Houlton Film Festival begins April 27

by Staff Star Herald
18 years ago

    For one week in late April the Temple Theatre in Houlton’s Market Square will be un-reeling its inaugural premier of the ShireTown Film Festival. Featuring films usually only glimpsed on DVD or in far flung locales, the theatre’s entire weeklong schedule will be turned over to a full slate of back-to-back films acknowledged as amongst the world’s best of the last year.
    Included will be Academy Award winning and nominated Best Foreign Picture “The Lives of Others,” the rarely shown complete lineup of Oscar nominated and winning short documentaries and animated films, the acclaimed Spanish film “Pan’s Labyrinth”, the uplifting “Amazing Grace,” and the Maine film sensation “Islander” which was filmed on location on Vinalhaven island featuring many local Maine actors and crew will have its Aroostook County premier.
    A few films are still under negotiation for inclusion.
    Opening night is Friday, April 27.
    The theatre will be open seven nights including Saturday and Sunday double matinees with a full rotating schedule to ensure that all films will be able to be seen by anyone with a busy schedule.
    Theatre owner Mike Hurley said the purpose of the film festival is to invite people from all of northern Maine and New Brunswick to make a special trip to Houlton and share in a film experience that is not normally available in northern Maine. “The Temple Theatre is a 1919 classic American downtown theatre in the Masonic building which has been completely renovated,” he said.
    The plans are to continue the festival theme on a yearly basis. The ShireTown Film Festival is made possible with support by the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project.
    Special ticket pricing will be available for the entire series.
    For more information check the Temple Web site at www.templemovies.com.
    To receive a schedule via e-mail, write mikeh@midcoast.com. Information is also available on the theatre recording at 532-2200, the theatre directly at 532-7600, or from Hurley at 338-1975.