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)
Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)
Global Shorts Showcase I
Twilight Hall (TWI)
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.
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)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
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)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
Town Hall Theater (THT)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
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)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
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)
Swift House Inn (SHI)
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)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
Town Hall Theater (THT)
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)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
Town Hall Theater (THT)
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)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
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)
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)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
Swift House Inn (SHI)
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)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
Town Hall Theater (THT)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
Town Hall Theater (THT)
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)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
Twilight Hall (TWI)
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)
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)
Dana Auditorium (DAN)
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)
Swift House Inn (SHI)
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)
Marquis Theatre Main Screen (MQM)
VT Emerging Filmmakers Showcase
Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)
Global Shorts Showcase II
Town Hall Theater (THT)
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)
Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)
Town Hall Theater (THT)
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)
Marquis Theatre Screening Room (MQS)
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.
