By Ric Dugan/Staff Photographer

“Twenty Million People,” a romantic comedy made by three filmmakers from New York City, claimed the top prize Saturday at the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown.

The film was named Best Feature at the three-day film festival’s closing ceremonies Saturday night at the Academy Theater off East Washington Street.

The film asks the question, “There are TWENTY MILLION PEOPLE in the greater New York City area. So why is it so hard to find someone you like?”

Co-producer Chris Prine, who also acted in the movie with co-stars Michael Ferrell and Devin Sanchez, said the picture was shot over a 12-day span in Jersey City, N.J.

The budget was $12,000.

“This is great.” he said. “This is the second award we’ve won. It’s the first time we’ve received a nice trophy like this.”

Prine said he, Ferrell and Sanchez are continually “tweaking the edit,” and hope to find a distributor for the film.

The winners of the other four categories — Student, Animation, Short and Documentary — also were announced at the ceremony.

Tracie Hovey, vice president of the film festival’s board of directors, said a panel chose the winning films — with the exception of the Documentary category, which had a “secondary judge” from PBS.

“They ended up choosing the Documentary film winner,” she said.

The festival kicked off Thursday with a screening of “Argo,” winner of the 2013 Academy Award for Best Picture. Opening night was attended by Tony Mendez, the former CIA agent whose rescue of six Americans trapped inside Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis inspired the movie.

“Opening night was fantastic,” Hovey said. “It really felt like a Hollywood premiere.”

She said the festival showed more than 50 films, and believed the event has made great strides since its debut last year.

“We feel like we have a strong base,” Hovey said. “We’re ready to build on that for the future.”

Film festival winners

The following are the award winners from this weekend’s Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown:

• Feature — “Twenty Million People”
• Documentary — “The Believers”
• Short — “Do You Believe in the Devil”
• Animation — “Animation Hotline”
• Student — “If You’re Serious”

Contact: Hagerstown-Washington County CVB, 301-791-3246
Maryland Theatre Box Office (for all tickets for all venues): 301-790-3500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MDIFF-H Announces Closing Night Festivities; Saturday Night April 13 Includes Films, Awards, and More!

Hagerstown, MD — On Saturday, April 13, the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown, (MDIFF-H) will begin the evening entertainment at 6:30pm at Academy Theater with the screening of one short film, Titanic Love, and a full-length feature, “The Story of Luke,” starring Seth Green.

Festival Vice President, Tracie Hovey said, “The films selected for screening on the festival’s closing night are just a glimpse of the amazing talent that will be seen during the festival. We are so grateful that all these filmmakers were willing to share their work with our Maryland audiences.”

The short film “Titanic Love” was produced and directed by Mark Pressdee of the United Kingdom. He has worked on productions for MTV and has had several award winning short films selected for the Cannes and Edinburgh film festivals. Pressdee will screen “Titanic Love” at MDIFF beginning at 6:30pm.

Synopsis: Lucy has found a Titanic Love cruise and wants to relive the Hollywood dream. Jack does not, they can’t afford it and Lucy is furious. Their relationship hits rough waters and Jack calls on best friend Delroy for advice and a cheap alternative. True to form, Delroy and his trusty sidekick Jaz come up with a cunning plan that could change all their lives forever.

Following “Titanic Love” will be the full-length feature “The Story of Luke.” The director Alonso Mayo is a graduate of the American Film Institute and has won a Student Academy Award. He has dazzled film audiences at Tribeca and now teaches screenwriting & directing at New York Film Academy, Universal Studios Campus. The “Story of Luke” has already garnered significant attention winning best film in several festivals around the country. “The Story of Luke” stars Lou Taylor Pucci, Seth Green, and Cary Elwes and was picked up for distribution recently.
“The Story of Luke” synopsis: Sheltered his whole life by his grandparents, Luke, a young man with autism, is suddenly thrust into a world that doesn’t expect anything from him. But Luke is on a quest for a job and true love, and he isn’t taking no for an answer. The film just inked a distribution deal and will be screening in various AMC theaters around the country.

After both screenings the film festival board of directors will announce the winners for Best Student, Best Animation, Best Short, Best Documentary, and Best Feature.

President Tom Riford said, “We couldn’t have such a wonderful festival without all the hard work and dedication of the filmmakers to follow through on their hopes and dreams by creating these fantastic films. We look forward to seeing more of them in the future.”

