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| The FirstGlance Film Festival runs November 9-11 in Philadelphia |
Philly doesn’t lack for cinematic gatherings. We recently wrapped the Philadelphia Film Festival, and are currently in the midst of the Jewish Film Festival. This weekend belongs to the FirstGlance Film Festival, a three-day event featuring over 40 independent flicks.
Bill Ostroff, who started the all-indie fest in Philly in 1996, has since expanded to other cities like Las Vegas and Hollywood. Ostroff gathers shorts, documentaries, animated films and full-length features from across the U.S. - even premiere screenings such as Mischa Webley’s The Kill Hole starring Billy Zane and Peter Greene - to present in each location.
We’d like to think that he saves the best for his hometown, screening locally produced films from notable Philadelphia directors and producers like Scott Hatfield’s documentary short, Keith Haring: Heart of the Community - it focuses on the aerosol artist's 1987 visit to the area to paint the We the Youth mural with help from local kids. Local directors Kris and Kurtis Theorin’s stop motion animated short, Batman - Out of Character is a must-see.
The hit of the event is surely its last screening from director Bill Haley (no relation to the “Rock Around the Clock” legend). Shot mostly in Philly's Fishtown section, Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story is a goofball comedy about local cable hosts, garage bands and the danger they get themselves into when they stumble across a covert cultish corporation.
The FirstGlance Film Festival opened Friday, November 9, and runs through Sunday, November 11. For ticket information: firstglancefilms.com/philadelphia/boxoffice
Franklin Theater in The Franklin Institute
222 N 20th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.448.1200
Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2012 9:30 AM
