Film Festival News

Reporting on film festivals

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Jake Graf Honored at aGLIFF 2018’s Full Lineup includes the fest’s first Breakthrough Honoree, and a diverse schedule of films befitting the festival’s dedication (and title change) to the true definition of inclusiveness

The All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF) announced the official selections for the film festival’s 31st edition. Screening exclusively at Alamo Drafthouse Lamar (1120 S. Lamar Blvd.) in Austin, Texas on September 6-9, aGLIFF will open with the previously announced CALL HER GANDA, directed by PJ RAVAL, with Ondi Timoner’s MAPPLETHORPE, starring Matt Smith, set to make its Texas Premiere as the Closing Night selection.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Laura Somers’s RICH KIDS leads winners at Women Texas Film Festival (WTxFF) 2018

Women Texas Film Festival Founder and Artistic Director Justina Walford said, “Our decision to update the naming of our awards came out of the fact that we wanted to honor filmmakers based on why we program these films: for their leadership, storytelling and vision. From the beginning we wanted to not simply screen films envisioned and created by women, but to push forward the risk takers. Taking those risks makes us stronger filmmakers and it should be lauded at every turn.”

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Amanda Kramer’s PARIS WINDOW leads the 2018 Women Texas Film Festival Announces another daring lineup for their 3rd edition

Screening exclusively at Studio Movie Grill’s Spring Valley location in Dallas (13933 N. Central Expy.) on August 15-19, WTxFF will present the World Premiere of Amanda Kramer’s mind-bending film, PARIS WINDOW as their Opening Night selection, with Jenn Wexler’s SXSW hit, THE RANGER serving as the Closing Night selection.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Kevin Brooks LAST DAY Celebrates The 2018 Memphis Film Prize announces the winner of its $10,000 Prize

The winner of the 3rd annual Memphis Film Prize (www.memphisfilmprize.com) was announced at the event’s traditional celebratory brunch at The Arcade (540 S. Main Street) held on Sunday, August 5th. The Film Prize’s coveted top award of $10,000 cash – judged by a mixture of audience and film industry judges from all over the country – went to LAST DAY directed by Kevin Brooks.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Film Festival Alliance names regional film fest stalwart Lela Meadow-Conner as Executive Director

Meadow-Conner is beloved and widely recognized on the regional film festival circuit as both a take-charge leader, and a “glue” person that can fill in all gaps and bring an organization’s team together. Successes at the very popular Tallgrass Film Festival for years established her reputation, which has only been burnished by yeoman work she did at this year’s Bentonville Film Festival helping it achieve one of its most successful outings yet, as well as consulting for the Woods Hole Film Festival, and her ongoing work with FFA.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: DEAN’S LIST; HYPNOTIC INDUCTION; LAST NIGHT and more! The Memphis Film Prize selects the 10 finalists that have a shot at taking home $10,000 on August 5th

The 10 film finalists for the 3rd annual Memphis Film Prize (August 3-5) have been announced. The Film Prize’s top award of $10,000 cash – judged by both audience members and a group of judges comprised of filmmakers, film critics and journalists, will be awarded to a filmmaker following 3 days of screenings, filmmaker panels, and events in Memphis.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: The 2018 All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival will open with PJ Raval's CALL HER GANDA and present it's inaugural Tribute Award to Austin's Yen Tan

The All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF) announced that PJ Raval’s timely documentary CALL HER GANDA will be the Opening Night selection for the 31st edition of the film festival (formerly known as the Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival). Also announced was the creation of aGLIFF’s Tribute Award. The recipient of the inaugural aGLIFF Tribute Award will be filmmaker Yen Tan, a stalwart on the Austin indie filmmaking scene.

FILM NEWS: Justina Walford from Studio Movie Grill Announces ONE STORY MOVEMENT with up to 11 $1000 prizes for documentary and aspiring filmmakers across the country

SMG’s One Story Movement project invites documentary and aspiring filmmakers to create a short film that highlights the work of those who strive to leave a positive wake in our communities. Films must be under three minutes and about an organization, community, or individual within 30 miles of a Studio Movie Grill location.