The Black Maria Film and Video Festival has been on a mission since 1981, promoting innovation in moving images. Named after Thomas Edison’s motion picture studio, where his short experimental films were made.
Last week, it was announced that the Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival will return to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Fla. on Nov. 1-2, 2013.
Film Festival
The 32nd Annual Black Maria Film Festival 2013 Tour Selections include: Jurors’ Stellar Selections, Jurors’ Choice Selections, Jurors’ Citation Selections, and Director’s Choice Selection.
“The Black Maria Film Festival is an international award winning festival that has toured the nation for 32 years. It is hosted by museums and colleges throughout the country showcasing independent and experimental film and video.” – Winter Estates
Outside Event
The event is to be held outdoors, on the riverside lawn of the Ford Estate and also at the Edison State College and Richard H. Rush Library and Auditorium, which has just been renovated, within the grounds of the Edison State College.
Films Include Contemporary Works
“The films include a variety of contemporary works drawn from the annual juried selection of award winning films and videos. The Black Maria is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Academy Awards qualifying festival for short films.” – Winter Estates
Estates Awards
The Edison Ford Winter Estates is the winner of the 2009 National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and it is open daily from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
“The Estates is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site.” – Winter
Artifacts, Exhibits and Inventions
Edison & Ford Winter Estates is located in Fort Myers, Florida, on 20 acres of land. There are many historical buildings, historic gardens, as well as the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Edison Ford Museum. Some of the newly restored buildings are the Main House, the Guest House, the Caretaker’s House and the Ford House. The Moonlight Garden is an award winner, part of the 1929 historic landscape.
For those with an engineering or technical bent, The Edison Ford Museum contains literally hundreds of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits.
Contacts
For more information and updates visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates website at Edison Ford Winter Estates or call 239-334-7419. Contacts at the Estates are Chris Pendleton, President and CEO and Lisa Sbuttoni, PR/Marketing Director.
See this video clip of the Black Maria Film Festival.
