The Emerge Film Festival, scheduled for April 28-May 1, has that many submissions to review for its third annual event.

That’s an increase of 1,187 percent over last year, when less than 200 were submitted. According to organizers, the festival received submissions from 42 states and 110 countries, from Albania to Zimbabwe.

“That’s 2,300 people talking about Lewiston-Auburn around the world,” Programming Manager Katie Greenlaw said.

At least one of the submissions was chosen for this year’s renowned Sundance Film Festival in Utah, Greenlaw said.

Submissions include feature films, documentaries, short films and student films from more than a hundred high school and college students. One feature that past filmmakers have enjoyed about Emerge is the opportunity they get to interact with the students and share their knowledge of creating movies.

Several volunteers have the daunting task of reviewing the 2,300 films. The process started in August when the first submissions were received. Greenlaw said every film will be watched by at least two people

The board of directors for the festival are overwhelmed by the support they have received from the film industry, especially from filmmakers who have attended Emerge’s first two festivals.

“We’ve heard from past filmmakers that have shown their films here that the word is definitely getting out about Emerge,” Greenlaw said. “As they’ve gone to other festivals across the U.S. and the world, they’ve spread the word and shared what a great experience it is to screen their films in Lewiston-Auburn.”

Movies filmed in Maine will also be featured during the four-day event. A film that Greenlaw said should be of great interest to the Twin Cities could get a prime viewing slot.

Organizers are looking to winnow the list down to approximately 30 to 40 films to showcase at various venues in the Twin Cities. Among the expected sites are the Franco Center, Community Little Theatre and Bates College’s Olin Arts Center and Schaeffer Theatre.

“This community has been tremendous at supporting our organization and welcoming our filmmakers,” Emerge Board President Laura Davis said in a statement. “We’re delighted to be expanding the festival events out over more of the community this year and highlighting some new spaces.”

One of the new features planned for this year is to showcase the best films selected during Saturday night’s award ceremony and show them again on Sunday.

Organizers are planning to hold sneak-peak events in April to give people a preview of what to expect. A highlight video from last year’s festival is available on YouTube.

Tickets for the festival are expected to go on sale later in March.

ssherlock@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link