Mystic Film Institute

05/19/2026

The Late Deadline for the 9th Annual Mystic Film Festival is May 22, 2026.

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your film or screenplay at one of New England’s most exciting celebrations of independent cinema.

Taking place September 24th–27th, 2026 in Mystic, Connecticut and Westerly, Rhode Island, the Mystic Film Festival highlights bold storytelling, from emerging voices to acclaimed filmmakers.

Submit today on FilmFreeway:
https://filmfreeway.com/MysticFilmFestival

05/11/2026

SUPPORT THE MYSTIC FILM FESTIVAL!
We’re working to reach a critical fundraising goal of $2,000 by June 1 to support this year’s festival events and community programming. Every tax deductible donation goes directly toward festival experiences, including screenings, filmmaker events, panels, workshops, and community celebrations that make the festival possible. If you believe in supporting independent film, artists, and cultural events in our community, please consider making a contribution today. Donate now and help us reach our goal by June 1.

Donate here: https://filmmakerscollabinc.networkforgood.com/projects/227203-mystic-film-festival

05/06/2026

The Mystic Film Festival is excited to welcome IRIS as a new festival sponsor.

IRIS is a Connecticut-based streaming platform built for independent cinema, connecting audiences with bold and original films from emerging filmmakers. The launch is set for May 29, 2026!

As part of this partnership, IRIS will feature a curated Mystic Film Festival collection on its platform and host workshops and info sessions during the September festival for interested filmmakers and audiences alike.

We’re thrilled to partner with a platform dedicated to supporting independent voices and the future of indie film!

www.iris.film

05/04/2026

Acclaimed actor Stephen Macht’s journey from Mystic roots to a remarkable legacy is featured in Episode 1 of the Mystic Mash Podcast, where Shareen Anderson interviews him about how his early life in Mystic shaped a career spanning film, television, academia, and beyond. Macht was also honored as the 2025 Mystic Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2565375/episodes/19098018

05/02/2026

Keep the story of the Mystic Film Festival alive!

The arts in our community don't happen by accident. They happen because of people like you. Your support helps us create, amplify voices, and bring meaningful projects to our community screens.

If you believe in what we’re building, consider making a donation today. Every contribution, big or small, makes a real impact. Together, we can keep creating, inspiring, and sharing stories that matter.

Donate now and be part of it: https://filmmakerscollabinc.networkforgood.com/projects/227203-mystic-film-festival?

All donations are tax deductible!

04/21/2026

Submit your film or screenplay to the 9th Annual Mystic Film Festival, a vibrant regional festival taking place in Mystic, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. Showcase your work alongside a diverse range of voices, connect with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals, and be part of a festival that celebrates bold, original storytelling!
Regular deadline approaching May 1, 2026.
Submit now on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/MysticFilmFestival

04/15/2026

Support the Mystic Film Festival!

We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 9th year, and we'd love your help to make this year’s festival truly unforgettable. Your donation goes directly toward creating an incredible experience for filmmakers, audiences, and our community.
All donations are tax-deductible. Be part of the magic!

Donate here:
https://filmmakerscollabinc.networkforgood.com/projects/227203-mystic-film-festival

04/02/2026

We’ve launched!
Meet the voices behind the Mystic Mash Podcast. In this debut episode, Shareen Anderson, Wendy Wilkins, and Alec Asten introduce the new show and their shared love for Mystic and the greater Mystic area. Inspired by the connections built through the Mystic Film Festival, the podcast will spotlight the people, places, stories, and creative energy that give the region its character.

Tune in—we’re excited for what’s to come. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2565375/episodes/18935281

03/31/2026

News Flash! Don't miss a special screening of the new feature film "WATCHING MR. PEARSON", made by Connecticut filmmakers Brian Reilly and Dillon Bentlage. Mystic Film Institute board member Alec Asten will be moderating a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

When a once famous actor can no longer decipher the past from the present, two devoted caretakers discover that imagination and performance may be the only way to help him reconnect with the world that's left him behind.

Hugo Armstrong stars as Robert Pearson. A familiar face in the Los Angeles theater community, Hugo has also built an acclaimed career as a character actor on screen. Most recently, he appeared in the Oscar-nominated short film Jane Austen’s Period Drama. Playing Young Robert is Sam Bullington, a rising young talent who recently appeared in Season 2 of Amazon’s Fallout, as well as network series including Will Trent and NCIS.

When: April 12 at 2 pm. Where: Mystic Luxury Cinemas
Tickets: https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/purchase/148094?siteToken=mge4znwgfc85nzdrrr24h2pw0r

https://youtu.be/GPv04EvPenw?si=DJYP1mj4JpBcNyK_

Firesite Films

When a once famous actor can no longer decipher the past from the present, two devoted caretakers discover that imagination and performance may be the only w...

02/25/2026

LOCAL PRODUCTION ALERT!
We love uplifting the filmmakers creating in our region, and we’re proud to spotlight The Plan (Wide Water Productions). We’re not involved with the production—we’re just shining a light on the local artists making it happen in Mystic.
SYNOPSIS: After a breakup leaves him reeling, Ryan drives aimlessly until he encounters Greyson, a fast-talking drifter with a box of junk and no destination. What begins as a reluctant ride cascades into a winding road trip across New England.
Greyson leads Ryan through a series of strange, volatile, and tender encounters—returning old mementos and confronting estranged family. Ryan, quietly drowning in heartbreak, finds himself drawn into Greyson’s chaotic mission to “right wrongs.”
🎞️ Teaser: https://youtu.be/PrrUNx0TQGI
🌊 Learn more: https://theplanmovie.com/
💛 Support the film: https://gofundme.com/theplangofundme