ArtsFest Film Festival

Grab your popcorn! The two-day ArtsFest Film Festival will be a celebration of local and international films, combining captivating film segments and insightful panel discussions with industry professionals including Director Malcom D. Lee (The Best Man), actress Monique Gabriela Curnen (Power Book II and IV), actor Frank Harts (A Raisin in the Sun), writer and director Candice Sanchez McFarlane and more.

Festival Director Delano Allen says “I am so thrilled for this event. The lineup of films is  truly breathtaking, and each story is told in its own unique way.” (See a preview trail  er at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuX6sCmtpTg

Allen says the Film Festival was created as part of ArtsFest “ to offer an environment for creatives to feel inspired and appreciated.” A graduate of New Rochelle High School, Allen adds “ I don’t believe you should have to leave your hometown to experience the arts. This is more than a film festival, it’s an opportunity to build community.”

The ArtsFest Film Festival will take place Saturday, October 18  from 1:30 to 6:30 pm  and Sunday, October 19 from 2 pm to 7 pm at The Picture House (175 Wolf’s Lane, Pelham; 914-738-7337; www.thepicturehouse.org) Tickets cost $10 for the day or $15 for both days from https://newrochellearts.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/newrochellearts/eventRegistration.jsp?event=12&  

On Saturday the schedule begins with the screening of 11 short films between 1:30 and 3 pm, followed by a panel discussion “Working in Television” (3:10 pm – 4:10 pm) with Maria Clinton, Joe Holt, Paton Ashbrook, and Erin Hicks, hosted by Monique Gabriela Curnen. The Feature Screening “Our Journey to Pride”, directed by Benjamin Thomas Scarsbrook, will take place at 4:15 pm. Then the day wraps up with “Film Noir,” a final segment featuring 10 short films.

On Sunday the day starts with Special Screenings from 2 pm to 2:50 pm — four short features that include Be True to Your School (Dir. Frank Harts),  Sabrina’s Town (Dir. By the late Aaron Davis), Feelin’ It (Dir.  Delano Allen) and Morningside Prep (Dir. Malcolm D. Lee). A panel discussion at 3 pm “Directing in Film” will feature Malcom D. Lee, hosted by Frank Harts. Seven short films will be shown from 4:05 to 5:05, followed by another panel discussion  “Writing & Producing for Television” (5:10 pm – 6:10 pm) featuring Candice Sanchez McFarlane, hosted by Michele Prettyman. Five more short films will be screened at 6:15 pm, followed by Film Festival Awards and closing remarks.

ArtsFest is organized by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts. The mission of NRCA (founded in 1975) is to encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts. The complete ArtsFest calendar can be downloaded from the  NRCA website at www.newrochellearts.org.

Sponsors for this year’s ArtsFest include Golden 50 Year Grand Sponsor Cappelli Organization and LRC Construction, ArtsWestchester, The Gwendolyn Appleyard Trust Fund for New Rochelle Charities,  New Rochelle CLD,  Montefiore New Rochelle, Town House Kitchen + Drinks, Alvin & Friends, Orange Bank and Tecas Tacos,  plus in-kind donors The Dining Lab at Monroe University, AJ’s Burgers, The Picture House, the New Rochelle Public Library, The Atelier,  and Hotel NoMa. The New Rochelle Council on the Arts is proud to be a grantee of ArtsWestchester with funding made possible by Westchester County government with the support of County Executive Ken Jenkins.