Hygienic Filmwerks will launch a YouTube Channel Saturday with an event in the Hygienic Art Park. Headed up by filmmaker/musician Bill Dumas, the cooperative brings together local filmmakers, writers, actors, production crew members and at-large movie enthusiasts.

Dumas cites the high quality film possibilities available to just about anyone with a laptop, phone and social media presence, but points out that many of the subsequent efforts are insular in nature and without much support.

“Hygienic Filmwerks has created this YouTube channel to expose these and our many established filmmakers to a wider audience,” Dumas said. “And the Filmwerks YouTube channel also endeavors to build a collaborative environment for filmmakers to work together to bring their production skills to the next level.

Since its inception in 2023, Filmwerks has hosted collaborative and networking events in the Hygienic Galleries, and the first offering on the group’s YouTube channel will be a compilation of short films by local and international filmmakers.

“We encourage all filmmakers to join us,” Dumas said.

The channel goes live and streams simultaneously with Saturday’s event, where Dumas will introduce the YouTube channel and screen his 2006 documentary, “The Reducers: America’s Best Unsigned Band.” It will be followed by a Q&A and dance party. It takes place at 7 p.m., and the Hygienic Art Park is located in New London at 79 Bank St. It’s free, but a $5 donation is requested. For more information on Saturday’s event, go to hygienic.org. To learn about Hygienic Filmwerks, email filmwerks@hygienic.org or go to the group’s Facebook page.

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