The 7th Annual Reel Recovery Film Festival & Symposium, presented by The Guest House Ocala, Newport Academy and Writers In Treatment, returns November 1st – 7th to the Historic Village East Cinema.
The seven-day event is a celebration of film, the arts and sobriety. It showcases honest films about addiction, alcoholism, and mental illness from first-time filmmakers to industry pros.
As the opioid and addiction crisis makes headlines daily, the festival has become more relevant than ever. Attending are those in recovery, the “sober curious,” the afflicted, the general public and film lovers.
Co-founded in 2008 by addiction specialist Leonard Lee Buschel and Robert Downey, Sr., the Reel Recovery Film Festival has grown to entertain, inform and inspire 30,000+ attendees over the last ten years in Los Angeles, and other cities, showing between 75-88 films a week. This year’s films come from as far away as Spain, Ukraine, and France, and as close as Woodside and Jackson Heights.
Highlights Include:
- Friday, November 1st at 6pm – Opening Night filmmaker/networking party held at Pizzeria Numero 28 (directly across from the theater) sponsored by Pinelands Recovery Center of Medford.
- Friday, November 1st at 8pm – New York theatrical premiere of The First Day, a documentary starring former basketball player and advocate Chris Herren. Followed by Q&A with Chris and award-winning director Jonathan Hock.
- Saturday, November 2nd at 8pm – SNL’s Darrell Hammond opens up about repressed memories of childhood trauma in the film Cracked Up. Followed by Q&A with director Michelle Esrick.
- Thursday, November 7th at 7pm – Live Performance by Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer and Recovery Troubadour Ricky Byrd.
Founder Leonard Buschel shared, “The festival is for people who love film and have an interest in the human drama and comedy of people dealing with issues of dependence, mental illness, addiction and recovery. None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors and the filmmakers who seek to share their work with the world.”
Other generous sponsors include: High Watch, Brandi’s Wish, Avenues NYC, Coalition For Behavioral Health, Heather Hayes, Levenson Foundation, Project Renewal, Alina Lodge, Sterling Recovery, Hazelden/Betty Ford, Caron, Center For Optimal Living, Mountainside, Pocket Rehab, Simple DCP and The Walker Hotel.
www.reelrecoveryfilmfestival.org
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