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PSFN #7 wrap-up; get ready for a spooky screening!

July screening

A little later than usual, but here’s our wrap-up of Portsmouth Short Film Night #7! We were generously hosted at the West End Studio Theatre by New Hampshire Theatre Project, which made for our most cinematic seating ever. And we have to say, we liked it! Audience members also enjoyed tasty snacks provided by the always-supportive Portsmouth Brewery (check out their new website!).

In keeping with our constant experimentation with format (and because we had a backlog of brilliant films to share!) we did something radically different from any of our screenings to date by not holding any Q&As. This let us pack in even more great films, but there were those who missed the chance to hear from and meet the filmmakers – as did we. Not to worry, though, Q&As will be back, and we’re looking forward to introducing you to lots more local filmmakers at the next PSFN! Speaking of which…

The next, spooky PSFN!

As the seasons wind on towards fall, that means that there’s only one PSFN left for the year! We plan to go out with a bang, and we’re excited to announce that Thursday, October 30 at 7pm in Portsmouth Public Media, we’re bringing you a Halloween-themed evening of short films known only as… Portsmouth Short FRIGHT Night!

We already have some excellent submissions picked out, including a great local throwback: a spooky short film shot in Strawbery Banke in the ’70s! Come prepared for an evening of eclectic short films, conversation with the filmmakers, and spooky fun. And, hey, why not come in costume?! Join our Facebook event or sign up to our mailing list to be reminded — don’t miss it! And if you have a spooky or Halloween-related short you’d like to screen at the event, don’t forget to send us your film!

Prescott Park update

Finally, a little bit of sad news: we’re very disappointed to announce that our previously-advertised short film pairings will not be playing at this summer’s Prescott Park Arts Festival after all, as PPAF unexpectedly cancelled our program. We worked hard to make this happen for you, but unfortunately it will not. Maybe next year!

July line-up

And now, without further ado, here’s the low-down on all the films we screened for you at PSFN #7:

Fishhooks
by Lunch and Recess (Charleston, South Carolina)
https://vimeo.com/92512363
The Runners
by Banyak Films (London, United Kingdom)
https://vimeo.com/87169386
Justin Boyd: Sound and Time
by Walley Films (San Antonio, Texas)
https://vimeo.com/78213028
Behind the Move
by Kendy Ty (Paris, France)
https://vimeo.com/74573072
Why We Laugh
by Sam Price-Waldman for The Atlantic (Washington, DC)
https://vimeo.com/97532321
Gumshoe
by Matt Steinauer (Los Angeles, California)
https://vimeo.com/90199254
Stanley Pickle
by Vicky Mather (London, United Kingdom)
https://vimeo.com/28177151
Tumult
by Johnny Barrington (Glasgow, United Kingdom)
Full film not available online, but here’s the trailer:
https://vimeo.com/18812335
Johnny Express
by Alfred Imageworks (Seoul, South Korea)
https://vimeo.com/94502406

See you in October!

Call for Submissions, July Screening and Summer Events!

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We are on the hunt for the best short films!

We have even more opportunities to get your short film in front of an audience this summer. Not only will be we having screening #7 but we will also be curating a series of shorts to be screened prior to each Monday Night Movie at Prescott Park Arts Festival on their big outdoor screen in from of thousands of viewers.

So, what are you waiting for? We need your film, same criteria as always. Anything under 25 minutes in length; any style, any genre, any theme.

With a huge jump in the number of submissions we receive, the competition is now fierce – so make sure your film is top notch before you send it in. If you’ve submitted before, don’t worry, your film is still in the running for this event – so please don’t submit the same film twice.

The next Portsmouth Short Film Night is happening on Sunday, July 27 at West End Studio Theatre, Portsmouth, NH. It will start at 7pm, and the line-up….well that’s down to you – isn’t it? Keep an eye on this blog or our facebook page for more information.

So spread the word, tell your filmmaker friends, dig out an old film, finish that edit of your current project or pick up your camera and see what you can film now.

