Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

John Carlucci and Brandon Laganke’s Drunk Bus Opens 2021 Festival of Cinema NYC brings world cinema and in-theater screenings to Queens next month

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Festival of Cinema NYC Founder and Executive Director Jayson Simba, said, “In our 5th year, and despite the pandemic, we still continue to grow by nearly every metric – submissions, films selected, screenings, and more. We could not be more excited to return to our home at the Regal and to see these amazing films on screen and meet all of the 85 filmmakers we are expecting to join us here in Forest Hills. We pride ourselves on bringing world cinema to the many film lovers here in Queens, and this year’s lineup really delivers on that front.”

Onur Tukel’s That Cold Dead Look in Your Eyes: Sidewalk Film Festival 2021 — Keeps adding more and more and more films, panels, and people!

By John Wildman 5 years ago

and at the very last minute. Every year we work to create a well balanced and diverse line-up and we think the Festival weekend is more fun when there’s a very, very full schedule of amazing things to choose from, choices are best when they’re difficult – Tennis, overachieving co-athletes, Florida road trips and Onur Tukel are great additions to an already stellar line-up!”

Jeff Daniels’ Television Event Opens Sidewalk Film Festival 2021 welcomes fans back into theaters with highly anticipated films and special events

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Sidewalk Film Festival Creative Director and Lead Programmer, Rachel Morgan, said, “We are beyond excited to be back downtown for Sidewalk 2021! We believe that we’ve crafted a balanced line-up filled with the best, recent, theatre-worthy indie films spanning all genres, along with the occasional throwback and special event. It’s been quite a couple of years and we think the 23rd annual Sidewalk schedule reflects such in a variety of ways – from provoking thought to celebrating humanity to providing an opportunity for shared commiseration. As always we also have a lot of surprises planned, after all, everyone is overdue for a super fun week (with safety in mind, of course); we hope you’re as excited as we are!”

Chris White’s Electric Jesus leads Deep in the Heart FF 2021 — wraps banner edition of fest and celebrates with filmmaker awards presentations

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“We like to say that we bring the world to Waco, but with the Deep in the Heart online encore, Waco reaches out to the world,” said, Thomas. “For us, the combination of in-person and online events is so important to the success of the festival. Not only are we able to meet our communities where they are, it enables us to enlarge our footprint in the festival landscape,” added Hunter.

THELMA & LOUISE 30th Anniversay Screening: Bentonville Film Festival 2021 Announces Competition Films

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“We are proud to offer audiences an inspirational line up celebrating diversity and inclusion on screen and behind the camera, to demonstrate the power of intersectional equity in entertainment media. Through our unique inclusion qualifiers, we are giving voice to directors who are 71% Female, 75% BIPOC or AAPI and 33% LGBTQIA+,” said Geena Davis, Bentonville Film Festival Chair. “We were excited last year to see our audience grow globally as a result of our virtual component. Come to our Festival this year, in person or virtually, and be transported into stories that can change the world,” said Davis.

Skye McLennan takes over for SLO Film Fest, announces 2022 dates and Call For Entries

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Paul Metchik, president of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Board of Directors, credited Eidson with many individual achievements, such as holding the first Surf Nite at the Fremont Theater featuring Riding Giants, initiating the Filmmakers of Tomorrow youth competition, staging “Hollywood and Vine’’ events that paid homage to the Festival’s beginnings as a classic film festival, and screening Citizen Kane in 2015 at the Hearst Castle private screening room, garnering worldwide attention.

Lane Michael Stanley’s Addict Named Hal leads awards for Big Bear Film Summit 2021 wraps celebratory 2nd year and first in-person outing with filmmaker awards

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Co-Founders Gabriel Horn and Michael P Hanson, said, “As filmmakers AND film fans ourselves, it was a thrill to see this this weekend instantly become a joyous coming together of the people who make the films with the people who love the films. Big Bear once again lived up to its reputation as a place that embraces the moviemaking spirit, with a rustic setting that is beloved by the people that make those movies. Our award winners exemplified that spirit, both with their wonderful films and with how they immediately felt at home in this amazing locale. We absolutely expect to see several of them returning to make their next films here.”

Chris White’s Electric Jesus Opens Waco’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival 2021 returns to theaters in July with VINYL NATION and its special themed shorts programs

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “Last year was an important step in our film festival’s continued growth as this city and area’s primary presentation of new film discoveries, but it will be incredibly exciting and fulfilling to welcome film fans back into the theater and give our filmmakers that interaction with audiences that is so vital to their development as artists.

Sevgi Hirschäuser’s Toprak leads 2021 Lake Travis Film Festival awards and wraps up gangbusters 2nd edition

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Lake Travis Film Festival Founder and Executive Director, Kat Albert, said, “We didn’t go into the second year with huge expectations, but we were blown away by the sheer numbers of the audiences and attending filmmakers. Obviously, people missed the connection of seeing films together and the magic of meeting the people behind the curtains.”