Black Bear Film Festival’s new director picks up pace of annual Milford event

BY ANYA TIKKA
MILFORD — Will Voelkel, the new director of the now well-established Black Bear Film Festival held in Milford every October, explained in a recent interview that the festival will continue some of the past years’ ideas with ‘enhancements’, as well as adding new ones.
Voelkel continued that instead of just showing films, something that’s continuously available online and on TV, the festival will focus more on interactive events, where directors, producers, actors and screenwriters are present.
Voelkel plans to offer film workshops for both young people and adults, as well as partnerships and outreach programs with three area high schools, and as a college intern program at the Sussex County Community College.
The Artful Bears Community Picnic will continue in an expanded form, and although the director and board members emphasized they want to have something for everyone, special programming will continue at the main stage and the Film Salon, this year paying tribute to women in film, to Pennsylvania veterans, and to Milford’s legacy as the birthplace of American conservation and early American filmmaking.
Another addition is a Patrons Den Membership Club, a monthly film commentary column on mainstream movies in the Journal group of magazines.
Voelkel explained that the volunteer membership has increased by 25 percent over last year, some old, and some new, a mix of about 60 percent local residents and 40 percent part-timers/weekenders.
“Because of our increase in year-round activities, such as the new student Filmmaking Workshops starting on August 6 and the Community Picnic on August 13, we are always looking for additional volunteers who can help not only during festival weekend, but can volunteer several hours for these other new events as well," he said. "Anyone interested in volunteering or getting more information may contact us at 570-409-0909, at info@blackbearfilm, or at the volunteer tab at blackbearfilm.com.”
Official selections of all films will be announced in late August, and the main film is still under consideration, “But we're currently focusing on upbeat films that will appeal to a wide audience,” Voelkel added.
Voelkel also reported that the local businesses and corporate sponsors are reacting very positively, especially with new outreach to a more diverse community population, expanded regional outreach as far as New York City and Scranton, and the new Schools Partnership Initiative.
He also said there’s a great deal of enthusiasm and support for what BBFF is doing for cultural and economic development from the Borough of Milford.
Regarding paying tribute to women in film, Voelkel said, “The Sunday afternoon Women in Film segment will highlight film clips and filmmakers from the tri-state region. This is an opportunity to bring many of the renowned local women who work in the film industry together to highlight the creativity in the region. We're currently reaching out to local filmmakers such as Karen Gropman, Judy White, Ingrid Price, Donna Hamilton, and Suzanne Braun Levine.”
With veterans, the concept is to provide a pre-Veterans Day film salute at the Film Salon, Voelkel explained.
“We think this is especially timely, given the 75th anniversary of the US’s entry into World War II, the 50th anniversary of the escalation of the war in Vietnam, and the 15th year since the beginning of the Iraq conflict,” he noted.
On the subject of conservation, the festival plans to screen A"merica’s First Forest," featuring the first American-born forester, Gifford Pinchot, with filmmaker Jamie Lewis.
“Everything we are doing aligns with our new mission," Voelkel continued. "Our objective is to stay true to what has worked well in the past that our filmgoers love, and we are going to try some new approaches. This is a transitional, experimental year for Black Bear. We want to retain and entertain our loyal audiences, and delight them and new audiences as well with ‘something for everyone’.”
The Black Bear Film Festival will take place over the weekend of October 14–16.