Executive Director Matt Wymer, who will be overseeing his first Oxford Film Festival as Executive Director, said, “This is our 20th Anniversary edition and we’re celebrating the audiences that allowed the Oxford Film Festival to inspire and entertain our community for the past two decades. To show our appreciation, we are providing more free screenings, more panels and bigger parties than ever before. “
The Oxford Film Festival’s second red carpet featured Max Walker-Silverman’s festival hit A LOVE SONG, with the director and festival honoree (Rising Star Award honoree) joined by two members of the film’s cast – star Dale Dickey, who was also being honored by the film festival with the Breakthrough Award, and Marty Grace Dennis. There was also a reunion of the Sound Unseen film festival and the filmmakers from BEING BEBE, who had a huge screening there last Fall, and some filmmaker moms and family members on hand to see their filmmaker kids enjoy a socially distanced red carpet rock star moment.
The Oxford Film Festival returned with a new Interim Executive Director and Director of Programming to bring the world of film, as only it can, to Mississippi. Celebrating the Opening Night screening of Hugo Sobelman’s SOUL KIDS, and Mye Hoang’s festival favorite CAT DADDIES, the socially distanced red carpet included filmmakers, jury members, and representatives from the Oxford Film Festival programming team.
Anna Baumgarten’s Disfluency was named Best Narrative Feature, which included a $15,000 camera rental package from Panavision, and Brandon Kramer’s The First Step won Best Documentary Feature. The Best Documentary Feature prize also included a $15,000 camera rental package from Panavision. Ashley E. Gibson’s The Fearless 11 won Best Mississippi Feature. Her prize came with a one-year membership and free equipment rentals from OxFilm Society. Later, it was announced that Alysia Nahmias’ Krimes was the Barton Segal Audience Award winner.
Interim Executive Director Jim Brunzell, said, “The Oxford Film Festival has long been a nationally celebrated event among filmmakers and industry veterans. This year looks to be no different based on the sheer number of filmmakers already confirmed and expected to come to Oxford and represent their films. Local film fans here in Oxford, the state of Mississippi, and nearby in Memphis, as well know that this is a destination fest where they can immerse themselves in cinema, meet and engage filmmakers and film artists, and ask them all the questions we routinely have as we exit the theater. We are thrilled to report that this year we will clearly be able to introduce our film fans to a lot of directors, writers, actors, producers, and more!”
Interim Executive Director Jim Brunzell, said, “We are excited to present this year’s films and special events to our local film fans here in Oxford, the state of Mississippi, and nearby in Memphis, as well. We have diligently built a program that include discovery titles, award winners, festival favorites from Venice, Toronto, Sundance, Berlin and SXSW film festivals, enlightening, innovative, and entertaining features and shorts that should inspire everyone to immerse themselves in the Oxford Film Festival world once again.”
Oxford Film Festival Chairman of the Board Steven Case, said, “The Oxford Film Festival, and now, OxFilm reflect the joy of making films, watching films and immersing ourselves in the world of cinema that comes directly from Melanie. While we are thrilled for her and this new position at the Tallgrass Film Festival, we are also bolstered by the knowledge that she will be leaving us in prime position to keep growing and being the cultural and artistic force in this state that few could have imagined before she took the helm.”
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.”
Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington, said, “These three films exemplify the best of what the Oxford Film Festival offers with its programming. Drought is a multiple award-winner on the circuit, Not Going Quietly gives rare insight into the experience of living with a disability, and Breaking News in Yuba County is a certified crowd pleaser courtesy of Tate Taylor. In year one, we showcased his talents as a young filmmaker, and eighteen years later we are all grown up and can’t wait to once again showcase his work on this Mississippi made film. Add to that, a full lineup of in-person and virtual panels and passholder parties to underline the festival experience side-by-side with our films.” Addington added, “As well as requiring all films to have closed captioning this year, our open and closing films shine with great disability representation which is something we strive to celebrate at Oxford.”
“As we continue to prepare for next month’s film festival, we want to be very clear about the aggressive steps we are taking in order to make our film festival safe so our patrons can begin to get back to enjoying the movie going experience in the company of other people again,” said Executive Director Melanie Addington.
