Six things to love about the New Hope Film Festival

Six things to love about the New Hope Film Festivalfeatured

by Lucie on July 24, 2019
Posted in Break, Film Festivals, Travel

“Break” screened at the New Hope Film Festival on July 22. I was so happy to travel to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for this event.

Just a few things I enjoyed:

  • Founder D.F. Whipple always kept us in the loop. We knew just what the festival needed from us. And even before our film was selected, the festival’s communications made us feel valued. The volunteers are fantastic, too; the whole energy is very positive.
  • The audience was wonderfully attentive and generous in their responses. They asked quality questions like, “What does a producer do?” That’s easily one of my favorites to answer.
  • There was fantastic diversity to the programming, and it represented a broad range of perspectives. The schedule for Break’s screening day also included films from the United Kingdom, Ghana and Nicaragua — things I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see otherwise. This sort of seems like the whole point of a film festival, and — particularly for my work as an educator — it’s a gift.
  • The town of New Hope is a dream. It’s right on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border and feels very New England. I’m sure I’m not the only producer who came for the festival and ended up thinking about filming there.
    A peek at what I’m talking about:
Train station in New Hope, Pennsylvania -- photo by Lucie Amberg
The towpath in New Hope, Pennsylvania -- photo by Lucie Amberg
This towpath runs behind the hotel I stayed in. It’s perfect for running, biking or taking a shortcut to downtown.
Geese crossing the road in Bucks County, Pennsylvania -- photo by Lucie Amberg
No joke: right after I took this, a beaver ran across the road. (He was too fast for me.)
  • On that note: Isn’t this the most charming screening venue ever?
  • And because New Hope has a long history as a tourist destination, it’s filled with great restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts and shops, along with hospitable people. It’s a deeply delightful place to get away.
Porches on the Towpath in New Hope, PA -- photo by Lucie Amberg
My room at Porches on the Towpath B&B. All those books greeted me like big hugs.
Porches on the Towpath in New Hope, PA -- photo by Lucie Amberg
And true to its name, my room had its own porch. I spent two hours reading “Wuthering Heights” there. (Side note: This was my first time reading it, and wow — those Brontës could write.)
Tagsbreakbucks countylucie ambergnew hopenew hope film festivalporches on the towpathrichard amberg

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