showcases cutting edge indie films, top documentaries, shorts, animated, fall release studio films, sports films and more. Launched in Boston, Massachusetts in 1984, the renowned festival has premiered notable films including Greenbook; Don’t Worry Darling; Jo Jo Rabbit; Wild; The Last Kiss, North Country, It’s Kind of a Funny Story; Catching Hell; Earth Days; Common Ground; Requiem for a Dream and more. The festival has also hosted and honored iconic talent including Sam Rockwell, George Clooney, Aaron Eckhart, Melissa Leo, Bob Yari; Alex Gibney; Andy Garcia; Leslie Bibb; Greg Kinnear; Shane Black; Suzanne Todd; Uma Thurman; Sir Ridley Scott; Sam Mendes; Tony Goldwyn; Chris Evans; Al Pacino; Vanessa Redgrave, Annette Bening, Ellen Burstyn, Jeff Bridges, Steve Martin, and many others. https://bostonfilmfestival.org
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