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Sunday, March 26
Smuttynose Un-filtered Film Series
4 p.m. at 225 Heritage Ave.
Portsmouth

With all the arsty people who live along the Seacoast, there are few opportunities for local film makers to showcase their work. Bands have all the clubs and bars. Visual artists have a myriad of small galleries and open studio shows. Dancers, singers and actors have the dozens of choruses, studios and theater groups in the area. But if you want to see a locally made film this weekend, you’re pretty much out of luck.

Just a week or so ago Michael Winters showed an art house-esque film -- with a hauntingly ambient score -- under the name The Great Invisible at Nahcotta. After the film, the general consensus of those in attendance was that there aren't nearly enough opportunities for aspiring film makers, or even film hobbyist, to show their work. It's not that there interest, it's just there are no venues willing to take the risk.

Smuttynose Brewery President Peter Egelston, Executive Brewer David Yarrington and local film booster Tim Deal have decided to change that.

On Sunday, March 26, the altruistic local beer company will launch its Un-filtered Film Series showcasing movies made by home-grown talent.

The first event of the series will commemorate the 130th anniversary of “the grisly Smuttynose murders,” by presenting two “chilling feature films.” The showing will be held at 4 p.m. at the Smuttynose Brewery on Heritage Ave. in Portsmouth. I know I didn’t know where this was so I’ve linked handy mapquest directions for you convenience.

“It’s pretty low budget,” said Yarrington of his fledgling film series. Right now, the group is trying to gauge interest in local film and they hope to make this event a regular thing where film makers can come and test audiences.

The showing will be in their “Hospitality Room” a described as a Spartan conference room, rather than a traditional theater.

“It more like walking into a warehouse scene in a city,” Yarrington said.

Most importantly, there will be beer. Smuttynose beer, but beer none the less. That Old Brown Dog Ale tastes just like Newcastle, I think.

The night will open with The Sacrifice, written and Directed by Dover resident James Fessenden. Here is the synopsis as provided by Smuttynose:

“Three years after the death of his father, 16-year-old Jonathan Kelly is still depressed and withdrawn. When he moves with his mother to the small New Hampshire town of Dunkirk, he is immediately drawn to David, a boy who shares his interest in the occult. But when the boys try to satisfy their curiosity about a local ghost story, they discover that somebody is digging up graves in the oldest part of the cemetery, collecting human remains for a dark ritual - a ritual that will end in human sacrifice.”

The second slated film is Lycan Colony, written and directed by Rob Roy (yes that’s his name) of Manchester. Here's the cryptic synopsis:

“Some small towns hold many secrets. Two siblings and a newly settled doctor’s family are about to find out this town’s darkest secret... the hard way. All things are not as they appear.”

For those of you who are like me and are interested in what it takes to put a film together -- especially when you have no money -- members of the cast and crew will be there to answer questions. Also, other independent film makers are welcome to stop in and try to peddle their wares for the next slot of the series. If that’s your gig, talk to Tim Deal. He’s doing all the booking.

For more information about the event call Smuttynose Brewing Co. (603) 436-4026, ex 14