For Release: Immediately Upon Receipt
Contact: Calliope Nicholas, FilmColumbia
Work Phone: 518.392.1162 filmcolumbia@aol.com

Small Town. Big Ideas.
FilmColumbia Announces 2003 Film Festival Schedule

CHATHAM, N.Y. – When artists, fans and movie industry titans converge on tiny Chatham, NY for three days in October, the normally quiet village will swell with movie mania. The three day FilmColumbia festival, October 24-26, kicks off its fourth year with a fresh slate of new works by top independent filmmakers. In addition to a great selection of feature films,
documentaries and award-winning shorts, each with a connection to the regions surrounding the Hudson River, an exciting programme of events will bring filmmakers and the public together.

The centerpiece of this year’s festival is shrouded in mystery. Last year the Saturday evening feature was billed as “an award-winning motion picture by an internationally known director” but the name of the film was kept secret until that evening’s showing. Much to everyone’s surprise and delight, the mystery feature turned out to be the national premier of Roman Polanski’s Academy-Award winning film The Pianist. In 2001 the surprise feature was Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

“Only James Schamus knows the name of the mystery film,” said festival director Calliope Nicholas. Schamus is an acclaimed director and screenwriter, a Columbia County resident and a valued supporter of FilmColumbia and its parent organization, The Chatham Film Club. “We expect James to introduce the secret film Saturday evening. When the curtain is pulled back and the opening credits roll, everyone will be riveted. This is very exciting.”

The festival opens Friday, October 24 with four magnificent new films: American Splendor, a widely acclaimed film by two area residents; Fog of War, a penetrating documentary about the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War; this year's Sundance hit Pieces of April; and the 1970s cult classic The Honeymoon Killers, directed by Albany resident Leonard Kastle.

“At FilmColumbia, we’re trying to foster an intimate environment in which to see major
films prior to their wide release in theatres,” said Nicholas, “and to create venues where filmmakers and audiences can meet and talk about the art of filmmaking.”

Saturday features an exciting new Children’s Film Program. This collection of provocative, award-winning short films from around the world has been put together exclusively for FilmColumbia and is appropriate for children of all ages. Following the Children’s Film Program will be the first of two Filmmaker Brunches - enjoy excellent food, meet visiting filmmakers and participate in a panel discussion about the latest innovations in the film world.

Also on Saturday will be a live staged reading by professional actors of Night Out, a slapstick romantic comedy. The film lineup for the day includes: Original Gangster, a harrowing first-person journey through the brutal world of a mafia hit man; Osama, special mention award winner at Cannes; Good Things To Life: GE, PCBS, and Our Town, tells the story of General Electric’s 40-year misuse of PCBs in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and its devastating impact on the life of the city; The Company, Robert Altman’s new film that follows the personal and professional ups and downs of a handful of ambitious dancers; and the yet unannounced feature presentation. An autumnal dessert buffet at Blue Plate Restaurant will follow the 8:00pm show.

Sunday’s events begin with a filmmaker’s brunch, followed by Reel Reality, written and filmed by area high school students mentored by film professionals. (Admission to this film and reception are free.) The final films include The Cloud of Unknowing, a mesmerizing stylish cinematic puzzle shot partly in Greene County; Lance Loud!, a return to the groundbreaking dissection of a “typical” American Family; and Barbarian Invasions, winner at of two prizes at Cannes.

Starting Friday, October 24, 2003 at 4:00pm and concluding Sunday, October 26 at 6:00pm, fifteen films will be shown at the historic Crandell Theatre centrally located in Chatham, while four events will be within easy walking distance. Each film will be introduced by one of its creators, who will also be on hand to answer questions afterwards. Call 518.392.1162 for the festival schedule and ticket information or visit the FilmColumbia website at www.filmcolumbia.com.