Movie review: ‘New Homeland’ takes refugee boys camping

MIDDLEBURY — Alan Kurdî died on this day — Sept. 2 — in 2015. The three-year-old Syrian boy drowned in the Mediterranean Sea when his family and other refugees attempted to reach Europe. In a photo that went viral, Kurdî lies face down on the beach near Bodrum, Turkey, wearing a red T-shirt, blue shorts and tiny brown-soled shoes. If it weren’t for the surf lapping at his cheek we might have mistaken him for a toddler felled by sleep. Because of the impact it had on some of the subjects of Barbara Kopple’s … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The fifth annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF5) was a rousing success by virtually all barometers. It broke attendance records and drew some of the best quality films in the history of the four-day event that has become a major at … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — People in some groups opposed to abortion are targeting clinics that provide the procedure, even shooting and killing doctors and activists who promote a woman’s right to choose to continue a pregnancy. Dr. Colleen McNicholas, the sole remain … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — It’s unlikely that any of the movie stills from Vermont filmmaker Josh Melrod’s first narrative feature, “Major Arcana” (2018), which was screened last Thursday at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, will ever get turned into a Woody Jack … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — For four years, the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF) has showcased many outstanding movies from folks just breaking into the industry. Now instead of simply giving aspiring filmmakers applause for their great work, the MNFF will be a … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival starts today (Aug. 22) and runs through Sunday, Aug. 25.  The festival features first- and second-time filmmakers. We show their work and host them on stage and at events where they mingle with audience … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — When Alice Guy-Blaché completed her first film in 1896 Paris, she was not only the first female filmmaker, but one of the first directors ever to make a narrative film. “Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché” follows her rise from … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The red carpet will be rolled out not only for the first- or second-time filmmakers screening their creations at the fifth annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF) this week, but also for some well-established luminaries of the indust … (read more)

The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival is dedicated to the work of first- and second-time filmmakers. The exciting 5th annual MNFF kicks off with a Vermont Film Showcase at 10 a.m. this Thursday, Aug. 22, in Middlebury with films shown at Town Hall Theate … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival-goers can look forward to many special events this year; including a special cinematic presentation with the VSO, a Saturday Film Symposium, signature festival parties, as well as a new film event, “Late … (read more)

If you’ve never been to the festival, do yourself a favor — buy at least one ticket for a single movie, or better yet, pick one of the four days and buy a day pass just this one year to see what it’s all about. The films are scheduled in four venues in to … (read more)

This year marks the fifth edition of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (Aug. 22-25).  In film festival years, that makes us a teenager.  Since our ambitious first round in 2015, we’ve played more than 500 short and feature-length films and we’ve host … (read more)

The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival will welcome two more special guests at the 5th Annual Festival, Aug. 22-25: Barbara Kopple and Ricki Stern. And announces a Female Biopic Series. Barbara Kopple Returning honoree, iconic documentarian, and two-time … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival will welcome special guests at the 5th Annual Festival, Aug. 22-25. Among those guests will be iconic screenwriter and director Paul Schrader, Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood and French New Wave filmmaker … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival will once again hold Kids and Family Day on Wednesday, Aug. 21 — the day before the festival officially begins. MNFF will partner with the Marquis Theatre in Middlebury for this day of films and fun. MNF … (read more)