2022 Schedule

Screenings & Events

MNFF8 Schedule

MNFF8: Wed-Sun, August 24-28, 2022

Browse the films, panels and parties of the 8th Annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival.

And feel free to open an entire day’s film and party schedule by clicking on all the down arrows.

Indicates filmmaker(s) will attend MNFF8

Wednesday, 8/24

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Robomodern

Narrative, 15m

Fieldtrip

Narrative, 21m

The Noise of Engines

Narrative, 79m

Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)

Twilight Hall (TWI)

The Letter Room

Narrative, 30m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

The Finding

Narrative, 21m

Seokkarae

Narrative, 96m

Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)

Global Shorts Showcase I

Who? How? and Where?

Narrative, 11m

Gilgamesh

Narrative, 25m

Cold Beds

Narrative, 20m

The Swap

Narrative, 11m

Twilight Hall (TWI)

May We Know Our Own Strength

Documentary, Experimental, 6m

Chasing Sirens

Documentary, 12m

Motorcity

Documentary, 78m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Opening Night Ticket Holders Only, Please

6pm

Doors Open

6:30pm

Introductions and remarks by MNFF Producer Lloyd Komesar and MNFF Artistic Director Jay Craven, followed immediately by our opening night film.

The Automat

Documentary, 79m

Q&A with Director Lisa Hurwitz

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

Filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz discusses the making of her sparkling historical documentary The Automat, which chronicles the life of the popular Horn and Hardart chain of restaurants in New York and Philadelphia.

The Opening Night film screening is supported by a generous donation from Linda and Ira Schiffer.

Swift House Inn (SHI)

Opening Night Ticket Holders Only, Please

9pm
Opening Night Party

The festivities continue outdoors under the big tent at Swift House Inn. Enjoy food, drink and music, and mingle with the Inn’s owners Matthew Robinson and Serena Kim. Music by Dayve Huckett.






Thursday, 8/25

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Canelones

Narrative, 13m

Berry Pickers

Narrative, 14m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Scars

Documentary, 10m

The Girl

Narrative, 12m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Honoree Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Nora Jacobson

Moderated by Orly Yadin, Executive Director of the Vermont International Film Festival

Award-winning, Vermont-based filmmaker Nora Jacobson discusses her homage to the poetry and life of Ruth Stone in Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind.

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Something Unseen

Narrative, 20m

God’s Creatures

Narrative, 94m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Understanding

Narrative, 6m

Air

Narrative, 10m

Island Naturalist

Documentary, 71m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Headlights

Narrative, 17m

The Novice

Narrative, 97m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Cherry

Narrative, 25m

Medusa

Narrative, 86m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Charm Circle

Documentary, 79m

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Salvador Dali

Narrative, 19m


The Book Keepers

Documentary, 89m

4-5pm / Little Seed Coffee Roasters

Festival Formula Presentation

Moderated by MNFF Producer, Lloyd Komesar

24 Merchants Row | Join Festival Formula Strategist & Founder Katie McCullough and Strategist Ian Bignell as they explain the nuances of the vast film festival landscape and how they create winning strategies for filmmakers to choose wisely in submitting their films and building their presence on the festival circuit.

4-5pm / Town Hall Theater (THT)

Conversation with Lindsay Crouse

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

Lindsay Crouse, award-winning Senior Editor at The New York Times and a pioneer in the use of film as journalism, will present a series of five short films centered on issues of women in sports and discuss her broad vision of film as a change agent.

5-6pm / Henry Sheldon Museum Garden – IPJ Hospitality Tent

Passholders Only, Please

Festival Thursday Happy Hour

1 Park St | Enjoy food and beverages from Two Brothers Tavern in a beautiful garden setting. Supported by IPJ Real Estate, MNFF Presenting Sponsor.

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Lunch Break

Narrative, 24m

Olga

Narrative, 85m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Hands That Bind

Narrative, 115m


Dana Auditorium (DAN)

The Lost Daughter

Narrative, 121m



Honoree Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Maggie Gyllenhaal

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

Following the screening of her multi-Oscar nominated directing debut, The Lost Daughter,  MNFF Honoree Maggie Gyllenhaal will share her thoughts and experiences on the making of this beautiful film.

Twilight Hall (TWI)

The Engagement

Narrative, 13m

Come Back Anytime

Documentary, 81m

Swift House Inn (SHI)

Rose

Narrative, 102m

Henry Sheldon Museum Garden – IPJ Hospitality Tent

Passholders Only, Please

Thursday Night Party

1 Park St | Gather for a lovely finale to Festival Thursday. Enjoy food and drink from Two Brothers Tavern and music by Dennis Willmott. Supported by IPJ Real Estate, MNFF Presenting Sponsor.


