Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

Lane Michael Stanley’s Addict Named Hal Opens Big Bear Film Summit 2021 for in-person return in June after last year’s virtual debut

By John Wildman 5 years ago

BBFS CEO Gabriel Horn, added, “So many people – not just filmmakers and others in the film industry – have a new hope right now as we work our way back from the pandemic, so we thought it would be a great theme for this year’s edition of the Big Bear Film Summit. However, a constant is the quality of the films we have selected for BBFS. Only this year we will have the great pleasure of hosting our attending filmmakers and film fans against the backdrop of this gorgeous and historically Hollywood-friendly area.”

Toprak, Brauhaus Open Lake Travis Film Festival 2021 with an all in-theater, in-person fest in June

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Lake Travis Film Festival Founder and Executive Director, Kat Albert, said, “Like the rest of the country, our community has been isolated for a year, and we want our event to give people a safe space to leave their homes and experience a little bit of normalcy. Filmmakers have been isolated too and they have missed the joy and satisfaction of seeing their films screened in front of live audiences. We were fortunate to have seemingly dodged the pandemic’s course to a great extent from our debut last year to this year’s second edition, but that also makes us want to return in the best way we can both for our filmmakers and our film fans.”

Trisha Ziff’s Oaxacalifornia at Austin’s Cine Las Americas 2021 adds some free films, competition shorts, youth films and more for next month’s fest

By John Wildman 5 years ago

CLAIFF Lead Programmer Ernie Quiroz, said, “We love giving our Cine Las Americas audience and community here in Austin something special to add just that much more luster to the festival and what fits the bill better for that than a sneak preview screening here and a world and/or US premiere there? A vital part of our efforts are to do what we can to make our film festival available and accessible to everyone who wants to enjoy it. We are also excited about the scope, variety, and pure entertainment to be found in our shorts and music video competitions, as well as our Emergencia Youth films as we continue to look for and promote the next generation of filmmakers out there.”

Voodoo Macbeth leads filmmaker awards for Harlem Film Festival 2021 after ushering NYC back into the theater

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Harlem International Film Festival Program Director Nasri Zacharia said, “Our 16th edition marked the return to in-person, in-theater screenings in New York City, and our hybrid approach allowed us to continue to invite audiences throughout the state of New York to the unique blend of global cinema and local films that we have built a reputation celebrating for a decade and a half now. Harlem emphatically is a center, magnet, and inspiration for the arts, and we embrace our role in that vital and vibrant legacy.

Rita Moreno documentary from Mariem Pérez Riera’s Opens Austin’s Cine Las Americas; the feature film lineup for next month’s fest

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Cine Las Americas Executive Director Gabriel Ornelas, said, “In format, this year will serve as a bridge from our virtual showcase during the pandemic last year to returning to the in-person screenings and events we have all been looking forward to enjoying once again. Our opening night screening under the stars is a wonderful first step in that direction, without losing the gains we have made through the virtual screenings broadening the reach of CLAIFF and bringing these great films into people’s living rooms so we can introduce them to our wonderful filmmakers.”

Chimaera Project launches SUPPORT.HER, mentorship program for female filmmakers

By John Wildman 5 years ago

The Chimaera Project’s Casey McKinnon and America Young share, “As filmmakers, we deeply understand the value of spending even one-hour consulting with someone you admire in your chosen field – someone who has achieved a level of success you yourself are working toward. Learning from the mistakes of others and getting the support you need to propel you to the next level is priceless.” They added, “At the end of the day, we want these filmmakers to know that they aren’t an afterthought in the industry, they are the reason we wake up in the morning. Their voices matter and we recognize they have a unique vision that deserves to be seen.”

Jim Brunzell III leads Oxford Film Festival 2022, Hot off MovieMaker’s “50 Film Festivals…worth it”

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Brunzell, said, “I’m extremely excited for this new opportunity with OxFilm. Outgoing ED Melanie Addington has done an incredible job and has been a force bringing OxFlim to the national forefront in regional film festivals in North America. I have some very big shoes to fill and I’m thrilled to get to Oxford and start working with the board of directors, staff, volunteers, sponsors and the Oxford community in continuing its rich and vibrant festival.”

Andrea Štaka’s Mare leads awards for SEEfest 2021; highlighting cinematography among the winners

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“It is a special privilege for us at SEEfest to recognize artists of South East European heritage who enrich international cinema,” says Vera Mijojlić, founder and director of SEEfest. “These awards are representative of cultural and cinematic diversity of South East Europe, and we are proud of our track record in discovering new talent, bringing to American audiences the beauty, artistry, ingenuity of these marginalized cultures. Our festival team congratulates all award winners, with special thanks to the Jury and industry members whose support is indispensable.”

Sally Aitken’s Playing with Sharks leads awards at EarthxFilm 2021; with $26K in cash prizes going to filmmakers and environmental organizations

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Michael Cain, Co-Founder and President of EarthxFilm, said, “It was exciting to return to drive-ins, outdoor cinema and socially-distanced theaters, and have our filmmakers come back to Dallas, walk our green carpet, and hear the reaction to their films from live audiences once again. A special moment shared by all was learning of the 2020 EarthxFilm Best Documentary Winner My Octopus Teacher winning the Oscar during our final Q and A. One thing that never changes – pandemic or not – is our commitment to the filmmakers, the causes they explore and the organizations whose work they introduce us to through their films.”

CLAIFF Executive Director Gabriel Ornelas new leadership, new look: Austin’s Cine Las Americas announces hybrid plans for 23rd edition

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Cine Las Americas Lead Programmer Ernie Quiroz, said, “We are so thrilled to build on the success of last year’s Virtual Showcase to launch a hybrid edition of the 23rd Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. CLA is committed more than ever to supporting Latinx and Indigenous voices in film. We’re excited at both the prospect of returning to in-person screenings, in a safe and responsible manner but also at the idea of expanding our reach beyond the Austin city boundaries through virtual events. Both have their place and both help fulfill our mission in supporting Latinx and Indigenous filmmakers.”