NH Film Festival Draws 10K to Portsmouth

Approximately 10,000 people attended the New Hampshire Film Festival this weekend, the biggest and most exciting year to date for the festival.

"This has been an extraordinary year all around," NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg said on Sunday. "Everything from the screening to the after parties, to the extra events like Tom Rush’s phenomenal live musical performance. It was especially exciting to be one of the first in the country to screen Labor Day here as the New England Premiere, and to present Joyce Maynard with the Lifetime Achievement Award in her home state. We were thrilled to have Lisa Muskat here with her film, Prince Avalanche, to accept this year’s Van McLeod Award.

"Our special guest lineup this year was more incredible than ever,” Gregg added. "Having Tom Bergeron on our Grand Jury and the Comedy Panel was wonderful, and, of course, hilarious. In addition to Tom, our Grand Jury panelists were Justin DiPietro of IFC Films, Sharon Badal of Tribeca Film Festival, Maureen Masters from Magnolia Pictures and Drew Vinton of Pearl Street Productions (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s production company). We were able to introduce Christopher Abbott and the team behind All That I Am to Portsmouth, and welcome special guests from as far away as Alaska."

Programming Director Nicole Galovski, in her remarks during the Closing Ceremonies, thanked the sponsors for their immeasurable support and the audience for their support of independent film. 

"Without you, this weekend wouldn’t have possible," Galovski said. "We hope that you have enjoyed this weekend as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you."

Dan Hannon, NHFF co-founder and the Director of Panels & Juries, said that the festival has grown every year since its inception in 2001, but 2013 in particular has grown in several significant aspects. 

"The number and quality of films this year was a massive step up, and our increased attendance included a number of special guests from all over the country," Hannon said. "So many people have fallen in love with the festival and the city after this weekend, and they’re already planning their next vacation here."

Hannon added that all of the panels were the most well-attended to date. Volunteer crews such as a videography team, a team of bloggers and social media content creators, and a PPMTV crew shooting artists interviews were all new festival additions this year, and the photography team grew from seven in 2012 to 19 volunteer shooters this year.

Granny Awards

Each year, The New Hampshire Film Festival recognizes the best films in several categories by presenting our Granny Awards. Hand carved from granite, each award weighs in at just under 10 pounds. The award-winning filmmakers also receive Portsmouth-manufactured Bailey Works messenger bags, along with other special gifts.

NHFF 2013 would like to extend huge congratulations to this year’s Granny Award winners:

Screenplay Competition Grand Prize Writers: George Guthridge and Deborah Schildt, The Kids From Nowhere (in attendance)

Best Student Film: If We Were Adults, Directed by Michael Fitzgerald 

Best Short Comedy: Alive, Feeling Like A Buck Seventy-Five, Directed by Michael Neidhardt

Best Short Drama: Palimpsest, Directed by Michael Tyburski

Best Short Documentary: High and Hallowed: Everest 1963, Directed by David Morton, Jake Norton, Jim Aikman

Best Animated: The Missing Scarf, Directed by Eoin Duffy

Audience Choice Documentary: Life According to Sam, Directed by Sean and Andrea Fine

Audience Choice Feature: Sanatorium, Directed by Brant Sersen

Best Documentary: The Crash Reel, Directed by Lucy Walker

Best Feature: Goodbye World, Director Denis Henry Hennely (in attendance)

Grand Jury Award: All That I Am, Directed by Carlos Puga (in attendance)