A group of community members determined to keep independent film alive in the Twin Cities has launched the Emerge Film Festival, set for Saturday, June 14 at the Franco Center. Pictured here (l. to r.) are Tamera Greishaber, Chip Morrison, Laura Davis, Ramsey Tripp, Michael Miclon, Sandra Marquis, Richard Martin and Katie Greenlaw.

With the recent cancellation of the Lewiston Auburn Film Festival (LAFF), a new festival has emerged as a forum for many who were planning to show films at this year’s LAFF to present their work.

At a recent press conference, Ramsey Tripp, speaking for a group of community members determined to keep independent film alive in the Twin Cities, announced that the Emerge Film Festival will take place on Saturday, June 14 at the Franco Center in Lewiston. Emerge is a completely separate entity from the Lewiston Auburn Film Festival.

“I know personally how much it means as a filmmaker to have the amazing support of this community,” said Tripp, who premiered his documentary, “The Peloton Project,” at the 2013 Lewiston-Auburn Film Festival. “I want Michael Miclon, Corey Norman and others who had planned to premiere their films here in L/A to have that opportunity.”

The one-day festival at the Franco Center will include films originally slated for LAFF, including “The Hanover House” from Maine filmmaker Corey Norman, “How to Kill a Zombie” from Maine filmmaker Bill McLean, and the world premiere of “Richard3” from Michael Miclon of Maine’s Boo Dog Films.

“Ever since I watched the premiere of ‘The Peloton Project’ at the Franco Center last year, I’ve been envisioning the premiere of ‘Richard3’ here,” said Miclon. “I am so thankful to Ramsey, the Franco Center and everyone who was instrumental in putting together ‘Emerge’ on such short notice and making this premiere and new festival possible.”

For more information on the Emerge film festival, find them on Facebook at “EmergeFilmFestival.”