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FILMOCRACY, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

The 2022 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival  Announces Honorees

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

The 2022 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival 
announces honorees and more late-breaking news 
(April 26-May 1)

 

Dale Dickey will be this year’s King Vidor Award honoree
and Michael Showalter will receive the Spotlight Award

Stacy Peralta’s The Yin and Yang of Gerry Lopez 
will be the featured film for this year’s Surf Nite at the Drive-in

 

San Luis Obispo, CA (April 21, 2022) – The 28th Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (April 26-May 1) announced that Dale Dickey (A Love Song) will receive the King Vidor Award at next week’s film festival and Michael Showalter (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) will be this year’s Spotlight Award honoree. Stacy Peralta’s The Yin and Yang of Gerry Lopez was also announced as the featured film for this year’s Surf Nite at the Drive-in.

San Luis Obispo Film Festival Director Skye McLennan

 

San Luis Obispo Film Festival Director Skye McLennan said, “We have been thrilled to return to the SLO Film Fest we have all known and loved for so long and bring back traditions, beloved favorites within our programming and events that this film festival is known for. The King Vidor Award, the Spotlight Award, Surf Nite, moderated talks with Ben Mankiewicz, Jenelle Riley, and more are the things lovers of cinema on the Central Coast have sorely missed. I can speak for everyone here when I say we are counting each day until SLO Film Fest opens next week!”
In addition to the film festival’s return to in-person screenings at movie theaters for the first time in two years, this edition of SLO Film Fest will also include the first live presentations of the film festival’s celebrated King Vidor and Spotlight Awards during the Filmmaker Awards Night on Saturday, April 30 at the Fremont Theater (1035 Monterey Street). A popular highlight of the film festival, the presentations will also feature the always entertaining moderated “Conversations on Film” with Turner Classic Movies’ Ben Mankiewicz and Variety’s Jenelle Riley.

Receiving this year’s King Vidor Award will be veteran character actor, Dale Dickey, who has received much attention as one of the stars of Max Walker-Silverman’s romantic drama, A Love Song. Dickey, who has long been regarded as one of film and television’s most prolific and critically esteemed supporting players, stars opposite Wes Studi, as a couple, childhood sweethearts several years ago, who are now both widowed. They meet up at a campsite and reconnect, sharing stories, memories, and emotions during a night by a lake in the mountains.

One of Hollywood’s most coveted character actors, Dale Dickey forged a reputation for illuminating gritty, dark, and oftentimes damaged characters. Following inspired performances onstage, including the Broadway production of “The Merchant of Venice” (1989) and the 2009 stage adaptation of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Dickey has put together an enviable list of performances together in films like Sordid Lives (2000), Winter’s Bone (2010), Super 8 (2011), Iron Man 3 (2013), Hell or High Water (2016), and Palm Springs (2020), and on countless television shows like The X-Files, True Blood, Breaking Bad, and My Name is Earl. Her role in A Love Song is a well-deserved lead in a feature that has been critically acclaimed since its debut at Sundance earlier this year.

Receiving the film festival’s Spotlight Award will be Michael Showalter, the prolific director, writer, and producer who skillfully blends drama and comedy, telling unique and heartfelt stories with unconventional lead characters. Showalter most recently directed The Eyes of Tammy Faye, which earned two Academy Awards including Best Actress for Jessica Chastain and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. On the television side, Showalter also recently directed, and executive produced the critically acclaimed miniseries The Dropout, starring Amanda Seyfried. Showalter’s other feature credits include The Lovebirds, which he directed and produced, starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae, and the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated film The Big Sick, which he directed, and Hello My Name Is Doris, for which he also wrote and directed. He is also the co-creator of the cult-comedy favorite Wet Hot American Summer and the hit HBO Max original series, Search Party, which just premiered its fifth and final season. Upcoming films include directing and producing Spoiler Alert, starring Sally Field and Jim Parsons, and executive producing I Love That for You, an upcoming series for Showtime, starring Molly Shannon and Vanessa Bayer.

