A new film festival is coming to Massachusetts’ South Coast! The New Bedford Film Festival launches its inaugural edition on the city’s screens April 18-21, 2024. Filmmaker Ethan de Aguiar founded the fest to showcase “the creativity of filmmakers from this city and beyond.” The SouthCoast Film Forum is providing fiscal sponsorship. Venues include New Bedford Groundwork, New Bedford Creative, the New Bedford Art Museum, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Festivalgoers can expect to view a wide range of independent productions, from narrative films of varying lengths to music videos. Even before April, there are New Bedford Film Festival opportunities for anyone passionate about the moving image.
Opportunities for Film & Video Makers
If you’re a film, video, television, or web series maker, you can submit your work to screen at the festival. Through March 1, organizers are accepting submissions of “short films, feature films, episodic content, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts.” Organizers are waiving festival entrance fees for New Bedford residents. Depending on previous exposure, work may screen in or out of competition. Judges will provide detailed written feedback on entries. There are currently almost three dozen award categories, and winners will be announced at a live ceremony capping off the festival. To learn more about submitting, visit the fest’s FilmFreeway page HERE.
Opportunities for Potential Judges
Would you like to join me as a New Bedford Film Festival judge? I applied last month and quickly received my acceptance. You do not have to be a movie blogger like me or a film or video maker. Ethan de Aguiar wants to make the fest accessible and engaging to South Coast residents. He put out a call for community judges. To serve, you must be willing to:
- Fill out an application.
- Commit to watching a specific number of productions online. You get to choose type and length!
- Write constructive feedback for creators.
- Complete your judging by March 10, 2024.
Organizers have two rewards for judges. They will be thanked for their efforts on the festival’s website and receive a special festival badge. Click HERE to apply to be a judge!
Are you going to participate in any of these New Bedford Film Festival opportunities? Let me know in the comments!