THE DEADLINE IS JULY 1ST, so go ahead – submit your film using our handy form!

We can’t wait to watch them all.

PSFN #6 at the Library (Screening Wrap-up)

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So another PSFN is over. A great night of independent film hit the library last night and we want to say thank you to Heather Armitage and the library for hosting our event. It was another large crowd in the Levenson Room and we had a wonderful Q & A with the local filmmakers. If you missed it, we announced some exciting news yesterday. Not only will our next PSFN (#7) be screening at West End Studio Theatre on Sunday July 27 at 7pm but we will be curating a series of short films to play before each Monday Night Movie at Prescott Park Arts Festival – meaning that we all get a chance to see even more top notch local, national and international short films and in such a beautiful setting. Stay tuned for more news about those screenings. We’ve also got lots more in store, and we can’t wait to share it with you throughout the rest of the year.

Support Us

A number of people have asked how they can contribute to help sustain these screenings, and we’re happy to say that it’s now possible to make a donation to PSFN through PayPal. So, if you liked what you saw, and would like to see even more varied and interesting independent film, please help us out with a small donation. $1, $10, $100 — any amount can help!

The Films & Filmmakers

Here’s your chance to watch the films again, catch some of what you missed, or check out more from the filmmakers. Tell your friends about the films and filmmakers you loved! Without further ado, February’s line-up:

Future Perfect
Liam Billinghamd
Video not currently available online, sorry!
Not Yet Ripe
Emily Neilson
https://vimeo.com/81458168
Rocketship
Alfred Catalfo
Video not currently available online, sorry!
Fallin’ Floyd
Anikey Studios
https://vimeo.com/87766904
Golden Girls – The Stolen Souls of Peru
Leo Plunkett
Video not currently available online, sorry!
Falling
Adriano Circilli
https://vimeo.com/23594988
Un Ete
Clemence Marcadier
Video not currently available online, sorry!

Coming Up Next…

Looking forward to the next PSFN? So are we! Get your next short film fix at 7pm on July 27 at West End Studio Theatre.

Show Us Your Moves

Last, but certainly not least, send us your films! The submission deadline for July’s screening is July 1st. We want to get your work out there to an audience and share your interesting, exciting, beautiful films with the world. Can’t wait to see them!

Screening #6 – Thursday, May 29 at 7pm

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Screening #5 at the fantastic PPMtv. Michael hosting the Q & A with local filmmakers

Film Unbound presents an evening of short films and Q&As with their makers at Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801 on Thursday, May 29 at 7pm. In the line-up this time are a mix of fiction and nonfiction shorts by filmmakers from New Hampshire, across the country, and around the globe. Admission is free, but donations to help continue the production of Portsmouth Short Film Night are welcome at http://psfn.filmunbound.com — click on the yellow DONATE button at the right-hand side of the page.

Since its inaugural February 2013 event at 3S Artspace, Portsmouth Short Film Night, or “PSFN,” has travelled around town to venues including The Press Room and Strawbery Banke. Most recently, PSFN played to a standing-room-only, 100-person crowd at Portsmouth Public Media. Catherine Stewart and Michael Rodríguez Torrent, owners of Seacoast-based media production company Film Unbound and the organizers of PSFN, are currently making plans for the summer’s event, venue TBA. They plan to return PSFN to its original venue, 3S Artspace, upon completion of its renovation at the end of the year. PSFN receives submissions numbering in the hundreds from all around the world via its website, http://psfn.filmunbound.com. Submissions are always open and are free to filmmakers, but there is a curatorial part of the planning when creating the line-up. “We want to show a great range of films, that is what is so cool about showing shorts,” explains Stewart. “We can show a dark comedy and, if you don’t like it, in four minutes or so you will be watching an experimental documentary about soap — or something else. So there is always something for everyone. We also want to make sure we are highlighting talent at all different stages of their careers, as well as from all around the world, so alongside the submissions we seek out films that are perhaps amazing but underappreciated, or considered not mainstream enough to be available in other locations.”

