North Country Content Fills Schedule at Snowtown Film Fest

(January 3, 2017) On January 27 - 28, 2017, North Country film lovers will be treated to a variety of films on the big screen with ties to Northern New York at Snowtown Film Festival being held at the Dulles State Office Building in downtown Watertown, NY.

Seven “official selections” featuring cast, crew and locales of the North Country will be presented as well as Q&A panels with filmmakers throughout the weekend.

The third annual festival will open on Friday, January 27th at 6:00PM with a “flannel casual” red carpet reception, followed by a screening and panel discussion of CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, starring Viggo Mortensen. The reception will include hors d’Oeuvres from R.J.’s Catering, Adams, and a cash bar by First Round, Watertown. The film will begin at 7:00PM.

On Saturday, the festival will continue with a day of “official selections,” as well as a presentation of 29 short film submissions competing for the festival’s Grand Prize.

The schedule includes:

11:00AM - DISCOVERING WATERTOWN

A documentary chronicling the fascinating and rich history of Watertown, New York from its settlement & the early years through the modern era.

PANEL: Q&A Panel with filmmakers following the film.

12:30PM - SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS (SCREEN B)

1:00PM - BEAST OF WHITEHALL

August, 1976. Three boys driving an isolated stretch of road encounter a Bigfoot with glowing, red eyes. They report it to local police who go on to have a sighting of their own. This is the incredible, true story of the Abair Incident. Beast of Whitehall also explores the impact Bigfoot has had on the regional culture of the Adirondacks, and upstate New York.

2:00PM - A FAN’S NOTES

Based on Watertown native Fred Exley’s novel, A Fan’s Notes tells the story of a writer who has a mental breakdown, unable to deal with the society around him.

PANEL: Following A FAN’S NOTES join a panel discussion of the film and the novel.

3:30PM - SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS (SCREEN B)

4:00PM - THE NIGHT WE MET

Filmed at locations in the Adirondacks, this film is the story of Stacey, the kind of person who is always there for the people closest to her. Out of the blue a friend of a friend, Nick, calls her and needs someone to talk to. When Stacey invites him over sparks fly as they have adventures throughout the night.

PANEL: Following THE NIGHT WE MET join filmmakers Tracy and Jon Russell Cring for a conversation about the film and their filmmaking experience in Northern New York.

6:00PM - GARROW

A short, filmed entirely in rural upstate, NY, presenting the true story of Robert Francis Garrow, a serial murderer whose reign of terror paralyzed the North Country between the years of 1960 & 1978. Born in Mineville, NY in 1936, Robert’s childhood was an endless cycle of unimaginable horror. As an adult, Robert would become a sadomasochist, rapist and serial killer. The exact number of his victims to this day remains uncertain.

PANEL: Following “GARROW,” join members of the cast and crew for a conversation about the film and the challenges and rewards of independent filmmaking in the Adirondacks.

7:45PM - KEEPERS OF THE GAME

Lacrosse was born in Akwesasne Mohawk Territory as a sacred game, traditionally reserved for men. Just off the reservation at Salmon River High in Fort Covington, NY an all-Native girls lacrosse team comes together, seeking to be the first Native women’s team to bring home a Section Championship. But first, they will have to overcome their crosstown rivals, Massena High. As the season comes to a head, the team is faced with increasing ambivalence in their own community and the girls must prove that the game of lacrosse is their rightful inheritance. With more than just the championship on the line, the girls fight to blaze a new path for the next generation of Native women, while still honoring their people’s tradition in a changing world. - written by Cara Cusumano

PANEL: Following KEEPERS OF THE GAME join a panel discussion with Marcella Thomas,Tsieboo Herne, Jacelyn and Mimi Lazore who are featured in the film and Nancy Vecchio on the development of girls’ lacrosse in the North Country.

The series of short films selected from hundreds of submissions will be announced in the coming days. The shorts will be presented on a second screen on Jan. 28th. Passes for Friday and Saturday are on sale now at http://www.snowtownfilmfestival.com.

Visit http://www.snowtownfilmfestival.com for more information.