John Wildman

John Stimpson’s GHOST LIGHT Opened 2019 Oxford Film Festival: Community Night, NEGRO TERROR, Roger Bart

By John Wildman 7 years ago

The 2019 Oxford Film Festival began with a Community Night screening of locally made films and then a special concert by documentary subjects Negro Terror to kick things off on Wednesday, February 6. The next night, John Stimpson’s GHOST LIGHT officially opened the fest with a screening (and special presentation of the Lisa Blount Memorial Acting Award to Roger Bart, one of the film’s stars) at the wonderful Gertrude Ford Performing Arts Center. Opening Night.

Jordan Noel’s THIS WORLD ALONE leads the Oxford Film Festival Filmmaker Awards winners

By John Wildman 7 years ago

The 2019 Oxford Film Festival celebrated the best of the fest with a typically entertaining awards ceremony, emceed by Crooked Marquee’s Eric D. Snider, at the Powerhouse (413 S. 14th Street) on Saturday, February 9, highlighted by the announcement of Hoka awards for Jordan Noel’s THIS WORLD ALONE for Best Narrative Feature, and Suzannah Herbert and Lauren Belfer’s WRESTLE for Best Documentary Feature.

FILMS GONE WILD: Dallas Video Fest’s Alt: Fiction has CAN’T MISS films this weekend. Thanks, Bart Weiss!

By John Wildman 7 years ago

Here are a couple quick thoughts about Bart Weiss, the head of Dallas Video Fest and all of its film festival parts: He IS the film tastemaker of Dallas and Fort Worth and North Texas. He just is. Bart has his eyes, and ears, and heart, and most importantly – his brain On. The. Screen. Taste-wise, finger on the filmmaking pulse-wise, and eye out for what’s coming down the pike-wise, Bart Weiss is the benevolent leader we all take the lead from. Bottom line.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: AGLIFF promotes Jim Brunzell to Artistic Director and moves the film festival’s 2019 dates to August

By John Wildman 7 years ago

aGLIFF Board President Ashley Marshall, said, “Jim has thoroughly and completely earned the title of Artistic Director of aGLIFF. Under his creative and pragmatic stewardship as Program Director, we have strengthened the reputation of aGLIFF and the view of the films we offer in the eyes of the critics, filmmakers, and our film fans.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Heartland Film signs on to the 5050×2020 gender parity pledge for its film festivals

By John Wildman 7 years ago

“A common myth is that women aren’t making films or they’re not submitting to festivals,” said Heartland Film Film Programming Coordinator Julia Ricci. “That is far from the truth. The talent is out there and they have something to say; it is important for film festivals to amplify these voices and provide equal opportunity across the board. Heartland’s track record of recognizing and honoring female filmmakers is growing stronger each year, and I’m thrilled that we are officially committing to this initiative.”

FILM NEWS: Farm Studios brings Hollywood-style film and TV production to Arkansas with 9500 square foot studio and production facility

By John Wildman 7 years ago

Netter, an Emmy Award-winning producer of films like WANTED, and TV series like “Preacher”, sees the potential for major film and television projects like those being drawn to the area. The rapid ascension in the film industry’s eyes of the Bentonville Film Festival, with filmmakers from around the country and the world attending the festival with their films each year, is another indicator of the potential for business and entertainment industry synergy for the creative film community.