Not Yet Ripe by Emily Neilson, shot on 16mm film. The filmmaker will be joining us for a Q & A

This month’s lineup includes local screen veteran Alfred Thomas Catalfo’s touching drama Rocketship, about a small boy who befriends an elderly gentleman, as well as Sunbonnet Quilters, a beautiful documentary about a small quilting community in New York state shot on 16mm film by Exeter-based filmmaker Melissa Cooperman. “We have two shorts shot on film this time round,” says Rodríguez Torrent. “It’s great to be able to do that in a time when digital has become king. We’ve had interesting film-based submissions in the past, but Melissa was able to use the medium really well, depicting light and shadow in a way that has a very different quality from digital.” Also included in the lineup is UNH alumnus Liam BIllingham, travelling up for the event from his current home in New York City to participate in the post-screening audience Q&A. Billingham’s film, Future Perfect, recently won the “Audience Choice” award at IndieWorks, a New York City event similar to PSFN. As well as local and national work, the night will also include several international films including shorts from France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Peru. Films range from drama, to comedy, to traditional documentary, to experimental, and include live action, dance, and animation, as well as varying film techniques and technologies. As Stewart said, there really is something for everyone. The evening will last roughly 100 minutes, and families should note that adult themes are explored throughout some of the films that may be inappropriate for young audiences.

About Film Unbound

Film Unbound is a media production company creating documentary, fiction and tailor-made promotional shorts, event coverage and product demonstrations for clients, including educational institutions, businesses, charitable organisations, and individuals. Film Unbound is currently in pre-production with its first feature documentary, following a year with a New Hampshire teacher as he strives to revolutionize the nation’s failing public school system. As well as their own films, Film Unbound produces unique screening events, including the quarterly Portsmouth Short Film Night. Held in a variety of venues, these screenings have brought local and international filmmakers together with moviegoers to share work at various stages of development. They will also be screening the NH Premiere of From Nothing, Something, a documentary by local filmmaker Tim Cawley about creativity, on June 14th at Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC). For more information on Film Unbound and its work, please visit filmunbound.com. For updates on Portsmouth Short Film Night, check out psfn.filmunbound.com.

About 3S Artspace

Portsmouth Short Film Night is produced in collaboration with 3S Artspace, New Hampshire’s first nonprofit, multidisciplinary contemporary arts space. To learn more about 3S and its upcoming events, to keep apprised of the development of its new space at 319 Vaughan Street, and to download a commitment form for Making Space: The Campaign for 3S Artspace, please visit www.3sarts.org.

Call for submissions, May Screening!

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The audience photos courtesy of Film Unbound

We are on the hunt for the best short films!

We just had a fantastic first PSFN of the year at PPMtv, with over 200+ submission we had a great line-up of six films and two behind-the-scenes. Over 100 people gathered to share an evening of independent cinema on a cold and icy February night and now we are preparing for the next Short Film Night. So, what are you waiting for? We need your film, same criteria as always. Anything under 25 minutes in length; any style, any genre, any theme.

February Q & As photos courtesy of Film Unbound

The next Portsmouth Short Film Night is happening on Thursday, May 29th at Portsmouth Public Library, Portsmouth, NH. It will start at 7pm, and the line-up….well that’s down to you – isn’t it? Keep an eye on this blog or our facebook page for more information.

So spread the word, tell your filmmaker friends, dig out an old film, finish that edit of your current project or pick up your camera and see what you can film now.

THE DEADLINE IS APRIL 30TH, so go ahead – submit your film using our handy form!

We can’t wait to watch them all.

PSFN #5 (The Anniversary Edition) screening wrap-up

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We Like to Pack ‘Em In

First of all, a big THANK YOU to the standing-room only crowd of approximately one hundred film fans and filmmakers who got us off to a fantastic start to year two of Portsmouth Short Film Night this past Friday at Portsmouth Public Media. We’ve got lots more in store, and we can’t wait to share it with you throughout the rest of the year.

