John Wildman

FILMS GONE WILD: On this Juneteenth, Dallas International Film Festival Artistic Director James Faust gives a first person (and family) account of a life lived

By John Wildman 6 years ago

When you reach out to your friends of color and ask how they are doing…remember… you may be opening a box of systemic trauma that they don’t want to, or are ill equipped to deal with. Rancor and rage may come your way. I ask you to listen ..really listen… For every step forward…there’s a George Floyd. For every success story, there’s a Trayvon Martin. For every…you know what…it’s too much…there are too many. My mother shouldn’t have to check in on me and remind me how to act in front of cops.. I’m 50!

David Midell’s THE KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN Opens Oxford Film Festival; music, Juneteenth, and Pride month with their 9th Weekly Virtual Fest and adds some GREASE to the Drive In

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Executive Director Melanie Addington said. “This week’s lineup includes some of the most powerful political commentary from THE KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN at the virtual fest to WIN, LOSE OR DRAW STRAWS at the drive in, but we also intermixed with some fun and nostalgia because great movies don’t just move you emotionally but sometimes just in song and dance like GREASE. But also, we wanted to make sure that our community is supported as they have supported us so we also launched Pet Fest, Music Fest and partnered with the Juneteenth Committee for the Miss Juneteenth showing on June 21 to make sure that Oxford is supported.”

Co-Founders/Co-Directors Ben McCarthy and Megan Garbayo got it right with OUTstream Film Fest when it came to seeking inclusion with their debut virtual LGBTQIA+ film festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

To quote McCarthy when the OUTstream Film Fest was first announced, “We have created OUTstream Film Fest to bring people together all across the country, of any sexual identity, to view these films, which we feel will entertain, touch, enlighten, and affect all audiences. Thanks to COVID-19, everyone in the world has received a stark reminder that we are all together and similar in many more ways than we are not. We believe this has the potential to bring people together virtually via this shared event – because art offers a rich opportunity to connect us all.”  He then added, “OUTstream Film Fest could reach people that want to have an understanding about LGBTQIA+ people or appreciation for queer cinema. It’s all about inclusivity. Films are made to tell someone’s unique story and if it’s only being seen by people that have “lived” that story, then it’s not reaching everyone that could legitimately connect with and be touched by that story.”

James Woolley, Frameline Executive Director Annc’s films for Pride Showcase, including 12 world premieres

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“Pride Month has begun with riots and protests in the face of systemic injustice. The LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to these issues and we honor and support all those raising their voices in dissent and demanding equality,” said James Woolley, Frameline Executive Director. “Frameline has featured inspiring, thought-provoking cinema for more than 40 years and created a festival atmosphere that fosters community engagement and discourse, and we are proud to continue this tradition with our Pride Showcase.” 

Julio Vincent Gambuto’s TEAM MARCO at Oxford Film Festival emphasizes family with OFF to the DRIVE IN and the 8th Weekly Virtual Film Fest heads back to Mississippi with NOTHIN’ NO BETTER

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Executive Director Melanie Addington said. “From alumni films like PLIMPTON! STARRING GEORGE PLIMPTON AS HIMSELF that we can support with our Virtual Art House model, to one of my favorite films, LABYRINTH, from Mississippian’s own Jim Henson, at OFF to the DRIVE-IN and hosting MISS JUNETEENTH as well as providing free pizza from Dodo Pizza to create some sort of Juneteenth celebration for Oxford, to our Weekly Virtual Film Festival supporting artists from around the world, we are busy over at Oxford Film Festival shining a light on what makes our town truly special: the love of the arts.”

David Midell’s THE KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN leads Oxford Film Festival filmmaker awards for best 2020 films

By John Wildman 6 years ago

The 2020 Oxford Film Festival celebrated the best of this year’s films and filmmakers with a virtual awards ceremony on Saturday, June 6, highlighted by the announcement of Hoka awards for David Midell’s THE KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN for Best Narrative Feature, which included a $15,000 camera rental package from Panavision, and Pailin Wedel, and Nina Ijas’s HOPE FROZEN for Best Documentary Feature. The Best Documentary Feature prize included a $15,000 camera rental package from Panavision as well as documentary editing feedback from Joe Shapiro

Ed Wood’s cult classic PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE Kicks off DRIVE IN with Oxford Film Festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Executive Director Melanie Addington said. “We are very excited to debut our OFF to the DRIVE IN film presentations, as I’m sure many of our locals are, to get out of the house and see some films but safely following CDC guidelines, but most importantly in this climate and in Mississippi, highlighting the great Mississippi-produced film THE EVERS on the anniversary of Medgar Evers’ death is crucial to further the conversation to improve our lives. A special conversation will be included with the film from the family and director.”

Lela Meadow-Conner, Film Festival Alliance Executive Director: Teaming with Full Spectrum Features to put together first Film Festival Leadership Lab

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“As the Alliance has quickly grown over the last few years, and serves as North America’s only professional affiliation for those who work within the film festival industry, we realized there was a need to cultivate our industry’s future leadership beyond our regular professional development activities.,” said Lela Meadow-Conner, FFA Executive Director. “We’ve been fortunate to engage with wonderful partners including Full Spectrum Features and Stephen Bárczay Sloan, Founder of the Humane Leadership Institute, to execute the program.” 

Director Marcelino Islas Hernández and actress Verónica Langer with CLASES DE HISTORIA join OUTstream Film Fest; shorts, episodics, and special panel to LGBTQIA+ virtual film festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

OUTstream Film Fest Co-Founder and Co-Director Ben McCarthy, said, “We are very excited to give each of these filmmakers a dedicated platform to share their work with audiences. There is so much variety among the stories being told, the voices and cinematic vision on display, and yet – as with our OUTstream Film Fest features – there is a commonality, a shared experience, the demonstration of a connection we all have to one another that comes through the collective experience of seeing these films.”

Co-Founder and Co-Director Megan Garbayo, added, “Our sincere hope is that through the virtual reach of this film festival, regardless of whether or not you are sheltering in place in a city or you find yourself in a rural community, these films will be able to remind us all of what connects us.”

Skye McLennan promote to Festival Director of San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“I am so thrilled to announce Skye’s promotion and look forward to continue to work with her. She brings a wealth of festival experience, new ideas and a youthful perspective to our organization as we continue to add to the reputation we have earned across the country as an important regional festival,” said Eidson. “We all recognize how important it is to bring in people with enthusiasm and innovation to keep an organization fresh and relevant and she brings all of that and so much more to the table.”