The Scoop on the 401 Film Fest

The free inaugural event features films and music videos by local and international talent.

This weekend, catch an iPhone film by a super talented fifth grader, a music video for a local garage pop band, a short featuring Corey Feldman (of The Goonies fame) and more great content at the first-ever 401 Film Festival. We caught up with festival director, Adam Theroux, to learn more about the event, which screens at the Arctic Playhouse in West Warwick on Friday night and the William Hall Library Auditorium in Cranston on Saturday afternoon.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I went to New England Tech for audio/visual. I’d already had some experience with audio, but I fell in love with video while I was there. Now I work for WPRI as a video editor, and I still do some independent film on my own.

There are lots of established film festivals out there already. Why start a new one?

I started this for zero-dollar independent filmmakers, not $20,000 indie filmmakers. We don’t have an outlet like this, especially not locally. We’re just a bunch of people getting together for the love of the art, not necessarily to make money.

Is the focus on local talent?

I wanted to have at least half of the selections be from Rhode Island; the last thing I wanted to do was not accept a Rhode Island submission, and we ended up having, for content reasons, to say no to two Rhode Island submissions. But I also wanted anyone to be able to enter. We got about 1,000 submissions in the end. It just took off and I got some great submissions.

What can attendees expect?

Everything from local talent in the music video showcase, including Roz and the Rice Cakes and Ravi Shavi, to a music video featuring Willie Nelson. It’s pretty hilarious stuff: One day I had this crazy idea to start a film festival, and then I received a short with Corey Feldman acting in it.

Some films are from people who are doing well in their field, which brings in some higher quality content. So we have a music video from a famous pop star from Kuwait and a video from a fifth grader from Rhode Island, which he made for a school project. He shot the whole thing on his cell phone. It’s inspiring.

Another inspiring thing: All funds raised will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, right?

Yes, 100 percent of all funds raised through raffles and food. I’m a mentor, and it’s a blast. It’s really changed my life in the past year. I’ve seen a lot of good that it does. It benefits my life too, not just a child’s.

And admission is free?

Both days are free. We are expecting to sell out – well it’s hard to sell out when you’re not selling tickets but…. When I came up with the idea, I wasn’t expecting it to blow up as it has. The whole thing melted my heart in the greatest way. It’s free, it’s local and there’s a little something for everybody.

The Details: Nov. 13, 7-10 p.m. Arctic Playhouse, 117 Washington St., West Warwick. Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. William Hall Library Auditorium, 1825 Broad St., Cranston, 401filmfest.com.