By Katie C.

The Black Bear Film Festival is an organization serving the tri-state area, providing films and educational opportunities for the community. The festival takes place in Milford on Oct. 14- Oct. 16.

The Black Bear Film Festival is offering volunteer opportunities and educational programs for students, families and the community.

Volunteers are needed on Oct. 15 and Oct. 16 at the Film Salon, located at the Pike County Public Library, to assist with showing films. Ushers are needed throughout the weekend for the events, as well as volunteers to serve guests and to clean up after the opening night Gala on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. located at St. Patrick’s church hall in Milford. To volunteer, email the volunteer committee at carnee@ptd.net.

 A “Script to Screen Filmmaking” workshop for students will be held on Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Milford Library. 

For the first time in the festival’s 17 year history, the Board of Directors has reached out to schools in our area in search of student-made projects and volunteers.

“I am very passionate about this program,” said Lenore Fasula, the Schools Partnership Liaison. “Having raised three children in Milford, I understand the need of having workshops and programs offered to excite and interest the young people in our area.”

Schools including Delaware Valley, Wallenpaupack Area, Port Jervis and Sussex Technical High School have all joined the partnership with the festival, along with schools farther away who were not contacted such as Union High School, Pope John High School and even a student from Boston University.

”Considering this program was started in April 2016, we are so excited about the response of the schools involved and the workshops we are able to offer, and the student involvement with creating shorts and commercials,” said Fasula.

The projects made by the students will be shown at the Film Festival Salon on Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. There will be something for everyone at the event, since non-student made films will be shown as well, including “Dear President Obama,” an open film letter about oil and gas drilling.

To see the full list of films, see blackbearfilm.com.

”The community and student involvement with this School Partnership is certainly a great opportunity to offer programs to ensure the educational aspect of film, volunteerism, community leadership and the arts,” Fasula said.  

To volunteer for any of the festival’s functions, email the volunteer committee at carnee@ptd.net.