Indie Film Fan Fave FirstGlance Festival

Opens with Special Guests and Parties

PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 12, 2009 – The 12^th annual FirstGlance Film Festival kicks off on

Thursday, October 22^nd and runs through Sunday, October 25^th 2009 at Franklin Theater in

The Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street,  Philadelphia, PA 19103 with over 34 projects, an online

short film competition, lots of local talent, special invited guests, and after parties every night. 

Opening Night Thursday October 22^nd at 7:45

Join special invited guests, local press and media, filmmakers, cast, and crew from Philadelphia and

around the world for the 12^th annual FirstGlance Independent Film Festival. The Opening Night Screening

features a variety of shorts plus the feature “Dark Room Theater” starring David Stanford about ordinary

people who find themselves in extraordinary, usually supernatural, situations directed by Philly

native Benjamin Pollack.  FirstGlance attendees are invited to the Opening Night Party with appetizers

and drink specials following the screening at Noche, 1901 Chestnut Street.

Friday Night October 23^rd at 7:45 and 10:15

Shorts and the Philadelphia Premiere of the feature “Chasing the White Dragon,” starring Ryan

Kennedy and Amanda Ward about six small town meth addicts by local writer/director Kathilynn Phillips

make up this screening.  Following the Friday Night Screening is a Spotlight Screening of “Ice Grill

USA,” a vivid yet stark examination of the pursuit of the American Dream set in the multicultural

landscape of Atlantic City, Ice Grill examines class struggle and the acquisition of status in a morally

indifferent community by local directors Greg Santarsiero and Mark Bernardi.   An after party for

FirstGlance attendees follows the Friday Night Screening with drink and food specials at

The Mission Grill, 1835 Arch Street.

Saturday October 24^th Matinee at 4:15

This screening features the documentary “The Color Bearers,” hosted by Vince Papale, from local

filmmakers John Foley and Steve Newbert about the personal stories revealing the meaning of the

American flag and patriotism from 1776 thru the 21st century as told by average Americans.

Saturday October 24^th Twilight at 6:00

Features the documentary, “Smile ‘Til It Hurts: The Up With People Story” by Lee Storey, a true story

about the singing group that represented an establishment-friendly alternative to the counter-culture. 

Saturday Night October 24^th at 8:15

Gorman Bechard’s feature “Friends (With Benefits)”is about the complications that arise when two best

friends decide to secretly blur the lines dividing friendship from relationship and plays with a mix of shorts.

An after party for FirstGlance attendees follows the Friday Night screening with drink and food specials at

The Mission Grill, 1835 Arch Street.

Sunday October 25^th Matinee at 4:15

Rob Stuart and Tara Nurin are local directors screening their documentary, “Free the River Park,” the

story of citizens’ fight for the Schuylkill River Park, featuring Mayor Michael Nutter.

Sunday October 25^th Twilight at 6:00

“Butterflies” by Ester Brym is a feature documentary film following the lives of six young people that are

prominent 'weblebrities' on a video site YouTube.  This screens along with “Friends of Independence,”

by Joe Medeiros about a group of dedicated volunteers who work with Independence Hall National Park

in Philadelphia and local director Greg Koorhan’s short “Tripping Up.”

Closing Night Sunday October 25^th at 8:00

The Closing Night Screening features the film “How I Got Lost” by Joe Leonard starring Aaron Stanford,

Rosemarie DeWitt, and Nicole Vicius about a reckless young banker who convinces his broken-hearted

best friend to leave New York with him after 9/11 to look for the things they've lost. The friends discover

that sometimes you have to get lost to figure out where you are going.  The screening also includes the

online shorts contest winner.  FirstGlance attendees are invited to the Closing Night Party with appetizers

and drink specials following the screening at Drinker’s Pub, 1903 Chestnut Street.

About Franklin Theater:  The Franklin Institute, Pennsylvania’s most-visited museum, completed an extensive renovation of its Franklin Theater in 2008.  Now featuring 3-D and hi-def Blu-Ray digital projection capabilities, Franklin Theater showcases a mix of educational and technologically forward films.  Additional elements of the Franklin Theater’s renovation include 11-speaker 5.1 surround sound, new seating, carpeting, energy-efficient lighting and acoustical treatments.  The Theater décor is highlighted by newly re-furbished science murals from The Franklin’s artist archives. The Franklin Institute now houses three cutting-edge theaters – the Tuttleman IMAX Dome Theater, Franklin Theater and the Fels Planetarium, each providing unique theater-going experiences. 

# # #

Tickets NOW on sale at http://firstglancefilms.com/philadelphia/boxoffice.

Watch trailers for FirstGlance Philly 12 films at http://www.firstglancefilms.com/philadelphia/trailers.

For complete screening schedules, visit http://firstglancefilms.com/philadelphia/schedule.