By Anthony DeAngelis
Correspondent

PORTSMOUTH — Who needs Sundance?
Certainly not New Hampshire.
The Granite State has its own way to show off the best of independent film, and it starts this weekend with the annual New Hampshire Film Festival.
Attendees will have a chance to see some of the best in recent independent cinema produced throughout the United States and around the world. From Thursday until Sunday, film lovers will be treated to 80 films, all hand-picked from a list of over 700 submissions by filmmakers from around the world.

“We bring the best award-winning independent films to the seacoast,” said Nicole Gregg, the festival’s executive director. “It’s a taste of the Sundance, Cannes, and Tribeca Film Festivals without ever leaving the Granite State.”
The festival, which moved to Portsmouth in 2004, will once again continue its tradition of spreading out the viewings of its films and discussions throughout downtown Portsmouth, showcasing at The Music Hall, the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, the Muddy River Smokehouse and the Moffatt-Ladd House.

Formally known as the New Hampshire Film Expo, the NHFF is now in its ninth year of operation and is one of the largest film festivals in the granite state. The event features the premiere of a number of feature films, documentaries, animations, as well as over 50 short films, 20 of which are produced in New Hampshire.

The cinematic adventures began on Thursday, Oct. 15 and continue throughout the weekend until Sunday, Oct. 18. Headlining this stellar lineup of films is “Serious Moonlight” with Meg Ryan, Kristen Bell, Justin Long and Timothy Hutton, “Paper Heart” featuring Michael Cera of “Juno” and “Arrested Development,” as well as “Mystery Team,” a comedy shot in New Hampshire from Manchester filmmaker Dan Eckman.

A host of in-state titles are also sure to garner attention, starting with the special screening of the documentary, “Shooting Beauty,” which was created by Emmy nominated Durham filmmaker George Kachadorian. The film tells the story of an aspiring fashion photographer, whose career takes an unexpected turn when she discovers the hidden world of beauty at a center for people living with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Also on the docket is the premiere of the feature film, “Crooked Lane,” which was produced by Chase Bailey and shot in Portsmouth.

In addition to showcasing some of the best in cinema, the festival also gives attendees the chance to meet and talk with some of the people behind the movies, such as professional filmmakers, screenwriters and industry experts as they will have the chance to take part in screenings, discussions, workshops, and VIP parties throughout the city.

“Having the opportunity to see a film with a filmmaker there to talk about the behind the scenes or answer your questions is truly a unique and special opportunity,” said Gregg. “Combine that with the fact that you would most likely not have the opportunity to see the film makes it a great event.”

All tickets and passes for the festival must be purchased through the Music Hall box office by phone at 603-436-2400 or online at www.themusichall.org. All participating venues will sell tickets at the door.

For more information regarding the festival and the schedule of each film’s screening, visit www.nhfilmfestival.com.

If You Go
What: New Hampshire Film Festival
When: Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, October 18.
Where: The Music Hall of Portsmouth, the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, the Muddy River Smokehouse and the Moffatt-Ladd House, Portsmouth, N.H.
Tickets: Individual film tickets are $16. For a VIP pass which includes access to all films, workshops and the VIP suite at the 100 Club, along with valet parking, the cost is $100. For a weekend pass, which includes access to all films, the cost is $70. A day pass may also be purchased for $35 and permits access to any of the screenings premiering that particular day. All tickets and passes are available through The Music Hall box office at 603-436-2400 or online at www.themusichall.org.