Montclair Film Festival Announces Full 2020 Program: Nomadland, One Night In Miami, Ammonite Featured

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Category: Entertainment News

Published on Monday, 05 October 2020 13:21

Written by Hildy Johnson

Montclair Film has announced its full slate of films and events for the 9th annual Montclair Film Festival (MFF), Presented by Investors Bank, taking place October 16-25, in Montclair, NJ.

Chloé Zhao's Nomandland opens the film festival; Director Regina King's debut One Night in Miami will close, and Francis Lee's Ammonite is the featured centerpiece.

The program features over 100 films, conversations, and special events, from drive-in screenings at Montclair Film's Carpool Cinema to screenings on Montclair Film's new Virtual Cinema platform, powered by Eventive.

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Programs in today's announcement join the previously announced Opening, Closing, and Centerpiece films, as well as the Storyteller Series, presented by Audible.  Passes and individual tickets are available beginning October 5 for Montclair Film Members, and October 8 for the public. To become a member or purchase tickets, please visit montclairfilm.org.

Each film in the MFF's Virtual Cinema will have a unique set of screening availabilities, with some being available only to residents of New Jersey, others to the entire United States, some scheduled for a certain date and time, others available on demand throughout the festival. Patrons will find a full set of information for each film at montclairfilm.org and are urged to check their availability and viewing location prior to purchasing tickets. 

"We want to recognize everyone who supported Montclair Film in bringing the memorable films, events and discussions to our communities during this year's film festival," said Investors Bank Chairman and CEO Kevin Cummings. "The opening night of the ninth annual festival, which we are proud to co-present, celebrates the successful efforts of the Montclair Film staff to share a showcase of exceptional films with our neighbors." 

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"This year's program is a tribute to the generosity and tenacity of filmmakers from around the world," said Montclair Film Executive Director Tom Hall. "These films represent a diverse range of ideas, stories, and experiences, and we hope our audience will take some time to explore the program and come together as a community around the power of cinema."

Competitions

The festival's annual feature film competition line-ups will all screen on Montclair Film Virtual Cinema and join Ramona Diaz's previously announced A THOUSAND CUTS, winner of the festival's 2020 David Carr Award for Truth In Non-Fiction Filmmaking, as the films eligible for the MFF's juried prizes.

The Documentary Feature Competition, featuring three non-fiction films competing for the Bruce Sinofsky Prize, is COLLECTIVE, directed by Alexander Nanau, CRAZY, NOT INSANE, directed by Alex Gibney, and US KIDS, directed by Kim A. Snyder. The Documentary jury is comprised of Alex Billington (Now Showing), Kerensa Cadenas (The Cut / New York Magazine), and Joey Magidson (AwardsRadar).

The Fiction Feature Competition, featuring three fiction films from international filmmakers, competing for the Fiction Feature Prize, is THERE IS NO EVIL, directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, THIS IS NOT A BURIAL, IT'S A RESURRECTION, directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, and UNDINE, directed by Christian Petzold. The Fiction jury is comprised of Scott Mantz (Film Critic), Clarence Moye (Awards Daily), and Alison Stewart (WNYC / All of It with Alison Stewart). 

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The Future/Now Competition, featuring three films by independent fiction filmmakers competing for The Mark Urman Prize, which includes a $5,000 cash prize and over $40,000 in in-kind film services, is FREELAND, directed by Mario Furloni and Kate McLean, THE OUTSIDE STORY, directed by Casimir Nozkowski, and REUNION, directed by Jake Mahaffy. The Future/Now jury is comprised of Deborah Davis (Author), Jeva Lange (The Week), and Wilson Morales (BlackFilmandTV). 

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The Documentary Feature Competition, featuring three non-fiction films produced in New Jersey or made by New Jersey-based filmmaking talent competing for the New Jersey Competition Prize, is THE ANTIDOTE, directed by Kahane Cooperman, BEAUTIFUL SOMETHING LEFT BEHIND, directed by Katrine Philp, and TWO GODS, directed by Zeshawn Ali. The New Jersey Films Competition jury is comprised of Amy Kuperinsky (New Jersey Star Ledger), Rafael Motamayor (The Playlist), and Tambay Obenson (Indiewire).