Film Festival Returns to New Haven

2014 New Haven International Film Festival Opens Its Doors With Thought Provoking Films And An Independent Point Of View!

March 28th & 29th Downtown New Haven

More than 100 films, 16 workshops, a Keynote and 2 huge parties will illuminate the movie screens and lecture halls of downtown New Haven on Friday and Saturday, March 28 & 29. Six premiere blockbuster independent feature films and a block of premiere shorts will be featured Friday and Saturday evenings at The Co-Op Arts & Humanities High School, ACES Educational Center for the Arts High School and Gateway Community College.

Both nights will culminate with Premiere After Parties at 45 Church Street, a 1906 Bank Building reminiscent of Fort Knox, at the corner of Church and Crown Streets in the heart of downtown New Haven.

The inaugural annual film festival brings a diverse mix of films, some with sheer entertainment value, and also others with a broader reach, broaching some of today's most sensitive topics. Problems with today's educational systems, social justice and human rights, the environment and politics as usual are the tip of the iceberg. Sharing serious topics, narrative dramas or even comedy through the art of film and visual storytelling helps us look at the world through a different lens. The thought provoking and progressive approach to even the most light-hearted subjects will inspire viewers for days, weeks or even years to come.

The festival also features Wilton resident and world famous jazz musician and percussionist Arthur Lipner, who is having the world premiere of his documentary "Talking Sticks" on March 29th. Lipner's documentary was an official selection for this famous festival. The documentary took 10+ years to create and is a journey in percussion. Lipner is one of the leading vibes and marimba voices of today's music, and he is one of the few musicians carrying the message of jazz mallets into the 21st Century. He has performed with hundreds of famous bands/musicians and traveled around the world.

Talking Sticks Focus Vibes and marimba are the focus of Talking Sticks, an extraordinary and compelling film about creativity, culture and connection. Leading percussionist Arthur Lipner's personal musical experiences and search for fulfillment bring us to Ghana, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, a Mexico marimba factory, an ice xylophone in Norway and more. Includes instrument history, manufacturing by numerous artisans, and glimpses of the critical role of music in different cultures. Grammy-winning vibes player Gary Burton, ice musician Terje Isungset (in an igloo!) and others discuss percussion and music in their lives throughout Talking Sticks. The film Talking Sticks brings performances, education and unusual locations together during this visually and musically inspiring all-ages documentary. Talking Sticks outreach partnerships have been set up with The Mexican Consulate in New York City, a music conservatory for underprivileged children in Sao Paulo, and The Dagara Music Centre in Medie, Ghana.

Click here to view a trailer of Talking Sticks.

Click here to visit the festival's information page.

Click here to download the festival's full schedule.