The Academy Theater is located at 58 East Washington Street, Hagerstown. The after party and “wrap party” is scheduled for the Gourmet Goat and GG’s on North Potomac Street.

MDIFF-H 2013 is scheduled to run over three days and will screen 50 films from around the globe. All screenings will take place downtown Hagerstown. The screening will be held at the Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life, and Academy Theater from April 11-13.

Sponsors for the film festival include the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Power Marketing, The City of Hagerstown, Maryland Theater, Bridge of Life, Academy Theater, The Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant, Volvo and Volvo Group Trucks, The Columbia Bank, High Rock Studios, Leitersburg Cinemas, Anderson Photographs, Thompson Gas, Washington County Arts Council, 28 South, The Gourmet Goat, Bowman Hospitality, and Kaplan University. Other sponsors are listed on the festival’s web site.

The MDIFF-H mission is to be a platform for independent filmmakers to engage audiences, collaborate with other filmmakers and educate the community with the celebration of film. For more information about MDIFF please call 916-712-2781, email Tracie@marylandiff.com or access the website http://www.marylandiff.com. Tickets are available by calling the Maryland Theatre box office 301-790-3500.

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Contact: Discovery Station 301-790-0076
Maryland Theatre Box Office, 301-790-3500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Family Event April 13th 10am-12noon; Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown Announces Partnership with Discovery Station

Hagerstown, MD — The Discovery Station is partnering with the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown (MDIFF), and opening its doors on Saturday morning April 13th from 10am-12noon especially for families!

Theatrical characters from the Barbara Ingram School for the Fine Arts will be visiting the museum, in costume and talking with children! Photos are encouraged!

Also, during part of the morning, fans can meet the Hagerstown Suns mascot Woolie B! The famous, bright orange and black mascot will be on site, having fun, and visiting all attendees at the Discovery Station. Additionally, several Hagerstown Suns players will be stopping by Discovery Station, and greeting guests. Admission to Discovery Station on Saturday morning is FREE and everyone is welcome! (Donations gleefully accepted, of course!)

Discovery Station at Hagerstown creates exciting hands-on learning experiences that stimulate a curiosity for discovery, exploration and further investigation by children and adults to foster life-long learning. The programs and interactive exhibits on science, technology and history are unique educational resources available to all of its visitors. The hands-on, family-friendly museum is also home to the Hagerstown Aviation Museum’s exhibition of memorabilia, and historical and interactive displays. Some of the displays include a NASA and Space Telescope exhibit, and a C&O Canal Exhibit. See the new exhibits, and learn about the new exhibits and displays opening soon!

MDIFF-H 2013 is scheduled to run over three days and will screen 50 films from around the globe. All screenings will take place downtown Hagerstown. The screening will be held at the Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life, and Academy Theater from April 11-13.

Sponsors for the film festival include the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Power Marketing, The City of Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland Theater, Bridge of Life, Academy Theater, The Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant, Volvo and Volvo Group Trucks, The Columbia Bank, High Rock Studios, Leitersburg Cinemas, Anderson Photographs, Thompson Gas, Washington County Arts Council, 28 South, The Gourmet Goat, Bowman Hospitality, and Kaplan University.

The MDIFF-H mission is to be a platform for independent filmmakers to engage audiences, collaborate with other filmmakers and educate the community with the celebration of film. For more information about MDIFF please call 916-712-2781, email Tracie@marylandiff.com or access the website www.marylandiff.com.

Discovery Station is located at 101 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD. For more information call 301-790-0076, or see: www.discoverystation.org.

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Contact: Discovery Station 301-790-0076
Maryland Theatre Box Office, 301-790-3500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Family Event April 13th 10am-12noon; Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown Announces Partnership with Discovery Station

Hagerstown, MD — The Discovery Station is partnering with the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown (MDIFF), and opening its doors on Saturday morning April 13th from 10am-12noon especially for families!

Theatrical characters from the Barbara Ingram School for the Fine Arts will be visiting the museum, in costume and talking with children! Photos are encouraged!

Also, during part of the morning, fans can meet the Hagerstown Suns mascot Woolie B! The famous, bright orange and black mascot will be on site, having fun, and visiting all attendees at the Discovery Station. Additionally, several Hagerstown Suns players will be stopping by Discovery Station, and greeting guests. Admission to Discovery Station on Saturday morning is FREE and everyone is welcome! (Donations gleefully accepted, of course!)

