Black Bear festival announces lineup

MILFORD, PA — The 6th Annual Black Bear Film Festival has announced its lineup of independent cinema, historical features, short films and animations, industry insider lectures, environmental film program, children’s activities and opportunities to talk with filmmakers about their art and craft, especially in the main theatre. Festival dates are October 14 through 16; many events are free.

The opening-night film, on October 14, is a sneak peak at Martin Scorsese’s “Brooklyn Lobster,” a bittersweet drama starring Danny Aiello, and funny Jane Curtin, is based on director Kevin Jordan’s actual family business, Jordan’s Lobster Dock in Brooklyn. Gold & Gala Passholders only; no individual tickets.

Saturday main theatre film lineup:

9:00 a.m. “Howl’s Moving Castle” (Animation/Fantasy, 119 min. Rated PG) The world’s premier animator Hayao Miyazaki creates a stunningly inventive anime in a love story between Howl the sorcerer and Sophie, an 18-year-old girl turned into a 90-year-old hag by a witch’s curse.

11:15 a.m. “Ushpizin” (Comedy/Drama, 90 min, Rated PG, In Hebrew, subtitled.) A funny and uplifting film, the first made in the ultra-Orthodox community, bringing Haredi Judaism to most audiences for the first time.

1:00 p.m. “Paradise Now” (Suspense/Thriller, 90 min. Rated PG-13. In Arabic, subtitled.) Winner of Best European film at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival as well as the Amnesty International Film Award,

3:15 p.m. “Grizzly Man” (Documentary, 103 min. Rated R.) Werner Herzog explores the life and death of Timothy Treadwell, a bold, reckless activist who believed he had a special bond with Alaska’s grizzly bears.

5:15 p.m. “Pucker Up” (Documentary, 78 min. All audiences.) This funny documentary celebrates the joyous pastime of whistling.

7:45 p.m. “Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Charm and Dance School” (Romantic Drama,103 min. Rated PG.) Robert Carlyle (“The Full Monty”) stars as a lonely widower.

10:00 p.m. “Be Here to Love Me” (Documentary, 99 min. Unrated; mature.) The life of troubled troubadour Townes Van Zandt, with footage and friends telling his story with style and energy.

Sunday main theatre film lineup:

10:15 a.m. “Travelers and Magicians” (Adventure, 108 min. All audiences. In Dzongkha, subtitled.) The tale of a young man from a tiny village who yearns to visit America.

12:45 p.m. “Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” (Documentary, 83 min. All audiences.) The true story of a Bohemian St. Francis and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild red-and-green parrots.

3:00 p.m. “The Greatest Good” (Documentary, 60 min. All audiences.) The story behind Milford’s own Gifford Pinchot, the Forest Service’s first Chief, who actually coined the word, “conservation” here at Grey Towers.

5:30 p.m. “Strangers on A Train” (Suspense Thriller, 101 min. Rated PG.) An Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece.

Tickets cost $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Saturday morning family film, “Howl’s Moving Castle,” is $2.50.

For more information call 570/409-0909.