Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

Steve Collins’ I’VE GOT ISSUES, Garin Hovannisian’s I AM NOT ALONE : Oxford Film Festival rolls out lineup for 3rd Weekly Virtual Fest and adds Virtual Art House titles too

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“This week’s films as well as the featured panels share a universal idea and experience of dealing with a new situation or in some cases – a new world order,” Executive Director Melanie Addington said. “Sometimes the effort to sort things out can be wryly and darkly funny and sometimes it can surprise us and inspire us to reach goals we never previously thought we could attain. And sometimes, just talking about it and hashing things out can do us a world of good.”

Edward James Olmos goes virtual: Austin’s Cine Las Americas teams with the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival for Virtual Screenings and Events in May & July

By John Wildman 6 years ago

CLA Lead Program Associate Ernie Quiroz added, “During a time when a common refrain is ‘We’re All in This Together’, we are embracing that idea and looking to form and sustain alliances with organizations that share our desire to promote filmmakers’ work and of course, share our love of film with our communities. To that end, it is incredibly exciting to connect with LALIFF and start building what could become an important portal and support system between filmmakers in Austin and those based in Los Angeles.”

Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed’s ’s MY OCTOPUS TEACHER led the awards at EarthxFilm 2020 closes virtual fest

By John Wildman 6 years ago

EarthxFilm’s Artistic Director, David Holbrooke, added, “It was odd but exciting to see all the award winners gather for this year’s EarthxFilm Awards ceremony on our computer screens. We had winners join us from Mossville, Louisiana to Zimbabwe, all of whom are doing critical work on the environment. It wasn’t easy to pivot from our terrestrial festival to a virtual one but it worked and while we look forward to being able to gather again and meet these wonderful filmmakers and their remarkable characters in person, we are really heartened by what we pulled off with EarthxFilm 2020.”

Daniel Lafrentz’s THE LONG SHADOW showcases at Oxford Film Festival; part of lineup for 2nd Weekly Film Festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“The importance of curating this weekly mix is to showcase the versatility of our filmmakers and highlight how global cinema unites us,” Executive Director Melanie Addington said. “Whether through a music documentary about fighting a conservative government with art, or Queer cinema from southern filmmakers, to gorgeous animation from Oxford Film Fest alumni like film professor and fest circuit favorite Geoff Marslett, this week’s virtual film festival again allows us to narrowly focus in on these great films and engage much longer detailed conversations about filmmaking.”

QUEERING THE QUARANTINE FILMMAKER CHALLENGE: OUTstream Film Fest Announces Short Film Contest

By John Wildman 6 years ago

OUTstream Film Fest (June 1-7) announced the QUEERING THE QUARANTINE FILMMAKER CHALLENGE, which is now open for submissions. Short films made while observing social distancing orders and submitted to OUTstream Film Fest will be screened on the fest’s website and shared on social media, with a “Best of” compilation screened together as part of the kick-off for the inaugural edition of the virtual film festival on May 29.

Brian Whisenant’s THE GOLDEN YEARS launches Oxford Film Festival Weekly Virtual Film Festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Executive Director Melanie Addington, said, “The Oxford Film Festival has become a vital showcase for independent film and filmmakers for close to two decades now, so rather than reducing the number of the films that routinely receive the benefits of having that platform, we decided to create these weekly presentations in lieu of a one-week online virtual film festival. We’re excited by the idea that we can give each film that much more of a focus. It is important for festival organizers to adapt in this pandemic to do what is best for their filmmakers as they are our partners and the only reason our industry exists.

Brett Falentine’s FIRE ON THE HILL: EarthxFilm 2020 rolls out virtual film festival this week emphasizing the “festival” with films, panels, music, dance, and VR

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“So many of the stories we share about conservation, climate change, and the heroes working to protect our planet are a testament to the triumph of the spirit, and our collective hope for the future.” David Holbrooke, EarthxFilm Artistic Director adds “We can’t think of a better time than now to gather (at a distance) and experience those stories, highlighting the difference we can play.”

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: CineCina Film Festival donates more than 800 protective masks to New York State Department of Health

By John Wildman 6 years ago

CineCina Film Festival Founder and Director Vina Sun, added, “We have great pride in being a part of the film and film festival community of New York City. Our theme for this year’s edition of the CineCina Film Festival is “Love and Duty” and donating these masks – so needed at this time – most definitely comes from our sense of love and duty toward our beloved New York.”