Colette Freedman

The 2019 Naples International Film Festival has tropical red carpet featuring honoree Joey Pants

However, NIFF has another secret weapon that makes it unique and a must stop for a filmmaker (if they can get accepted into the lineup) in the midst of their film festival tour: The Artis—Naples duo of CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen, and Executive Vice President, Artistic Operations David Filner. And let me add some context here: I worked for a number of years as the Senior Publicist for the Film Society of Lincoln Center (and all of heir film festivals and events like NYFF, New Directors, the Chaplin Gala, etc.). During the 5 years I was there, I think I saw the top guy at Lincoln Center once, possibly twice, and both were at – I kid you not – ribbon cutting ceremonies. That was it. There just wasn’t that kind of connection with the overarching ARTS umbrella organization.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Brooke and Doug Purdy’s QUALITY PROBLEMS delights and touches hearts during Los Angeles premiere at New Filmmakers L.A. on December 16

Brooke and Doug Purdy’s comedy/drama hybrid about a couple managing her reoccurrence of breast cancer at the same time her father is on the decline with Alzheimer’s and possibly most alarmingly, their daughter has an all-important 8th birthday party coming up, made its Los Angeles premiere at NewFilmmakers L.A. on Saturday, December 16.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Brooke Purdy and Colette Freedman ‘s QUALITY PROBLEMS Closes The Women Texas Film Festival’s red carpet with plenty of “Quality” talent as the fest closed things out with a lot of fun

The Closing Night red carpet for the Women Texas Film Festival was as energetic, eclectic, and fun as the headlining film, QUALITY PROBLEMS. Writer, director, star, Brooke Purdy and producer Colette Freedman set the tone for WTxFF’s big finale evening that included films from representing all sections and genres at the festival: documentaries, comedy, drama, horror, etc., you name it – the women that made it were on that carpet.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Savannah Bloch’s AND THEN THERE WAS EVE Opens The Women Texas Film Festival’s Opening Night Red Carpet at Studio Movie Grill had filmmakers, a City Councilman, and the first Trans mayor – all there to celebrate the 2nd year of WTxFF

The Women Texas Film Festival (WTxFF) enjoyed an busy red carpet at Studio Movie Grill’s Northwest Highway theaters in Dallas. The 2nd year of the only full-fledged, female-focused film festival in all of Texas opened with Savannah Bloch’s award winner, AND THEN THERE WAS EVE, and the Trans community (including the mayor of New Hope, Texas) came out in force to support and check out the film.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Angela Robinson Witherspoon ‘s CURTSY MISTER showcased at 12th Harlem International Film Festival celebrates independent filmmaking on the weekend of May 6th and 7th

The 12th Harlem International Film Festival’s red carpet on Saturday, May 6th, again gave a diverse group of filmmakers their due in front of the cameras. Sunday’s closing night presentation of Angela Robinson Witherspoon’s CURTSY, MISTER included a very special guest to see Witherspoon’s feature film directorial debut.