EFPalooza Film Festival Returns to the Bug This Week

The Emerging Filmmakers Project got its start at dozen years ago at the Bug Theater, and was honored with one of the initial MasterMind Awards. One of the EFP's winning events was the EFPalooza Film Festival,which returns to the Bug on Thursday after a several-year hiatus; more than forty local...

By Jamie Swinnerton

January 12, 2015

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The Emerging Filmmakers Project got its start at dozen years ago at the Bug Theater, and was honored with one of the initial MasterMind Awards. One of the EFP's winning events was the EFPalooza Film Festival,which returns to the Bug on Thursday after a several-year hiatus; more than forty local filmmakers will be featured throughout the weekend. "The Emerging Filmmakers Project and all the festivals that we do are really unique," says Patrick Sheridan, executive director of the EFP, who's hosting EFPalooza with festival director Eileen Agosta. "It's a great resource and opportunity for local filmmakers."

Although the Bug hasn't hosted EFPalooza for several years, it's now committed to hosting EFPalooza annually, Sheridan says, and proceeds of this year's festival will go to improving the venue. The 2015 festival will feature films from past festivals, as well as some premieres, and filmmakers will be on hand at most showings to talk about their work.

New to the lineup this year will be Den-Ex, dedicated to experimental films made by local filmmakers. On January 16, the programming will be one block of six films, all from the January 2015 Emerging Filmmakers Project. On January 17, there will be two themed blocks: Friday Night Shorts and Comedy Block. Saturday, January 18 features a full lineup with three blocks of films: Blast From the EFP Past, Saturday Night Shorts and Closing Night Shorts. Filmmakers will be on hand at most programs to talk about their work.

The themes were designed to give the festival more cohesiveness, "in part because we like to give people an idea of what they're seeing," Sheridan explains.

A full festival pass is $15. A single block ticket is $5, a full-day ticket $10. All can be bought online or at the door. The full lineup, as well as information about the other local events and festivals hosted by the Bug, is available on the Bug website.

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