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MULTIMEDIA Video:  Interview with NHFX organizers

To read more about the NHFX festival as it unfolds, check out Mike Keating's blog, NHFX Action, at http://www.blogthecoast.com/nhfx/

NHFX Forum

The sixth annual New Hampshire Film Expo (NHFX) kicks off Thursday at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, from 6 to 9 p.m., with a celebration of New Hampshire Filmmaking. It’s a fitting way to begin a festival that started with a few nights of film, discussion and networking at a small hall in Derry, and has blossomed into a four-day event in the heart of the Seacoast arts scene featuring 67 films coming from 31 states and 17 countries.

The films will be shown at four venues: The Music Hall, The Sheraton Harborside Amphitheater, The Connie Bean Center and downstairs at the Muddy River Smokehouse. Workshops will be run out of The Hot Spot, Tradewings Building, 85 Middle St., in Portsmouth. Closing night ceremonies will take place at Seacoast Repertory Theatre. Tickets range from $9 per show/event to $100 for the all-inclusive weekend patron pass.

MULTIMEDIA Video:  A view from the projection booth

If for some odd reason you don’t make it to any other part of the festival, at least drag your tired old butts down to The Music Hall tonight and celebrate some great local artists. (And remember, The Music Hall sells beer with its popcorn.) Go to the NHFX Web site www.nhfx.com to check out the full lineup and download a schedule of screenings. You can also pick up the slick and informative NHFX guide at any of the venues, as well as at Bull Moose Music on Congress Street.

As a tasty teaser to whet your appetite, we’ve set up the trailer to the local film “A Bootful of Fish,” written by that dashing man about town Lars Trodson of Eliot, Maine, and directed by equally suave and sophisticated Mike Gillis of Rollinsford. The film was shot at The Rochester Opera House.

MULTIMEDIA Video:  Trailer for "A Bootful of Fish"

The film is said to involve a man in drag (and no one knows why), “a group of actors who can’t stop laughing at the dialogue they’re given to say and a director who would rather be off doing his mime act … in Yiddish. There’s a crazy sister who thinks she’s a movie star and a playwright who thinks he is Tennessee Williams. They are not.” The film will be shown during N.H. Film Block 2, which runs from 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12 at The Music Hall, and again on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Amphitheater. Check it out

Who’s gonna be here?

I’ve been trying to spread the rumor for the past few weeks, unsuccessfully mind you, that Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of The Who, will be seen sloshing through the wet streets of Portsmouth this weekend. (Hell, it could happen.) Daltrey, who is currently touring the States with his mate Pete Townshend and a few other talented blokes to support the group’s new album, stars in “Johnny Was,” a pretty cool gangster flick. The cast includes Eric LaSalle (remember that moody Dr. Peter Benton guy from ER?) and boxer Lennox Lewis (Pow!). Organizers believe this to be the official American screening debut of “Johnny Was,” so even if Daltrey is a no-show on the red carpet, that’s still pretty cool. Catch the flick at 4 p.m. at The Music Hall on Saturday.

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Many of the films will be introduced and or discussed by their directors or producers.

Portsmouth isn’t Cannes or Telluride. Don’t expect to see Johnny Depp knocking back a Guinness at The Press Room, or Brangelina and the kids shopping at G. Willikers!, or even Nick Nolte at Gilly’s after last call. The beauty of the festival, though, is that while it’s growing and attracting attention from around the world, it is still small enough so that you’ll be able to see a new film screened and then be able to chat up the actors, directors, producers or crew afterwards at The Sports Page (The official NHFX night spot).

Then again, from what we’ve heard, the Sheraton is holding back some rooms just in case someone like Daltrey, or perhaps Susan Sarandon and James Woods, both of whom narrate documentaries to be screened at NHFX, decide to come knocking at the last minute.

I love to start rumors.

To read more about the NHFX festival as it unfolds, check out my blog, NHFX Action, at http://www.blogthecoast.com/nhfx/

ABOUT NHFX

WHAT New Hampshire Film Expo, download detailed schedule at www.nhfx.com.

WHEN Thursday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 15

WHERE The Music Hall, Sheraton Amphitheater, Muddy River, Connie Bean Center, Tradewings, all in Portsmouth

COST $9, Individual Film Ticket: 2+ hour blocks including features and shorts; $9, individual workshop ticket, access to one workshop; $15, New Hampshire Night: four hours of film and discussion; $25, day pass: all access to film blocks, workshops and after parties; $75, all weekend pass: 4-day all access to film blocks, workshops and after parties; $100, NHFX patron pass: 4-day all access including VIP suite and special treatment; $5, individual after party ticket: access to Friday or Saturday night industry parties without a day pass, weekend pass or patron pass; student discounts: $20 for a day pass; $50 for an all weekend pass

CONTACT Advance tickets on sale through The Music Hall box office, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth or call 436-2400. Download detailed schedule at www.nhfx.com