Reporting on film festivals
Out on Film Festival Director, Jim Farmer, said, “If there is one thing that we always keep in the forefront of our minds at Out on Film, it is the idea that a film festival should be a “festival.” There should be fun, excitement, and events that celebrate film and our love of it. These three new additions underline that in very different ways.
Regarding the state of the organization, Case, said, “The Oxford Film Festival has grown to not just be a cultural and social focal point and driving force for this community and state, but has truly become a vital and invaluable presence in Oxford and Mississippi for film fans to connect and communicate and find common ground through their shared love of movies. I think we all feel like we’re just getting started with what the organization can accomplish and achieve.”
“We are thrilled to present some of the strongest titles of 2020 to the Hot Springs audience. I am especially pleased to present a program where filmmakers of color represent 47% of our feature films and over 50% of the total films presented are directed by women. We are also proud to showcase several regional titles, elevating local directors and the idiosyncratic culture of the South. The films in our 2020 program will inspire viewers, challenge perceptions, and illuminate the urgent realities of this turbulent year,” says Fairbanks.
While the removal of the original film is disappointing, the Film Prize also reported that the inclusion of THIN SLICING has made Film Prize 2020 the second consecutive edition with 50% female filmmakers.
Yan, said, “Watching both of these films that focus on two amazing women from China and Hong Kong who have demonstrated what it means to be a leader, to be brave, to be heroic, stands in sharp contrast to the version of MULAN that Disney has delivered to film audiences. The fact that both films are the work of wonderful women filmmakers underlines why we suggest watching these films as an alternative for those seeking their Chinese heroine “fix” this week.”
Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “In our 4th year, it was important to everyone involved with the film festival that we not take a step back due to the pandemic, but instead to continue growing as a film festival in every way we could, innovating, expanding our footprint in the city, and forging that connection between our filmmakers and audiences. Most importantly, this year is not just about maintaining the sense of fun and love of cinema that our fest is already known for here in Waco, but doubling down on that inspiration and looking beyond to try things we hadn’t even envisioned prior to this year.”
“The Louisiana Film Prize and the winning cash prize has become an ever-growing international draw for burgeoning indie filmmakers around the world. Not even a global pandemic could slow down the enthusiasm and participation for this year’s Film Prize,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Founder and Executive Director of the Film Prize Foundation. “This year will be special because people from around the world will be experience this one-of-a-kind event.”
Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington said, “Due to the current pandemic situation, we felt these funds would be better served helping students than just sitting and waiting. While we still plan to reschedule for a safer time, we wanted to make sure these donors are recognized for their efforts.”
Sidewalk Film Festival Creative Director and Lead Programmer, Rachel Morgan, said “I’m super proud of Sidewalk and all of our amazing festival-goers for successfully and safely pulling off a 100% Drive-In festival during this very strange and complicated 2020 festival season. We were able to deliver a little of the magic of Sidewalk despite the odds not being in our favor and that alone is success.
Out on Film Festival Director, Jim Farmer, said, “2020 has been a challenging journey thus far for all of us, so along with the films that we have found from world cinema titles to award-winners, and films that have been popular thus far at other film festivals, the theme of the journey struck us for our special events with Margaret Cho and Kevin Williamson. She is a certified LGBTQIA+ icon (thus the award we will present to her) and he shaped pop culture in a major way during a heady period writing for film and television. Both have had a fascinating journey leading up to the peak of their cultural influence and beyond. As one of the longest running LGBTQIA+ film festivals, we embrace connecting those dots through our history as well as celebrating and presenting the best of the new films and filmmakers today.”
