CTFF - News

Connecticut Film Festival Is On This Weekend

2011-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Connecticut Film Festival Is On This Weekend
Look what Film Festival Today said about last night!

2011-03-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Connecticut Film Festival Welcomes Thomas Hooker Beer. Help us get hooked on opening night when Governor Dannel Patrick Malloy helps kick off the 2011 Danbury festival at the Welcome Reception at The Palace Theatre at 6:15pm!

The Third & The Seventh

2010-01-08T04:09:00.000-08:00

You'll never think about nature and architecture the same way again. They are one in the same! Check out this piece by Alex Roman, it's amazing.

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

"Invictus" by William Ernest Henley

2009-12-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

"Invictus" is a short poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley. The title is Latin for "unconquered"

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Rebecca Miller & "The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee"

2009-11-15T18:48:00.000-08:00

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE
About The Production

“To be perfectly honest, I’ve had enough of being an enigma. I want to be known.”
-- Pippa Lee

FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: WRITING THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE is the story of one woman’s journey of self-discovery. For author and filmmaker, Rebecca Miller, that journey started nearly ten years ago.

“Pippa Lee began as a novel,” explains Miller, whose book was published to critical acclaim by Canongate in the UK last year. By turns humorous and emotionally exacting, it follows the inner-journey of an aging suburban housewife confronting the buried memories of her past while maintaining a tenuous grip on the seemingly idyllic world she has built for herself as an adult.

“It’s about a woman who you think you know when you meet her,” says Miller of her enigmatic protagonist. “Of course, you find out that she’s had a very different life than you’d ever expect, that she has a past. Gradually, you come to understand her, know her, and maybe even love her through understanding that past.”

The genesis of Miller’s novel came in 2000, following a reunion with a friend she hadn’t seen in twenty years, an irrepressible young woman who had since become a responsible wife and mother. “I started thinking about how that happens, how somebody’s identity mutates in that way, and whether or not you really ever change,” says Miller. “That was the fundamental seed of it.”

Miller, the daughter of playwright Arthur Miller, would first go on to adapt the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winner PERSONAL VELOCITY (based on her short story collection of the same name) and write and direct THE BALLAD OF JACK AND ROSE starring her husband, Daniel Day-Lewis, before turning her attention back to her unconventional heroine, Pippa Lee, in 2005. While finishing the final rewrites on the novel, she began working on the film’s screenplay.

She describes the screenwriting process as a “reinvention” of her novel, rather than an adaptation in the purest sense. “There was so much in the well that I wanted to keep going,” says Miller, who continued working on the script through multiple drafts for just over a year. “I wanted to see it in a different dimension. I wanted to give it to actors and see what they could do with it.”

“For me, it’s just a deeper and deeper search into the same terrain,” she explains. “The form of it is not the same. In some small ways, the plot isn’t the same. Even the characters in ways are not the same because of the actors’ interpretations. From the beginning, I knew that I didn’t need to be enslaved to the book because I’d already written it. I had the freedom to explore. ”

"The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee" Synopsis

2009-11-15T18:42:00.000-08:00

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE
Synopsis

From all outward appearances, Pippa Lee (ROBIN WRIGHT PENN) leads a charmed existence. She is the devoted wife of an accomplished publisher (ALAN ARKIN) thirty years her senior, the proud mother of two grown children, and a trusted friend and confidant to all who cross her path. But as Pippa dutifully follows her husband to a new life in a staid Connecticut retirement community, her idyllic world and the persona she has built over the course of her marriage will be put to the ultimate test.

In truth, looks are deceiving, and this picture-perfect woman has seen more than her fair share of turmoil in her youth. Embarking on a bittersweet journey of self-discovery, accompanied by a new, strange and soulful acquaintance (KEANU REEVES), Pippa must now confront both her volatile past and the hidden resentment of her seemingly perfect life in order to find her true sense of self.

By turns wry, humorous, and moving, THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE presents the complex portrait of the many lives behind a single name.

Golden Globe nominee Robin Wright Penn and Academy Award® winner, Alan Arkin head an all-star cast that includes Blake Lively as the young Pippa Lee, Maria Bello as her mother, Suky Sarkissian, Keanu Reeves as Pippa’s inscrutable neighbor, Chris Nadeau, Monica Bellucci as the socialite Gigi Lee, triple Academy Award® nominee Julianne Moore as the freewheeling Kat, Academy Award® nominee and Golden Globe winner Winona Ryder as Pippa’s trusted friend, Sandra Dulles, Mike Binder as novelist Sam Shapiro and rising stars Zoe Kazan and Ryan as Grace and Ben Lee, Pippa’s young adult children.

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE is adapted from writer-director Rebecca Miller’s novel of the same name. It is produced by Lemore Syvan from Elevation Filmworks, and Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner from Plan B Entertainment. Executive producers are Winchester Capital, Jean-Luc De Fanti, and The Salt Company partners, Cyril Mégret, Robert Bevan and Samantha Horley.

CTFF Presents: "The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee" CT Premiere & Pre Theatrical Screening

2009-11-15T17:11:00.001-08:00

The Connecticut Film Festival Proudly Presents The
Connecticut Premiere &
Nationwide Pre Theatrical Release of
"The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee"

Saturday, November 21st at
The Palace Theater
165 Main Street, Danbury CT.
Welcome Cocktail Reception 6:30pm,
PLPL Film Screening 7:30pm and
After Party At Two Steps Downtown Grille immediately following the film.
Tickets for reception, film and party $10.
Buy Ticket Now
Also, a limited number of tickets may be available evening of at The Palace

Joey “Pants” Pantoliano presents "No Kidding, Me Too"!

