John Wildman

The Chimaera Project announces recipients for 2022 TO.GET.HER film finishing funds for female and non-binary filmmakers

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Founders of The Chimaera Project, Shana Betz, Cheryl Bookout, and America Young, said, “It was an extremely detailed and painstaking process to review and assess all of the projects seeking TO.GET.HER finishing funds. As filmmakers ourselves, we understand the seemingly unsurmountable hurdles to complete a film, so everyone involved with this project took that responsibility extremely seriously. We’re thrilled for each and every one of the filmmakers who will be receiving these funds, and could not be happier that we have been able to lend a hand toward each of them realizing that dream  to finish their projects, move forward in their careers, and bottom line – make films.”

Coronado Island Film Festival 2022 announces filmmaker awards following big year for the fest

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Coronado Island Film Festival Executive Director Merridee Book, said, “We took another step this year in our growth as a prime destination film festival where filmmakers, especially independent filmmakers, have an opportunity to have their work seen by veteran producers, executives, and top film industry influencers, alongside our film loving audiences. Our award-winning films and our honorees have their work and careers celebrated against the backdrop of Hollywood’s beautiful home away from home a bridge ride across the bay from San Diego. Each year, we become less and less of a ‘best kept secret’ and more and more of the fest you don’t want to miss in November.” 

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2022 announces filmmaker awards

By John Wildman 3 years ago

“This year marked a wonderful and rousing success, as we continue to foster conversation and connection between attending filmmakers and industry, students in our education programs, and, of course, our dedicated patrons here in Hot Springs through our inspiring and thought-provoking slate,” said Festival Director Sheryl Santacruz, “These award-winning films were also exemplary of the kind of thoughtful and dynamic filmmaking that the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival has built its taste-making reputation on, and our audiences have celebrated throughout our three decade-long history.”

Coronado Island Film Festival opens this week with awards hopefuls, indie films, and honorees

By John Wildman 3 years ago

The Coronado Island Film Festival (November 10-13) opens this week with an impressive lineup of films with awards-aspirations, as well as the honorees for the 2022 Leonard Maltin Industry Awards Gala. Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light is the Opening Night selection, Elegance Bratton’s The Inspection is the Centerpiece selection, and Maria Schrader’s She Said taking the Closing Night spot, along with CIFF’s traditional screening of Billy Wilder’s classic Some Like it Hot.

HorrorFest International Film Festival announces filmmaker awards at wrap of 20th Anniversary edition of fest

By John Wildman 3 years ago

HorrorFest International Film Festival Co-Founders and Senior Programmers, Adam Mast, John Pugh, and Jeff Sanders, said, “The celebration of our 20th year was highlighted by the things that have made this film festival a truly special event for the lovers of horror, sci-fi, and genre films for the past two decades. The special events like our live Creepshow reading and special presentation of horror films that inspired him with stalwart genre writer/filmmaker/artist Frank Dietz, our secret screening underlined the festival in our title, but it still begins and ends with the films in our lineup. These award-winning films and filmmakers highlighted a great year for HorrorFest International.”

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival brings on Ken Jacobson as new Executive Director

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Regarding the new position, Jacobson said, “When I first assisted on interviews with legendary leaders of the Civil Rights Movement as an intern on the series “Eyes on the Prize II,” I knew, deep down, that I always wanted to return to the South to connect the paths of documentary film and great Southern storytellers. After serving 15 years in the film festival and documentary non- profit worlds, I feel honored and thrilled to be joining Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute as the new Executive Director.”

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2022 Interviews – ROOTS OF FIRE & FINDING HER BEAT

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett’s Finding Her Beat, and Abby Berendt Lavoi and Jeremey Lavoi’s Roots of Fire have the obvious familial ties front and center: Finding Her Beat has Jennifer Weir and Megan Chao Smith (and heir daughter Josie) as the beating heart in its dynamic look at the women who have essentially unapologetically staked out their place in the world of Taiko drumming, and the husband and wife filmmaking team of Jeremey and Abby Berendt Lavoi successfully embedded themselves in the very tight kit “family” that makes up the insular Louisiana community that revolves around and feeds off their French music and culture.

Out on Film, Atlanta’s LGBTQIA+ film festival 2022 hands out awards, honors Colman Domingo

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Out on Film Festival Director Jim Farmer said, “This year’s 35th Anniversary celebration was just that – a celebration of what our audiences and attending filmmakers have come to look forward to each year, here in Atlanta as they enjoy our film festival. Our award-winning films exemplified that and the wonderful time we had with ICON Award honoree Colman Domingo put the entire thing over the top. We’ll have our work cut out for us to match the experience at this year’s festival.”

As the city recovers from Ian, Naples International Film Festival hopes to inspire by moving forward with fest this month

By John Wildman 3 years ago

“Artis—Naples is a reflection of our community – resilient and focused on helping those affected by the storm. We recognize the restorative power of the arts and the role of our mission to help our community recover,” said CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen. “In the upcoming weeks and months, we will continue presenting visual and performing arts programming—including NIFF—that we hope will bring solace, inspiration and even laughter to our community. This year, more than ever, we look forward to bringing film lovers and filmmakers together again to share in four days that promise to deliver the best in independent film across a variety of genres—shorts, Florida films, student films and documentary and narrative features.”