Westchester’s filmmakers will have a new opportunity to showcase their work, as the city of Mount Vernon will be hosting its first annual film festival this fall.
The four-day event, which will run from September 25 to September 28, will be held at the Doles Center in Mount Vernon, highlighting various artistic mediums—including feature films, documentaries, and shorts. The goals of the festival, according to the Mount Vernon Film Festival’s website, are to promote the city’s history and culture while also acknowledging stars that were born in the city, including Denzel Washington and Michael O’Keefe.
“It’s important to let the world know that this 4 square mile city nestled at the tip of the Bronx, New York City packs a big punch,” said Osiris Imhotep, founder of The Mount Vernon Film Festival, according to a press release. We recently looked at Westchester’s rising film industry, and the festival serves as an initiative to encourage the people of Mount Vernon to become part of this thriving film and arts community.
The festival is also an extension of the People’s Film Festival, a Harlem event that showcases the talents of emerging filmmakers, videographers, and producers—emphasizing the use of multiple digital platforms with current media and technology. To encourage aspiring filmmakers, the Mount Vernon festival will also be sponsoring a series of workshops and panel discussions.
Festival attendees will be able to attend after-party events, such as nightly outdoor screenings of classic films shown on the rotunda of City Hall. Top music promoter Bea Montgomery will also be hosting the “New York International Independent Music Festival 2014,” an event in conjunction with the Mount Vernon festival that will include live performances from musicians of all genres.
For those interested in showcasing their films, the regular submission deadline is July 17, and the late deadline is August 10.
