“This year was one for our festival history books and we are exceedingly proud of the safe ways we brought our community together, says Artistic Director, Jen Gerber. “Through virtual talks and a mix of safe outdoor activities, we were reminded of the strength of our film-loving community and this year surpassed all our expectations for audience engagement and connectivity.”
Harlem International Film Festival Program Director Nasri Zacharia said, “We look forward to finding films for our 16th edition that will introduce people throughout the state of New York and the film community at large to the unique hybrid of global cinema and local films that we have built a reputation celebrating for more than a decade and a half now. We take our position as part of Harlem and New York City’s film and arts community seriously, and it will be invigorating to return to theaters and see those films on the big screen in 2021, even as we utilize the virtual space to present those films to film fans throughout the rest of the state as well.”
Cucalorus Film Festival Chief Instigating Officer Dan Brawley said, “I don’t think anyone was really ready for the strange and challenging energy of the past six months. But we’ve really seized this as a chance to focus in on what we do best: to surprise people, to challenge people, and to bring people together. In some ways, the wacky, off-the-wall energy at Cucalorus is perfect for difficult situations. We’re adaptable and flexible and always looking for a good reason to try something new.
Lake County Film Festival Director Nat Dykeman said, “Like many film festivals we have taken the challenges presented to us by restrictions and limitations brought about by the pandemic to actually broaden our scope, extend ourselves and use this moment as a chance to introduce our films and filmmakers – as well as the personality of LCFF to audience in two states. It’s an opportunity to create a bigger tent of film fans, who just might come to Lake County next year to enjoy the show we put on in person.”
“Due to the extreme challenges brought about by the pandemic, this year forced both our competing filmmakers and our entire Film Prize staff to find another gear – which they all did. It was inspiring to see the creativity, innovation, and absolute refusal to yield to the difficulties that were laid out for everyone involved in our Film Prize world,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Founder and Executive Director of the Film Prize Foundation. “And the result was unleashing this juggernaut of entertaining cinema and promising filmmakers on the world.”
Skye: Our virtual festival was just a webpage we designed very quickly. At the point of our cancellation we had very little time and funds to use a proper platform and there was not a lot out there that fit our model. I was surprised by the level of support and feedback from our audience who were just so appreciative for the opportunity to still see the films. It was a reminder that our organization is an important staple of our community and something patrons were really going to miss.
“Because The Lake County Film Festival was born out of Dog Ear Music & Movies, we’ve always had a focus on music-related films,” said Festival Director Nat Dykeman. “From our second year, when we held the second public screening of THE FEARLESS FREAKS, the documentary on The Flaming Lips, to last year’s documentaries about NYC record store Other Music, and District Unknown, Afghanistan’s first metal band. When we announced our initial slate last month, there were no music related features on the list, but I’m thrilled to announce three additional features today, all of which are centered on music.”
Regarding the double win by TWO OF US, KJ Mohr spoke for the jury, saying, “Riveting and gut-wrenching, TWO OF US stands out as a uniquely important lesbian love story and a sumptuous cinematic achievement. We were overwhelmingly impressed with the powerful storytelling, rich imagery and, above all, the claustrophobically engrossing atmosphere that director Filippo Meneghetti created. This stunning accomplishment is all the more impressive, considering that TWO OF US is Meneghetti’s first feature film.”
Samuel Z. P. Thomas, Deep in the Heart Film Festival’s Artistic Director, said, “Shifting to a virtual festival presented a slew of new challenges, but our volunteer staff always approached it with the goal of making this online festival feel as personal as possible. With the engagement that we had on Facebook, Instagram, and our streaming platform, we are thrilled about the connections made between our filmmakers and our community.”
Gill said, “This year has brought seemingly countless challenges for everyone in every walk of life, and certainly for film festivals and the film and music industry. However, we have looked at the opportunities that being in the virtual space present to us and one of those is making these great films, the work of the fantastic filmmakers and music artists available not just to our Minneapolis fans, but also to the entire state of Minnesota. In addition, we have long wanted to offer the Sound Unseen experience in Austin, Texas, due to that city’s legendary music scene, and the fact that our festival director Jim Brunzell, lives there, so the ability to open ourselves up to the state of Texas is another great silver lining.”
