Southern Vermont is soon to be home to the United States ’ international film festival . Co-Founders Tim Rhys and Karol Martesko-Fenster announced that The Vermont Film & Folklore Festival ( VFFF ) will kick off on May 23 with an exciting lineup of award-winning narrative features , documentaries , and shorts from around the world , including a spotlight on Vermont-made films . Rhys and Martesko-Fenster are both instrumental in shaping the American independent film industry , Rhys as founder of MovieMaker Magazine , and Martesko-Fenster as Co-founder of Filmmaker Magazine and IndieWire .
The festival will kick off at The Southern Vermont Arts Center ( SVAC ) with the opening night feature screening of festival circuit darling Tokyo Cowboy with director Marc Marriott in attendance , followed by an opening night party to include a performance from the Hartford , CT-based band Gravity . The lineup features more than 40 new and classic films , including a program of entirely new Vermont-made films , two programs of new and award-winning short films , and special , rare 16 mm screenings of some of Hollywood ’ s most beloved movies , including 70th anniversary screenings of On The Waterfront and La Strada , a 75th anniversary screening of James Cagney ’ s White Heat , and an 80th anniversary screening of Double Indemnity , and more . In addition to the film screenings , the program will include afternoon happy
NEW BI-WEEKLY PUBLICATION CALENDAR
The June 3 , 2024 Issue will cover news from 6 / 3 / 24-6 / 16 / 24 including Pride Month and Father ’ s Day
Editorial Deadline : Wed ., May 29 at 12pm editor @ vtnewsguide . com
Advertising Deadline : Wed ., May 29 at 5pm
The 1st Annual Vermont Film & Folklore Festival
Our Village Camp Returns to North Bennington
The June 17 , 2024 Issue will cover news from 6 / 17 / 24-6 / 30 / 24 including Juneteenth
Editorial Deadline : Wed ., June 12 at 12pm editor @ vtnewsguide . com
Advertising Deadline : Wed ., June 12 at 5pm
The July 1 , 2024 Issue will cover news from 7 / 1 / 24-7 / 14 / 24 including Fourth of July
Editorial Deadline : Wed ., June 26 at 12pm editor @ vtnewsguide . com
Advertising Deadline : Wed ., June 26 at 5pm
Our COMMUNITY
hour cocktail parties for festival supporters and guests , and two seminars to be held at Burr and Burton Academy : “ Producing the Independent Feature ” and “ Why Folklore is Integral to Vermont ’ s Character .”
Film awards will be given in the following categories by a jury to be announced : Best Narrative Feature , Best Documentary Feature , Best Narrative Short , Best Documentary Short , The Equinox Award ( Jury Award ). Venues for the festivities include SVAC , Manchester Community Library , Burr & Burton Academy , and the Wheelwrite Imaginarium Bookshop Arthouse , which will also be the location of the Filmmakers Lounge during the festival .
“ When Karol and I discovered we had both moved from urban areas to the same small town , we talked about all the things we loved about Manchester , VT and the thing we both missed most of all — accessible cinema on the big screen ,” said Co-Founder and Festival Director Tim Rhys . “ We know we ’ re not alone , as Bennington County is home to an extremely dynamic , artistic population . We hope that folks will come out and support these films and filmmakers by attending the screenings this Memorial Day weekend . We ’ ve already gotten a nice response from the business community and we ’ re so excited to serve up what we ’ ve been cooking this past year .” Festival Schedule , tickets , and passes are available at VermontFilmandFolkloreFestival . com .
Paran Recreations Inc ., in collaboration with North Bennington organizations , is thrilled to announce the anticipated return of Our Village Camp for its fourth year . Set against the scenic backdrop of the Village of North Bennington , this six-week day camp provides campers ages 6-12 with an immersive experience filled with outdoor adventures , community engagement , and opportunities for fun and learning . Scheduled to run from July 8 to August 16 , each week is themed around different aspects of North Bennington ’ s rich culture and unique assets . Campers will have the chance to explore a variety of activities at partner sites including Hiland Hall Gardens , Bennington College , John G . McCullough Library , Vermont Arts Exchange , Powers Market , Park McCullough House , and Lake Paran .
Our Village Camp offers ample scholarship or “ campership ” opportunities , with over 45 percent of camp participants receiving full financial assistance to attend up to two weeks of camp free of cost . The camp ’ s mission of inclusivity and accessibility is further exemplified through its dedication to social-emotional learning , place-based education , and fostering a sense of belonging among all attendees .
Registration is open and rolling , offering families the opportunity to secure their child ’ s spot at camp this summer . Full and half camperships will be available on a first come first serve basis , ensuring that financial considerations do not hinder any child ’ s participation . To register , visit : lakeparanvt . org / programs-and-camps / ourvillagecamp /. Please contact Camille Kauffman at camille @ lakeparanvt . org with questions .
The July 15 , 2024 Issue will cover news from 7 / 15 / 24-7 / 28 / 24
Editorial Deadline : Wed ., July 10 at 12pm editor @ vtnewsguide . com
Advertising Deadline : Wed ., July 10 at 5pm
Email donna @ oldmillroadmedia . com to advertise ! May 20 , 2024 Vermont News Guide 3