BLUECANOE SUPPPORTS NHFX AS THIS YEAR'S PRESENTING SPONSOR

09.29.05
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Bluecanoe has signed on as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2005 New Hampshire Film Expo, festival organizers announced today. Bluecanoe is the fresh new retail concept recently introduced to New England by Irving Oil, featuring gourmet-style coffees and on-site bakeries and delis.

“We are thrilled to have Bluecanoe as this year’s primary underwriter,” said Nicole Gregg, NHFX’s Director of Development. “The support is instrumental in allowing us to fulfill the promise of what this film festival represents.”

NHFX brings together filmmakers with industry experts, educators, and movie-goers from around the nation for an interactive weekend of screening undiscovered films, attending educational seminars and industry networking in Portsmouth.

“The 2005 NHFX has a thriving, entrepreneurial spirit, helping to build new and exciting business and cultural communities in the state,” said Michelle Firmbach, Irving's spokesperson for U.S. Operations. “The festival also has a strong educational focus. All of these ideals are very much a part of our culture here at Irving. We are pleased to offer our enthusiastic support by underwriting the film expo, now in its second year here in Portsmouth.”

Held from Oct. 14 – 16 at several locations in Portsmouth, and celebrating its 5th year in promoting independent film, NHFX is building momentum among filmgoers and filmmakers since its debut. This year’s festival promises to be more ambitious and larger in scope than in any other year. More than 50 films will be shown during the two-day festival.

The NHFX film schedule offers films in every genre. Whether your interest is in horror, drama, comedy, or a poignant look at reality through the modern day documentary, NHFX has something for everyone.

“For example, our hopes are that a couple of horror fans will come out to see the film Half Dead and then stick around for Toll, an animated short from the Portsmouth-based Hatchling Studios,” said NHFX Communications Director Dan Hannon. “So much quality work is being done here in the state of New Hampshire we hope to make people aware of it.”

On Friday, Oct. 14, the festival begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Music Hall in Portsmouth with a night devoted to New Hampshire filmmakers. The slate of films includes documentaries, short films and a feature. That schedule includes: Murals: Romancing the Violence (Concord), and Tunde (Portsmouth). The short films are: Behind the Hypothetical Scenes (Dover); Toll (Portsmouth); S. Katz. V.P. (Rochester); Vendetta (Manchester) and The Listeners (Rollinsford). The feature film is The Present, produced in Meredith.

On Saturday, there will be an audience participation panel, “Filmmaking in New Hampshire.” This roundtable will feature the writer/director team of the upcoming feature Live Free Or Die, starring Zooey Deschanel and Michael Rapaport, and the production team of the soon-to-start-filming The Sensation of Sight set to star David Strathairn, most recently of George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck, and LOST’s Ian Somerhalder among others. Both of these films are NH-based productions.

The festival concludes on Sunday with more exceptional films. Visit www.nhfx.com to view the 2005 NHFX schedule, list of films and information on all other events.

“We hope everyone in the Seacoast area and throughout New Hampshire and nearby Maine and Massachusetts will take opportunity to see its many astonishing films, attend the seminars and classes, and enjoy the wonderful, welcoming atmosphere of the City of Portsmouth,” said Firmbach. “Irving and Bluecanoe wishes NHFX great success this year and for many years to come.”

Tickets are available through the Music Hall box office in person at 28 Chestnut Street or by phone at (603) 436-2400.