2009-05-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

"No Kidding, Me Too"! is a film that will take the viewer into a world that most no nothing about. It’s purpose is to remove the stigma attached to brain dis-ease through education and the breaking down of societal barriers. The goal is to empower those with brain dis-ease to admit their illness, seek treatment, and become even greater members of society. Those suffering from brain dis-eases including anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, pyromania, kleptomania, compulsive gambling, addictions, paranoia, multiple personality disorder, gender identity disorder, Down's syndrome, psychosomatic disorder, tic disorders, and others. CTFF will present a special fundraiser event: to benefit: Interlude, Danbury Catholic Charities and NKM2 at The Palace Theater, 165 Main Street, Danbury Pre Screening Meet & Greet Party & Film 6:30pm, just the film screening - Tickets still available

James V. Hart To Receive Award

2009-05-22T02:59:00.000-07:00

Hollywood screenwriter James V. Hart will be receiving an achievement award in Danbury. Each year the Connecticut Film Festival pays special tribute to the visual story-tellers of the filmmaking creative community. The new “Inspiration Awards” celebrate the filmmakers that are most representative for The Connecticut Film Festival vision and philosophy. Each year, we’ll have an emphasis on a different aspect of filmmaking, honoring artist that make daring and compassionate films, works that are defined by great cinematic quality that have a powerful vision and entertain. In 2009, CTFF and WGAE have joined hands to celebrate the accomplishments of one individual by presenting the “Screenwriting Inspiration Award” to James V. Hart, a writer that always mixes fantasy, compassion and great ideals in his highly entertaining stories. James has entertained all of us with the likes of such delightful and intriguing stories as: August Rush, Contact and Hook to name just a few. Thursday, June 4 is his time to be entertained and honored by the industry when our hats go off to James V. Hart.

CTFF Partners With FIM

2009-05-06T07:31:00.001-07:00

The Connecticut Film Festival has joined forces with FIM (Film Industry Mixer), a gathering of Northeastern US filmmakers and associated industry professionals on Saturday, June 6th at the Holiday Inn on Rte 6 in Danbury CT. This event begins at 6:30pm and runs through 1am. There will be numerous panelists and professionals mixing it up until the wee hours of the morning. For more information and tickets visit: http://filmindustrymixer.com/

"Hollywood Chainsaw Blogger" reporter Eugene Driscoll

2008-05-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

"News-Times Danbury reporter Eugene Driscoll launched "Hollywood Chainsaw Blogger," a blog dedicated to all coverage of the CT Film Festival. Read reviews, watch videos and see clips from the movies. Go to "Hollywood Chainsaw Blogger"

Arthur Lipner to perform at the Friday night VIP Party

2008-05-15T13:05:00.001-07:00

International Recording Artist, Arthur Lipner to perform at the Friday night VIP Party sponsord by Bailey and Beatty Financial Services. Arthur Lipner is one of the top vibes/marimba voices in music today. His live performances and recorded projects convey an exuberant drive of creativity and depth. Known worldwide as an innovator in the field of mallet percussion, his travels around the globe as a jazz musician and percussionist have delighted audiences and critics everywhere. Of a recent in Canada, the Chronicle Herald (Nova Scotia) wrote, “Lipner belongs to that rare category of master player that includes Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson...who packs his improvisations with cascades and fountains of notes...” Arthur is currently finishing a documentary called TALKING STICKS which explores the cultural aspects of his global percussion travels.

DACS comes to the rescue

2008-05-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

The Danbury Area Computer Society comes to the rescue for The Connecticut Film Festival. Thanks to the generosity and IT genius of DACS founding member; Charles Bovaird, the festival was able to get their new online ticketing system and printers up online and running. The Danbury Area Computer Society (DACS) welcomes all those interested in computers and computing. Our members include novices, intermediates and experts interested in learning and sharing knowledge. DACS offers the "how to" on topics as varied as e-mailing, learning what's inside a computer, home and business networking, website design and construction, and programming in several computer languages. Our monthly newsletter, DACS.DOC, has won numerous awards for its informative articles. DACS general meetings, on the first Tuesday of the month, include a general question and answer session plus a presentation by experts from industry, area businesses and members on timely topics. General meetings offer the opportunity to find solutions to problems and learn about the newest and latest in computer technology. Everyone is welcome. Throughout the month DACS members meet in Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that concentrate on specific topics ranging from programming to how to get the most from Windows or your Macintosh. See our website www.dacs.org for more information.

City Center Danbury Box Office

2008-05-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

City Center’s Director; Andrea Gartner, has graciously lent their space for use as the festival’s primary Box Office. City Center is located at 186 Main Street in the center (of course) of down town Danbury at the corner of West Street across the street from the Danbury Public Library.

Catering The Parties

2008-05-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Michael Bick’s “Some Things Fishy” Catering is bring top notch cuisine to Tuesday May 20, Opening Night Party, Friday May 23, VIP Party at Tarrywile Mansion and Saturday’s Industry Bash at The Palace Theater. Michael has catered for some of the biggest and swankiest events in the Tri-Sate area and the Connecticut Film Festival is extremely pleased that he has the time to make our CTFF parties a priority on what is traditionally a very busy time of year for caterers.

Party Production Partners

2008-05-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

Lisa Scails, Director of The Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance has teamed up with designers Carter Boyajian from the Sculpture Barn in New Fairfield and owner of the performance arts and design firm Just Carter with Peter Casstelucci; lighting and sound engineer of Trillian. Together, the three are organizing a visual and cullianary extravaganza for the Tuesday, May 20th Opening Night and Saturday, May 24th Saturday Night after party at the Palace Theater, downtown Danbury. Additionally, they will be tending their talents to an exciting display at the Sunday Awards Brunch and Ceremony being held at 10am at the Amber Room in Danbury. Tickets to all three events are expected to sell fast!