Discovery Station at Hagerstown creates exciting hands-on learning experiences that stimulate a curiosity for discovery, exploration and further investigation by children and adults to foster life-long learning. The programs and interactive exhibits on science, technology and history are unique educational resources available to all of its visitors. The hands-on, family-friendly museum is also home to the Hagerstown Aviation Museum’s exhibition of memorabilia, and historical and interactive displays. Some of the displays include a NASA and Space Telescope exhibit, and a C&O Canal Exhibit. See the new exhibits, and learn about the new exhibits and displays opening soon!

MDIFF-H 2013 is scheduled to run over three days and will screen 50 films from around the globe. All screenings will take place downtown Hagerstown. The screening will be held at the Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life, and Academy Theater from April 11-13.

Sponsors for the film festival include the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Power Marketing, The City of Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland Theater, Bridge of Life, Academy Theater, The Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant, Volvo and Volvo Group Trucks, The Columbia Bank, High Rock Studios, Leitersburg Cinemas, Anderson Photographs, Thompson Gas, Washington County Arts Council, 28 South, The Gourmet Goat, Bowman Hospitality, and Kaplan University.

The MDIFF-H mission is to be a platform for independent filmmakers to engage audiences, collaborate with other filmmakers and educate the community with the celebration of film. For more information about MDIFF please call 916-712-2781, email Tracie@marylandiff.com or access the website www.marylandiff.com.

Discovery Station is located at 101 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD. For more information call 301-790-0076, or see: www.discoverystation.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Second Maryland International Film Festival, Hagerstown Official Selection Announced

Hagerstown, MD March 10, 2013 — The second annual Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown has selected 50 films from 11 countries around the globe to be screened at this year’s festival. “Once again the quality of the films has surpassed our expectations,” said Tracie Hovey, vice president of MDIFF-H.  “We had over 200 films submitted to the festival and narrowing them down was extremely difficult. We are thrilled with this year’s selection.”

MDIFF-H is scheduled to run downtown Hagerstown at the Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life and Academy Theater from April 11-13, 2013. The official selection is as follows:

Sponsors for the film festival include the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Power Marketing, Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life Center, Academy Theater, High Rock Studios, Anderson Photographs, Thompson Gas, The City of Hagerstown, Washington County Arts Council, 28 South, The Gourmet Goat, Bowman Hospitality, and Kaplan University.

The MDIFF-H mission is to be a platform for independent filmmakers to engage audiences, collaborate with other filmmakers and educate the community with the celebration of film. For more information about MDIFF-H please call 916-712-2781 or access the website http://www.marylandiff.com.  ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Second Maryland International Film Festival, Hagerstown Official Selection Announced

Hagerstown, MD March 10, 2013 — The second annual Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown has selected 50 films from 11 countries around the globe to be screened at this year’s festival. “Once again the quality of the films has surpassed our expectations,” said Tracie Hovey, vice president of MDIFF-H.  “We had over 200 films submitted to the festival and narrowing them down was extremely difficult. We are thrilled with this year’s selection.”

MDIFF-H is scheduled to run downtown Hagerstown at the Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life and Academy Theater from April 11-13, 2013. The official selection is as follows:

Sponsors for the film festival include the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Power Marketing, Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life Center, Academy Theater, High Rock Studios, Anderson Photographs, Thompson Gas, The City of Hagerstown, Washington County Arts Council, 28 South, The Gourmet Goat, Bowman Hospitality, and Kaplan University.

The MDIFF-H mission is to be a platform for independent filmmakers to engage audiences, collaborate with other filmmakers and educate the community with the celebration of film. For more information about MDIFF-H please call 916-712-2781 or access the website http://www.marylandiff.com.  ###

 Are you a high school student? Interested in film? Want to be part of the Second Annual Maryland International Film Festival? Submit your application today!

Create a 5 – 15 minute spoof of a movie scene. High School films will be shown as part of the Film Festival on Friday, April 12^th.

Prizes

The members of the winning team (up to 30 people) will each be rewarded with a free pass to enjoy movies at Leitersburg Cinemas!

Other Information:

For more information or to download an application form, Click Here

Questions? Contact