Louis Hunter

Waco Independent Film Festival Announces Film Lineup for first outing since name change from Deep in the Heart

By John Wildman 2 years ago

Waco Independent FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “For 7 years, the Deep in the Heart Film Festival has become known and appreciated around the country as a must-experience stop on the tour for indie filmmakers, and a popular ‘save the date’ destination for film fans. However, as our reputation grew, so did the ties to our beloved city. So, it made perfect sense to rename ourselves with what are our central pillars in every decision we make: Waco, Independent, and Film. We have added more films, and we’ve added an additional screening space. We will continue to innovate, streamline, and come up with new ways to assist our filmmakers with their development as artists, and work to encourage them to come back to town and shoot their next project here in Waco, Texas.”

Waco’s Deep in the Heart FF celebrates DAZED AND CONFUSED and honors Jason London

By John Wildman 3 years ago

Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “We could not be more thrilled to add this weekend-long celebration of such an influential film shot here in Texas to what was already a jam-packed festival of great films and events. Having Jason London here to accept our Chisholm Trailblazer Award, headline our Opening Night Red Carpet and participate in what is sure to be a very entertaining conversation about the making of the film and his career is just so much icing on the cake. Each year, we have tried to add something new and special for our film fans to enjoy, and what could be better than this?”

“Waco is Made for Movies” : Deep in the Heart Film Festival 2022 proves Waco is Made for Red Carpets

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Waco’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival kicked off it’s 6th edition with a blowout pre-screening reception at Anthem Stories with filmmakers representing more than 40 of the films screening that weekend in attendance. Deep in the Heart doubled down on its commitment to the art and importance of short films by dedicating its Opening Night slot to a curated collection of shorts, and immediately offered up evidence as to why MovieMaker Magazine included it in his year’s list of Best Film Festivals for First-time Filmmakers. This year’s theme was “Waco is Made for Movies” and the Opening Night Red Carpet entrances which included two network affiliates on the press line certainly put the spotlight on that idea.

Chris White’s Electric Jesus leads Deep in the Heart FF 2021 — wraps banner edition of fest and celebrates with filmmaker awards presentations

By John Wildman 5 years ago

“We like to say that we bring the world to Waco, but with the Deep in the Heart online encore, Waco reaches out to the world,” said, Thomas. “For us, the combination of in-person and online events is so important to the success of the festival. Not only are we able to meet our communities where they are, it enables us to enlarge our footprint in the festival landscape,” added Hunter.

Chris White’s Electric Jesus Opens Waco’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival 2021 returns to theaters in July with VINYL NATION and its special themed shorts programs

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “Last year was an important step in our film festival’s continued growth as this city and area’s primary presentation of new film discoveries, but it will be incredibly exciting and fulfilling to welcome film fans back into the theater and give our filmmakers that interaction with audiences that is so vital to their development as artists.

Chris Hansen’s SEVEN SHORT FILMS ABOUT (OUR) MARRIAGE Opens Deep in the Heart Film Festival 2020; film lineup and some twists on the virtual approach

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Deep in the Heart FF co-founders and directors Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter, said, “In our 4th year, it was important to everyone involved with the film festival that we not take a step back due to the pandemic, but instead to continue growing as a film festival in every way we could, innovating, expanding our footprint in the city, and forging that connection between our filmmakers and audiences. Most importantly, this year is not just about maintaining the sense of fun and love of cinema that our fest is already known for here in Waco, but doubling down on that inspiration and looking beyond to try things we hadn’t even envisioned prior to this year.”

Fest Founders Samuel Thomas and Louis Hunter Annc Waco’s Deep in the Heart Film Festival FILM Goes All-Virtual with fest set for September

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Once the decision was made to pivot to an all-virtual presentation, Thomas and Hunter immediately began working with the staff to ensure that not only was that essential element not lost, but that they would have fun and use their creative muscles to bring the Deep in the Heart experience to people’s homes. As Programming Director Maverick Moore said, “It’s going to be good old fashioned fun at the movies… but this time it’ll be at your house.”