4-day festival highlights local artists, film screenings for NH cinephiles

From Oct. 12 to 15, Portsmouth hosted the 21st iteration of the NH Film Festival, a nonprofit organization that showcases mostly independent films to a large crowd of film enthusiasts every year.

The lineup featured at this year’s celebration included over 100 films screened at international festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Tribeca, along with short films from local artists.

Some of the Academy Award-qualifying films included such stars as Anne Hathaway, David Strathairn, Kevin Smith and many others.

In a post-event press release, NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg said, “We are so energized that, once again, the New Hampshire Film Festival distinguished itself as an important opportunity for filmmakers who come from near and far, and for audiences, who not only get to see the films, but are encouraged to interact with directors, writers, producers, actors and cinematographers.”

With panels, workshops and multiple screenings, the festival gathered the likes of New England favorites such as comedian/actress Eliza Coop (from Plymouth, NH), Marcy Carsey, sitcom producing legend Tom Bergeron, late night TV writer and comedian Jon Rineman, Lenny Clark and Greg Kretchmar.

This also marked the first year The Music Hall in downtown Portsmouth coproduced the festival, providing technical support, marketing expertise and ticketing services. Music Hall Executive Director Tina Sawtelle recalled, “We have enjoyed bringing our expertise to this important partnership. The Music Hall recognizes what a tremendous contribution the New Hampshire Film Festival is to our community and we are excited to be a more integral part of it.”

At the culmination of each day, awards were distributed to winning films and filmmakers, with seven recipients with ties to the Granite State.

For a full list of films and award recipients, visit nhfilmfestival.com.

— AMANDA ANDREWS