Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

NYC-based Imagine Science Film Festival 2022 announces films and events for mid-October hybrid fest

By John Wildman 4 years ago

New York City’s Imagine Science Film Festival announced the lineup of films and events for the hybrid presentation of its 15th edition, taking place October 14-21. Screenings will kick off with the Opening Night presentation of Alejandro Loayza Grisi’s Utama, and Spotlight Features including a special presentation of Jean-Luc Godard’s classic Alphaville: The Strange Adventure of Lemmy Caution, Ali Cherri’s The Dam (Le Barrage), Jacquelyn Mills’ Geographies of Solitude, and Signe Baumane’s My Love Affair with Marriage.

Double Exposure Investigative Docs & Symposium 2022 rolls out films and panel subjects

By John Wildman 4 years ago

This year’s slate is a testimony to the incredible dedication of journalists and filmmakers who risk it all to go beyond the headlines,” said Double Exposure founder and co-director Diana Jean Schemo. “From an eight-year long investigation of cross-border land grabs, to an anonymous collective documenting the death of democracy in Myanmar, to a documentary on the devastation of Mariupolis, Ukraine, that cost the director his life, these films all embody a commitment to convey deeper truths at any cost.”

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2022 announces film lineup

By John Wildman 4 years ago

“This year’s edition of the film festival will kick off our fourth decade celebrating the impact that documentary filmmaking has on us as we view our world through the lenses of these incredible filmmakers’ work,” said HSDFF Festival Director, Sheryl Santacruz. “Each year fills us with a renewal of enthusiasm and appreciation for the stories we get to experience in each screening, complimented by the participation of the artists and subjects themselves. The conversations, events, activities, parties, and more are going to make for a fantastic film festival and cultural event next month.”

Lake Travis Film Festival wraps 3rd edition with filmmaker awards

By John Wildman 4 years ago

The Third Lake Travis Film Festival announced its filmmaker awards during brunch at Bee Cave’s famous Star Hill Ranch (15000 Hamilton Pool Rd) as LTFF wrapped up another celebratory weekend packed with film fans and filmmakers converging on the Lake Travis areas of Bee Cave and Lakeway for four days of screenings, panels, parties, and events that the film festival has become noted for. Laura Lehmus’s Sweet Disaster took the jury prize for Best Narrative Feature Film and Gulya Mirzoeva’s Katia and Rimma won the Best Documentary Feature Film award.

Christine Choy for Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2022, previews October fest with honorees announcement

By John Wildman 4 years ago

HSDFF Festival Director Sheryl Santacruz, said, “We are all very excited to return to the film festival’s longtime home and arguable epicenter at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. It will be a continuation of the process we began last year to get back to theater screenings and in-person events the way our film fans and filmmakers have come to know and love for three decades now.” Santacruz added, “This year’s honorees are also particularly special for Hot Springs. Choy has made an indelible impact through her trailblazing, activist filmmaking, and we cannot think of a better recipient for this year’s award. And, of course, the Renaud Brothers’ contributions, not just to the Arkansas filmmaking community but to non-fiction storytelling in general, is immeasurable; we are proud to rename this award in Brent’s honor.”

Tallgrass Film Festival 2022 announces lineup for 20th Anniversary edition

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Tallgrass FF program director Andre Seward, said, “This edition of Tallgrass will be one to remember for sure. Every year we say the same thing, that this year’s films are the best we’ve seen. There is no doubt that it is true for this year as well. I am very proud to be able to present the line-up that we have for our 20th anniversary. The wide range of genres and styles will give everyone a chance to find something to fall in love with during the festival.”

Atlanta’s OUT ON FILM rolls out impressive lineup of films and events for 35th Anniversary edition

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Out on Film Festival Director Jim Farmer said, “Our 35th Anniversary presentation will hit all the notes that Out on Film has become celebrated for over the past four decades, with a wonderful combination of films from around the world, as well as from our amazing city of Atlanta. We’ve got a great honoree in Colman Domingo who somehow will manage to be on hand in the middle of his incredibly packed production schedule, and new wrinkles in store, including our very first screenplay competition coupled with a queer filmmaker celebration.”

Sidewalk Film Festival 2022 now underway goes BIG with 250+ films and events

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Sidewalk Film Festival Creative Director and Lead Programmer, Rachel Morgan, said, “The programming team is incredibly excited about the Sidewalk line-up this year. We feel certain that we’ve once again gotten close to the impossible goal of “something for everyone”. 2022 has been especially notable for exceptional Alabama films from the opening night selection Butterfly in the Sky that recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to Margaret Brown’s Obama-Endorsed Descendant to the super sly Pretty Problems and even an Alabama-made horror double feature (The Third Saturday in October). We’re also incredibly honored to have worked with Showtime to host several films including Mcenroe and Nothing Compares and, of course, we’ve partnered with our BFF A24 to host Funny Pages and God’s Creatures. Then there are the 60 plus other features and 250 or so shorts. And you know us… the parties.”

Festival of Cinema NYC 2022 Announces Award Winners after audience-filled return to theaters

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Festival of Cinema NYC Founder and Executive Director Jayson Simba, said, “Our film festival, like all festivals, works hard to bring people back to theaters and recapture the excitement of going to the movies again. The fact that this year, attendees from across the five boroughs came out in large numbers to celebrate cinema with filmmakers who flew in from as far away as Iceland, Germany, Japan, and the UK, was incredibly exciting for all of us. That enthusiasm and support was evident – from the Forest Hills Community to the filmmakers all the way through the final award being announced. It became clear that friendships and relationships had been forged throughout the 10 days at our film festival.”

The Lake Travis Film Festival 2022 announces lineup for next month’s fest outside of Austin

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Lake Travis Film Festival Founder and Executive Director, Kat Albert, shares, “The third year brings an opportunity to hone into what we best…curating an overall cinematic experience. We do not sell individual tickets. The suburbs don’t have a traditional downtown, so we’ve worked to make our pop-up style festival work with three walkable hubs. Thursday and Friday are in the Oaks at Lakeway. Saturday is in the Hill Country Galleria and Sunday is Texas Film Industry Day at Star Hill Ranch. The festival is young but garnering a reputation as a unique experience for filmmakers, screenwriters, and the local community.”