John Wildman

Interview with Cat Brewer and Matt Maxey (SIGN THE SHOW) at Slamdance 2023

By John Wildman 3 years ago

My personal thoughts on SIGN THE SHOW: I have had this film at a few of my film festivals last year and not only is the film a delight in how it informs us about signing at live events, as well as celebrating the people who sign and making the connection with the performers whose music and art are translated to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, but Cat Brewer couldn’t be a better conduit to deliver this film to audiences, herself. The film has a joy to it, bottom line – and you could figure that out watching with the sound off.

Interview with Tracy Droz Tragos (PLAN C) from Sundance 2023

By John Wildman 3 years ago

My personal thought on PLAN C: I want each and every one of my film festivals to screen this film. I haven’t felt an urgency after watching a documentary on the crisis with female health care and the medical providers trying to provide that care since AFTER TILLER. Of course, I live in Texas which has literally put a bounty on women’s heads if they find themselves in a bad situation with an unwanted pregnancy and don’t want to wear a red cloak and be breeding chattel. Find it, watch it, and GET THE WORD OUT.

Sundance/Slamdance Diary #1

By John Wildman 3 years ago

The last time I was in Park City for Sundance and Slamdance was 2020. Of course, all shit broke loose a couple months later in March when the zombie apocalypse began (checks notes), COVID pandemic, I mean. Now, I frequently rail against and tense up at the idea of regional fests being a kumbaya experience for filmmakers because the Eric Kohn/Indiewires of the world use that to dismiss the importance or viability of them and the films that screen there business-wise (because, if it doesn’t happen in Europe or Asia or the island of Manhattan then it’s just not important, right?).

ACA Cinema Project Series teams with NYC’s IFC Center for New Films From Japan in February

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Katsura Toda, Senior specialist for the arts at Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs – Government of Japan, and the organizer of ACA Cinema Project said, “These films are among the outstanding works that Japan has produced last year, with each sharing a true artistic achievement in filmmaking. All four films demonstrate a nuanced approach to storytelling, beautifully shot, with wonderful performances across the board. We could not be more excited to give them this platform at the IFC Center in New York City.”

San Pedro International Film Festival announces film lineup for return in February

By John Wildman 3 years ago

SPIFF Festival Director Ziggy Mrkich, said, “It will be wonderful to be back in theaters, bringing films and filmmakers back to San Pedro to the Historic Warner Grand Theatre, and the Terrace Cinemas, and more. The San Pedro International Film Festival celebrates truly independent films, and the film artists that put their lives into making them. We cherish the fact that this film festival brings together the San Pedro business and arts community and film festival fans like no other event does locally and we’ve got another great lineup in store for everyone.”

Austin’s Cine Las Americas announces Call For Entries for 25th Anniversary edition this year

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Executive Director Gabriel Ornelas, said, “This will be a very special year for Cine Las Americas. Celebrating its 25th year, this festival represents the dedication and passion of hundreds of filmmakers, volunteers, staff, businesses, and community that each year have believed in the mission and significance to showcase Latino and Indigenous stories in cinema. The 25 years have been full of wonderful successes and not without challenges. But it is the perseverance and will of a collective community to ensure the voices Cine Las Americas represents are heard and shared.

Oxford Film Festival receives Science on Screen grant for 2023

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Matt Wymer, said, “As we gear up for our big 20th Anniversary edition of the Oxford Film Festival, this is a big win for the organization, both in terms of the funds which will support next year’s presentation, screenings, panels, and events, but also because it underlines the notice we are receiving nationally for the work we have done and the success we have seen leading up to now.”

Atlanta’s LGBT Fest, Out on Film, Announces Call for Entries for 2023

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Out on Film Festival Director Jim Farmer said, “Last year’s 35th Anniversary celebration highlighted what our filmmakers and audiences have come to rely on when they attend Out on Film – a celebration, here in Atlanta of the best in LGBTQ cinema, wonderful conversations on films with our honorees, like last year’s ICON honoree, Colman Domingo, and simply screenings and events that immerse everyone in the joy we all receive from seeing great films and meeting the people who have made those films.”

Billy the Kid Film Festival 2022 announces filmmaker awards including new legacy awards

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Festival Directors Philip Vasquez and Luci DiGiorgio said, “In our fourth year, the Billy the Kid Film Festival kept the momentum going for our celebration of movies in Texas’ Hill Country. Having our film festival debut the Pine Moore Studios Award, which comes with a free day’s film shoot at their legendary Western Town location, and the first Ruth Buzzi Comedy Award, points both to the legacy our film festival is already creating, and our continued promotion and support of future film work created by our alumni.”

Naples International Film Festival 2022 announces filmmaker awards after “hurricane recovery” fest

By John Wildman 3 years ago

The 2022 Naples International Film Festival announced the filmmaker award winners during the Closing Night Awards Ceremony on Sunday, October 30. The jury prize for Best Narrative Feature (and a cash prize of $2,500) went to Alex Lehmann’s Acidman, and the jury prize for Best Documentary Feature (and $2,500) was given to Amy Bandlien Storkel and Bryan Storkel’s The Pez Outlaw. Audience Awards went to Balbinka Korzeniowska’s Playing Through (Best Narrative Feature), Eric Bendick’s Path of the Panther (Best Documentary Feature) and Diane Moore’s Conducting Life (Best Short Film). Both feature films received cash prizes of $1,000 and the short film winner received a cash prize of $500.