Friday, 8/26

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Freedom Hill

Documentary, 30m

Manifest Destiny Jesus

Documentary, 40m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Hot Toddy

Narrative, 17m

The Right Words

Narrative, 15m

Bus Girl

Narrative, 11m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Assaman

Narrative, 14m

After Sherman

Documentary, 88m

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Anarchy in Vermont

Documentary, 22m


No Other Lake

Documentary, 40m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Preman

Narrative, 92m

WINNER: AICEF Prize For Cross-Cultural Filmmaking

Special Event – AICEF Filmmaker Exchange

Randolph Zaini, Indonesian director and writer of Preman and the AICEF Prize winner selected by the Bali International Film Festival, is expected to attend and will screen his award winning, first feature drama.  MNFF welcomes Mr. Zaini to Middlebury.

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Born Under Punches

Narrative, 6m

Lone Wolves

Narrative, 13m

American Thief

Narrative, 82m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Grave

Narrative, 16m

Go Through the Dark

Documentary, 78m

Twilight Hall (TWI)

None Died Here

Documentary, 12m

Mahakan

Narrative, 18m

On The Divide

Documentary, 79m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest

Documentary, 71m

WINNER: AICEF Prize For Cross-Cultural Filmmaking

The American Indonesian Cultural and Educational Foundation (AICEF) continues its unique partnership with MNFF and the Bali International Film Festival to foster a cross-cultural exchange of filmmakers between the U.S. and Indonesia. MNFF’s AICEF Prize winner, Nancy Svendsen, will present a Vermont premiere of her new documentary Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest.  Ms. Svendsen will be going to Bali next June to participate in the 16 Annual Balinale.

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Please Hold

Narrative, 19m

Carol & Johnny

Documentary, 90m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Mudder’s Hands

Documentary, 15m

For the Left Hand

Documentary, 74m

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Special Event – Composers Judy Hyman and Jeff Claus Film Scoring Presentation

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

Highly accomplished musical composers and Emmy Award winners Judy Hyman and Jeff Claus offer an in-depth discussion of the intricate process of scoring feature films and documentaries. Hyman and Claus are founding members of the alt-rock band, The Horse Flies, and Hyman is also considered one of the world’s top master fiddlers.

4-5pm / Robison Hall, Mahaney Arts Center (ROB)

Fest Pass And Friday Day Pass Holders: No Charge
Walk Up Tickets At The Door: $16

Special Event – Vermont Symphony Orchestra

The VSO and MNFF join hands to present “An Afternoon at the Movies,” featuring a live, 22-piece VSO chamber orchestra, under the guidance of VSO Artistic Advisor and Project Conductor Matt LaRocca [Middlebury ‘02], playing the arranged scores of seven documentary and animated short films while they screen – a spectacular retrospective of all the previous films that have won the Festival’s VSO Award for Best Integration of Music into Film.  

This Special Event is supported by a generous donation from Lyn and Ferdinand Lauffer.

5-6pm / Stone Mill – Silver Maple Construction Patio

Passholders Only, Please

Festival Friday Happy Hour

Enjoy food from the Grapevine Grill and beverages from Dedalus Wine on the creekside patio of The Stone Mill. Presented by Silver Maple Construction.

5-6pm / Marquis Theatre Café

Visiting Filmmakers Only, Please

Filmmakers Champagne Reception

An informal opportunity for filmmakers to meet and mingle in one of Middlebury’s iconic film spaces.

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Slam

Narrative, 100m

25th Anniversary Tribute Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Marc Levin

Moderated By MNFF Producer, Lloyd Komesar

Acclaimed multi-Emmy Award winning director and MNFF Honoree Marc Levin celebrates the 25th Anniversary of his Sundance winning drama, Slam, a groundbreaking film which tells the story of a talented black poet who is arrested on petty drug charges and the transformational change he experiences while in prison.

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Sanctify

Narrative, 18m


Clouds of Chernobyl

Narrative, 76m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Some Still Search

Narrative, 15m

Bad Axe

Documentary, 100m

Twilight Hall (TWI)

The Pez Outlaw

Documentary, 85m

Swift House Inn (SHI)

A Love Song

Narrative, 81m


Stone Mill – Silver Maple Construction Patio

Passholders Only, Please

Friday Night Party

3 Mill St | Wrap up Festival Friday in style with food by Sabai Sabai, drinks by Dedalus Wine and music by The Morning Dudes on the Stone Mill’s scenic patio. Presented by Silver Maple Construction.


