Local film gets national distribution, Boston left out

Here's the good news -- Craig Ross, Jr.'s "Blue Hill Avenue" has been picked up for national distribution by Artisan Films. The independent film set in Roxbury won the Audience Favorite Award when it was screened at the 3rd annual Roxbury Film Festival in Aug. 2001. It was so popular, in fact, festival producers ACT Roxbury Consortium and Color of Film Collaborative put on a second showing of "Blue Hill Avenue" to accommodate audience interest.

Here's the bad news -- the distributors aren't opening the film in Boston. Why? The Artisan Films executives told the Banner "no comment."

A petition is circulating urging Artisan to reconsider. You can add your voice by emailing …