Did somebody say sweatah weatha?
City Hall Plaza is getting its first film festival, and it costs nothing to attend. Sweater Weather Fest takes over the plaza on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., with industry panels, DJs, local food and outdoor screenings. It’s free and open to all ages, but organizers ask you to RSVP online.
The night ends with the final two episodes of Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay”, projected onto a 60-foot screen. The horror-comedy was shot in Massachusetts, including Gloucester and Rockport. It recently won 14 Emmy Awards, among them outstanding comedy series, making it the most awarded first-season comedy in Emmy history.
The schedule: panels, a contest and a screening
The plaza opens at 2 p.m. with DJ Beez and DJ Real P, plus vendors, food and activities. Half-hour panels start on the main stage at 3:30 p.m. and run into sunset:
“Deep in the Credits”: Location manager and festival co-founder John Whoriskey Jr. talks with set dresser and prop maker Doug Armitage and costume designer Virginia Johnson about behind-the-scenes work and how to start a film career.
“Starring You”: Local television veteran Lisa Gresci leads a discussion on getting booked for on-camera work, with SAG-AFTRA New England Local President Liz Eng and Robert Casey of Maggie Inc.
“How Massachusetts Made an Instant Horror Classic”: Supervising location manager Greg Chiodo, Patrick Brazile of the locations team and Massachusetts Film Office Director Meg Montagnino-Jarrett discuss making “Widow’s Bay” with a Massachusetts crew.
“The Big Picture”: Adam Chip Hamilton, coordinating producer of “Ted Lasso,” Ryan Cook, producer of “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” and production supervisor of “Dexter: Resurrection,” and Eran Lobel, CEO and executive producer at ELEMENT productions, explain how productions get developed and staffed.
“A Czar Is Born”: Czarface and Boston rap veterans 7L and Esoteric talk about alternative storytelling and how their music caught Hollywood’s attention after “Czarface Meets Frankie Pulitzer.”
After sunset, selected entries from the festival’s vertical short-film contest will screen on the plaza, and the winner will be announced and awarded on-site. Entries are free and close Oct. 8. Details are on the film contest page. “Widow’s Bay” follows to close the night.
Beyond the screen: careers, kids and a coat drive
If you’re curious about working in film, head to the Production Pathway. SAG-AFTRA New England, the Massachusetts Film Office, New England Studios and production companies will be there to talk about opportunities. Free professional headshots will be available to download by QR code the same day, and the Crafty Networking Hour offers free snacks and a chance to meet other creatives.
For families, there’s a Hollywood star trailer for photos from Above the Line, a petting zoo with two miniature dwarf cows from May Royal Minis, and a stop-motion filmmaking station from Filmmakers Collaborative where kids make a film and take it home that day.
The festival will also run a sweater and coat drive for Cradles to Crayons, supporting Bostonians who need winter clothing. Each donated item earns a raffle ticket for a prize awarded on the plaza.
On the food side, Aby’s House serves smash burgers and steak and cheese, Cinsational Dining brings Caribbean-Italian rice bowls, Tacos Las Toxicas has Mexican street tacos, and Red Apple Farm sells cider doughnuts and cider. Cheapo Records will also have a fall pop-up.
Getting there
City Hall Plaza is at 1 City Hall Square, next to the Government Center MBTA station. Full-day parking costs $25 at Government Center Garage. Dogs are welcome, and it’s a good idea to bring a chair or blanket. More information is on the festival website.
About the inaugural Sweater Weather Fest
Ray Fuschetti, John Whoriskey Jr. and Vincent Henry founded the festival, which is produced with Sweater Weather Films and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture as part of the City Hall Plaza Event Series. The festival is where “fall meets film.”
Find Sweater Weather Fest:
Saturday, October 17 from 2-11 PM at City Hall Plaza in Boston
