The Puppeteer will be getting its own screening during the festival, something that is not common for shorts, especially documentary shorts. “We want to do what we can to help Boston area filmmakers,” says Redmond. “The Puppeteer is a good example of a film that Boston filmgoers might not see in theatres.”

While the directors of the IFF would like to see the festival grow and begin to incorporate other artistic media, Redmond believes it should always stay true to its cinematic roots. “South by Southwest is a good example, even though it was not started as a film festival,” says Redmond. “They have a good sense of reality, balance, in that they attract celebrities but also feature great independent films. We would like to incorporate artists of all types, as well.”

Micheli agrees with Redmond’s sentiments. “Big film festivals, like Sundance, are just politics,” she says. “They aren’t film festivals, they are film markets. Everyone wants to premiere at Sundance, so it’s really hard for independent, American documentaries to get accepted.” Micheli sees the 2002 documentary Spellbound as a type of model. “Spellbound didn’t premiere at Sundance, it just got more and more popular through word of mouth. That’s the case study.”

Although both Harvard-tied films have already premiered at other sites, it is still an important experience for those involved. “I’m from Boston originally, so it’s a nice homecoming,” says Micheli. “It would be cool if Harvard kids came out and saw the films playing.”

The Sox swept the Yanks last weekend. Boston-based Mystic River won Sean Penn an Academy Award. The Independent Film Festival of Boston is entering its second year. Slowly but surely, Boston is emerging from New York’s shadow.

—Staff writer Douglas G. Mulliken can be reached at mulliken@fas.harvard.edu.