The Nantucket Film Festival is a film festival founded in 1996 to promote the cultural awareness and appreciation of the art of screenwriting in the world of cinema. Nantucket Film Festival screens a world-class program of independent, studio-produced, foreign, documentary, and short films in every genre, including many theatrical premieres. Approximately 20 feature films and 15–25 short films are selected annually every June with an eye for great screenwriting and storytelling. Board Members include Ben Stiller and Brian Williams.
Celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year (June 17–20), the NFF has become one of the premiere destination film festivals in the world, located in beautiful Nantucket . Visitors come from all over to experience our preview screenings, signature events, and stand out hospitality on a magical island, rich with history, a friendly atmosphere, and beautiful sandy beaches.
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The Nantucket Film Festival was founded by brother and sister team Jill Burkhart and Jonathan Burkhart. The Burkharts lived on the island year round, and with their love of movies and the community, they knew it was the perfect place to begin a film festival. From its inception, the festival's mission has been to celebrate screenwriters and explore screenwriting in the complex world of filmmaking. In 1997, Mystelle Brabbêe joined the team and today NFF continues to thrive, always remaining true to its mission.
The NFF Screenwriters Tribute is a celebration of a noted screenwriter who has brought distinction to the craft of writing for film. This red carpet event is hosted by Brian Williams, NFF Board member and NBC News anchor, who shows off his flair for humor. Past honorees include: Walter Bernstein, Charlie Kaufman, Ring Lardner Jr., Steve Martin, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Jay Presson Allen, James Schamus, Paul Schrader, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, Judd Apatow and Harold Ramis . The 15th Anniversary edition of the 2010 Screenwriters Tribute honorees are Barry Levinson, Michael Arndt and Davis Guggenheim.
Keeping the ancient tradition of storytelling alive, Six storytellers tell their tales without the benefit of notes or scripts. Writers, actors, filmmakers and Nantucketers tell stories both awe-inspiring and amusing. Past storytellers include; Jim Carrey, Jerry Stiller, Tina Fey, Laird Hamilton, Jesse L Martin, Brian Williams, Joe Pantoliano, Alan Cumming, Mos Def, Olympia Dukakis, Ted Hope, Paul Rudd, Celia Weston, John Shea, Kristen Johnson, Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly, Anne Meara, Rosie Perez, and Ben Stiller.
Presented by NFF board member Ben Stiller, this annual roundtable is a high light of every NFF. The upcoming 2010 All-Star Comedy Roundtable with Ben Stiller includes special guest Zach Galifianakis (writer/comedian, The Hangover, TV’s Bored To Death) and Sarah Silverman, among others. NFF Festival Executive Director Colin Stanfield commented on the announcement saying in a press statement, “Year in and year out, Late Night Storytelling and the Screenwriters Tribute draw lines around the block and we can already tell that Ben’s Comedy event will be another Nantucket Film Festival classic. Ben, Zach and Sarah on the same stage? It’s going to be awesome!”
The NFF Official Juries announced in May and the NFF Official Awards are presented to recipients on the last day of the festival in June. Awards are handed out for:
Audience members can vote for the Best Feature and the Best Short after each screening.
Audience members can vote for the Best Feature and the Best Short after each screening.
Teen-only jury honors their favorite short film.
Inspired by 2004's Audience Award Winner, the documentary Girlhood, this award recognizes the craft of storytelling in documentary filmmaking.
Nantucket Film Festival celebrates the legacy of Adrienne Shelly by honoring outstanding achievement by a female filmmaker among the festival's features, documentaries and short films. Each year's winner is provided with transportation to and lodging at the festival, along with a $5,000 cash prize.
Presented in honor of Tony Cox, former CEO of Showtime Networks, who passionately nurtured emerging talent.
Presented in honor of Tony Cox, former CEO of Showtime Networks, who passionately nurtured emerging talent.
Presented in honor of Tony Cox, former CEO of Showtime Networks, who passionately nurtured emerging talent
The Screenwriters Colony is a month long, all-expense-paid retreat on the island of Nantucket. Writers are invited to workshop their feature screenplay projects with guidance from industry mentors. Participating writers live together in an atmosphere of secluded creativity at picturesque Almanack Farm, perched on the edge of Nantucket's cranberry bog conservation land. In addition to intensive one-on-one feedback sessions, writers and advisors enjoy a sociable colony experience over dinners and island outings.