2015 Newtown Film Festival Program

All film screenings will take place at the Edmond Town Hall Theater located at 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470.  All screenings are completely free and open to the public, we hope to see you there!

Friday, September 18

Opening Night Shorts

6:00 pm  63 mins
We’re opening the festival with a variety of animated and live action shorts from around the world! This program begins with a documentary with the powerful message for gender inclusiveness. Also included are an exploration of dreams, the misadventures of an island romance, a doll and her curious animal friends, and a meditation on lightness and darkness. Finally, we’ll join a young girl on her weird and wondrous animated journey into the future in Don Hertzfeldt’s World of Tomorrow.

Appropriate for all ages.

A PLACE IN THE MIDDLE
ALOHA HOHE
DERIVE
WINTER'S LIGHT
PAWO
STRIPY
WORLD OF TOMORROW

Lake Michigan in a Dugout

7:30 pm
Lake Michigan in a Dugout is a film following the story of two women chasing their ridiculous dream: to journey around Lake Michigan aboard their handmade dugout sailing canoe, an adventure that would ultimately take them over 1200 miles in 93 days. Told in part through the friendly banter between the two and the friends they made along the way, the documentary explores the search for everyday adventure and the power of our imaginations to push dreams into reality.

Appropriate for all ages.

Saturday, September 19

Saturday Morning Cartoon Shorts

1:00 pm 33 mins
Get ready to meet a variety of hilarious characters in this 100% animation, kid-centric collection! From an imaginative gamer girl to a lonely ghost, a magician and his creation, a shape-shifting hero, and a globetrotting girl—this program is sure to delight kids of all ages! In particular, the creative chaos and artistic influences of DaliVinCasso will remind both adults and tots of watching Wile E. Coyote chase the Road Runner on lazy Saturday mornings.

Appropriate for all ages.

DALIVINCASSO
SWING AND A MISS
SWIM MEET
KIKO'S PARADISE
WANDERER
SWITCH MAN

Connecticut Connection Shorts

2:00 pm  39 mins
A remarkable compilation of shorts from filmmakers across the Constitution State! In Brewed Awakening, we’ll explore happiness and social connection in the 21st Century. Serotiny meditates on the themes of pain and destruction leading to the creation of new life. Lastly, we’ll join two brothers on their madcap hiking trip during a break from school in The Adventures of Tommie and Richie. Come support our up-and-coming local talent!

Appropriate for all ages.

BREWED AWAKENING
ON THE PERMAFROST
SEROTINY
THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMIE AND RICHIE

Comedy Shorts

3:00 pm  57 mins
This comedy program includes a rom-com about a crossword puzzle writer, a mockumentary about a quirky hunter, and an beat-driven journey into the bizarre world of German cat shows. Along the way, we’ll meet characters like the under-appreciated BFF, a performance artist/social activist fighting rampant consumerism in the U.S. and the intern trying to make it in the dog-eat-dog world of film.

Recommended for ages 13 and up due to mild language.

REDCAP
THE MILKMAN
ONE DOWN TWO ACROSS
THE BEST FRIEND
MEET CELESTE BORTNICK
FIZZLED
THE ELEVATOR PITCH
KRATZBAUM

Most Likely To Succeed

7:00 pm
For most of the last century, entry-level jobs were plentiful, and college was an affordable path to a fulfilling career. That world no longer exists. The feature-length documentary Most Likely to Succeed examines the history of education, revealing the growing shortcomings of our school model in todayʼs innovative world. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the film has been named “among the best edu-documentaries ever produced” by Education Week.  OFFICIAL SELECTION SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL.

Sunday, September 20

Song of the Sea

1:00 pm
From the creators of the Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells comes a breathtakingly gorgeous, hand-drawn masterpiece. Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch Macha and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever. As enthralling for adults as it is for children young and old, Song of the Sea is a wonder of magical storytelling and visual splendor that is destined to become a classic.  ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE.

Rated PG

Imba Means Sing

5:00 pm
IMBA MEANS SING is the story of one little boy who is a big star. As the celebrity drummer from the Grammy-nominated African Children’s Choir, Moses relies on his youthful resilience. Growing up in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, Moses and his family lack enough resources for him to even attend the first grade.  The film is an intimate character portrait, stunningly shot and told through Moses’ perspective on his one shot journey from poverty towards his dream of becoming a pilot.

Appropriate for all ages.

Social Impact Shorts

3:00 pm  44 mins
This specially curated collection focuses on films with messages about social issues and aims to change the world for the better. There’s a poetic letter from father to his hypothetical son about his concerns about the modern world. Other themes include the unequal distribution of wealth, the humane treatment of farm animals, gender inequality specifically in the film industry, and bullying. This program will keep you thinking (and hopefully discussing) long after the credits roll!

Recommended for ages 13 and up due to mild language and some mature themes.

A LETTER TO MY SON
WEALTH AND STATUS
ZOE
THE HOUSE THAT WREN BUILT
GIRL WITH A MOVIE CAMERA
AMAZING JUDITH AND THE WALL OF DIFFERENCE