Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

Chris Zuhdi’s MEXICAN MOON Highlighted part of Hico’s Billy the Kid Film Festival teams with Dallas’ Women Texas Film Festival for fest highlighting Texas productions and women filmmakers November 6-7

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Vasquez and DiGiorgio said, “We launched the Billy the Kid Film Festival last year because the thought of combining the unique personality of Hico with our love of film was a winner no matter how we looked at it. However, our audiences’ and our filmmakers’ safety is first and foremost, and this virtual presentation will also give us an opportunity to share these films statewide and hopefully introduce them to even more film fans.”

Darius Marder’s SOUND OF METAL Opens Sound Unseen 2020 announces film and events lineup with the Bee Gees, Frank Zappa, the GoGos’ Kathy Valentine, Doc Severinsen and more.

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Sound Unseen Festival Director Jim Brunzell and Program Director Rich Gill, said, “This year we have an exciting lineup of films we have been looking forward to seeing for some time now, some great discoveries, and virtual appearances by very cool filmmakers, film subjects, authors, and more. It couldn’t be a better year to reach across state lines and bring the Sound Unseen experience to film and music fans in both Minnesota and Texas. We’re especially excited to open our doors to Texas and give them their first opportunity to check out what we’ve been doing for two decades now.”

Jessica Earnshaw’s JACINTA leads awards at Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2020 with THE VIEWING BOOTH

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“This year was one for our festival history books and we are exceedingly proud of the safe ways we brought our community together, says Artistic Director, Jen Gerber. “Through virtual talks and a mix of safe outdoor activities, we were reminded of the strength of our film-loving community and this year surpassed all our expectations for audience engagement and connectivity.”

Program Director Nasri Zacharia from Harlem International Film Festival announces 2021 dates and Call for Entries

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Harlem International Film Festival Program Director Nasri Zacharia said, “We look forward to finding films for our 16th edition that will introduce people throughout the state of New York and the film community at large to the unique hybrid of global cinema and local films that we have built a reputation celebrating for more than a decade and a half now. We take our position as part of Harlem and New York City’s film and arts community seriously, and it will be invigorating to return to theaters and see those films on the big screen in 2021, even as we utilize the virtual space to present those films to film fans throughout the rest of the state as well.”

Mo Scapelli’s EL FATHER PLAYS HIMSELF opens Cucalorus Film Festival this November with online screenings, Drive-ins, Stage shows and Cucalorus Connect

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Cucalorus Film Festival Chief Instigating Officer Dan Brawley said, “I don’t think anyone was really ready for the strange and challenging energy of the past six months. But we’ve really seized this as a chance to focus in on what we do best: to surprise people, to challenge people, and to bring people together. In some ways, the wacky, off-the-wall energy at Cucalorus is perfect for difficult situations. We’re adaptable and flexible and always looking for a good reason to try something new.

Jack C. Newell’s MONUMENTS Opens Illinois’ Lake County Film Festival rolls out lineup of virtual/in-person screenings for November

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Lake County Film Festival Director Nat Dykeman said, “Like many film festivals we have taken the challenges presented to us by restrictions and limitations brought about by the pandemic to actually broaden our scope, extend ourselves and use this moment as a chance to introduce our films and filmmakers – as well as the personality of LCFF to audience in two states. It’s an opportunity to create a bigger tent of film fans, who just might come to Lake County next year to enjoy the show we put on in person.”

Lorna Street Dopson’s UNTITLED POST-BABY PROJECT! Louisiana Film Prize gives $25,000 Grand Prize – first woman filmmaker to win the big check

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“Due to the extreme challenges brought about by the pandemic, this year forced both our competing filmmakers and our entire Film Prize staff to find another gear – which they all did. It was inspiring to see the creativity, innovation, and absolute refusal to yield to the difficulties that were laid out for everyone involved in our Film Prize world,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Founder and Executive Director of the Film Prize Foundation. “And the result was unleashing this juggernaut of entertaining cinema and promising filmmakers on the world.”

Röckët Stähr’s DEATH OF A ROCKSTAR Premieres! Illinois’ Lake County Film Festival adds music-related films

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“Because The Lake County Film Festival was born out of Dog Ear Music & Movies, we’ve always had a focus on music-related films,” said Festival Director Nat Dykeman. “From our second year, when we held the second public screening of THE FEARLESS FREAKS, the documentary on The Flaming Lips, to last year’s documentaries about NYC record store Other Music, and District Unknown, Afghanistan’s first metal band. When we announced our initial slate last month, there were no music related features on the list, but I’m thrilled to announce three additional features today, all of which are centered on music.”

Filippo Meneghetti’s TWO OF US wins big at Atlanta’s Out on Film film awards along with TWILIGHT’S KISS

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Regarding the double win by TWO OF US, KJ Mohr spoke for the jury, saying, “Riveting and gut-wrenching, TWO OF US stands out as a uniquely important lesbian love story and a sumptuous cinematic achievement. We were overwhelmingly impressed with the powerful storytelling, rich imagery and, above all, the claustrophobically engrossing atmosphere that director Filippo Meneghetti created. This stunning accomplishment is all the more impressive, considering that TWO OF US is Meneghetti’s first feature film.”

Chauncey Crail’s JULY RISING leads Deep in the Heart Film Fest filmmaker awards following successful innovative fest

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Samuel Z. P. Thomas, Deep in the Heart Film Festival’s Artistic Director, said, “Shifting to a virtual festival presented a slew of new challenges, but our volunteer staff always approached it with the goal of making this online festival feel as personal as possible. With the engagement that we had on Facebook, Instagram, and our streaming platform, we are thrilled about the connections made between our filmmakers and our community.”