Khadifa Wong

THELMA & LOUISE 30th Anniversay Screening: Bentonville Film Festival 2021 Announces Competition Films

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“We are proud to offer audiences an inspirational line up celebrating diversity and inclusion on screen and behind the camera, to demonstrate the power of intersectional equity in entertainment media. Through our unique inclusion qualifiers, we are giving voice to directors who are 71% Female, 75% BIPOC or AAPI and 33% LGBTQIA+,” said Geena Davis, Bentonville Film Festival Chair. “We were excited last year to see our audience grow globally as a result of our virtual component. Come to our Festival this year, in person or virtually, and be transported into stories that can change the world,” said Davis.

Lissette Feliciano’s Women is Losers Leads award for Oxford Film Festival 2021

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington said, “Of course, we still have the virtual presentation of our films to look forward to, beginning on Thursday. However, as one of the first film festivals to offer in-person screenings and events since the pandemic began, this year’s edition will always retain a special place for both our film fans and especially for our attending filmmakers, as well as these award winners. Gathering under the big tents, the Conference Center and the Malco Commons to enjoy, be entertained, and celebrate a wonderful group of films and share in that enjoyment with others – even if were still socially distanced and wearing our masks, was truly special for everyone.”

Khadifa Wong’s UPROOTED: THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE interview at HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY Film Festival INTERVIEW; exploration of jazz dance’s history

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, Khadifa and I talk about the insane number of people – really KEY people they got to do interviews for the film, the importance of Patrick Swayze’s mom as an influence on jazz dance in this country, and the approach of making the film via a dancer’s perspective visually, and through choreography, as well as how having an editor with a little distance from the subject can help protect filmmakers from overindulging their “favorite” parts or interests in service of the film’s whole.

Darius Marder’s SOUND OF METAL Opens Sound Unseen 2020 announces film and events lineup with the Bee Gees, Frank Zappa, the GoGos’ Kathy Valentine, Doc Severinsen and more.

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Sound Unseen Festival Director Jim Brunzell and Program Director Rich Gill, said, “This year we have an exciting lineup of films we have been looking forward to seeing for some time now, some great discoveries, and virtual appearances by very cool filmmakers, film subjects, authors, and more. It couldn’t be a better year to reach across state lines and bring the Sound Unseen experience to film and music fans in both Minnesota and Texas. We’re especially excited to open our doors to Texas and give them their first opportunity to check out what we’ve been doing for two decades now.”