 

SLO Film Fest’s Surf Nite, it’s signature one-of-a-kind surfing film event, will feature Stacy Peralta’s The Yin and Yang of Gerry Lopez. The documentary looks at one of surfing’s most enigmatic heroes. Famously known as “Mr. Pipeline” for his calm demeanor in the tube, Lopez built his career with aggressive surfing that left behind a trail of blood and tears. As radical as he is Zen, Lopez transcends categorization. His influence on modern surfing is immeasurable and for the first time, his story has been told in full. Presented on Thursday, April 28, at the Sunset Drive-In for the second straight year. Surf Nite will include the traditional appearance of some classic 1960s surfing autos to add to the atmosphere of what could be called the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the surfing film lover. The evening will include the iconic cars and live music from the Boomer Surf Band before the feature presentation and the first 100 people to arrive early will receive a custom t-shirt from Cayucos Collective.

Along with the aforementioned honorees, this year’s San Luis Obispo International Film Festival will have many filmmakers descending on the Central Coast from outside the state and other parts of California to represent their films and participate in post-screening Q&As and more. Among them are; Alastair Evans (DIR/PROD) A Crack in the Mountains; Kristy Guevara-Flanagan (DIR/PROD), Josh Beddingfield (Sound); Aguilas; Lorena Gordon (DIR) At Last; Sandra Chandler (DP) The Automat; Elaine Carmody (PROD), Jason Park (DIR/SCR) BJ’s Mobile Gift Shop; Robert Walker (PROD) Bring Them Home; Mye Hoang (DIR), Dave Boyle (PROD/ED), Jeff Judkins (Subject) Cat Daddies; Ulysses Salcido (PROD/DP), Victor Villa (Subject) Échale Ganas: The Villa’s Tacos Story; Seanne Winslow (DIR/SCR/PROD) The Falconer; Geoff Pingree (PROD) Fireboys; Nicholas Weisman (PROD) Havana Libre; Justin Monroe (DIR/PROD) Holy Frit; Cheryl Bookout (DIR/SCR/PROD), Cheri Gaulke (DIR/SCR/PROD), Stacy Sweeting (PROD), Jeff Hafler (Subject) Inside the Beauty Bubble; CJ Russo (DIR/SCR/PROD), Chiah Rodriques (CAST) Lady Buds; Isabel Castro (DIR), Doris Munoz (Subject), Ruth Munoz (Subject) Mija; Afton Quast Saler (DIR), Jesse Saler (DP) Neurodivergent; PJ Palmer (DIR/SCR/PROD), Ryan Haffey (PROD), Emily Palmer (PROD), Caroline Metz (EXEC PROD), Zelda Hallman (EXEC PROD), Ernesto Lomeli (DP) North Star; Kanani Koster (DIR), Jasmine Karcey (DP), Janie Faison (Art Director) No Spectators Allowed; David Baram (DIR/SCR/PROD), Harry Baram (CAST) One All the Way; Nicholas P. Vilarreal (DIR), Alessandro Squitti (PROD) On/Off; James Becket (DIR) The Seeds of Vandana Shiva; Alison Rich (DIR/SCR/CAST) Training Wheels; Orion Huang (DIR) The Yellow Panther: The Life of Richard Aoki.

(Press release from John Wildman, Wildworks PR)

FILMOCRACY, television

Happy Thanksgiving, Watch Movies! FILMOCRACY Unveils Industry/Festival Education and Networking Program For Filmocracy 2021 Nationwide

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

FILMOCRACY INTRODUCES THE INDUSTRY NETWORK

Triad of FestDance Panels, Filmocracy Talks, and Round Tables Adds Education, Networking

ff hero for landing

Roster of Ambassadors Grows as Networking Opportunities Expand For Hybrid Event During Filmocracy Fest December 9th-10th in Los Angeles and Nationwide

https://filmocracyfest.com/

Los Angeles, CA (November 24, 2021)—Filmocracy, the world’s premiere digital screening, distribution, and experience platform, announced its roster of new industry programs today. As the independent film and festival spaces continue to evolve, Filmocracy’s founders saw an opportunity to expand networking and mentorship opportunities.

