John Wildman

Oxford Film Festival gets a big arts grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) for 2023

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Matt Wymer, said, “Everyone at OxFilm and the Oxford Film Festival have already been at work to build upon this year’s edition and bring our film fans the best audience pleasing, cinema-loving, party-rich film festival we possibly can to celebrate our 20th year. So, to once again, receive the support of the Mississippi Arts Commission for the second year in a row is a tremendous validation and incredibly encouraging for all of us as we continue our work.”

Aaron Hose’s ONE PINT AT A TIME leads the trophies haul as 2022 Deep in the Heart Film Festival hands out filmmaker awards

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Co-Founders and Co-Directors Louis Hunter and Samuel Thomas, said, “This year’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival was another reaffirmation of the reputation this film festival has built over the last couple of years. Forging that connection between our visiting filmmakers and the wonderful film-loving community in Waco has always been our aim and we are enjoying seeing that come to fruition in so many ways now.” Hunter and Thomas added, “Our award-winning films this year emphasized that connection and added the anticipation of more filmmakers returning to Waco to shoot their next films – and the thought of that energizes us to continue to grow in years to come.”

“Waco is Made for Movies” : Deep in the Heart Film Festival 2022 proves Waco is Made for Red Carpets

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Waco’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival kicked off it’s 6th edition with a blowout pre-screening reception at Anthem Stories with filmmakers representing more than 40 of the films screening that weekend in attendance. Deep in the Heart doubled down on its commitment to the art and importance of short films by dedicating its Opening Night slot to a curated collection of shorts, and immediately offered up evidence as to why MovieMaker Magazine included it in his year’s list of Best Film Festivals for First-time Filmmakers. This year’s theme was “Waco is Made for Movies” and the Opening Night Red Carpet entrances which included two network affiliates on the press line certainly put the spotlight on that idea.

Asian Film Festival of Dallas (AFFD) rolled out the red carpet for the first time during big return to theaters in July

By John Wildman 4 years ago

The Asian Film Festival of Dallas (AFFD) marked it’s big in-person/in-theater comeback after two years of only doing one-off events, with the film festival’s very first red carpet presentation. With filmmakers representing films that have been major film festival players and award-winners this year (CAT DADDIES, DEALING WITH DAD, 7 DAYS) in attendance, representatives from key and influential DFW organizations (Dallas Asian Historical Society, Orchid Giving Circle), top DFW female filmmakers celebrating the fest’s day-long Sunday focus on female filmmakers, and special guests like Dr. Tiffany Moon (Real Housewives of Dallas) and Ricco Fajardo (MY HERO ACADEMIA) making appearances, AFFD delivered the kind of film festival event the city very rarely sees these days.

Festival of Cinema NYC 2022 announces film lineup including 19 world and North American premieres for Queens-based fest in August

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Festival of Cinema NYC Founder and Executive Director Jayson Simba, said, “This year’s edition of the film festival continues to build on the success and growth we experienced last year highlighted by our return to the Queens Library for free films, panels and talks. This year, we have also worked hard to find amazing films from all over the world to present to our FOC NYC film fans, while also celebrating our local filmmakers and the community we call home.”

Asian Film Festival of Dallas marks big return to theaters with Well Go USA hits and indie award winners

By John Wildman 4 years ago

New AFFD Executive Director Thomas Schubert, said, “Our board and staff are excited about the prospects of returning to our regular July time slot and we are taking advantage of this edition of the film festival to look at what we do through a different lens and a fresh approach. AFFD has always been a signature event for Dallas film lovers, introducing exciting films and cinema to DFW, and this year we hope to shake up the event aspect of the film festival in our return, as well.”

Waco’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival 2022 puts the focus on local filmmaking and celebrating shorts

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “We recognize the impact this film festival increasingly makes on the Waco filmmaking ecosystem, just as it solidifies its place each year as a key stop on the map for filmmakers attending regional film festivals on the national tour. Giving our filmmakers more opportunities beyond the wonderful interaction with our Waco audiences to help with their development as artists, and maybe encourage them to come back to town to shoot their next project here is a central focus for this film festival. Of course, the sense of fun and love of cinema that Deep in the Heart FF will be omnipresent once again as our ability to spread the gospel of our films and what we do has become stronger and made us quite a force to be reckoned with.”

Austin’s Cine Las Americas International Film Festival 2022 announces filmmaker awards after successful return to theaters

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Cine Las Americas Executive Director Gabriel Ornelas, said, “The platform we create for these films and filmmakers and the connection that is made to the audiences here in Austin are vital for both the filmmaker and the film lover. Our team worked hard to ensure we had great screenings, presentations and events focused on our films and attending filmmakers, and we could not have been more pleased with the result of those efforts. This year’s edition reaffirmed how much Cine Las Americas is an important part of the cultural fabric in a city that continues to be a central hub for filmmaking here in Texas and the Southwest.”

The Chimaera Project gets $20K from the NEA for TO.GET.HER female filmmaker film finishing funds

By John Wildman 4 years ago

“The Chimaera Project is thrilled to have the support of the National Endowment for the Arts. Our project amplifies the voices of women, non-binary, and Two Spirit filmmakers to change stereotypes and create equal opportunities in the film and media arts industries, said Cheryl Bookout, The Chimaera Project, Executive Director, and Co-Founder. “By giving visionaries the resources to create we give voice to critical storytelling and by placing women in directors’ chairs, a ripple effect is created for more diversity in hiring practices.”