Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Cine Las Americas cancels 23rd edition, but plans are in the works for alternative 2020 presentations

By John Wildman 6 years ago

CLA Executive Director Jean Anne Lauer, said, “I am confident I speak for our board, staff, volunteers, sponsors, venues, vendors and many more who work with us year-round in preparation for what would have been the 23rd edition of this wonderful film festival, that it is truly heart-breaking to make a decision like this. However, we know that this is the right course of action. We appreciate the love and support we receive from our CLA family, our Austin community, and – of course – our filmmakers. We appreciate everyone’s patience as well as we sort out a path forward that will allow us to share some exceptional films with our audiences and celebrate the filmmakers whose talent and voices we seek to champion.”

Jan Komasa’s Corpus Christi leads Oxford Film Festival and Film Movement team up for a Virtual Art House

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“While we work to reschedule our main film festival, we are so grateful for creative partners like Film Movement for teaming with us on special presentations and events like these to support our work in the film and film festival community. This Virtual Art House will create a wonderful opportunity for our audiences to both watch great cinema while also helping us to raise funds to bolster our budget as we move forward in our efforts to give Oxford film fans something to look forward to during uncertain times,” Executive Director Melanie Addington said.

Sibylle Szaggars Redford ‘s The Way of the Rain : EarthxFilm 2020 Goes Online in April, In-Person in the Fall

By John Wildman 6 years ago

The decision was shared in light of the rapidly developing news of COVID-19 and our desire to put public safety first. EarthxFilm Co-Founder and President Michael Cain said, “This decision came after careful consideration and consultation with our team, partners, and city officials. We look forward to offering the audiences of Dallas another wonderful EarthxFilm slate of movies, XR experiences, educational opportunities and panels both online in April and in-person throughout the year in Dallas, and across the country and with international partners.”

Gabriel Horn from The Big Bear Film Summit Annc’s Debuts with Film & Music Fest in June

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“The goal of BBFS is to insure that domestic and international artists, producers, and film directors attend the festival and participate in discussions about their work and about the art of filmmaking, and that they are given the opportunity to see what our region has to offer, in the hope that they will return to make subsequent films here benefiting from a new proposed regional film incentive program” said Executive Director Michael P. Hanson.

Festival Producer Shannon Franklin Annc’s The 2020 Naples International Film Festival Call for Entries and Cash Prizes Rise Past $30K

By John Wildman 6 years ago

In 2020, filmmakers will be vying for more than $30,000 in cash prizes, including $7,500 each for the two juried competitions for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature, and $5,000 for the Focus on the Arts Award, given to a Narrative or Documentary film with an emphasis on one or more of the visual and performing arts.

Geena Davis, Co-Founder and Chair: Cites Coronavirus concerns, the 2020 Bentonville Film Festival moves dates of fest to August

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“This decision comes after careful consideration and consultation with our partners. Our number one concern is the safety of our content creators and our community of attendees. We are grateful for the support and recommendations we’ve received and look forward to welcoming everyone to the 6th edition of BFF this August.” Bentonville Film Festival, Co-Founder and Chair, Geena Davis said.

Michael Cain Annc’s EarthxFilm to join forces with Dallas International Film Festival for combined 2020 film festival presentation

By John Wildman 6 years ago

EarthxFilm’s Co-Founder and President, Michael Cain, said,” For EarthxFilm and the Dallas International Film Festival, two organizations I helped found to collaborate for the joint 2020 festival is incredibly satisfying. People in North Texas who appreciate film and compelling storytelling will be the beneficiaries.”

Wancang Bu’s silent classic LOVE AND DUTY part of CineCina Film Festival; postpones fest due to Coronavirus

By John Wildman 6 years ago

CineCina Film Festival Founder and Director Vina Sun, added, “However, while it made sense to postpone what is becoming our signature film festival event in order to ensure its success, our mission continues. The special presentation of LOVE AND DUTY both celebrates a formative classic early Chinese film, and provides a lead in to the theme of this summer’s upcoming film festival, including the reveal of the film festival’s poster image.

Lawrence Kasdan honored with King Vidor Award at The 2020 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

By John Wildman 6 years ago

“The King Vidor Award offers us an opportunity each year to celebrate and honor someone that has impacted our love of cinema, and Lawrence Kasdan epitomizes that as much as anyone” said SLO Film Fest Director Wendy Eidson. “From RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, to THE BIG CHILL, to so much that we love about the STAR WARS films and more, he has either been one of the key people behind their creation or outright been responsible for some of our favorite movie moments.”

Allan Moyle’s THE GUN IN BETTY LOU’S HANDBAG Opens 2020 Oxford Film Festival Announces Special Screenings and Film Events Adding to Jam-packed schedule in March

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Addington, said, “Each year, after we initially set our schedule, exciting films will pop up and potentially be available for us to show to our Oxford Film Festival audiences. This year, we were fortunate enough to grab a few great ones. The Female Filmmaker Retreat is a very exciting addition to offer some real assistance and push to a group of women working on their next films. Project(ions) is another step forward for film as art that we think will add to the fest-going experience. And we’ll see everyone at our Secret Screening for the big reveal!”