The Sanford International Film Festival is an annual event held in Sanford, Maine that specializes in independent film.
| Industry | film-exhibition |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | James Harmon II |
| Headquarters | , United States of America |
| Website | www |
History
editStarted in 2014 by James Harmon II,[1] the first festival was quickly put together to showcase films that were originally scheduled to play the canceled Lewiston Auburn Film Festival.[2][3] After the first festival's success and support from the city,[4] plans were made to continue the festival as an annual event.[5] The festival originally took place in May, but has moved to October in subsequent years.[6]
In 2019, for their sixth year, Brian Boisvert is serving as the festival director.[7]
The festival screenings are typically broken into recurrent categories, including: Horror Friday, Documentary Night, Mixed Genre Day,[8] and SIFF After Hours.[9] The popular Horror Friday section has included popular films with actors in attendance, including: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Gunnar Hansen[10] and Nightbreed with Anne Bobby.[11] The horror series has also included independent films, such as: Blood of the Tribades, Peelers, and In the Dark.[12]
The Tommy Award
editThe Sanford International Film Festival gives out trophies in a number of categories for short films and feature films called Tommy Awards, named for Sanford textile baron Thomas Goodall.[13]
Notable films featured
edit- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre - Tobe Hooper (1974)
- Nightbreed - Clive Barker (1990)
- Sarah's Room - Grant McPhee (2013)
- Bridge and Tunnel - Jason Michael Brescia (2014)
- Fiddlesticks - Veit Helmer (2014)
- The Hanover House - Corey Norman (2014)
- TEN – Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein (2014)
- Magnetic – Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein (2015)
- Truth Cocktail - Chris Goodwin (2016)
- WildLike - Frank Hall Green (2015)
- Blood of the Tribades – Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein (2016)
- Echo Lake - Jody McVeigh-Schultz (2016)
- Folclore - Pedro Anversa, João Segall (2016)
- On the 7th Date - Chris Goodwin (2016)
- Peelers - Sevé Schelenz (2016)
- You See Me - Linda Brown (2016)
- Leon Must Die - Lars Kokemüller (2017)
- (Romance) in the Digital Age - Jason Michael Brescia (2017)
- Sundown - Brendan Boogie (2017)
- Bearkittens - Lars Kokemüller (2018)
- Clickbait – Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein (2018)
References
edit- ^ "An interview with James Harmon II about starting the Sanford International Film Festival".
- ^ "Maine city's film festival to screen 87 movies in 5 days".
- ^ "After Lewiston Auburn Film Festival founder's arrest, filmmakers cancel showings".
- ^ "City's first-ever international film festival produces a hit".
- ^ "Fifth annual Sanford Film Festival takes place this fall".
- ^ "Film festival will return — in October".
- ^ "Sanford International Film Festival names new director".
- ^ "Lights! Cameras! Sanford International Film Festival!".
- ^ "Fifth annual Sanford Film Festival takes place this fall".
- ^ "Hide the chain saws - Leatherface is coming to Sanford".
- ^ "Actress Anne Bobby to highlight 'Horror Night'".
- ^ "Actress Anne Bobby to highlight 'Horror Night'".
- ^ "Thomas Goodall, Sanford".