“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.
Oxford Film Festival’s Executive Director, Melanie Addington, said, “In a year of crisis, we were reminded that one thing remains constant: movies bring us together, bring out our shared humanity, help us navigate sorrow, joy, love, trauma, remind us to laugh, and keeps us occupied while sheltering at home.
Our goal from the beginning was for the film to be a good time at the movies – whether or not you catch the references. We wanted it to be fun for everyone – both for folks familiar with Herzog and Kinski, and for folks that have no clue who they are. So, it was very important that the movie would be understandable to all audiences.
What I learned from the lack of sleep and being available non-stop is that next year I will make sure there is more help. One major shift for us is Donna Kosloskie is now Head of Programming and we have added Greta Hagen-Richardson as our new Narrative Feature programmer and her main focus is on finding diverse voices. Our board is also looking at how to restructure in the future to not just rely on me to handle all things but to actually have some more staff roles and to grow the festival in a healthy way. It has been a great year to open some eyes on what it takes to run a successful festival.
Regarding the state of the organization, Case, said, “The Oxford Film Festival has grown to not just be a cultural and social focal point and driving force for this community and state, but has truly become a vital and invaluable presence in Oxford and Mississippi for film fans to connect and communicate and find common ground through their shared love of movies. I think we all feel like we’re just getting started with what the organization can accomplish and achieve.”
Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington said, “Due to the current pandemic situation, we felt these funds would be better served helping students than just sitting and waiting. While we still plan to reschedule for a safer time, we wanted to make sure these donors are recognized for their efforts.”
Women Texas Film Festival Founder and Festival Director Justina Walford said, “The virtual presentation somehow added to the immediacy of the moment with our screenings and Q&As and it was thrilling to not just experience each film without distractions but to also hear from so many filmmakers and actors and documentary subjects from all around the world right in our living rooms. And the films that our jury selected for these awards all shared the fact that they touched and inspired our judges to such an extent that they needed to be honored.”
Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington said, “From great independent films made locally and globally to fun family movies at the drive in, this summer we are so proud to offer safe options for entertainment.”
Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington said, “We’ve decided to ramp up in our last 6 weeks of the virtual festival with more Q&As and titles each week while also launching a second drive in location in Water Valley. This year’s big experiment has proven that one thing remains true – people love movies and we feel so lucky to be able to provide safe ways to still enjoy them this year.”
The Oxford Film Festival announced the dates for next year’s edition of the popular and critically-acclaimed film festival, which will take place March 24-28, 2021. The current plans for that upcoming edition of the film festival will feature a hybrid approach including virtual and drive-in presentations, as well as the prospect of returning to theaters. The call for entries on Film Freeway is open with the early bird deadline set for September 30.
