11/01/2008
enlarge
Staff Illustration by Jim Evansfrom the Kennebec Journal
Sport of Kings
New Medicaid billing system inspires doubts among some
Christmas spirit
Guidance counselor: Dismiss complaint based on criticism of same-sex marriage
CHELSEA: 'Practice burn' provides thrill for 9-year-old
Trust eyes orchard purchase
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Bonenfant rises up Cony ranks
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
YES ON 1 BACKER REBUTS CLAIM
New system for Medicaid payments worries providers
After petition drive, Clinton police force budget will go a third time before voters
A rock musician makes trip home via Black Taxi
MADISON: After revaluation, abatement requests reviewed
Parks to have facelift
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Sweet does job for Madison
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
WATERVILLE -- This city, already home of the Maine International Film Festival, next year will host another set of international, independent films.
The Maine Office of Tourism announced this week that Waterville has been selected as one of the hosts for the American Film Institute's Project 20/20, a program designed to promote cultural understanding through film.
This is the first time a New England community was chosen to host the program. The other five cities are St. Louis, Honolulu, Dallas, Santa Fe, N.M., and Silver Spring, Md.
"It's huge," said Shannon Haines, director of both Waterville Main Street and the Maine International Film Festival. "It's huge for Waterville. We are by far the smallest community to be selected. ... It's a testament to the strength of our film program."
Haines is spending the weekend in Los Angeles, where organizers gathered to learn what is expected of a host site. Haines said organizers can choose how to incorporate Project 20/20 films into existing film festivals, or else use them on their own for a separate event. At this point, the most likely plan for Waterville involves a separate event, in April 2009, for Project 20/20 films, she said.
The fact that Waterville already has an annual international film festival -- the oldest and longest-running in Maine -- that has won a measure of acclaim made it more appealing as a host site, said Kimber Craine, director of program initiatives for the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Waterville is also home to Railroad Square Cinema, which the Sundance Film Festival selected as one of 12 theaters for its Art House Project.
Craine said the Colby College Museum of Art also influenced the choice to select Waterville by agreeing to serve as a partner in presenting Project 20/20.
"We look for host cities that provide geographic diversity and seeing as Project 20/20 had never been to Maine, let alone New England, Waterville was a perfect fit," Craine said. "Waterville has been very enthusiastic and interested in the program and we are looking forward to bringing this opportunity to Maine."
Project 20/20 is supported by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The American Film Institute sees the initiative as a way to "foster cross-cultural understanding and respect while nurturing filmmaking excellence," according to a statement on the Institute's Web site. It works by exposing members of the local communities to the films, and in turn exposing the filmmakers to members of the local communities, Craine said.
"I think it's going to be a great visit; we're really looking forward to it," he said. "Maine has a lot to offer. I think it's one of our undiscovered cultural gems."
Joel Elliott -- 861-9252
jelliott@centralmaine.com
Reader comments
Click here to view or add reader comments