Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Adk. Theatre Fest announces Film Fest stars

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

Here’s some of what and who are coming to the Adirondack Theatre Festival’s inaugural Adirondack Film Festival, on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22, in downtown Glens Falls:

  • Trespass Against Us and Girl, Asleep, two buzz-generating movies we’ll see before they hit Sundance and other major film festivals.
  • Comedy writer Tami Sagher of Inside Amy Schumer, How I Met Your Mother and 30 Rock, among other shows.
  • Tami Sagher
    Tami Sagher
  • Director David Anspaugh with a 30th anniversary screening of his iconic movie Hoosiers.

“See it Before Sundance” is how ATF director Chad Rabinovitz is billing those star slots.

“The feature films we have are ridiculously big gets,” he tells The Chronicle.

Don’t Think Twice, the new feature film by rising comedian-actor Mike Birbiglia, “is soooo perfect for a theatre festival turned film festival,” Mr. Rabinovitz said via email exchange. Ms. Sagher, in addition to being a comedy writer, is one of the stars of that film. She’ll be there for the screening and also sit on a comedy writing panel for the festival.

Mr. Anspaugh will share stories of making Hoosiers, and he’ll be paired with a Broadway director on a panel talk about the differences and similarities of directing for film and stage.

30th anniversary screening of ‘Hoosiers,’ with the director.
30th anniversary screening of ‘Hoosiers,’ with the director.

All told, the festival will show 65 films, and host between 20 and 30 filmmakers and guest artists, on five screens at four venues: The Charles R. Wood Theater, 190 Grille and Cinema, the Queensbury Hotel and Crandall Public Library.

Mr. Rabinovitz adds, the VIP Pass — providing entrée to all screenings, panels and other events plus numerous souvenir items and VIP parties, “is a RIDICULOUS deal” at $75. One-day passes for film screenings only cost $30, or $50, films only, for both days. There’s also a two-day students pass for $30. Info: www.ATFestival.org.

Trespass Against Us stars Michael Fassbender in a British crime drama as heir apparent to his criminal father. Girl, Asleep, is based on an acclaimed play; the film director, who also did the play, will Skype in from Australia for a Q and A.

Other feature movies include Swiss Army Man, with young stars Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe.

Daniel Radcliffe in ‘Swiss Army Man.’
Daniel Radcliffe in ‘Swiss Army Man.’

AFF includes nine feature films, “from a South by Southwest Grand Jury Winner to a comedy about a 13-year-old rapper, with stars like Craig Robinson, Michael Ian Black and Jerry Lewis.

More than 50 new short films will be screened in four categories: Comedy, Drama, New York-Made and Documentary.

There’s also a free family movie series as part of the festival — and downtown restaurants will offer a ‘Take A Bite’ takeoff on Saturday, with film themes. Whew.

Copyright © 2016 Lone Oak Publishing Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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