The Berkshire Film Festival kicks off with a bang at the end of the month by featuring two films that were rockstars at the Sundance Film Festival this past January.

The two opening nights, one in Great Barrington and the other in Pittsfield, feature Ethel and Liberal Arts along with great programs around the film to celebrate the kickoff of the 2012 Berkshire Film Festival. Here’s more on the opening nights:

May 31 – GREAT BARRINGTON OPENING NIGHT FILM & FESTIVITIES

ETHEL

ETHEL, a feature-length documentary about the remarkable life of Ethel Kennedy, told by those who know Ethel best: her family. Directed by her Emmy® Award-winning daughter, Rory Kennedy, the film features candid interviews with Ethel and seven of her children. The film is a personal portrait of Ethel’s political awakening, the life she shared with Robert F. Kennedy, and the years following his death when she raised their 11 children on her own. Intimate, funny, and deeply moving, ETHEL offers a rare look inside a political dynasty strengthened by family bonds, a compassion for others, and a wisdom forged from both hardship and triumph.

Variety wrote,” a fine compilation of archival material, a homemovie writ large and a worthy reminder of what the Kennedys represented, politically and spiritually, during the era of Camelot. The still photos and footage of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, who took their passel of children everywhere — from Cape Cod to Hickory Hill to the Senate Hearing Room — speak to family values of a real, tangible sort that transcends politics and politicking. And in revisiting the catastrophes of the ’60s, ETHEL naturally pulls at the heartstrings.”The film is scheduled for release on HBO in the fall of 2012.
Members of the Kennedy family will be in attendance at the film and will hold a Q&A immediately following the film.

Opening night festivities include a cocktail party and light buffet supper for passholders catered by Max Ultimate Food of Boston at the Mason Library on Main Streetin Great Barrington. This evening is generously sponsored by Jacqueline andAl Togut. The festivities continue that evening with Berkshire Bateria to play at the top of Railroad Street beginning at 9:30 pm to celebrate opening night.

June 1 – PITTSFIELD OPENING NIGHT SCREENING & HIGHLIGHTS

LIBERAL ARTS

The Seventh Anniversary Celebration continues its’ expansion into Pittsfield and will kick-off at the Beacon Cinema on Friday, June 1st with the huge Sundance hit LIBERAL ARTS. This romantic comedy tells the story of whenthirty-something Jesse is invited back to his alma mater, he falls for a young 19-year-old college student and is faced with the powerful attraction that springs up between them. Directed and written by Josh Radnor, the film stars Zac Efron, Elizabeth Olson, and Josh Radnor.

The BIFF is proud to be presenting the 3rd annual successful Berkshire Bank’s the Next Great Filmmaker Award in support of the filmmakers of short film.The winner of the Berkshire Bank’s “Next Great Filmmaker Award” will also be announced at this event. The competition is voted on by the public and on Wednesday, April 25 by viewing the films on the BIFF website, www.biffma.org.

The 3rd Annual Next Great Filmmaker Award

Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting BankSM, in collaboration with the Berkshire International Film Festival, has created The Next Great Filmmaker Award. This annual award is designed to encourage and support short filmmakers. CAST YOUR VOTE! Visit www.biffma.org now and cast your vote today! The film with the most online votes will be awarded a $2,500 CASH AWARD. Online voting ends on May 30, 2012. Just by voting, you will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a new Apple iPad!

Opening night in Pittsfield will include a celebratory cocktail party in the lobby of the Berkshire Bank on West Street catered by Mission prior to the opening night presentation. The evening is generously sponsored by the Berkshire Bank and is open to passholders and ticket holders to the opening night film.

The Berkshire Film Festival kicks off May 31, 2012 and runs until June 03, 2012. For more information visit the festival webpage.

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