Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

Holger Borggrefe, Stefan Hering’s Two is a Magic Number leads awards at Festival of Cinema NYC 2021 — return to in-person screenings in Queens with Filmmaker Awards

By John Wildman 5 years ago

er and Executive Director Jayson Simba, said, “In a year filled with so many challenges, I’m incredibly proud of the staff and crew that helped put together an amazing event. Many ‘first’s’ this year included our first ever in-theater moderated presentation, as well as the festival’s first ever REALD 3D film screening. It was great to have over 50 films, out of the roughly 120, represented by attending cast and crew. Filmmakers and audience members were clearly both thrilled to be back in the theater watching their films on the big screen, and we could not have been more thrilled for it all to happen here in Forest Hills.

Gravitas Ventures picks up Dorie Barton’s WELCOME TO THE SHOW and targets November 23 release

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“Barton’s film is a great addition to the cannon of classic college movies. While the rabbit hole the characters fall deeper and deeper into is both hilarious and absurd, the acting and complex relationships keep it grounded and very relatable for anyone who has gone through a transitorily period and is unsure of what happens next. We cannot wait for audiences to see for themselves what “The Show” is truly about!” – David Sullivan, Gravitas Ventures’ Sales and Acquisitions Manager.

Sound Unseen 2021 plays in-person in both Austin and Minneapolis doubling down on last year’s virtual run in Minnesota and Texas

By John Wildman 5 years ago

placed us, like most film festivals due to the pandemic. Rather than retreating, we actually opened up our reach to the audiences that love the melding of music and film by branching out into Texas and all of Minnesota virtually. This year, we’ll keep our virtual approach in those states as we happily return to theaters in Minneapolis and theaters in Austin, as well. It will be exciting to add Sound Unseen’s in-person footprint to that music and film-rich city.”

2021 Naples International Film Festival celebrates the Art of the Short Film with this year’s lineup

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Artis—Naples announced the film lineup for the 13th annual Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) to be held October 21-24, 2021, featuring a return to in-person screenings. A central theme of this year’s edition of NIFF will be a celebration of the art of making the short film, including the first time the festival has showcased a specially curated shorts program for its Opening Night Film experience. The film festival will close with a special presentation of Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future featuring a live performance of John Williams’ classic score by the Naples Philharmonic, conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly.

Citizen Ashe Opens the 2021 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, with films and honorees for 30th Anniversary edition

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“Our thirtieth anniversary program reflects the values we aspire to as a festival. We’re moving into the next thirty years with a renewed vision of documentary creation and the impact documentary filmmaking can have on our world,” said HSDFF Executive Director, Jennifer Gerber. “There is always a heightened energy and anticipation during anniversary years and this year’s films, our stellar trio of honorees, and the panels, events, activities, parties, and more that our staff has put together point to a truly exceptional film festival.”

Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s Flee among films in Atlanta’s Out on Film and GLAAD Festival

By John Wildman 5 years ago

the production and presentation details for both our in-theater and online virtual screenings, we also continue to work to ensure that we have left no stone unturned when it comes to the films we offer each year. When you have an opportunity to add one of the year’s top award winners, an anniversary of a signature film, another film with a true icon of cinema front and center, and another world premiere, then you just have to do it. Add to that, being able to join forces with an organization like GLAAD on behalf of a truly special film like Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Story? Well, that can’t help but add an amazing exclamation point on everything!

Tallgrass International Film Festival 2021 Announces Films for 19th edition of fest

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“With our procurement of a grant called Reimagined Spaces, we took the idea to heart, reimagining a lot of the festival this year as we continue in year two of the pandemic,” said Executive Director Melanie Addington. “At the core of Tallgrass, we remain a festival focused on filmmakers finding their audience and creating community around film. Movies are the great bridge-builder that unites us as people. The 19th annual Tallgrass may look different but the core remains always the same.”

The Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival expands programming for October fest in Washington DC

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“The outpouring of work by filmmakers and journalists who reside at the intersection between both cultures has never been more prolific, nor more creative” said Sky Sitney, festival co-creator and co-director. “Whether excavating a dormant archive, meticulously piecing together citizen-created content, turning to animation as both a storytelling device and a protective measure, or boldly entering the frontlines of an ICU during a pandemic or forests ablaze with fire, the filmmakers and journalists featured in this year’s program are reaching extraordinary new heights with their craft, and telling vital stories that go well beyond headline news.”

Julianne Hough’s Canary House Prods. announces 4th LIGHT IT UP networking panels series

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“Light It Up has proven to be a true connective platform for women in entertainment, benefiting them and furthering their ideas and careers via conversations with the people who are finding success with their new ideas,” Hough said. “This is our fourth season of finding the best minds and personalities happy to share their experiences and knowledge to foster the growth of self and others throughout the industry.”

Peeter Rebane’s Firebird Opens Atlanta’s LGBTQ film festival, Out on Film, rolls out film lineup for next month’s hybrid presentation

By John Wildman 5 years ago

wonderful knowing we have such an expansive, international lineup of films to present both in-theater as well as virtually. As one of the few film festivals that are still growing despite all of the challenges present, we are thrilled with this international lineup, including our world premieres and more films we can’t wait to introduce our audiences to.”