Get Involved!
We’re looking for people like you to make EFF 2027 the best season yet. Here’s some specific help we need moving forward:
Instructor: Corrie Legge
Location: Easthampton Public Library Annex, 52 Main Street
Cost: FREE - no registration required!
Schedule: Saturday, April 25th @ 12:00 - 1:30pm
Workshop snapshot:
Format: Interactive workshop
Primary audience: Actors (early to mid-career)
Secondary audience: Writers, directors, and producers interested in collaboration
What participants leave with:
A clear idea for a short film or project they could realistically make
A basic understanding of the filmmaking process at an accessible scale
Clarity around collaborators needed to move a project forward
Increased confidence initiating creative conversations
EFF Programing
Committee Chair: Lena Vani
EFF In large part is what our submissions make us. It is important for our Programing team to build a structure that works and attracts strong submissions. A cohesive schedule of (year round) programming, as well as making sure everyone is represented/heard. That is what makes EFF such a special space! The Programming Committee molds that space, and is looking for:
-Producers/Creators who want to watch all of the films, and critique submissions on several category/ criteria
-Committee members to sit in on 10-14 meetings a year, help shape EFF, and participate in discussions about direction, access, and creative ways to grow.
EFF Staff and Customer Relations
We manage all of the logistics. IE Ticket sales, graphic design, meetings, volunteers, staff.
-We'd love it if you signed up for our newsletter and signed up to be a volunteer!
-Have any feedback on the Festival!? We want to hear from you, please email
[D'Anhee@easthamptonfilmfestival.com](mailto:D'Anhee@easthamptonfilmfestival.com)
EFF Marketing & Outreach
We are working on letting as many people in New England know that there is a Festival in Western New England, that connects creatives, showcases talent and hard work, and gives everyone an access to a media platform that is ever-so important.
We need 2-3 things right now...
A 1099-C employee who goes out, makes connections to local companies, organizations, creators, who want to collaborate in a symbiotic way with EFF.
Committee members who have experience raising money, making connections, spreading the word.
A PR person who's sole responsibility is getting EFF published in magazines, books, articles... Making us Famous (also a 1099-C position)
Operations
Instructor: Wally Marzano-Lesnevich
Location: E-Media
Cost: $350
Schedule: 8 weeks Wednesday evenings 7-9pm
Next workshop dates: TBD
In this course, participants will:
Write and hone their screenplays in a workshop environment
Rewrite drafts with a focus on character, plot and tone
Learn how to iterate and create new drafts so as to continually improve their script
Read and test their scenes aloud for rewriting purposes
Rewrite their final draft as a production draft with an eye towards making their project
Work towards creating an actionable plan to film their screenplay, as previous workshop participants have
This class requires a minimum of five participants in order to take place and will be capped at eight participants. To register, please email workshops@EasthamptonFilmFestival.com
INSTRUCTOR
Wally Marzano-Lesnevich
Screenwriter, Actor & Director
Wally Marzano-Lesnevich co-wrote the feature “The Problem With People” with actor/comedian Paul Reiser. Available from Quiver on numerous platforms, the film premiered at the Austin Film Festival and co-stars Reiser opposite Irish actor Colm Meaney. His debut feature “Almost Paris" premiered at Tribeca, received the Audience Choice Award at the Beaufort International Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Golden Door International Film Feature, and was distributed by Freestyle Digital Media. He has also written numerous short films.
As an actor he has appeared in the features “Annabelle Hooper and the Ghosts of Nantucket,” “Almost Paris” and “The Depths,” and has made numerous short films, several of which have screened at EHFF, including his directorial debut “Thunderclap." Onstage he has acted for numerous theatre companies. Locally he’s the co-director of The LAVA Film Festival, and has taught screenwriting for the Smith Precollege Summer Creative Writing Workshop.
See more about Wally and his work on the IMDb and www.wallyml.com.Mass Appeal March 3, 2025
Chris and Wally join Patrick Berry on WWLP’s Mass Appeal to discuss the screenwriting workshop
WORKSHOP
Animation Playshop
Instructor: Melissa McClung
Location: Northampton Open Media
Cost: FREE
Schedule: Every third Thursday of every month
We will learn:
Basic principles of animation/stop motion
Prepping your stop motion sequence
How to make your own DIY animation set up
Working with Dragonframe software & cameras
Tips and tricks to reduce flicker, work efficiently, and have fun!
Animation too involved? Ideas for how to make magic without the tedium
Stop-motion lovers rejoice! Join Melissa McClung and a crew of creatives at Northampton Open Media every third Thursday for hands-on animation fun. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, you're welcome.
INSTRUCTOR
Melissa McClung
Filmmaker & Animator
Melissa McClung is a filmmaker and animator based in Western Massachusetts. Melissa was nominated for 2024 Cinema Eye Honors in Visual Design for her work on the science documentary, The Arc of Oblivion, directed by Ian Cheney and produced by Wicked Delicate & Sandbox Films with Executive Producer Werner Herzog. The film premiered at SXSW 2023 and CPH:DOX 2023. As a writer/director, Melissa has screened short films all over the world, including at Ann Arbor Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival, and Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. In addition to her creative work, Melissa co-owns Ghost Hit Recording Studio with her husband, audio engineer Andrew Oedel. Melissa earned her MFA in Film from Vermont College of Fine Arts and her BA from Vassar College.
Melissa’s animations are:
“casually magical” - Screen Daily
“delightful” - Reel News Daily
See more about Melissa and her work at www.melissamcclung.com and @melissasmarbles on instagram.