MANCHESTER, NH – The Live Free or Die Film Festival is coming to Manchester Aug. 12 & 13 at the Palace Theatre – two days of indie film festivities and awards, to satisfy even the most insatiable cinephile.
Why a film fest in the Queen City, you ask?
Well, the Live Free or Die Film Festival is exactly what this city needs, according to organizers Dorothea Daniel, Festival Director, and Robert Daniel, Founder and Executive Producer, a husband and wife team who also run Glass & Gear photographic rentals in Manchester.
It’s an idea that has been rolling around for quite some time, finally coming to fruition, says Dorothea Daniel.
“Robert and I have been talking about producing a film festival for Manchester for about 5 years now. We both have years of production experience in the LA film Industry so film is something we love,” says Dorothea Daniel.
After working the global film fest scene for many years, the Daniels felt it was time for Manchester to have it’s own festival. In 2015 they started having production meetings, to fine-tune the vision and set the wheels in motion for what will be the first-ever Live Free or Die Film Festival.
“With all of the projects Robert Produces, we had to wait until we had a little breathing room then we jumped on the task and here we are now,” says Dorothea Daniel.
What they’ve planned for is a celebration of the independent spirit of filmmakers, experimental artists and animators, while creating a forum for film projects of all genres, styles and lengths. The two-day festival will feature student films, shorts, indie, and avant-garde submissions.
One of the first screenings on Day 1 of the fest is “The Chain,” produced by Manchester filmmaker Daniel Berube (see video above.)
Based on a story by Tobias Wolff, this thriller focuses on a seemingly innocuous act of revenge which has unexpected and disastrous consequences. Main character Brian Gold’s docile demeanor unravels into blood-thirsty vengeance after his young daughter is attacked by a neighborhood dog while sledding.
Launching a film festival with the idea of making it an annual event is exactly the kind of initiative Matt Newton, Director of the NH Film and Television Office, likes to see.
“New Hampshire has a wonderful slate of film festivals that provide a wide array of eclectic programming, and we’re happy to see another added to the list with the launch of the Live Free or Die Film Festival in Manchester,” said Newton. “As we see the schedule of films take shape, the Film & Television Office is thrilled to see New Hampshire-filmed projects such as ‘The Chain,’ and others, take the spotlight in the Festival’s debut. It will be another great opportunity to showcase the creativity that is happening in the Granite State.”
General admission tickets are available here via the Palace Theatre website: Day Pass Friday for admission to all Friday screenings:$25. Day Pass Saturday for all Saturday screenings = $25; 2-Day Pass for admission to all Friday and Saturday screenings: $40.
More information here via Live Free or Die Film Festival on Facebook.
Film Schedule:
Movie screenings begin at 12 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Please call the box office at 603-668-5588 with any questions regarding times and schedules.
FRIDAY Aug. 12: DAY 1
12 p.m. SCREENING START BLOCK 1
1. anexperimentalviralvlog – the movie remix # !
Origin: Portugal
2. The Chain
Origin: NH
3. Primary Colors
Origin: NH
4. Seeds of Delirium
Origin: NH
5. My Story
Origin: NH
6. The Long March
Origin: Austria
2:50 – 3 p.m. INTERMISSION
3 p.m. SCREENING START BLOCK 2
7. Faux Leather
Origin: NH
8. River
Origin: NY
9. Dear In The Headlights
Origin: NH
10. Truth Cocktail
Origin: NH/MA
5:30-8 p.m. BREAK
8 p.m. SCREENING START BLOCK 3
11. Irreversible
Origin: NH
12. Flow
Origin: Spain
SATURDAY: DAY 2
12 p.m. SCREENING START BLOCK 1
1. A Beacon in Havana
Origin: NH/CA
2. This Time It’s Shopping
Origin: ME
3. The Chicken Farmer
Origin: NH/MD
4. CIT
Origin: NH/NJ
5. Sabra
Origin: NH/VT
2:30-2:40 p.m. INTERMISSION
2:40 p.m. SCREENING START BLOCK 2
6. Zephyr
Origin: NH/VT
7. Calling in Demons
Origin: MA
8. Schlaflahmung
Origin: NH/FL
9. HEAD
Origin: CT
5:30-8 p.m. BREAK
8 p.m. SCREENING START BLOCK 3
10. Silver Skies
Origin: NH/CA
