WE TOOK FIREBIRD TO APPALACHIA
Who knew that a blog about independent film could also be a travel blog?
Last weekend, we had the distinct honor of screening Firebird: Built to Burn as the opening film of the inaugural Mountain Maryland Film Festival in Cumberland, MD. After a scenic 200-mile drive, we arrived in Cumberland, a town that felt reminiscent of Phoenixville—rich in history, with rustic old factory buildings and a revitalized arts scene. It proved to be the perfect stop on our screening tour, and the local community embraced the telling of the Firebird story, which is all that we hope for when sharing our film with new audiences.
After the long drive across Pennsylvania, we checked into our hotels, took a quick nap, and then made our way to Loft 129, the wonderful venue hosting the Mountain Maryland Film Festival. We quickly learned that Loft 129 isn’t just the local film, comedy, and live music venue, but also located next door to the future home of the Allegany Arts Council—the organization we partnered with to bring the film to Cumberland. The space, which hasn’t been used in decades, is a bit of a fixer upper, but it’s clear that the Allegany Arts Council’s vision for the building is ambitious and inspiring. For them to take that leap and aim high for their community...well, let’s just say the night started with good vibes.
It’s also worth mentioning that the timing of the film festival couldn’t have been better. Cumberland is about to open its newly renovated downtown, which will feature art galleries, creative spaces, and small businesses - not to mention Loft 129 and the new headquarters of Allegany Arts Council! It’s a perfect example of how art can play a role in revitalizing a community. The opening of this vibrant, walkable district feels like a natural extension of the themes in Firebird: Built to Burn.
Shortly after 6 PM, as the crowd began to gather, Julie Westendorff, executive director of the Allegany Arts Council, introduced the film and shared the story of how it came to be selected as the opening night film for the Mountain Maryland Film Festival. For months, Julie and her team had been searching for the right film to launch the festival. They explored various directions, but nothing was coming to fruition. Then she received our email.
We had no idea that the Allegany Arts Council was planning an inaugural film festival; we just thought they might find our film interesting and hoped they would share it with their community! It turns out, our film was exactly what they were looking for. The stars aligned, and we are so thankful they did.
After Julie’s inspiring introduction, the film began. We took a moment to soak in the scene, then snuck out for some pizza. Hey, don’t judge us! We’ve seen the film more times than we can count, and hungry filmmakers have to eat! We crossed the street to D’Atri Pasta & Subs for a buffalo chicken pizza—would recommend—and returned just in time for the film’s closing moments and our live discussion with the audience.
During the discussion, we touched the key themes we’ve been sharing throughout our screening tour: how taking action in your community—whether through public art, events, or other creative endeavors—can transform an ordinary space into an extraordinary place. It’s a message that resonated with the audience, especially in a town like Cumberland, which is in the midst of its own renaissance.
Our stay in Cumberland was brief, but it was an important stop on our filmmaking journey. We’ve always believed that the themes of Firebird are universal, and experiencing them in a town like Cumberland, which is rising from the ashes of its own industrial past, reinforced that the Firebird story is not just about Phoenixville.