Enter the FilmShift

On February 27, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

The Somerville Theater, will host screenings of the films beginning in October.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Evidence
of Boston's film consciousness has been visible on the evening news
with local industry shoots of big-name stars at the height of their
game. The community also bands together to celebrate the medium with a
local film festival-FilmShift-organized by Jeremy Hammel, who works
hard to generate the support of theatre-goers and the participation of
camera-ready artists. Prizes include cash prizes and professional
software that will enable more projects for the recipient down the line.

For
those who are not able to realize their project visually at their
moment, there's also a screenplay competition. This element of the
FilmShift Festival invites newcomers to the craft of writing movie
scripts. So before you take that trip to L.A for a reading, see what
the festival thinks of you effort at this junction.

The entry
fee for both contests, film and screenplay, are the same-a mere 30
dollars; so for that price you can test your cinematic mettle against
the competition that will surely emerge prior to the Festival date,
October 2nd through the 10th. The film competition does contain one
stipulation, mainly that the production had used small or Green
businesses, which isn't hard to do since its rare for an independent
production to possess corporate sponsorship. In addition to the
charities, this priority is one of the virtuous catches of Jeremy
Hammel's endeavor.

Twenty percent of ticket sales and donations
will got to Christopher's Haven and the Metrowest Family Theatre. The
Haven provides housing and a network for children receiving cancer
treatment at Mass General Hospital. The Metrowest Family Theatre
features Broadway musicals for youths and their families. If you'd like
to donate or get the official word on Hammel's Festival, FilmShift.org
is a good place to start.

So in the beginning of October, the
Somerville Theater, Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Performing Arts
Connection will host screenings of the films. "The more professional
you can present something, the easier it can be reached," says Hammel.
"The reason why I think this is a good thing for Boston is to get
different filmmaker perspectives."

Hammel is an award-winning
filmmaker who has worn many hats in the business-from music videos to
television's E.R. His latest production credit is The Legacy, where a
young child thinks that his dad might be a superhero, a twist on the
old Fantasy Island television episode. In regards to this October, if
you have something in the way of the Fantastic or gritty realist fare,
harness that inspiration and your future with an entry into FilmShift's
Festival. It has has been 15 years in the business for Hammel and the
festival is just his way of bringing others along for the ride.