LEWISTON — The creators of the Emerge Film Festival aim to tease moviegoers with a peek at some of its 41 films.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 29, organizers will hold a preview event at the Lyceum Gallery at 49 Lisbon St.

“We’re going to see trailers of the films, get together, mingle and try to increase excitement for the event that will be just two weeks away,” said Sandy Marquis, the new festival’s treasurer. They also plan to sell discounted tickets to the festival, scheduled for June 13 and 14.

It will be the first public event planned by the new organization formed in the wake of scandal. On March 20, Lewiston Auburn Film Festival director Joshua Shea was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. Several days after his arrest, the festival was canceled and Emerge was created.

It’s all been done in about two months.

“We’re trying to build a website, build a schedule and do the PR — all that stuff that takes six months — and cram it into two,” said Katie Greenlaw, secretary of the newly formed Emerge board.

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Ticket sales are going well, Marquis said.

The featured June 14 screening of “Richard³” by Buckfield filmmaker Michael Miclon has already sold the majority of available seats at the Franco Center and will likely sell out, Marquis said.

As the festival nears, Greenlaw believes sales will be strong for the festival’s other tickets, including Saturday’s movie pass and the Friday the 13th “Beer and Fear” screenings of horror movies sponsored by Baxter Brewing.

“We really want to have those butts in the seats and have a good time,” Greenlaw said.

There is no admission to the preview event at Lyceum.

Admission to the June festival is slated to cost between $15 for a general viewing pass and $40 for an all-access pass.

dhartill@sunjournal.com


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