Hollywood is coming to the North Country – check out the all of the stars making their way to the Granite State and the special touches planned for the Flickers North Country Film Festival taking place in a few weeks at The Balsams Grand Resort:

Flickers North Country Film Festival to Feature Screenwriter Chris Sparling

The Flickers North Country Film Festival (NCFF) is pleased to announce that Hollywood screenwriter Chris Sparling, whose credits include the suspense thriller BURIED starring Ryan Reynolds and who is working on a film with M. Night Shyamalan, will be a special guest at the festival. 

Screenwriter Chris Sparling

The non-profit festival aims to promote New Hampshire’s Great North Woods as a regional center for the arts, and is expected to bring celebrities, audiences and international filmmakers to the area.  This exciting event will be held September 30 – October 3, 2010 with screenings of a variety of films in multiple locations and gala events. 

NCFF is in partnership with the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIF) one of the most respected in the country.  Sixty films are scheduled to be screened at NCFF, including 37 short films, 6 feature narrative films and 18 documentaries.  The films are truly international, with 21 countries being represented.  For a full listing of the films being screened, visit http://northcountryfilmfestival.org. 

Saturday, Chris Sparling will share details about BURIED, which was recently screened at the Sundance Film Festival and opens nationally this October.  Sparling, a Rhode Island native, will also talk about his other projects including an upcoming production entitled “ATM” and his current project with producer/director M. Night Shyamalan on a supernatural drama titled “Twelve Strangers”.   

Film star Marlyn Mason

Other special guests at NCFF will be actress Marlyn Mason, who has appeared in almost 100 films and television shows with stars like Elvis Presley and Bruce Lee, as well as well-known filmmaker Paul Sanderson of “Our Town Films” who created the PBS documentary “Augustus Saint-Gaudens: Master of American Sculpture” will premier his latest film, “I Can Dance.” 

There are also multiple special events planned during the festival, including rides in the famous “Cannibal Queen” biplane and screenings of the “best of” winners from the August 2010 RIIFF.  As many as three concurrent screenings will take place all weekend throughout The BALSAMS, including the Ballot Room and The Switzerland of America Ballroom.  Shorts, feature length films and animated films across several genres including comedy, drama, fantasy and romance, to North Country and Franco-American culture will be screened.   

Watch for updates and announcements at http://northcountryfilmfestival.org and follow the NCFF on Facebook at Flickers North Country Film Festival and on Twitter at @FlickFilmFestNH.  

Festival rates for film screenings are only $10 per 2 hour +/- block.  A full access pass for all three days of the festival is $45.00.  Featured event pricing including the Red Carpet Opening Night, NHPTV Reception and more can be found at http://northcountryfilmfestival.org/featured_events.htm.  

Room rates at The BALSAMS for Friday and Saturday nights (October 1 and 2) start at $229.00 per person, per night, double occupancy, taxes not included.  Guests staying Thursday night also will receive a free room upgrade.  This rate includes free admission to the festival, breakfast and dinner, including the famous BALSAMS Table d’hôte dinner, unlimited golf and full use of resort facilities.  Festival attendees interested in staying at The BALSAMS are invited to call (800) 255-0600, e-mail reservations@thebalsams.com or visit www.thebalsams.com for full rate information.   

The non-profit festival is sponsored by MVP Health Care, Delta Dental, AutoFair and Smutty Nose Brewery and is supported by The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel and NH Public Television. 

Individuals and organizations interested in becoming a sponsor can contact Gary Armitage at 603-255-2669 or garmitage@thebalsams.com for more details.   

An elegant soiree will also be held on Saturday, October 1 to benefit the Brattleboro Retreat, a mental health and addiction treatment center that provides a wide array of services for children and adults. Its newest program for uniformed service professionals is designed for police, firefighters, correctional officers, EMTs and military personnel who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of their duty.  The Retreat works with patients from Hollywood, CA to Hallowell, ME.  (www.brattlebororetreat.org)  This soiree costs $200.00 per person.  BALSAMS guests who wish to attend the event will receive a $50.00 credit if staying on the resort’s American Plan.  Reservations for the soiree must be made in advance of arrival.