New Bedford Film Festival Returns for Second Year

The second annual New Bedford Film Festival will highlight the work of local film makers, along with films from around the country and the world.

The festival, running from April 10 through April 13, will feature full-length films, documentaries, short films, promotional videos and more.

Founder and President Ethan de Aguiar stopped by Townsquare Sunday to promote the festival, its impact on New Bedford and highlight the growing number of film makers in our region.

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De Aguiar said he was "blown away" by the positive reaction to last year's New Bedford Film Festival, and he's hoping for more of the same this year.

"We are so excited to bring you another year of beautiful films and empowering stories," he said.

The festival received more than 250 submissions from filmmakers locally, around the United States and across the world, including films from Germany, Iran, Portugal and Australia. Ninety-eight films were selected for screening during the four-day festival.

Eighteen films produced by SouthCoast filmmakers from throughout the region will be screened during the festival, an increase over last year.

"New Bedford can serve as the spearhead for local filmmakers, but we want to expand the storytelling locally as far as we can reach," de Aguiar said.

De Aguiar said the festival really tries to find a balance when putting together the roster of films.

"We have people who are just starting out, all the way up to seasoned vets," he said. "We really try to find that balance by receiving films that have a lot of traction already, but also highlighting some unknown filmmakers, people who are really trying to have a breakout."

Venues for the New Bedford Film Festival include Gallery X and Steeple Playhouse, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, with panel discussions and workshops planned for the New Bedford Art Museum. The New Bedford Harbor Hotel will be hosting a "networking night" as well.

Ticket information and schedules are available at the New Bedford Film Festival website.

"We have an opportunity to bring more film production to New Bedford, but also to export New Bedford talent outward," de Aguiar said. "It's not just about making money or getting on Netflix or any other streaming platform. It's really about having the ability to express yourself as an artist, and get that out there in some way."

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.