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Documentaries Dominate the 4th Annual Kent Film Festival: March 26 - 29
Kent Film Festival founders Patrice and Frank Galterio
Four years ago, without any experience or a business plan, Frank and Patrice Galterio decided to create a film festival in Kent, CT. They envisioned an event that would attract international talent yet remain authentic, accessible and community-minded. “Everyone walks down the same red carpet here,” says Frank, speaking metaphorically. “We’re keeping this for real independent filmmakers, a venue for people who want and need their work to be seen.” Patrice nods her head in agreement and adds emphatically: “It’s never going to be the Hamptons.”
Since last year’s Kent Film Festival, the Galterios have screened some 280 fillms and selected 14 features and dozens of shorts, which will be screened from Thursday, March 26, to Sunday, March 29. “Everything shown Thursday will be show again over the weekend,” he says. This year, the festival has 18 documentaries, which is more than ever, and many address heavy-duty issues such as Sam Bozzo’s Blue Gold: World Water Wars and 21-year-old Danny Mendoza’s Familiar Voices about the genocide in Darfur. “That we have so many documentaries is a reflection of society today,” says Frank. “People have very serious concerns.”
The documentaries that Patrice is most excited about deal with another sort of life and death issues. “My personal favorite is Airplay: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio by Chris Fox Gilson,” she says. “If you remember deejays like Cousin Brucie, Scott Muni and Alison Steele, you’ll like this movie. I also really like I Need That Record [by Brendan Toller], which explains why independent record stores are disappearing.” Both Galterios are excited that filmmaker Cass Warner , the granddaughter of legendary studio boss Harry Warner, will conduct a Q&A after the screening of her documentary, The Brothers Warner (preview it below.)
Education as well as entertainment is the goal of the Kent Film Festival, and there are three workshops on Saturday and ten post-screening Q&As with filmmakers. “We’d like to have a school someday, and operate year round,” says Frank, who hopes that he is helping the town live up to its slogan: Kent, the Cultural Heart of the Litchfield Hills. But the most important part is bringing together movie makers and audiences who might not otherwise connect. “We like to think of it as an art gallery for movies,” says Frank.
Kent Film Festival - March 26 -29
3 Kent Green Blvd, Kent, CT; 203.681.5929
Single tickets $8
Full-day pass $35
Weekend pass $195 (includes all workshops)
Aficionado pass $250 (includes workshops, parties and priority seating)
