NH Film Festival Returns Oct 13-16

Portsmouth, NH — The New Hampshire Film Festival is returning to the historic streets of Portsmouth this October — bringing with it nearly 100 films, multiple events, movie premieres and a star-studded cast of filmmakers and celebrities

The 16th annual film festival, which this year takes place Oct 13-16, is one of the most popular and anticipated cultural events in New Hampshire.

Celebrities who’ve already signed up to attend this year’s festival include: John Michael Higgins, whose film and TV credits range from Seinfeld and Arrested Development to Pitch Perfect and Best in Show; ABC’s Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron and longtime TV and Film actress Alicia Witt.

“The 2016 festival program is going to be our most dynamic and prestigious to date, featuring award winning artists as well as cutting edge talent from this year’s festival circuit from Sundance to Cannes and everywhere in between,” said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. “The combination of films, set against downtown Portsmouth during the height of fall foliage, provides an experience unlike anything else and a weekend not to be missed.”

A kickoff party for pass holders and media is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 5-7pm at The Thirsty Moose Tap House at 21 Congress St.

Organizers also recently released new art for the 2016 festival that pays tribute to the true artistic nature of the film festival by illustrating historic downtown Portsmouth through the lens of the NHFF logo.

“After 15 years of great success, we wanted to do something a little different,” said NHFF designer Ali Baxter. “By now, people are familiar with the branding around the festival, so we felt comfortable breaking up the elements of the well-known logo, and thinking back to the roots of the festival — which revolve around the artistic talents and brilliant films that are featured each year. This year’s cover is beautifully stark and incorporates some of the aesthetic characteristics of classic filmmaking through the usage of film grain and fading filters.”

In addition to the festival art, organizers anticipate releasing a commercial in the coming weeks that captures the excitement, energy and creativity of the festival.

Now in its 16th year, NHFF continues its partnerships with several historic and cultural venues for screenings, panels and workshops. Venue’s include The Music Hall, the festival’s main stage theater, as well as The Music Hall Loft, The Moffatt-Ladd House and 3S Artspace.

Festival headquarters will once again be located at the Discover Portsmouth Center, where there will be complimentary meals and refreshments for filmmakers and festival attendees all weekend long. It is also the staging area for press conferences, photo shoots, and interviews throughout the festival, and the location for many of the festival’s panels and workshops.

In addition to the impressive programming, panels and workshops, the festival is also hosting several parties in the city’s finest bars, clubs and restaurants. Another new element of this year’s festival will be a “Virtual Reality Lounge.”

Passes are now on sale! For more information, visit www.nhfilmfestival.com.