Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

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.”

Tallgrass Film Festival 2022 announces gala selections, special presentations, and an Ad Astra Award honoree

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Tallgrass FF program director Andre Seward, said, “The 20th anniversary of Tallgrass Film Festival will be a celebration of the best cinema from the past and today. These titles are just a taste of the incredible films that will be available during the festival. We have a truly great lineup for you this year. The Stubbornly Independent spirit is alive and well.”

Oxford Film Festival gets a big arts grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) for 2023

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Matt Wymer, said, “Everyone at OxFilm and the Oxford Film Festival have already been at work to build upon this year’s edition and bring our film fans the best audience pleasing, cinema-loving, party-rich film festival we possibly can to celebrate our 20th year. So, to once again, receive the support of the Mississippi Arts Commission for the second year in a row is a tremendous validation and incredibly encouraging for all of us as we continue our work.”

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.”