John Wildman

Mo Scapelli’s EL FATHER PLAYS HIMSELF opens Cucalorus Film Festival this November with online screenings, Drive-ins, Stage shows and Cucalorus Connect

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.

Jack C. Newell’s MONUMENTS Opens Illinois’ Lake County Film Festival rolls out lineup of virtual/in-person screenings for November

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.”

Lorna Street Dopson’s UNTITLED POST-BABY PROJECT! Louisiana Film Prize gives $25,000 Grand Prize – first woman filmmaker to win the big check

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“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.”

Program Director Skye McLennan: Regional Film Fests killing it (versus being killed) during the year of COVID: San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.

Röckët Stähr’s DEATH OF A ROCKSTAR Premieres! Illinois’ Lake County Film Festival adds music-related films

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“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.”

Filippo Meneghetti’s TWO OF US wins big at Atlanta’s Out on Film film awards along with TWILIGHT’S KISS

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.”

Chauncey Crail’s JULY RISING leads Deep in the Heart Film Fest filmmaker awards following successful innovative fest

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.”

Alex Winters’ ZAPPA at Sound Unseen 2020: first wave of titles for virtual fest in Minnesota AND Texas

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.”

Founder Gregory Kallenberg of Louisiana Film Prize announces record breaking first weekend of worldwide views

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Gregory Kallenberg, Founder and Executive Director of the Film Prize Foundation, said, “While we had high hopes this year, knowing we were unleashing the one-of-a-kind Film Prize experience on the world in a greater fashion than we ever have before, we never expected these kind of numbers. And we haven’t even reached our half-way point!”

Alice Gu’s THE DONUT KING Opens Naples International Film Festival: October 22-25, 2020 virtual and in-person events among BANKSY MOST WANTED

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Artis─Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen said, “We are proud to be able to bring these wonderful films to our cinema-loving community here in Naples and South Florida as well as introduce those throughout the rest of the state and even the world to our NIFF world. This diverse lineup of films will provide entertainment and inspiration for our community. The Naples International Film Festival is an important part of our cultural offerings each season and we are thrilled to be able to share these films.”