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Plan Now For Fairfield-Based Sacred Heart Film Festival

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- The 2015 film and television master's program at Sacred Heart University Film Festival will be held Thursday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Avon Theatre in Stamford and Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. 

“I've been to a lot of film festivals, big and small, and I have to say I am really impressed by the lineup of honorees who will be attending,” says Justin Liberman, executive director of the festival and co-director of the University’s FTMA program.

“I've been to a lot of film festivals, big and small, and I have to say I am really impressed by the lineup of honorees who will be attending,” says Justin Liberman, executive director of the festival and co-director of the University’s FTMA program.

Photo Credit: Contributed

In only its second year, the film & television master’s program (FTMA) at Sacred Heart University is garnering notable recognition.

The festival opens Thursday, Sept. 17, with an Awards Gala at the Avon Theatre in Stamford, featuring award-winning student films as well as a special FTMA Rounders, Trailblazer Award to honor the work of screenwriter Brian Koppelman, best known for his films "Ocean’s 13" and "Runaway Jury." 

Friday, Sept. 18, brings a screenwriting masterclass open to the public with "Bulworth" screenwriter and Academy Award nominee Jeremy Pikser, followed by a “Homegrown Cinema Discussion and Beer Tasting,” hosted by the festival’s official beer sponsor, Two Roads Brewery of Stratford.

Later that evening, distinguished SHU alum Kevin Nealon will be honored in a stand-up comedy event on campus at the new Frank and Marisa Martire Business & Communications Center at Park Avenue and Jefferson Street in Fairfield.

Nealon will received the FTMA Pioneer Award, which honors an alumnus who has made an impact in the film and television industry. Hosted by FTMA student Sean Whelan and featuring comics Shuli Egar of "The Howard Stern Show" and Keith Alberstadt of "The Late Show With David Letterman," the evening has been curated as a celebration of the vital role of the stand-up comic in the history of film and television.

Saturday’s tribute to Orson Welles with renowned Welles scholar Sid Gottlieb and the FTMA student film screening and reception will culminate with the Sounds of Cinema concert, playing the music of Wes Anderson’s films. Sunday’s closing day film screening and presentation of the FTMA Maverick Award to the talented character actor Richard Kind will round out the four-day event.

All events are free and open to the public, but do require tickets. Tickets may be available at the door, but to be sure of a good seat, reserve them at ftma.sacredheart.edu.

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