At the Stephen Colbert fundraiser Dec. 2, 2011. Photo: Andy Foster
When Bob Feinberg first floated the idea of a major film festival in Montclair, he envisioned it happening in November, 2011. That plan was scuttled last winter. Now the real dates have been announced, May 2-6, 2012, and the film fest is running at full speed to hit those dates.
Quarterbacking the new effort will be a husband-and-wife team now based in Manhattan, but flirting with the idea of a move to Montclair. Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers run DOCNYC, a New York-based documentary film festival, and they’re the hosts of the ongoing Stranger Than Fiction film series in New York City. In addition, Powers is the documentary programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival.
To distinguish this film festival and give it its own special niche in the festival world, Powers and Neihausen are planning a comedy film competition. “We think with the real depth of comedy talent in Montclair, this makes a unique fit,” Powers said in telephone interview last week.
The festival’s submission process should be posted on its website in January. Other details are also in the works. In addition to the final schedule — which won’t be listed until around April — venues are being negotiated and prices being discussed. The film festival is currently looking for its defining image with a poster contest (Jan. 15 deadline). And the requisite cast of celebrities has not yet been corralled — but Powers is hoping to tap into some of the magic that happened at the Wellmont on Dec. 2 when Stephen Colbert took the stage for an interview with Jonathan Alter.
“The Colbert event is a good example of a model we want to follow,” Powers says. “To give the audience unique access to the artists they love.”
Since its inception, the film festival has worked to keep the community involved, with events ranging from Church Street outdoor movie screenings to KidzShortz, a short-film competition for kids co-sponsored by Barista Kids. (Prizes will be awarded Jan. 12). And there’s a big push to get more founding members locked in before the end of the year.
Whether Montclair will ever reach Sundance status remains to be seen. But local movie lovers, don’t book any trips for the first week of May. It’s all going to be happening right here.
That’s a nice interior shot of the Wellmont!! Great to have such a wonderful venue in our town!
Except when looking for parking when you want to eat on the avenue.
Actually, I prefer to eat in a restaurant.