The coronavirus, (COVID-19) pandemic is having a devastating impact on film festivals with many postponing or cancelling outright. Major festivals such as San Francisco International Film Festival and RiverRun International Film Festival have canceled, while others such as Richmond International Film Festival and Florida Film Festival have been postponed until the Summer or Fall.
El Chicano, a Latino-inspired superhero film starring Raul Castillo and George Lopez will kick off the 8th Annual Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown on March 29, 2019.
The Seventh annual Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown will open with the film “Butterfly Kisses”, at The Historic Maryland Theatre. The three day film festival will commence from April 27 to April 29.
MDIFF-H Executive Director, Tracie Hovey said, “Butterfly Kisses is not only a locally produced feature but it is fun to watch from beginning to end. It is our first time launching the festival with a locally produced feature so it is certainly exciting to have such high quality coming from an independent filmmaker in our area. Each year we raise the bar higher when it comes to the film festival. We have more than 100 filmmakers from around the world coming to our community to screen their films. We are excited about all of films and activities surrounding this year’s festival and looking forward to an exceptional event.”
This year’s celebrity guest appearances include Joe Carnahan, Kerry Cahill, Shelly Strong, Amir Arison, Ann Mahoney and much more. Opening night films and a ceremony for the winners of the prestigious Mendez and Nora Roberts Foundation awards will be a part of the opening night festivities.
Butterfly Kisses (2017) / U.S.A (Local Maryland director and writer: Erik Kristopher Myers) – A filmmaker discovers a box of video tapes depicting two students’ disturbing film project featuring a local horror legend, The Peeping Tom. As he sets out to prove this story is real and release it as a work of his own, he loses himself and the film crew following him into his project. Butterfly Kisses is nominated for the Best Feature award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kR–RmIkoo