MAINE: "I don’t remember a year when we’ve had this many features," says Greg Gadberry, assistant director of the Maine Film Office. "We haven’t had a big studio feature this year," he admits, but the indie dramas LIBERTY, MAINE and FINDING HOME mark the fourth and fifth features under a $5 million price tag completed in the Pine Tree State so far. Other films include Ziad Hamzeh’s SHADOW GLORIES that wrapped in early September in Lewiston.

The Maine Film Office attended the 22nd Annual IFP Independent Feature Film Market (IFFM) in a joint marketing venture with Vermont and New Hampshire, much like they did for the Locations Expo in Los Angeles this past year. IFFM happened from September 17-22 at the Angelika Film Center in New York City. "It’s kind of a combination between a film festival and a marketing sales event," says Gadberry about the event that also gives the film offices an opportunity to see a lot of new work and meet producers and directors one on one. It’s those relationships, he says, that are important.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: "New Hampshire is being scouted for an independent project, AMERICAN GUN," says Margaret Joyce, director of the New Hampshire Film and Television Office. An L.A.-based producer and director recently toured the Granite State for locations that will hopefully be used in the film. Film Planet, another L.A-based company is also in talks with the state about locations for a project as is Dreamworks. TIME MACHINE, the Dreamworks production is trying to recreate a New York intersection from the turn of the 19th century.

The Food Network recently completed a "Segment on food through the centuries at the historical Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth," adds Joyce. In other television news, two international travel shows, one German and one British, also shot pieces around the state, she says.

Locamundo.com now features over 900 images from the database of over 1500 that the film office has online, according to Matt Woodson, an official location scout for the state. Check them out online at www.filmnh.org.

MASSACHUSETTS: Robin Dawson, director of the Massachusetts Film Office is pleased to announce the start of SESSION 9, the new Brad Anderson film shooting in the Bay State. At press time, they were gearing up to roll cameras on September 18th. And the omnipresent and Mass.-friendly Dreamworks was looking into locations for its TIME MACHINE. "Production is moving forward and it’s business as usual," says Dawson. There are no problems with shooting in Massachusetts, she adds, in light of the current teamster issues.

The 16th Annual Boston Film Festival ran September 8-17. Boston Film Excellence Awards went to Ellen Burstyn for her performance in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM and Jeff Bridges for his role in THE CONTENDER. Also at the festival, the Film Office announced their 7th Annual Screenwriting Competition winner, Kris Johnson of Hopkinton, for his screenplay WRITTEN IN WATER. The 23-year-old Johnson, a former intern at the Film Office (a surprise discovered after the announcement), graduated with a B.S. in Radio, TV, and Film from Northwestern University in 1999. As the winner, Johnson will receive a complimentary trip to Los Angeles, including round-trip airfare and two-nights in a Los Angeles hotel and the film office will schedule meetings for him to meet with studio executives and production professionals. Congratulations and good luck Kris!

RHODE ISLAND: SWIMMING UPSTREAM, the family drama feature from Media Entertainment, Inc. has rolled its cameras in Bristol, says Rick Smith, director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office. Writer/Director Robert Emery, an established nature documentarian, has assembled a great cast with Michael Moriarty (LAW & ORDER), Kelly Rutherford (THE FUGITIVE, television series and SCREAM 3) and Ben Savage (Cory on ABC’s BOY MEETS WORLD).

THUNDER DOYLE, the Vinnie Paz boxing bio-pic, has set up shop at the Armory in Providence. The former military storage facility is a perfect production space because of its 60ft. ceilings and is also being used as a soundstage for the film, adds Smith. Michael Corrente initially had plans for the space, but his interests have taken him elsewhere, says Smith. He also notes that the office fully anticipates a feature in the Westerly area. Details will be forthcoming.

The city of Providence expects its namesake TV show, PROVIDENCE, around mid-October says Eric Olin, executive director of the Providence Film Commission — Mayor’s Office of Film & Video Arts. The location manager for the show was already scouting by early September, but since they consistently return every fall, they pretty much know their way around the city. In addition to the cast and crew they fly in from Los Angeles, it gives some locals the opportunity to work on a prime time TV series. With 2-3 weeks of pre-production, when they set up the office, through production, and a week of wrap, more than a dozen local crew people are hired to assist the show.

CONNECTICUT: As a way of making the state more indie-friendly, the state will be listening very closely to the special needs of independent filmmaker at this year’s IFP. "Independent filmmakers struggle with financial and logistical obstacles inherent to all productions but lack the resources and business practice skills that can bring success," notes Guy Ortoleva, managing director of the Connecticut Film, Video and Media Office. The office will also demonstrate a new "alternative distribution" website at IFP where filmmakers will be able to upload trailers and supporting materials of their work and have them seen by industry professionals. Nina Adams with Film Fest New Haven and Robert Kesten with the Film Makers Educational Cooperative will also be available at the event.

ARREST AND TRIAL, a new series from LAW AND ORDER creator Dick Wolf and Studios USA is shooting at Sonalysts Studios

in Waterford, CT, says Philip Hanson, director of the Southeastern Connecticut Film Commission. Connecticut resident Brian Dennehy is hosting and shooting the "Wraparounds" at the studio.

The Connecticut Film Commission is holding a special seminar entitled "Connecticut — The State of Commercial TV Production." It’s an interactive panel discussion focusing on increasing commercial production and business opportunities in Connecticut and will be held at the Stamford Marriott on October 18, 2000 from 10am-12pm. The cost of the seminar is $25 for pre-registered attendees and $40 at the door. Other sponsors include Sonalysts Studios, Group W Network Services, IATSE Local 52 and the New Milford Film Commission. Call the film office at (800) 392-2122 for additional information.

Also, if there is anyone interested and available to help upgrade the database of locations the state has to offer to productions, please contact the film office.

Carl Hansen wrote this month’s story on the Nantucket Film Festival. He lives in Burbank, CA. You can e-mail any comments or questions for him to: fhansen1@netzero.com