Green Mountain Film Festival facts for kids
The Green Mountain Film Festival is an exciting event that celebrates movies in Montpelier, Vermont. It first started in 1997. Since 1999, it has become an annual tradition, happening every March. Over the years, the festival has grown, even showing films in other Vermont towns like St. Johnsbury, Vermont and Essex Junction.
The festival is a great place to see all kinds of movies. They show new films from around the world, along with some classic favorites. About half of the movies are documentaries, which are films about real-life events and people. You can also watch short films and movies made by students. Sometimes, after a movie, you can even talk with the filmmakers themselves! Famous film critics and directors also visit the festival to share their insights. Many volunteers from the community help make the festival a success every year.
In 2018, the festival celebrated its 21st year. It featured 82 full-length movies and 75 short films. There were also workshops where you could learn about filmmaking, and a special event for Vermont filmmakers. The director at the time, Karen Dillon, said she wanted the festival to feel like "a party for everyone."
Festival History: How It Grew
The Green Mountain Film Festival began in 1997 in Montpelier. It quickly became a popular yearly event, showing films every March since 1999.
Early Years and Milestones
The festival has always focused on bringing a wide variety of films to Vermont.
- In 2007, the 10th festival welcomed famous guests like documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles.
- The 2009 festival was special because it showed two brand-new movies for the very first time anywhere in the world. These were The Brother Who Sent His Sister to the Electric Chair and Numen: The Nature of Plants.
- In 2010, the festival expanded! It added a new screening location in Montpelier and also started showing films in Vermont's North East Kingdom for three days. Another world premiere, The Summer of Walter Hacks, was shown that year.
- The 2011 festival introduced new ways to support young filmmakers. They started the Green Mountain 48-Hr Film Slam, which is a competition where teams make a film in just two days. They also announced the Margot George Short Film Competition to encourage new talent.
The Green Mountain Film Festival continues to be a beloved event for movie lovers in Vermont, bringing unique films and special guests to the community each year.
