Granite SoFFA Social at Foobar during NH Film Festival launches new group

Female filmmakers – and those who support and encourage them – are invited to join in the kick-off event of Granite SoFFA: a casual cocktail reception at Foobar in downtown Portsmouth, Friday, Oct. 15, 5-7 p.m., during the New Hampshire Film Festival weekend. Join us for the entire time, or stop in for a few minutes. More information is available at http://granitesoffa.blogspot.com/.

The idea behind the comfy red couch:

Following a screening at Red River Theatres in Concord, NH, in June, four female film artists chatted in the lobby and discovered they each shared a common vision: to join a group that supports and encourages women who live, work, and play in film in New Hampshire. Rather than wait for such a group to form, they have launched their own organization. Granite SoFFA: New Hampshire Society of Female Film Artists welcomes women who work behind of or in front of the camera, women who love film, or anyone interested in supporting women who make and love film.

The four founders of Granite SoFFA are Susan Hyde Tinkham, Annette Sousa, Karen Murray Sampson, and Dana Biscotti Myskowski.  Tinkham, a set decorator from Peterborough, says, “We wanted to create a community of women who shared the same passion for film and could relate to the struggles and triumphs of this industry.”

Sampson, a film and video producer and scriptwriter, also from Peterborough, agrees. “Writing a script or making a film is difficult — and often solitary — work,” says Sampson, associate producer of The Sensation of Sight, an independent feature starring Academy Award-nominated actor David Strathairn that was filmed in Peterborough in 2005 and released in theaters in 2008. “Being able to meet and talk with women who share similar interests yet offer different perspectives allows for an inspiring cross-pollination of ideas that benefits everyone. Our hope is that the members of this group will encourage one another to achieve our filmmaking goals.”

Sousa, a Make-Up Artist from the Seacoast who has worked on independent projects as well as The West Wing, Meet the Fockers, and more, believes Granite SoFFA can provide a great support system for women filmmakers in the state. “This group can be an inspiration to those women new to this vibrant community.”

Myskowski, an adjunct professor of film and screenwriting at UNH-Manchester, and a screenwriter, playwright, and producer, says she sees the group evolving and growing over many decades. “I picture Granite SoFFA supporting independent films, from seed funding to social media advertising support, and providing production help from crew to locations, and more.” 

The first official event, a Granite SoFFA Social, will be held at Foobar in downtown Portsmouth during the New Hampshire Film Festival weekend. Light snacks will be provided from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15. Join Granite SoFFA on Facebook, follow on Twitter @GraniteSoFFA, read more at the blog http://granitesoffa.blogspot.com/, or send e-mail to granitesoffa@gmail.com.