Support Us

The Films & Filmmakers

Selfie
Andy Martin
https://vimeo.com/87447382
The Janitor
Mark Battle
Video not currently available online, sorry!
Crazy: A Story About Cake (And Other Things)
Madeline Herec

Check out more from The American Recipe Project
Motel
Hammer & Saw Films (Mike Mooney and Ben Watts)
https://vimeo.com/16208123
3S: Making Space
Film Unbound (Catherine Stewart & Michael Rodríguez Torrent)
https://vimeo.com/74722029
From 1994
Mindcastle (Danielle Krieger & Casey Warren)
https://vimeo.com/81111195
The Making Of: From 1994
https://vimeo.com/80748235
les Perruches
Julie Voison
Video not currently available online, sorry! Check out les Perruches on Facebook for more opportunities to watch.

Coming Up Next…

Looking forward to the next PSFN? So are we! Get your next short film fix at 7pm on May 29 at Portsmouth Public Library. Following that, we’re in the process of confirming plans for an outdoor screening this summer and an end-of-the-year homecoming screening at a new venue near you (hint hint)! Mark your calendars.

Show Us Your Moves

Last, but certainly not least, send us your films! The submission deadline for May’s screening is April 30. We want to get your work out there to an audience and share your interesting, exciting, beautiful films with the world. Can’t wait to see them!

PSFN 2014 kicks off this Friday

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February 2013 Portsmouth Short Film Night audience

Photo by Javi K. Photography

Note: parking is available at Strawbery Banke Museum

It was a year ago on a very snowy Sunday that we first launched Portsmouth Short Film Night, and it’s back for a second year – possibly on a snowy Friday 28th February 2014! We are delighted to be hosted this time by PPMtv at 280 Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH 03842. PPMtv is a vibrant, community-accessible resource for film and video production in downtown Portsmouth. They aim to make the sharing of local news, views, information, arts and entertainment readily accessible to residents, and nonprofit and business organizations of the greater Portsmouth area.

Catherine presenting at PSFN #4, December 2013

Catherine presenting at PSFN in December

2014 is going to be a great year for film and we are happy to announce that Portsmouth Short Film Night will be continuing for another year after four great events last year. For our first film night of 2014 we have created the line-up from 200+ submissions from around the globe. We have an award winning crime drama, a quirky comedy and a documentary made for the American Recipe Project all from local filmmakers as well as a touching story of friendship from France and a few special surprises — showcasing the best independent short films from local, national and international talent. If you are a cinema lover, or you want to see something a little different, come to the next Portsmouth Short Film Night at 7pm, Friday, February 28 at PPMtv. As well as fantastic films we will have special Q&As with the filmmakers, and the opportunity to hang out and talk film afterwards.

Portsmouth Short Film Night is a free event for independent filmmakers to screen and discuss their work and for cinema lovers to get a front row seat to emerging and established talent. It is brought to new venues across Portsmouth by Film Unbound and 3S Artspace.

Film Unbound is a media production company creating self-produced fiction, documentaries and tailor-made film solutions for clients including documentary-style promotional videos, event coverage and product demonstrations.
3S Artspace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to presenting and supporting contemporary artists and their work in order to stimulate the artistic community and creatively engage and educate the public at large, while establishing a vital and accessible regional gathering space. Although its program of events continues to run in a variety of venues, it will be fully realized in 2014 with a 400-capacity performance space, gallery space and farm-to-table restaurant.

We need your film for the next PSFN!

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2014 is going to be a great year for film and we are happy to announce that Portsmouth Short Film Night will be continuing for another year after four great events last year. If you didn’t catch it last year, Portsmouth Short Film Night is an event for independent filmmakers to screen and discuss their work and for cinema lovers to get a front-row seat to emerging and established talent.

Each night offers an eclectic mix of drama, action, comedy, animation and much, much more – showcasing the best independent short films from local, national and international talent. If you are a cinema lover, or you want to see something a little different come to the next Portsmouth Short Film Night at 7pm, Friday, February 28 at PPMtv, 280 Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801. As well as fantastic films we will have special Q&As with the filmmakers, and an opportunity afterwards to hand out and talk film.

