entries sought for $1,000 history film prize @ Ashfield Film Festival - Aug 31 deadline
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Stacy Kontrabecki
Aug 14, 2025, 9:07:09 PM8/14/25
to Masshisto...@googlegroups.com
Press Release for Ashfield FilmFest
Contact: Lynn R. Dole lrd...@gmail.com with questions.
Ashfield FilmFest announces a new historical film category with a $1000
prize for this year
only!
Submit a short film for this year’s event!
“These are the times that try men’s [our] souls”, Thomas Paine wrote in
The Crisis in
1776. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the American
Revolution and in
recognition of the circumstances of the present, the Ashfield FilmFest
introduces a
special cash award this year for the short film that best addresses the
idea attributed to
philosopher George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned
to repeat it.” The challenge will be to think outside the box. Themes
could range from
lighter treatments, such as “how to best set a toaster oven to avoid
burning toast for a
second or third time”, to weightier subjects such as a constitutional
crisis. Remember
how Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1787 about Shay’s Rebellion in Western
Massachusetts: "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good
thing, and as
necessary in the political world as storms in the physical world."? This
special history
award is offered for this year only, with a cash prize of $1000.
As always, the FilmFest welcomes all entries of 5-minute-or-less films
with some
connection to Western Massachusetts. You can submit your film through
FilmFreeway. For more information about the short film competition, see the
Ashfield FilmFest website. All the films are eligible for cash prizes
(between $250 -
$500), and winners also receive a beautiful piece of art made by local
artisans.
The submission deadline is August 31, but it's never too early to submit
your film
and avoid last-minute panic!
Last year, we were thrilled by the large number of short film entries,
and we’re excited to
keep the momentum going with even more this year! All we ask is that the
film has a
connection to Western Massachusetts and is family-friendly. Share this
opportunity with
prospective filmmakers far and wide.
The annual Ashfield FilmFest is scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2025,
at the Town
Hall in Ashfield. On Friday night, we will screen an engaging feature
film with
participation from the filmmakers and the audience. Saturday is the
short film
competition gala, where the community gathers for the excitement of
watching a juried
collection of community-created films together with big sound on a big
screen.
Mark your calendars for the event, and make your film(s) now! Amateurs and
established filmmakers, young and old, are encouraged to submit films.
YOU could be
the one to take home the coveted Audience Choice Award, the Youth Award,
or this
year’s $1000 special history prize.
Looking for inspiration? Check out past entries on the
ashfieldfilmfest.org website, and
read more about entry guidelines. See all the short films from the past
sixteen years on
the Ashfield FilmFest YouTube page
(https://www.youtube.com/@ashfieldfilmfest5914).
--
Stacy Kontrabecki
Director
Hilltown History Trail
a project of thre Buckland Historical Society
Buckland, Massachusetts 01338
http://HilltownHistoryTrail.org
(413) 834-3423
Next Trail: Sat. August 1, 2026
Contact: Lynn R. Dole lrd...@gmail.com with questions.
Ashfield FilmFest announces a new historical film category with a $1000
prize for this year
only!
Submit a short film for this year’s event!
“These are the times that try men’s [our] souls”, Thomas Paine wrote in
The Crisis in
1776. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the American
Revolution and in
recognition of the circumstances of the present, the Ashfield FilmFest
introduces a
special cash award this year for the short film that best addresses the
idea attributed to
philosopher George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned
to repeat it.” The challenge will be to think outside the box. Themes
could range from
lighter treatments, such as “how to best set a toaster oven to avoid
burning toast for a
second or third time”, to weightier subjects such as a constitutional
crisis. Remember
how Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1787 about Shay’s Rebellion in Western
Massachusetts: "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good
thing, and as
necessary in the political world as storms in the physical world."? This
special history
award is offered for this year only, with a cash prize of $1000.
As always, the FilmFest welcomes all entries of 5-minute-or-less films
with some
connection to Western Massachusetts. You can submit your film through
FilmFreeway. For more information about the short film competition, see the
Ashfield FilmFest website. All the films are eligible for cash prizes
(between $250 -
$500), and winners also receive a beautiful piece of art made by local
artisans.
The submission deadline is August 31, but it's never too early to submit
your film
and avoid last-minute panic!
Last year, we were thrilled by the large number of short film entries,
and we’re excited to
keep the momentum going with even more this year! All we ask is that the
film has a
connection to Western Massachusetts and is family-friendly. Share this
opportunity with
prospective filmmakers far and wide.
The annual Ashfield FilmFest is scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2025,
at the Town
Hall in Ashfield. On Friday night, we will screen an engaging feature
film with
participation from the filmmakers and the audience. Saturday is the
short film
competition gala, where the community gathers for the excitement of
watching a juried
collection of community-created films together with big sound on a big
screen.
Mark your calendars for the event, and make your film(s) now! Amateurs and
established filmmakers, young and old, are encouraged to submit films.
YOU could be
the one to take home the coveted Audience Choice Award, the Youth Award,
or this
year’s $1000 special history prize.
Looking for inspiration? Check out past entries on the
ashfieldfilmfest.org website, and
read more about entry guidelines. See all the short films from the past
sixteen years on
the Ashfield FilmFest YouTube page
(https://www.youtube.com/@ashfieldfilmfest5914).
--
Stacy Kontrabecki
Director
Hilltown History Trail
a project of thre Buckland Historical Society
Buckland, Massachusetts 01338
http://HilltownHistoryTrail.org
(413) 834-3423
Next Trail: Sat. August 1, 2026
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