Fifth Annual Beacon Independent Film Festival

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – Terry Nelson loves  films.

In fact, his passion is so deep, he has been working on them since 1989. So, when he came to Beacon in 2009, his immediate question to his wife was if there was a film festival in his now home city. When he was met with the response, “sort of,” he knew what his next move had to be.

“I submitted a proposal to Beacon Arts, and from there it took off,” recalled Nelson, who is now the official Founder and Executive Director of the Festival which just finished its fifth year.

“Each year it keeps on growing; the whole idea was to be a small festival for independent filmmakers to have a voice they might not be able to have because they did not get into the bigger venues.”

That “small” initial seed has now blossomed into a Festival featuring 32 films, two panel discussions and chocked-full children’s and community programs, all taking place at the Theatre at University Settlement Camp. Taking place last Friday through Sunday, the Festival included both short and feature films, covering the genre range, from documentaries, to comedies, to dramas. Audience members experienced a range of emotions as they viewed a variety of films making them laugh at times, question things at others, and sometimes seriously think about some pressing societal issues. One of those films that took its audience on a roller coaster of emotions was “Quest,” a documentary, which made its feature debut, scanning ten years of the Rainey family as they encounter a host of issues, including; violence, racism, and poverty, while trying to raise their children in a morally sound and creative setting. Taking place in North Philadelphia, the film reveals  a world many would prefer to think does not exist. However, like any good art, it opens a window into something critically pressing, which can’t help but leave an imprint on the viewer.”

I thought this film was great, showing a piece of America not usually acknowledged by White America,” said Beacon’s Sergei Krasikov, a cinematographer for another of the Festival’s films, “Think of Calvin.” The film I worked on (“Calvin”) is very similar, portraying the reality of what white people would think is unthinkable – such as interactions with police; the consequences usually are brutal, and how the reality of life in Black America is different from what White Americans think.”

Another film, “One October,” directed and produced by Beacon’s  Rachel Human, is an ensemble of interviews with New York city residents on the eve of Barack Obama’s Presidential victory. Through these intimate, spontaneous accounts, we are invited into the world of real people’s lives, dreams and their connection to New York City at the brink of a historic president’s inauguration. Soon after the screening segment, a lively discussion, centered upon loving and salvaging the places where you live, ensued.

A long list of other films filled the busy three day and evening schedule, leaving those who attended with a powerful film festival experience, laden with a local, homey, community flair.

“The most rewarding thing about this Festival is the community presence; they have continued to support us, and the number of local filmmakers continues to grow, and they are here to interact with guests,” said Maureen Neary, Director of Operations for the Festival throughout its five year tenure. “It’s just a really nice vibe, as there is a collaborative artist who made the shirts and a bunch of local vendors such as Barbara’s Butcher and Homespun.”

Smiling as she surveyed the breadth of the crowd outside of the Theatre at University Settlement Camp Saturday night, Neary added, “Everyone knows everyone or gets to know them; it’s all Beacon.”

Anyone interested in submitting a film for the 2018 venue, can do so at: filmfreeway or webBeaconindiefilmfest.org