MILFORD, PA — The Black Bear Film Festival (BBFF) is now in its 17th year, but under new leadership. New director Will Voelkel talked to The River Reporter about what’s new in the coming festival that takes place October 14 to 16.

Voelkel said the effort of existing and new volunteers make the festival happen. He said, “We have a 25% increase of volunteers over last year.” The mixture is about 60% local residents and 40% part-time residents.

He added that the festival is still looking for new volunteers due to expanded activities throughout the year, such as new student filmmaking workshops that started on August 6 and an expanded community picnic on August 13.

The theme this year will be diversity, and the festival aims to cater to everyone.

The main film is still under consideration, Voelkel said, “But we’re currently focusing on upbeat films that will appeal to a wide audience. Official selections of all films will be announced in late August.”

Among other new developments are an expanded regional outreach as far as New York City and Scranton, and the Schools Partnership Initiative.

Women and veterans will be highlighted this year, as is Milford, the birthplace of early film and the U.S. conservation movement.

”The Sunday afternoon Women in Film segment will highlight film clips and filmmakers from the Tri-State region,” Voelkel continued. Among the local female filmmakers are Karen Gropman, Judy White, Ingrid Price and Donna Hamilton.

Regarding veterans, “It’s too early to get into specifics, but the concept being worked on is to provide a pre-Veterans Day film salute at the Film Salon. We think this is especially timely given the 75th anniversary of the U.S.’s entry into WWII, 50th anniversary of the escalation of the war in Vietnam, and the 15th year since the beginning of the Iraq conflict.”

And regarding conservation and early film making, “We plan to screen America’s First Forest, featuring the first American-born forester [first head of the U.S. National Forest Service] Gifford Pinchot, with filmmaker Jamie Lewis.”

Voelkel said he intends to “stay true to what has worked well in the past that our filmgoers love—and we are going to try some new approaches. This is a transitional, experimental year for Black Bear. We want to retain and entertain our loyal audiences and delight them and new audiences as well with ‘something for everyone.’”

The six areas of focus are:

• Film-related events, including more interactive events with filmmakers such as directors, producers, actors and screenwriters. Director Mark Christopher will be present for the screening of the director’s cut of “54.”

• Film workshops for young people and adults. Two workshops in acting will be offered for young people ages 12 to 18 in Pike County libraries in summer and fall.

• Patrons Den Membership Club. Members can join at various annual membership levels ranging from $25 for students, $65 for seniors, and $100 and above for other adults.

• Monthly film commentary column. Cess Weintraub will start a monthly column featuring Black Bear at the Movies in Milford, PA’s Journal Group of magazines, which includes the Milford Journal.

• Expansion of Artful Bears Community Picnic. The picnic takes place on the lawn of the Community House at 201 Broad St. in Milford on August 13 from 3 to 5 p.m., celebrating the unveiling of the Artful Bears for 2016.

• Partnerships and Outreach Programs. A brand-new Schools Partnership Initiative with three high schools, a new BBFF college intern program with Sussex County Community College, and working with Tri-State community organizations and segments.

For more information or to volunteer, call 570/409-0909, email info@blackbearfilm or visit blackbearfilm.com.