Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

Festival of Cinema NYC 2023 Announces Filmmaker Awards

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Festival of Cinema NYC Founder and Executive Director Jayson Simba, said, “Our film festival, like many festivals, looks at the filmmakers and the films’ cast and crew or documentary subjects as an extended family of film artists. Once again this year, attendees from all over New York City came out in large numbers to celebrate cinema with those filmmakers, some of whom who flew in from Europe to share their work. and became the latest members of our FOC NYC extended family. From our Opening Night party to That enthusiasm and support was evident – from the Forest Hills Community to the final award being announced it always thrills us to see friendships and relationships had been forged throughout the 10 days at our film festival. I don’t know of another NYC-based fest that can claim that.”

Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Film Festival 2023 announces Filmmaker Awards

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Greenpoint Film Festival Creative Director Ricardo Vilar, said, “This was a wonderful edition of the film festival, highlighted by a coming together of filmmakers both local and as far away as Europe and Asia to share their films with us and connect with each other, here in North Brooklyn. It was exciting to hear audience members and their fellow filmmakers give feedback with conversations inspired by the thought provoking subjects and entertaining cinema they had just watched. Presenting these awards was a perfect way to wrap up a fantastic event celebrating truly independent film.”

Waco’s Deep in the Heart FF 2023 announces filmmaker award winners and a new indie name going forward

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Regarding the festival’s name change, Co-Founders and Co-Directors Louis Hunter and Samuel Thomas, said, “For seven years, this film festival, our filmmakers, and this city exemplify the spirit of independence by every definition of the word. Calling ourselves, The Waco Independent Film Festival simply puts an emphatic stamp on what we are, what we celebrate, and how our filmmakers approach making their films.” Hunter and Thomas added, “Our award-winning films this year could not have been better examples of that spirit, that energy, and the specific exuberant joy that comes from creating and making film independently, then sharing it with an audience that fully appreciates it.”

Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Film Festival 2023 highlights Ukraine and Polish cinema among film lineup

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Greenpoint Film Festival Creative Director Ricardo Vilar, said, “We are thrilled to be returning indoors for this year’s edition of the film festival. We’re having fun when say we are “steaming” our films this year since we’ll be in The Boiler but our lineup definitely has a lot of heat with award winners, thought provoking subjects, exciting new talent, and more. For more than a decade, we have celebrated cinema here in North Brooklyn, and this year’s edition looks to be one of our strongest yet.”

Waco’s Deep in the Heart FF celebrates DAZED AND CONFUSED and honors Jason London

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “We could not be more thrilled to add this weekend-long celebration of such an influential film shot here in Texas to what was already a jam-packed festival of great films and events. Having Jason London here to accept our Chisholm Trailblazer Award, headline our Opening Night Red Carpet and participate in what is sure to be a very entertaining conversation about the making of the film and his career is just so much icing on the cake. Each year, we have tried to add something new and special for our film fans to enjoy, and what could be better than this?”

Festival of Cinema NYC 2023 announces films, events, and a home-grown honoree for August fest

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Festival of Cinema NYC returns to the Regal UA Midway and the Queens Library at Forest Hills for its 7th year, August 3 – August 13. The festival opens with Christina Kallas’ indie NYC favorite Paris in Harlem and closes with Anna Baumgarten’s multiple award-winning drama Disfluency. Dito Montiel will be honored with FOC NYC’s inaugural Achievement in Filmmaking Award in conjunction with a special screening of his film, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, and Greg Brownderville and Bart Weiss’ groundbreaking Southern Gothic multi-media project Fire Bones will be presented live in New York City for the first time.

Ojai Film Society kicks off 2023 Free Summer Film Series with GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Regarding the creation of the Summer Film Series, Ojai Film Society President, Kathleen Schafer, said, “As the OFS emerged from the Pandemic, we understood the need for a new way of fulfilling our mission to bring film to the Ojai Valley. By focusing on screening films outdoors and making attendance free for everyone, it is easier for anyone who wants to enjoy these films to do so. And the enthusiastic response of our audiences helps attract filmmakers to bring their new films to Ojai. Not only is it a wonderful model for watching films, but it is also a great way for filmmakers to share their work with communities.” This year’s theme is ‘Shooting for the Stars,’ which reflects the aspirational, and practical ways we are all searching for something better for our lives.”

Waco’s Deep in the Heart FF 2023 grows, expands indie features lineup for this month’s fest

By John Wildman 3 years ago

The Deep in the Heart Film Festival announced the film and events lineup for its 7th edition, which will combine in-theater screenings July 20-23, followed by an online encore July 24-30. Deep in the Heart FF will kick things off with an Opening Night presentation of Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett’s film festival sensation Finding Her Beat, and Anna Baumgarten’s decorated drama Disfluency will be the Closing Night selection. The festival will also present a special multi-media screening and performance of Greg Brownderville and Bart Weiss’ critically acclaimed Southern Gothic shaggy dog story Fire Bones, and a Friday Night Spotlight screening of Thaddeus D. Matula’s inspiring documentary Into the Spotlight.

Austin’s Cine Las Americas 2023 wraps up 25th Anniversary celebration with Filmmaker Awards

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Austin’s Cine Las Americas announced the filmmaker award winners following the conclusion of a hugely successful 25th Anniversary edition of the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (CLAIFF). Leading the list of films winning jury prizes were Clara Cullen’s Manuela (Best Narrative Feature), and Gisela Delgadillo’s Kenya (Best Documentary Feature). Films taking the Audience Awards were topped by Marie Clements’ Bones of Crows (Narrative Feature), and Miwene, directed by Keith Heyward, Jennifer Berglund, Gange Anita Yeti Enomenga, Obe Beatriz Nenquimo Nihua(Documentary Feature).