But before we get to that we need to select our films and there’s still time to submit your short film. Are you a film student, indie maker or a seasoned pro – we want to watch your film! We’re looking for shorts of any genre (or un-genre) from independent filmmakers interested in screening their film to an audience. That’s why you made it, right?

The night is a free event, open to anyone who enjoys watching shorts and talking film. It’s all about getting filmmakers together to show off their work, have fun, meet like-minded people, and maybe even be inspired. If that sounds like your cup of tea, why not

Projecting films at PSFN #4, December 2013

send us your film?

To submit, or for more details, head to: http://psfn.filmunbound.com/submissions/

And once you’ve submitted you can keep in touch with us via our Facebook, Twitter or Google+.

Didn’t manage to make it to PSFN?…

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…or you want to watch the fantastic films again. Well, here you are!

: Screening of “We Live Here” at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Filmmaker Q&A at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Filmmaker Q&A at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Audience at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Catherine presenting at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Projecting films at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Tiger Belly performance at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Tiger Belly performance at PSFN #4, December 2013

: Tiger Belly performance at PSFN #4, December 2013

Not all the films we show are available online but when they are we try to link to them so you can share them with friends and family. You can also check out more work by the filmmakers you love. Last night’s PSFN was fantastic and we must say a big thank you to our hosts White Heron Tea & Coffee for helping us run such a great event. Also a massive thanks to our collaborative partners 3S Artspace for their support in running these events – we can’t wait to be hosting PSFN in their space in 2014. If you also can’t wait for that to happen then why don’t you pop along to their website and donate some of your time, money or support to the great campaign to make that building a reality.

We also want to say a huge thanks to the filmmakers both local and international for submitting their films to Portsmouth Short Film Night – we couldn’t do it without you. If you have a film you want to submit then use this link and fill in the details. Our next film night will be taking place on Friday 28th February 2014 at PPMtv‘s studio at 280 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH 03801. You have until January 31st to submit your film!

If you want to keep up to date with us at PSFN why don’t you like us on facebook, follow us on twitter or do whatever you do with Google+

So, here’s the line-up from last night with links to the available films and we look forward to seeing you in February!

Santa Always Checks Twice by Jack Garrett, Comedy

Blizzard 2013 by Jasmine Inglesmith, Experimental

The Tower by Scott Hancock, Documentary

Q&A

La Culpa by David Victori, Thriller

Intermission

I Live Here, by Scott Masterson, Documentary

Q&A

Gracht by Joost de Jong, Animation/Comedy

Shoot the Pier by Brian Goding, Documentary (unavailable online)

Q&A

PSFN is tomorrow!

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Just a reminder that Portsmouth Short Film Night is happening tomorrow!

What: 7 Great films, including 5 from local filmmakers covering documentary, comedy, drama and thriller followed by Q & As with the filmmakers themselves.

When: Screenings start at 7pm, doors open at 6 — come early to grab a seat and a hot drink.

Where: White Heron Tea & Coffee, 601 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

How much: FREE!!!

What else: For this festive, final PSFN of the year we also have an intimate performance by Tiger Belly to play us into the evening.

To keep up to date with us you can find us on facebook, twitter, google+ and here at this blog!

PSFN is a regular event produced by Film Unbound in collaboration with 3S Artspace.

3S Artspace, a 501c3 non-profit, is dedicated to presenting and supporting contemporary artists and their work in order to stimulate the artistic community and creatively engage and educate the public at large, while establishing a vital and accessible regional gathering space. Although its program of events continues to run in a variety of venues, it will be fully realized in 2014 with a 400 capacity performance space, gallery space and farm-to-table restaurant.

Film Unbound is a media production company creating self-produced fiction, documentaries and tailor-made film solutions for clients including PromoDocs, event coverage and product demonstrations.