Black Bear Film Festival turns 25

The Black Bear Film Festival (BBFF) held its 25th anniversary party on August 9, at the Landing in the Best Western Hotel. It was a celebration of the festival’s history and all the people who have contributed to make it happen. It was an evening of dinner, dancing, awards, and even a movie trivia game. The atmosphere was familial, almost like a dinner party with 60 of your closest friends. Almost all the guests knew each other and shared their experiences of having volunteered for Black Bear at one time or another.

Max Brinson, longtime BBFF president, said, “This was such a warm and joyous occasion, seeing old friends and supporters of Black Bear. Also, it was important for us to recognize Wendy and Alan Kaplan for their many years of helping to make the festival a success. We would not have been able to continue for 25 years without the help of individuals like them in the community.” The Kaplans have had films screened at the festival and interview filmmakers every year. Their interviews can be viewed on the Black Bear Film Festival’s YouTube channel.

In addition, five volunteers were honored for their longstanding commitment over several years: Liz Steen, Carol Needleman, Donna Hamilton, Margaret Harris, and Sarah Cohen.

The Movie Trivia game was the hit of the evening. Each table was given a pencil and paper and had to write their answers. The game not only tested their knowledge of older films, but also of some Milford trivia. Some example Q and As were:

Q: Who was the first classic Hollywood film star to be honored at the Black Bear Film Festival?

A: Farley Granger in 2005.

Q: In which classic 1954 musical did Jane Powell star as Milly Pontipee, a character who marries a backwoodsman and helps tame his unruly brothers?

A: “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

Q: Milford, Pa., is home to a famous landmark called Grey Towers. Who was the original owner of this mansion, which is now a historical site and museum?

A: Gifford Pinchot, a prominent forester and two-term governor of Pennsylvania.

The room lit up with shouts of “I got it,” “Hurry up,” lots of laughter, and perhaps a peek or two at Google on their phones. The winning table received BBFF T-shirts and had their picture taken, as the rest of the guests crashed onto their photo. It was very high energy fun.

On a more serious note, Milford’s John DiLeo, film historian extraordinaire and BBFF board member, said, ”One of the reasons for the longevity of BBFF is that from the very beginning, we established what the festival could be, but it’s always changing and yet it’s always sort of the same, depending on who the guests and celebrities are. There’s a framework that’s reliable, but the special excitement each year depends on what’s happening that particular year.”

“We are lucky to have this community of passionate individuals that have made this festival a success for 25 years,” said Executive Director Veronica Coyne. She is particularly excited about the celebrity appearance of Illeana Douglas at the forthcoming festival in October. Douglas, herself an actor, author and filmmaker, is the granddaughter of two-time Oscar winner Melvyn Douglas. She has appeared in movies (“Cape Fear,” “To Die For”) and TV (“Seinfeld,” “Six Feet Under”) and her latest book is “Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia.” Guests at a certain level of Patron’s Den membership will have an exclusive opportunity to join Douglas for cocktail hour and a visit.

The Festival is October 18, 19, 20 at the Milford Theater at 114 East Catherine Street, Milford.

Veronica Coyne welcomes all who would like to join the team of volunteers to contact her at blackbearff@gmail.com. More information about tickets, schedules, and special passes will be available on the website: blackbearfilm.com.