Tracie Laymon

Big Bear Film Summit’s first in-person fest brought filmmakers up to the mountains

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Film festivals always take their personality from the people in charge and in this case, the Big Bear Film Summit was one of the friendliest, most supportive film festivals at its core that you could ever hope to experience. You can always streamline, increase budgets, perfect systems, but you just can’t buy that underlying feeling of getting the big cosmic hug. For that reason alone, the Big Bear Film Summit holds A LOT of promise as a destination fest going forward, because who doesn’t want to get a big cosmic hug while having their film screened in a prime vacation (and location) spot.

Lane Michael Stanley’s Addict Named Hal leads awards for Big Bear Film Summit 2021 wraps celebratory 2nd year and first in-person outing with filmmaker awards

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Co-Founders Gabriel Horn and Michael P Hanson, said, “As filmmakers AND film fans ourselves, it was a thrill to see this this weekend instantly become a joyous coming together of the people who make the films with the people who love the films. Big Bear once again lived up to its reputation as a place that embraces the moviemaking spirit, with a rustic setting that is beloved by the people that make those movies. Our award winners exemplified that spirit, both with their wonderful films and with how they immediately felt at home in this amazing locale. We absolutely expect to see several of them returning to make their next films here.”

Olivia Peace’s TAHARA Opens Women Texas Film Festival announces slate of films for virtual fest August 13-16 with an emphasis on LGBTQIA+ and provocative docs

By John Wildman 6 years ago

Walford added, “We love being part of the international movement to showcase female filmmakers and we know we must continue our efforts with even more force so that we change the filmmaking industry in hiring an equitable gender ratio. Our goal has always been to show the range of the female storyteller, and the depths to which women can take us via their work in film- whether it be emotional, visual, introspective, startling, shocking, and horrific.

SHORTS AND TO THE POINT: Tracie Laymon’s MIXED SIGNALS is an award-winning comedic look at navigating the choppy waters of male-female attraction in the #METOO era

By John Wildman 7 years ago

Making the film, I really tried to put myself into the male character’s POV. In doing so, I had more empathy for men and realized how confusing my own signals can be, even with the best of intentions. I think if both men and women worked harder to step into one another’s shoes more often, then we might have hope of communicating better and truly understanding one another.

FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Laura Somers’s RICH KIDS leads winners at Women Texas Film Festival (WTxFF) 2018

By John Wildman 8 years ago

Women Texas Film Festival Founder and Artistic Director Justina Walford said, “Our decision to update the naming of our awards came out of the fact that we wanted to honor filmmakers based on why we program these films: for their leadership, storytelling and vision. From the beginning we wanted to not simply screen films envisioned and created by women, but to push forward the risk takers. Taking those risks makes us stronger filmmakers and it should be lauded at every turn.”