The UMass Boston Film Festival opens on Thurs., Oct. 1 with “Breaking A Monster” (above) a film about a talented trio of 13-year old boys called Unlocking the Truth. Image courtesy UMass Boston
UMass Boston will showcase eight films this season as part of their fifth annual Film Series.

Six of the eight premieres are free and open to the public and each screening will be followed by a Q&A with directors moderated by Chico Colvard, a UMass Boston graduate and lecturer who launched the series. Colvard chooses the films and establishes partnerships with other film associations like The DocYard to bring the directors to Dorchester.

“We try to get Dorchester residents and people that are directly connected with the university to experience the cinema like Brattle Theatre and Somerville Theatre,” and this year, The Institute of Contemporary Art, which will host the series’ one off-campus screening on Oct. 3.

The series will kick off on Thurs., Oct. 1 with “Breaking A Monster”, a film directed by Luke Meyer. The screening will take place in UMass Boston’s Campus Center Ballroom C, 3rd Floor at 7p.m. The film is the account of music’s next big band, a talented trio of 13-year old boys called Unlocking the Truth. As Alec Atkins, Malcolm Brickhouse, and Jarad Dawkins encounter fame, their childhood is replaced with rising stardom. Each of the eight films vary in subject matter from gun violence in America to the transcendence of childhood.

Chico ColvardColvard said he seeks out films that are relevant to the audience, which he says “is truly representative of UMass Boston; different ages, different ethnic and social backgrounds. It is one of the most eclectic gatherings that I’ve seen in my experience of being out there in the film world. The number one thing that filmmakers comment on is the diversity of the audience.”

“I pay attention to aesthetically compelling work, and it’s not always about a powerful message, it’s not about bringing in the largest possible audience,” Colvard added. “It’s about challenging the audience because that’s art what should do.”

For further information on the selected films and directors, visit UMass Boston’s Film Festival website: umb.edu/filmseries/about.
UMass Boston’s Film Festival lineup: (Note: unless otherwise noted, all screenings will be in the UMass Boston Campus Center Ballroom C, 3rd Floor)

“Breaking A Monster” Directed by Luke Meyer – Thurs., October 1, 7p.m.

“Here Comes the Videofreex!” Directed by Jon Nealon & Jenny Raskin, Institute of Contemporary Art – Sat.,, October 3 at 7p.m.

“What Happened, Miss Simone?” Directed by Liz Garbus, UMass Boston Campus Center Ballroom C 3rd Floor – Thurs., November 5 at 7p.m.

“From This Day Forward” directed by Sharon Shattuck – Thurs., November 12 at 7p.m.

“Tocando La Luz” (Touch the Light) Directed by Jennifer Redfearn – Thurs., November 19 at 7p.m.

“Frame by Frame” directed by Mo Scarpelli and Alexandria Bombach
The Battle Theatre in Harvard Square

Monday, November 30 at 7p.m.
“The Queen of Silence” Directed by Agnieszka Zwiefka

UMass Boston Campus Center Ballroom C 3rd Floor – Thurs., December 3 at 7p.m.

“The Armor of Light” Directed by Abigail Disney – Thurs., December 10 at 7p.m.