NORTHAMPTON INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL TO FEATURE KID-FRIENDLY FARE
Six Year Old Filmmaker Set to Make Debut

Northampton, MA... Remember the days of going down to the movie theater on Saturday or Sunday morning to catch a children's matinee? Many baby boomers spent the entire week looking forward to just such a trip. Now, a new generation can experience the joys of a weekend matinee at this year's Northampton Independent Film Festival (NIFF).

The Festival has scheduled special children's programs for Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12 at 10:30 a.m. in the historic Academy of Music. In a first for NIFF, the festival has partnered with the Coalition for Quality Media's KIDS FIRST! program to provide a selection of kid-friendly short films. "We're delighted with this partnership," says Festival Director David Leo. "To be able to bring these films, all of which have been pre-screened by both children and adults for content, appeal, and developmental benefits is a home run as far as we're concerned." The Coalition for Quality Media's goal is to empower children to make wise media choices and to promote quality media products that enrich their lives.

Along with the KIDS FIRST selections, Saturday morning's screening will feature the debut of the youngest filmmaker in NIFF history, six year old Takoda Blood of Swamscott, MA. "We are used to featuring student filmmakers, but in the past they've been college students, not elementary school students," says Leo. Takoda was inspired to make his first claymation film, titled Garbage Monster, after watching an episode of Reading Rainbow on PBS about claymation. "Takoda's always loved movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Thomas the Tank Engine series because of how they look. So he sat mesmerized and watched everything they did quite intently," says Takoda's mom Amy DesChenes. "When the episode was over, I said 'You know you could do that too'." The result is a short film (15 seconds) revolving around a green monster who lives in a garbage can. Takoda is currently in pre-production (making drawings) for his next film, featuring a parrot. Takoda and his parents will be present for the screening.

Children 12 and under will be admitted to the matinee for $4.00. Adult tickets are $8.00. Tickets are available at the door. Advance general admission tickets are availabe at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Academy of Music Box Office. Tickets will also be available at the door. All-festival passes are available for $125 through www.ticketweb.com. WGBY Public Television members receive a $2.00 discount off individual tickets (excluding children's tickets), and $15.00 off all festival passes. For more information, including a complete festival schedule, visit www.niff.org.

About the Northampton Independent Film Festival

The Northampton Independent Film Festival (NIFF) is committed to establishing a northeast center for the exploration, examination, and celebration of independent filmmaking. NIFF showcases the works of filmmakers whose films demonstrate quality, innovation, and independence in both form and content. NIFF is sponsored by Comcast, , The Valley Advocate, WGBY, WRNX 100.9 FM, Western New England College, 88.5 FM WFCR, the Mirage Group, and Stolichnayaź Russian Vodka. The Northampton Independent Film Festival can be found on the web at www.niff.org.