Your Very Own Recession Buster

Whether we're in an official recession or not, it sure feels that way to many people. When stocks and housing prices were flying and no one marched in the streets over fiscal irresponsibility, the world had far better employment numbers and the thought of travel wasn't as daunting. But we live in a different era now, and if you want one of the most reasonably priced and interesting entertainment values on the planet, hold onto your seat, because New Hope Film Festival is about to begin!

Whether you love a thrilling drama or a film inspired by classic poets such as Yeats or Frost, it will all be in New Hope, Pennsylvania from July 8-17. Filmmakers are flying here from Singapore, Brazil, the UK, Ireland, Canada and across the United States. If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region, you can experience the sights and sounds of the world right here—many of our films are world and U.S. premieres—and do so for a small fraction of the cost of international travel.

Our full lineup of 89 films from 21 countries is available on Slated.com's online program guide, where you can watch trailers, post reviews, create calendars, tweet and so much more. And tomorrow, the printed guide will be distributed to over 200,000 subscribers to The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times.

This dynamic, eclectic festival continues to grow; come join us!

Sisir Sahana Gains National Recognition in India

India's leading newspaper, The Times of India, ran a probing interview with NHFF award-winning filmmaker Sisir Sahana on the Edit page of every edition nationwide on March 11, 2011. You can read the breakout interview by Ratnottama Sengupta here: Sahana Interview.

Black Field Makes U.S. Theatrical Debut

Sara Canning as Homesteader Maggie McGregor

New Hope Film Festival is proud to announce the U.S. theatrical debut of Black Field. One of NHFF's top award winners in 2010, this film has been specially selected by the festival's directors, including myself, for this event.

The County Theater in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, a cutting-edge and historically significant fixture of life here in Bucks County, will be hosting this special NHFF screening at 7:30 PM on March 21, 2011. Advance tickets will be available on the County Theater website sometime in March.

Expect buzz in the regional press over the coming weeks. 

The Dispensables Nominated for 2011 German Film Critics Award

NHFF's 2010 Danny Award - Best Picture winner, The Dispensables (Die Entbehrlichen), is one of five 2011 German Film Critics nominees for Best Debut Film. The honoree will be announced during this week's uber-prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.

A searing portrayal of a down-and-out family in post-war Germany, The Dispensables stunned our audience at Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theater, and in doing so, the film also captured NHFF's Audience Favorite award in the feature film category. 

New Hope Film Festival's directors are thrilled that underdog helmer Arnstedt is gaining such lofty and mainstream recognition.

Fine Performances by (left to right) Steffi Kuhnert (Silke Weiss), Andre Hennicke (Jurgen Weiss) and Oskar Bokelmann (Jacob Weiss) Mark This Exceptional Indie Debut

Lilly's Thorn Nabs Distribution Contract

Lilly's Thorn has been picked up by Vanguard Cinema. Congratulations to Rocky Yost and his team!

Rocky Yost Signs With Film Marketing Services

Geraldine Lemay as Shopkeeper Lilly Nash

Films hardly get more mainstream Americana than Lilly's Thorn, the Capraesque tale of a shopkeeper's struggle to halt a developer who is bent on ruining a small town. Rocky Yost's feature film played to a crowded Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theater at NHFF's 2010 festival, and now Los Angeles-based producer rep Jon Gursha of Film Marketing Services is busy taking this sparkling film to a much wider audience.

When Police Become Prey Gets Representation

Mainstream newspaper journalist Candis McLean's hard-hitting documentary about two Saskatoon police officers who were railroaded in a Canadian court has landed at Beverly Hills-based Ostrow and Company. When Police Become Prey world premiered at NHFF, where it captured the Audience Favorite - Documentary award, and followed up this strong debut with a screening at LA Femme Film Festival.

One thing is certain about McLean: she's not afraid to challenge the tenets of political correctness, and she does so in the pursuit of justice. When Police Become Prey will be landing on distributors' desks in the coming days.