David Holbrooke, Artistic Director of EarthxFilm looks back on his favorite environmental films from last year
David Holbrooke, Artistic Director of EarthxFilm looks back on his favorite environmental films from last
Xuan Liu’s BLOOM leads San Luis Obispo Intl Film Festival 2021 awards; SLO FF Growth as arts activist event and organization
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Director Skye McLennan, said, “We were thrilled to welcome back so many from our film festival family and have the opportunity to see several at the drive-in and in-person, just as it was exciting to once again introduce people from all over the state of California to see our films and get a taste of what makes SLO Film Fest so special. We look forward to some of them making the trip to join us in beautiful San Luis Obispo next year.”
Robert H. Lieberman ECHOES OF THE EMPIRE: BEYOND GENGHIS KHAN: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS
In the interview, Robert talks about something I found absolutely fascinating in the film, and that is the priority on education among the female population and the unexpected result of that. He also discusses what it took to achieve the gorgeous photography of Mongolia in the film – in particular, the use of drones. He also talks about his technique to get his interview subject to “forget the camera” and therefore, open up that much more and reveal themselves in the interviews.
Cassio Pereira ‘s VALENTINA: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS
In the interview, we talk about how VALENTINA addresses what could be seen as the more mundane – though no less damaging on a daily basis – affronts and indignities and difficulties transgender youth go through as they simply try to just get by. Cassio also talks about his personal work with his research and on set to ensure he got the details correct, as well as how important the casting of Brazilian You Tube personality Thiessa Woinbackk in the title role and what she added beyond her performance. He also goes through the editing process to capture the right rhythm for the film.
Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone ‘s Vinyl Nation: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS; fascinating history of the vinyl record
In the interview, I take the opportunity to show off some random LPs I pulled out of my personal collection, then Kevin and Christopher discuss how they split their directorial responsibilities on this projects. We also talk about a favorite question of mine: “When was their eureka moment making the film?”
Lauren Noll ‘s HONOR, Alix Angelis SEANCE-ING , SLO Film Fest 2021 Interviews
The films couldn’t be farther apart on the storytelling spectrum from one another, but they both share the accomplishment of either gutting you with the emotional crisis of potentially denying your identity and betraying someone to “save” yourself (HONOR), or landing you smack dab into the emotional psychology of your teen youth and overcoming the immense crises in our heads that all of us likely faced during that time in our lives (SEANCE-ING). And they effectively achieve that within short run times.
Xuan Liu with BLOOM: SLO Film Fest 2021 Interviews: Writer/Director of richly layered, poetic love story
In the interview, Xuan Liu talks about his efforts to create a specific gentle tone in the film including the influence of Ingmar Bergman’s work, specifically WILD STRAWBERRIES on him. He also discusses the personal nature of the story and how closely it hews to his life, how the pandemic influenced the journey of the film to audiences, and how he handled directing a child on camera.
Jen Rainin and Rivkah Beth Meadow’s AHEAD OF THE CURVE: SLO Film Fest 2021 Interviews:
In the interview, we talk about the challenges faced in making a documentary when you have a relationship with the subject (Jen is married to Franco), delving into the topic of representation, and the evolution of the acceptance of the word “lesbian” within the story of Curve and Franco. We also discuss the desire by Jen and Rivkah to make sure the film was forward thinking as opposed to just approaching the film a s a history lesson.
Courtney Haile Short Films, Big Stories: A Program of Diverse Voices at San Luis Obispo International Film Fest puts inclusion and racial equity front and center
San Luis Obispo Film Festival Director Skye McLennan said, “The intent of this program is to continue to be a platform for diverse voices in our community of San Luis Obispo. The murder of George Floyd last year and the increase in the Black Lives Matter protests that followed only amplified the need for more diversity within the arts and how crucially important representation can be. We designed this program to be free and accessible to all and an opportunity for all audiences to fall in love with film festivals and power of the cinema. This collection of films and panels aims to inspire, stimulate and engage our community and others to participate in creating change. Through the grant received by the City of SLO we are able to pay the filmmakers, programmers and panelists and this is something we hope to continue to expand and grow and be able to offer more opportunities in the future.”
Megan Petersen and Hannah Black ’s Drought Opens Oxford Film Festival; full lineup of virtual panels and in-person passholder events
Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington, said, “These three films exemplify the best of what the Oxford Film Festival offers with its programming. Drought is a multiple award-winner on the circuit, Not Going Quietly gives rare insight into the experience of living with a disability, and Breaking News in Yuba County is a certified crowd pleaser courtesy of Tate Taylor. In year one, we showcased his talents as a young filmmaker, and eighteen years later we are all grown up and can’t wait to once again showcase his work on this Mississippi made film. Add to that, a full lineup of in-person and virtual panels and passholder parties to underline the festival experience side-by-side with our films.” Addington added, “As well as requiring all films to have closed captioning this year, our open and closing films shine with great disability representation which is something we strive to celebrate at Oxford.”