May 2008

Email news to news@newenglandfilm.com. 

This Month

Boston’s two biggest (but until now, separate) film and
video equipment dealers will be sharing a roof in the coming months.  Further
evidence of the marriage of formats is demonstrated in the merger between
Rule Broadcast Systems and
Boston Camera Rental Company,

In 1918, Louis B. Mayer left Boston to form
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Los Angeles.  Thus ended New England’s very brief run as
a home for movie moguls.  Until now.  Maybe.  As a result of competitive tax
incentive policies, studio film production has skyrocketed in the region,
spurring entrepreneurs and filmmakers to consider making New England their home.  

Although it was going to be a night of student films (which
can sometimes fall under cruel and unusual punishment), I was buoyed by the name
of the event -- Campus Movie Fest.  When I was a student at
Emerson College back in the early 90s, people used the term “film” far too
much.  I still cringe a bit when I hear it.  To me, film is the physical
material that passes through the camera; I like movies.  And it seems that both
the creators of and the participants in last Saturday’s screening do, too.   

As in past years, the 2008 Berkshire International Film
Festival boasts a broad line-up of docs, narratives, features and shorts.   The
festival also honors special guest Kevin Bacon with the annual Achievement in
Film Award on Friday May 16th.