Saturday, 8/27

Town Hall Theater (THT)

The Gallery

Documentary, 8m

Caroline

Narrative, 10m

Silent Beauty

Documentary, 88m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Doe

Narrative, 16m


Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Eyesore

Documentary, 18m

Hiding in the Walls

Documentary, 58m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

The Saverini Widow

Narrative, 19m

Love It Was Not

Narrative, 86m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Tildypops

Narrative, 20m

Anonymous Sister

Narrative, 94m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Monsieur Le Butch

Narrative, 10m


Calendar Girls

Documentary, 84m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

I Promise

Narrative, 102m

Honoree Screening and Onstage Conversation with Marc Levin

Moderated by MNFF Producer, Lloyd Komesar

Following the screening of his recent documentary I Promise, acclaimed multi-Emmy Award winning director and MNFF Honoree Marc Levin shares his thoughts on collaborating with LeBron James on bringing to life the story of Mr. James’ efforts to close the educational achievement gap in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Monster in a Box

Narrative, 9m


All The Marbles

Narrative, 11m

The High Rock

Documentary, 82m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Twilight Hall (TWI)

Whale Fall

Narrative, 6m

Feral Fatale

Narrative, 12m

Bitterbrush

Documentary, 90m

4-5pm / Middlebury Inn Patio

Passholders Only, Please

Afternoon Conversation with Karen Allen 

16 Court Square | Hosted by MNFF Artistic Director Jay Craven

Returning Honoree Karen Allen shares her experiences on working with new filmmakers in this informal conversation at one of the town’s nicest spaces.

5-6pm / Middlebury Inn Lobby & Porch

Passholders Only, Please

Festival Saturday Happy Hour

16 Court Square | Enjoy food and beverages from the Middlebury Inn, an MNFF Lodging and Hospitality Sponsor. Music by Sadie Brightman.

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Secretary

Narrative, 107m

Honoree Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Maggie Gyllenhaal

Moderated by Actor Jeremy Holm

Following the screening of her early career breakthrough film Secretary, MNFF Honoree Maggie Gyllenhaal offers reflections on the role that brought her significant critical acclaim and numerous awards.

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Our America

Animation, 4m


Stripper

Narrative, 14m

The Unknown Country

Narrative, 85m

Dana Auditorium (DAN)

Emily the Criminal

Narrative, 93m

Honoree Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Tyler Davidson

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

After a screening of his latest narrative film, Emily the Criminal, about a college graduate who, saddled with student debt and unable to find work, engages in a credit card scam, MNFF Honoree Tyler Davidson shares his thoughts on working with rising star Aubrey Plaza and his role as the producer of this film.



Twilight Hall (TWI)

Lob?

Narrative, 6m

Twitching

Narrative, 15m

Wake Up, Leonard

Narrative, 73m

Swift House Inn (SHI)

Anaïs in Love

Narrative, 98m

American Flatbread Middlebury Hearth

Passholders Only, Please

Saturday Night Party

Marble Works, 137 Maple St | Gather outside under the pavilion at American Flatbread for the always vibrant Festival Saturday party with great food, beverages, and music from O’hAnleigh.


Sunday, 8/28

Coffee with MNFF8 Filmmakers

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

24 Merchants Row | Come share stimulating conversation and fresh coffee and bagels as a lively group of MNFF8 filmmakers discuss their work – its pleasures and challenges. MNFF Artistic Director Jay Craven leads an informal exchange that invites candid responses on questions of production, casting, funding, distribution, festivals, touring and the bottom line.

Town Hall Theater (THT)

A Better Half

Narrative, 19m



The Eternal Flame

Documentary, 96m

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

VT Emerging Filmmakers Showcase

Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)

Global Shorts Showcase II

Voices and Locks

Narrative, 20m

Tricksters

Narrative, 25m

The Peach

Narrative, 19m

Vlada Goes to London

Narrative, 22m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

Take Shelter

Narrative, 121m

Honoree Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Tyler Davidson

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

Following the screening of his iconic film Take Shelter, starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, producer Tyler Davidson talks about how this remarkable film came together at a formative point in his career.



Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Superheroes Wear Hoodies

Documentary, 10m

Listen Up!

Narrative, 90m



Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)

Finding Dad

Narrative, 30m

Nightingales in Berlin

Documentary, 52m



Town Hall Theater (THT)

A Stage of Twilight

Narrative, 107m

Returning Honoree Screening and On-Stage Conversation with Karen Allen

Moderated by MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven

Following the screening of A Stage of Twilight, Returning Honoree Karen Allen, the film’s star, and the film’s director/writer/producer Sarah T. Schwab take the stage to discuss this long-in-the-making new work from Ms. Schwab.

Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)

Hit the Road

Narrative, 93m

Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)

Jockey

Narrative, 94m

Town Hall Theater (THT)

FREE & OPEN TO ALL

6:15pm

Doors Open

6:30pm

Closing Ceremony: The VTeddy Awards

Join us for the joyful presentation of the coveted VTeddy Awards, celebrating Festival Award and Prize winner and our splendid Honorees. Following the Ceremony, stay for the Festival’s Closing Night documentary film, The Real Charlie Chaplin, and a Q&A with MNFF Artistic Director Jay Craven.

7:30pm

The Real Charlie Chaplin

Narrative, 114m

Concluding Comments from MNFF Artistic Director, Jay Craven