Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

Next Wednesday is the DEADLINE for the Cucalorus Film Foundation Filmmaking Grants for North Carolina

By John Wildman 6 years ago

The program will fund projects by emerging and established artists producing singular and original new works. Additionally, projects should exhibit meaningful community impact and generate substantial economic activity in North Carolina. Projects at various stages of production (existing and new projects) are eligible to apply. The program supports narrative, doc and experimental films. Funding is prioritized for female filmmakers and African American and Latinx artists.

Festival Producer Erin Nicole Parisi Anncs Dallas’ Best of Fests returns February 27-March 1 for a sequel event celebrating the film festivals of Dallas, Fort Worth, and North Texas

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Best of Fests Festival Producer Erin Nicole Parisi said, “It was remarkable that this special film event was accomplished last year and the fact that we have been able to bring everyone together once again speaks to something truly wonderful and unique about the film festival and film loving community in Dallas, Fort Worth and North Texas. These films represent the wide range of styles, interests, storytelling, and entertainment that the amazing array of film festivals throughout this area bring to audiences all year long.”

Frameline’s new Executive Director James Woolley Announces Seven Filmmakers Receiving Completion Fund Grants

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“This year’s grantees are a perfect mix of the challenges and joys LGBTQ+ people face today,” says Frameline’s Director of Programming, Paul Struthers. “From transgender representation in film and TV in DISCLOSURE: TRANS LIVES ON SCREEN, to the struggles of immigrants in the United States today in LA LEYENDA NEGRA, to fun times in Australia’s first lesbian coming-of-age rom com in ELLIE & ABBIE (& ELLIE’S DEAD AUNT).”

Wendy Guerrero, President of Programming at Bentonville Film Festival Foundation Announces 8 Female Filmmakers to be part of “See It, Be It Filmmaker Fellowship”

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“The See It, Be It Filmmaker Fellowship was born from the belief that major change will occur only when passion has the opportunity to align with both platform and purpose,” said Wendy Guerrero, President of Programming for the Bentonville Film Festival.“With this fellowship, we aim to further opportunities for storytellers to achieve success by opening ports of access historically closed to women, people with disabilities, people of color and the LGBTQ+ communities. This cohort of filmmakers has been selected because of their distinct voices and because they are ready to take the next steps in shaping their own narratives.”

Lee Isaac Chung MINARI and Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine for Boys State’ BOYS STATE lead the way at The 2020 Sundance Film Festival Awards

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“At Sundance, we believe art can break through noise and polarization. In volatile times like these, democracy and storytelling aren’t separate – they’re inextricably linked,” said Keri Putnam, Sundance Institute’s Executive Director. “Congratulations to each and every one of tonight’s winners, and to all the extraordinary artists who joined us at the Festival.

Heather Young’s Murmur Takes Top Award as The 2020 Slamdance Film Festival caps a banner edition with HIGHER LOVE directed by Hasan Oswald

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“We congratulate the winners of Slamdance 2020 and we celebrate all of our new filmmakers who have shown us that the art of filmmaking is brilliantly alive,” said Slamdance co-founder Peter Baxter. “This next generation collectively brings us art formed in risk taking, bravery and the unexpected. It’s not just their characters who are on an adventure. It’s the filmmakers as well and Slamdance will continue to be their companion.”

Wendy Eidson: Film Fest Director of San Luis Obispo International Film Festival 2020 announces robust competition

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“While our galas, special events and screenings, including Surf Nite, and the annual presentation of the King Vidor Award are always can’t miss affairs, the core of the film festival will always be our competition films. They represent the heart of the SLO Film Fest,” said San Luis Obispo Film Festival Director Wendy Eidson. “We look forward to presenting these films to movie lovers here in San Luis Obispo, and seeing which films and filmmakers take this year’s awards home.”

Allan Moyle’s PUMP UP THE VOLUME showcased at The 2020 Oxford Film Festival; film lineup with attention-grabbing special events

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Oxford Film Festival’s Executive Director, Melanie Addington, said, “We challenged ourselves this year to both achieve goals in line with our staunch support of female filmmakers, LGBTQIA+, and those with disabilities, We have embraced our role as leaders both in this city and the state in that regard knowing that the filmmaking community and the public look to our film lineup and our presentations to match our public positions. However, this year, we also wanted to deliver big signature events to enhance our film lineup so that Oxford film fans and Oxford Film Festival filmmakers can feel they have been part of something truly special at this year’s fest.”

Justina Walford with team: Dallas and North Texas Film Festival Directors and Programmers Name their Top Films of 2019

By John Wildman 6 years ago

The heads of prominent Dallas and North Texas Film Festivals announced their selections for the Top Ten Films of 2019 during WFAA’s Midday at 8 news broadcast today with Olivia Wilde’s BOOKSMART, Bong Joon Ho’s PARASITE, and Quentin Tarantino’s’ ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD taking the top three spots among films released in 2019.