PRESS RELEASE
The Ballston Spa International Film Festival (BSFF) invites everyone to the 5th annual free festival this Friday and Saturday, August 3-4 in Ballston Spa, NY to celebrate with the filmmakers and judges.
“Hollywood” doesn’t only happen in California! Every year, a piece of Hollywood is celebrated right in downtown Ballston Spa as over 30 films are screened from around the world. Besides the usual entries from California, this year’s festival also features films from Spain, Germany, England, and Russia, as well as films from prominent filmmakers and students right here in the Capital District.
Two of these local films are, in fact, gaining national and international attention! Michael Feurstein, a local filmmaker who produces works ranging from festival-run shorts to national commercials and music videos, is screening his film, How to UnMake a Bully. This film has already earned a Telly Award and several endorsements, and is currently being used in classrooms around the world as an instrumental tool for anti-bullying instruction and awareness. At a time when bullying has been forefront in the media for both children and adults, the BSFF is very excited to be able to bring this special screening to the festival. Feurstein is also known for his cinematics for the Guitar Hero video game series, his acclaimed kids’ webshow, eScapetheseries.com, as well as his work through Proctors Theater to bring media into the curriculum of local schools.
The festival will feature a second special screening of Dan Masucci’s film, DxOne. DxOne focuses on telling the story of a family that lives with Type 1 diabetes. As a generally misunderstood disease, DxOne clarifies the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 through a narrative dramatic film. This is an emotional film that will touch those that have Type 1 in their lives, as well as being a story that anyone can identify with. DxOne is gaining national attention and features actors Nicholas Masucci, Benjamin Busch (Homicide, The Wire, The Beast), and Yvonne Perry (As The World Turns, Law & Order: CI, Silk Stalkings).
In addition to the short film screenings both Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 and 9:00pm, there will also be a presentation of a special family film at 1:30pm on Saturday, 8/4 in the Ballston Spa High School auditorium. This 1986 film follows the adventures of 2 best friends - a cat named Milo and a dog named Otis, as they are propelled on a journey to find one another again after being separated. Narrated by Dudley Moore, this rated G film also has enough fun for parents and grandparents to be able to enjoy alongside their kids. After the film, there will be a led discussion on how music makes movies work. Other weekend events include an open air photo booth, kettle corn, cotton candy, ice cream, trivia, games, after parties, and more!
The films are eligible for prizes in 8 categories and will be judged by a panel of Hollywood professionals. This year’s judges include the people behind such projects as: Silence of the Lambs, Mystic Pizza, The Skeptic, Dorian Blues, Madeleine’s Mind, True Lies, The Age of Innocence, Sundance Film Festival, and Miramax Films. The awards will be presented to the filmmakers at the Saturday evening after-party at The Brickyard Tavern.
The BSFF is a rapidly growing festival that has very quickly earned an international reputation. Catering to both filmmakers and film lovers, the BSFF is excited by the impressive exposure and annual growth each year. The film festival’s mission has always been to provide quality, affordable, family oriented entertainment to the community while also providing professional opportunities for local students with a passion for film and television production. Putting Ballston Spa back on the map for one of “the places to be”, the BSFF is proud to be celebrating its 5th year in the community, and is looking forward to continuing to grow the festival each year.
The festival is free and open to the public. For a complete listing of the films and a schedule of events, as well as more information about the festival and sponsors, go to www.bspafilm.org.
The BSFF is presented by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, a non-profit community organization committed to making the Village of Ballston Spa a better place to live and work, and to bringing quality arts and entertainment events for all ages to the community. Funded in part by the Saratoga Program for Arts Funding (SPAF), part of the Decentralization Program, a regional Program of the NYS Council on the Arts administered by Saratoga Arts. All proceeds go toward future festivals and other community events presented by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association. For more information on events, the 2012 film festival, or sponsorship, go to www.bspafilm.org.
