PITTSTON — It’s lights, camera and action for a new festival with its spotlight aimed at local filmmakers.

The inaugural Pittston International Film Festival will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad St. Admission is $10 at the door and includes Q&As with filmmakers. The festival was inspired by acting and film classes at the library taught by Vinnie Langdon, a Pittston resident with industry experience, specifically, experience submitting content to film festivals.

“Part of the class was going over how to submit movies to film fests,” Langdon said. “Patricia (Joyce, director of Pittston Memorial Library) asked if the library could do something like that.”

After he received the green light to begin production, Langdon started editing festival criteria. Submissions can fall into any genre category, but films should run no more than 10 minutes (including any credits) and content should not exceed what’s deemed morally acceptable for a PG-13 rating from Motion Picture Association of America. Filmmakers will be charged $10 for submissions, which can be made via DVD or digital file transfer.

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Joyce said the festival isn’t just a chance to get people into the library; it’s also a chance to recognize Pittston’s creativity in a format that’s not easy to present at events like art walks.

“We get to show off our beautiful town and to bring people to this neck of the woods will be great,” Joyce said. “It also gets to showcase talent you maybe wouldn’t have seen or heard from before.”

Langdon is eager to meet local artists who may be drawn to the festival. He moved to the Pittston area from California in 2015 and has over a decade of experience writing, filming editing, producing and acting. He’s hoping to network with other area talents for future projects.

“As a filmmaker and actor new to this community, I want to meet other people who enjoy doing what I do,” Langdon said. “If you’re a writer, let’s collaborate. If you love acting and you’re passionate, let’s work together. I’m hoping the film fest will be a great opportunity for people to network.”

Langdon and Joyce were both cautiously optimistic about the festival becoming an annual affair. The former said sequels could expand into a multi-day format.

“Depending on how well this goes, we could stretch it to a three-day festival with shorts, a feature-length film and special categories like female directors,” Langdon said. “Maybe add an awards show.”

Submissions for Pittston International Film Festival will be accepted from April 3 through Aug. 15. To contact the committee, email PittstonFilm@gmail.com.

Pittston International Film Festival Committee Director Vinnie Langdon said the event will be a low-key festival in Pittston Memorial Library’s Cosgrove Room, which seats approximately 200 people.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_PIFF-logo.jpgPittston International Film Festival Committee Director Vinnie Langdon said the event will be a low-key festival in Pittston Memorial Library’s Cosgrove Room, which seats approximately 200 people. Submitted photo

Vinnie Langdon has over a decade of entertainment industry experience he’s putting to use as committee director for Pittston International Film Festival.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_vinnie-bw-untoned.jpgVinnie Langdon has over a decade of entertainment industry experience he’s putting to use as committee director for Pittston International Film Festival. Submitted photo
Submissions open April 3

By Gene Axton

gaxton@timesleader.com

Reach Gene Axton at 570-991-6406or on Twitter @GeneAxtonTL