HOWARD DEAN FILM FOR FREE AT VT FILM FEST

Written by: heath e on Oct 22, 2008 12:31 PM EDT

“Dean and Me” Film Featured at the Vermont International Film Festival

Howard Dean in the limelight again for two special free screenings.

Stowe, Vermont, October 16, 2008            (contact: heatheiden@aol.com )

Stowe director Heath Eiden’s film, “Dean and Me: Roadshow of an American Primary,” will be featured two times at the Vermont International Film Festival (VIFF) on Saturday, October 25 at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington.

As part of the festival’s Vermont Filmmaker’s Showcase, both screenings will be free and open to the public just days before the presidential election.

“We’re really honored to be included with the other fantastic films and artists at this year’s festival,” said Eiden. “Here’s a chance to see the film that shows how Vermont leads and shines light on the truth even during our country’s darkest days. My personal hope is that our audiences will be inspired by the film to get into the voting booth and take part in our democracy whomever they choose to vote for.”

The 19th VIFF kicks off with an opening party at the sponsoring Palace Cinema 9 theaters in South Burlington on Thursday Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. Awards will be given to some Vermont filmmakers who will be sharing the stage with nationally distributed films throughout the festival’s conclusion on Sunday.

“Dean and Me” is a movie about the American primary election process. It offers an inside look at how Americans take part in their democracy and follows former Vermont governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean during his campaign and into the current Democratic National Committee chairman’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.

“The film is a tragic comedy about how our election system really works when establishment power is challenged. The movement that started with Vermont and Howard Dean’s ‘take back our country’ didn’t end with a scream in 2004—it became a roar that paved the way for Obama’s ‘change’ in 2008,” said Eiden. “Vermonters should be proud right about now for all of their hard work to get us to this point of hope in our country.”

A profile in courage that highlights Vermont’s historic independent tradition, the film features many local people and places. Stowe’s celebrated comedian John Wilson stars in the film alongside national celebrities like Martin Sheen, Al Franken, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Ted Kennedy, MSNBC’s Tucker Carlson and FOX’s Sean Hannity.

“Well researched—an outstanding historical film. Some people love reading about Vermont history, this film makes history,” said Johnson State College history professor and legendary Senator Bill Doyle, R-Washington County.

The Vermont International Film Festival was born of the anti-nuclear movement in the 1985, making it the world’s oldest environmental and human rights film festival. The short films, “Vote” and “Olga-The Barb” will accompany the film. The director will be present for questions and answers after both shows.

For more information visit: http://www.vtiff.org/films/dean-and-me

CONTACT: Heath Eiden  or heatheiden@aol.com

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Location: burlington, VT