2020 Films - "THIRTEEN WAYS" Cancelled for 3/11
Message from Shawn Shimpach, MMFF Director: "It has been a very eventful past week here in Amherst, with evolving updates in our collective efforts to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus and deal with a large-scale public health crisis arriving frequently and rapidly. As a result of current and ongoing efforts, it is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that the remainder of the Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival season has been canceled. I believe this is the first time in our 27 year history that such a large portion of the Festival has had to be canceled and I am terribly disappointed that we will not be able to share with you any more of the amazing films and exciting events we had planned, but it is the right choice given the current, ongoing public health crisis. We hope to be able to reschedule some of the filmmaker visits in the future and we will begin looking forward to an exciting new season in spring 2021. Thank you for your support, attendance, and love of movies. Please take good care of yourself and each other and be well".
Keyholes: Short Films from Israel/Palestine
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 - 7:30 pm
Funny, poignant, heartbreaking, and consistently stunning, these shorts allow us keyhole glimpses into a world outside expected Israeli and Palestinian narratives. A rare chance to experience films not often seen for both political and social reasons (1 hour 29 min). Introduced and Guest Curated by Olga Gershenson (UMass).
"The Juniper Tree"
Wednesday, March 4, 2020 - 7:30 pm
The story centers on a Margit and her sister Katla who must flee after their mother killed and burned for witchcraft. They eventually seek solace with a father and son, Johan and Jonas, yet the presence of Katla's growing magic threatens their peaceful union. Introduced by Jeremi Szaniawski (UMass).
"Thirteen Ways" - CANCELED
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - 7:30 pm
We regret to inform you that the MMFF event for March 11 is canceled. We apologize for the short notice. Please check back for updates on future festival updates.
Thirteen Ways elicits the hidden wonders of the natural world, confronts environmental dangers, and also delights in the myriad, sometimes astonishing, discoveries and insights of people from diverse walks of life as they encounter plants, animals, and the elements. Introduction by Daniel Pope (UMass).
"Bento Harassment" -CANCELED
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 7:30 pm
A single mother struggles to connect with her rebellious teenage daughter until, in a fit of desperate, creative, mischievous inspiration, she prepares an overly cutesy chara-ben (character bento) lunch for her. When the bento box draws the unwanted attention of the daughter’s classmates at school, an escalating battle of wills ensues between mother and daughter until something has to give. Introduction by Amanda Seaman (UMass).
"Lives Well Lived" - CANCELED
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 - 7:30 pm
In this imaginative documentary, forty people aged 75 to 100 years, representing a collective life experience of 3000 years, share their secrets, wit, wisdom, and lessons on what it means to live life well. Introduction by Martin F. Norden (UMass).
OTV (New Series Preview Screenings) - CANCELED
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 - 7:30 pm
Open Television (OTV) is a Chicago-based, award-winning, online platform for intersectional television that functions as both an entertainment site and a project of research and development. We are pleased to present the East Coast premiere of four new program episodes, none of which are online yet. Stay tuned for new episodes of Conspiracy Theorist, Code-Switched, Sex is A God Thing, and Sweaty Scales. Introduction by Shawn Shimpach (UMass).
Selection of Short Films by Lindsay Eve Van Dyke - CANCELED
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 - 7:30 pm
Lindsay Van Dyke is a UMass Amherst alum (’12) returning to campus now as a director and Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker to share with us four short film projects she has recently made. Introduction by Bernadine Mellis (Mount Holyoke College).
"The Infiltrators" - CANCELED
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 8:15 pm
A hybrid of cinematic approaches, The Infiltrators, directed by Cristina Ibarra and Sundance award winner Alex Rivera, combines vital documentary filmmaking with a gripping human-rights thriller in this true story of immigrant detention and deportation. Introduction by David Hernández (Mount Holyoke College).