Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

Aaron Hose’s ONE PINT AT A TIME leads the trophies haul as 2022 Deep in the Heart Film Festival hands out filmmaker awards

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Co-Founders and Co-Directors Louis Hunter and Samuel Thomas, said, “This year’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival was another reaffirmation of the reputation this film festival has built over the last couple of years. Forging that connection between our visiting filmmakers and the wonderful film-loving community in Waco has always been our aim and we are enjoying seeing that come to fruition in so many ways now.” Hunter and Thomas added, “Our award-winning films this year emphasized that connection and added the anticipation of more filmmakers returning to Waco to shoot their next films – and the thought of that energizes us to continue to grow in years to come.”

Festival of Cinema NYC 2022 announces film lineup including 19 world and North American premieres for Queens-based fest in August

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Festival of Cinema NYC Founder and Executive Director Jayson Simba, said, “This year’s edition of the film festival continues to build on the success and growth we experienced last year highlighted by our return to the Queens Library for free films, panels and talks. This year, we have also worked hard to find amazing films from all over the world to present to our FOC NYC film fans, while also celebrating our local filmmakers and the community we call home.”

Asian Film Festival of Dallas marks big return to theaters with Well Go USA hits and indie award winners

By John Wildman 4 years ago

New AFFD Executive Director Thomas Schubert, said, “Our board and staff are excited about the prospects of returning to our regular July time slot and we are taking advantage of this edition of the film festival to look at what we do through a different lens and a fresh approach. AFFD has always been a signature event for Dallas film lovers, introducing exciting films and cinema to DFW, and this year we hope to shake up the event aspect of the film festival in our return, as well.”

Waco’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival 2022 puts the focus on local filmmaking and celebrating shorts

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “We recognize the impact this film festival increasingly makes on the Waco filmmaking ecosystem, just as it solidifies its place each year as a key stop on the map for filmmakers attending regional film festivals on the national tour. Giving our filmmakers more opportunities beyond the wonderful interaction with our Waco audiences to help with their development as artists, and maybe encourage them to come back to town to shoot their next project here is a central focus for this film festival. Of course, the sense of fun and love of cinema that Deep in the Heart FF will be omnipresent once again as our ability to spread the gospel of our films and what we do has become stronger and made us quite a force to be reckoned with.”

Austin’s Cine Las Americas International Film Festival 2022 announces filmmaker awards after successful return to theaters

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Cine Las Americas Executive Director Gabriel Ornelas, said, “The platform we create for these films and filmmakers and the connection that is made to the audiences here in Austin are vital for both the filmmaker and the film lover. Our team worked hard to ensure we had great screenings, presentations and events focused on our films and attending filmmakers, and we could not have been more pleased with the result of those efforts. This year’s edition reaffirmed how much Cine Las Americas is an important part of the cultural fabric in a city that continues to be a central hub for filmmaking here in Texas and the Southwest.”

The Chimaera Project gets $20K from the NEA for TO.GET.HER female filmmaker film finishing funds

By John Wildman 4 years ago

“The Chimaera Project is thrilled to have the support of the National Endowment for the Arts. Our project amplifies the voices of women, non-binary, and Two Spirit filmmakers to change stereotypes and create equal opportunities in the film and media arts industries, said Cheryl Bookout, The Chimaera Project, Executive Director, and Co-Founder. “By giving visionaries the resources to create we give voice to critical storytelling and by placing women in directors’ chairs, a ripple effect is created for more diversity in hiring practices.”

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2022 announces award winners with Anmol Sidhu’s JAGGI leading the way with two wins

By John Wildman 4 years ago

IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda, said, “This year’s edition of the film festival was wonderful in so many ways. The excitement felt by the reunion of so many of our filmmakers, patrons, and film fans back in the theaters was something we all shared. The months and weeks leading to the festival, we weren’t sure whether people would show up after a three-year break from an in-person festival. We were overwhelmed to see everyone coming back, eager to reconnect with the community and the IFFLA family, watch films and celebrate our 20th anniversary. We walk away from this year’s festival feeling energized and filled with gratitude.”

New York International Children’s Film Festival announces 3rd Annual Industry Forum

By John Wildman 4 years ago

“We’re thrilled to see more awareness and intentionality around supporting diverse stories and creators in children’s media,” added Maria-Christina Villaseñor, NYICFF Programming Director. “We want to devise more onramps for emerging creators, share ways to mindfully support their ongoing development and success. With over 25 years of identifying talented filmmakers and partnering with industry producers, platforms, and educators, we’re doing what we can to connect the dots with honest conversation, inspiration, and actionable ideas.”