Great news! 90.9 WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, will be the official media sponsor for the 10th annual Salem Film Fest. The new partnership brings together one of New England’s leading all-documentary film festivals and WBUR, known for its coverage of local, national and international news and a number of nationally syndicated radio programs. “We’re thrilled about the new partnership”, says Paul Van Ness, co-founder of SFF. “WBUR reaches listeners throughout the region, and as we target very similar audiences, we look forward to the possibilities for cross promotion and outreach. Salem Film Fest is excited to collaborate with WBUR to expand our reach beyond our dedicated audience in Salem and on the North Shore.”
Since the summer of 2006, SFF has grown from a mere idea among a small group of volunteers into a world-class showcase for hundreds of films and filmmakers, all while influencing the concept of what a successful festival can accomplish for both audiences and filmmakers. In addition to providing a screening platform for filmmakers from all around the world, SFF has been a trailblazer in engaging grassroots community support. Through innovative local programming including the production of original short form documentary festival content, shorts programs featuring films by Massachusetts high school and college students, and a pitch forum highlighting works-in-progress by professional filmmakers from the region - SFF is dedicated to supporting the craft of documentary filmmaking in Massachusetts.
WBUR will be involved in a multitude of ways, not only in its direct communication to listeners via on air promos and interviews with visiting filmmakers prior to the festival, but also at SFF as WBUR on-air personalities will participate at some of the post-screening Q&A discussions at the Peabody Essex Museum. WBUR has also agreed to have a presence at the 10th Anniversary Gala and the opening and closing night festivities.
