Film Fest Announces NH Night Award Winners

UPDATE, 10:30 P.M.: Following the screening of "Certainty," the New Hampshire Night award winners were announced. They were "In Danger of Being Discovered" for New Hampshire Documentary of the Year; Brett Wiese Saunders for New Hampshire Filmmaker of the Year for his film "Slipping: Skate's Impact on Egypt"; "Rocketship" for New Hampshire Film of the Year; and Jace McLean for New Hampshire Best Performance of the Year for his performance in the film "3 Days of Normal."

UPDATE, 8 P.M.: Mike O'Malley was just honored with the Van McLeod Award prior to the screening of his film, "Certainty."

The award is named for Van McLeod, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources, and honors an individual "who has made a significant career contribution to the film industry, especially in the state of New Hampshire."

UPDATE, 4:30 P.M.: Be sure to check out "In Danger of Being Discovered." Screening at 4:50 p.m. at The Music Hall, the documentary focuses on the Seacoast New Hampshire music scene of the mid-'90s. I saw it at last year's festival, and it's a must-see for anyone who grew up or has lived in this area for any length of time.

UPDATE, 4 P.M.: Just got out of the press conference with Mike O'Malley, whose film, "Certainty," screens tonight at 8:10 p.m. at The Music Hall. O'Malley both wrote and served as a producer for the film, about a Catholic couple that has to participate in a "Pre Cana" retreat before getting married.

The film is a comedy-drama, according to O'Malley. It's not a straight drama, he joked, "because no one dies... I don't think."

The Nashua native and Bishop Guertin and University of New Hampshire graduate said the film has already been picked up and will be coming out in November. But he's happy for the opportunity to return home to screen his movie.

"It feels really great – full circle," the "Glee" and "Yes Dear" star said. "It's exciting to know it's been sold to a distributor and to be able to announce some of those things."

After all, his first post-UNH acting job was at Prescott Park.

O'Malley said his film is set in Providence, R.I., but the vernacular and the way the characters interact will be familiar to anyone who lives in New Hampshire or elsewhere in New England.

"It's just a movie about real people, what they're going through," he said.

O'Malley said his parents and his sister, who still live in Nashua, will be attending tonight's screening.

UPDATE, 2:50 P.M.: Another terrific documentary with New Hampshire ties, this one focusing on openly gay New Hampshire Episcopalian Bishop Eugene Robinson, once called "the most controversial Christian in the world."

"Love Free or Die" was a touching portrayal of Robinson and the struggles he has faced, including death threats and scorn from members of his own church.

Would have liked to have seen the whole film, but I had to duck out early for Nashua native and "Glee" star Mike O'Malley's press conference at 3 p.m.

"Love Free or Die" will be shown again on Sunday at 4:40 p.m. at the Moffatt-Ladd House.

UPDATE, 1:30 P.M.: Just took in a fascinating documentary, "The World According to Irving," about Exeter native/author John Irving. It featured Irving speaking about his writing process while he exercised and made pizza, and also interviews with many of the various people from around the world who he has interviewed during research for his books.

The film also featured footage of the Phillips Exeter Academy wrestling team, and lobsters at Cape Porpoise in Maine. A terrific look at how one of America's great writers goes about writing his novels.

Unfortunately, Thursday was the only showing here at the New Hampshire Film Festival, so if you missed it you'll have to look for it elsewhere.

11:45 a.m.: We're here at the New Hampshire Film Festival. Looking forward to a day full of New Hampshire films!