Maryland Film Festival Blog

Photo still from LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM. 2012, 94 minutes, color, U.S.A., U.S. Documentary.

Though Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Andrea Nix Fine and her husband Sean (MFF alums with WAR DANCE) were in person to present their remarkable film LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM,

Sam and his parents Skype in for Q & A after the film.

about a young man born with Progeria, an extremely rare genetic defect that makes him age very fast, and the incredible ability of his physician parents to use all their skills as parents and medical professionals to help him, Sam and his parents could not travel here.  The Skyped part of the Q&A was terrific and a lot of fun. One audience member asked Sam what he thought of Darth Vader, and without hesitation Sam replied: “He’s a traitor.”

Going into LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM, I ran into Matt Porterfield and two of the I USED TO BE DARKER cast members. We sat together and I ran into Oscar-winning documentary director Davis Guggenheim (INCONVENIENT TRUTH and WAITING FOR SUPERMAN) and got to introduce everyone. Davis was excited for Matt getting into Berlin also. Davis is a great friend of Doug Becker who organized an amazing event for WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, and Davis is thrilled for the Ravens.

I USED TO BE DARKER cast members Deragh Campbell and Hannah Gross, and director Matt Porterfield.

This Sundance venue is in a basketball court remarkably transformed in to a movie theater. From left to right, Deragh Campbell, Hannah Gross, and Matt.

– Jed Dietz, MFF Director