More than forty Ambassadors joined the inaugural Filmocracy Fest in 2020—participating in various panel discussions—and will continue support in 2021, along with numerous additional industry professionals who have joined the program along three tracks: FestDance will present eight panels over two days; Filmocracy Talks will include four programs; and there will two Round Table discussions.

FestDance 
FestDance is a two-day hybrid in-person/virtual event December 9th-10th that convenes filmmakers, festivals, and film lovers from around the world. A first of its kind fusion experience, local and virtual audiences will explore the film industry while celebrating the new era of digital cinema and innovative technologies. There are two key tracks, one for Film Festivals and another for Filmmakers.

The Festival track includes the following panels: Engagement: Audience & Filmmaker Relations; Technology: Capitalizing on the Digital Frontier; Sponsorship Relations; and Revenue Opportunities. 
The Filmmaker track will include the following panels: Submission Strategies: Knowing your Goals; Networking; Getting on the Radar; Distribution & Exhibition.

Filmocracy Fest Co-Founder Jon Fitzgerald predicted last year in a white paper published by IndieWire, “filmmakers want more revenue-sharing, networking opportunities, and data from online festivals. Festivals, distributors, and filmmakers need to adjust to this new normal, and see this change as opportunities for all parties to rethink how their relationships work. FestDance is an opportunity to continue that conversation in a hybrid world: digital presentation is here to stay.” History bore him out, with most festivals resuming in person screenings whilst retaining digital ones.

“FestDance is an opportunity for the festival and filmmaker community to take stock, absorb all the last eighteen months, and collaborate to share best practices and make for a more robust, impactful, profitable film festival ecosystem,” adds Filmocracy CEO Paul Jun. “We’re going to use our own platform to deliver an informative, exciting and content-rich experience while fusing the digital and in-person audiences.”

Filmocracy Talks 
In their informal version of a TED talk, Filmocracy will cover specific categories, with festival veterans sharing words of wisdom. Filmocracy Fest Filmmakers will have an opportunity to join the discussion on stage. The host will also answer a few questions from passholders that have been submitted in advance. Talks will take place virtually at 5:00pm, kicking off the Festival Happy Hours, virtually and in person at Boomtown Brewery. Categories will include:

Festivals 
1. Have a custom strategy for your movie. 
2. Get on the radar. 
3. Develop your submission spreadsheet.

Marketing 
1. Your movie as a brand. 
2. Keys to a good trailer. 
3. How your website evolves.

Streaming 
1. Understanding VOD models. 
2. Creating a custom distribution strategy for your film. 
3. Your movie deliverables.

Careers 
1. Maximizing festival play. 
2. Have your next project under your arm. 
3. Connecting with industry professionals

Round Table Discussions 
Filmocracy has invited 5-8 experts to participate in two discussions, Impact Filmmaking: Education & CTA and Independent Film Exhibition: Discovery & Distribution, each led by a moderator. Each session will last 30-45 minutes and cover all sides of the topic. They will also answer a few passholder questions that have been submitted in advance.

Impact Filmmaking: Education and Call to Action 
Ever since Participant Media ushered in a wave of social impact films, from the Oscar-winning An Inconvenient Truth (2006), to Food, Inc. (2008) and The Cove (2008), we’ve seen the documentary space grow exponentially. Many of these films go beyond mainstream theatrical and streaming platform releases into educational markets, creating lasting awareness and evergreen activations. We will explore how these films inform and create change with their Call to Action.

Independent Film Exhibition: Discovery & Distribution 
As the number of film festivals and streaming platforms each increase, there are more opportunities for exhibition. Emerging filmmakers want to be discovered by industry professionals and audiences. Acquisition executives continue to seek projects to distribute. With this discussion, industry experts will shed light on the overlapping paths of discovery and distribution.

Happy Hours 
Festival Sponsor Boomtown Brewery will host nighttime Happy Hours, offering Filmocracy Fest filmmakers and passholders a discount on their favorite beer at the DTLA Brewery’s tap room. For those joining Happy Hour virtually, Boomtown’s brewmasters will lead a nightly tasting of Boomtown brews.

For full programming details visit: https://filmocracyfest.com

2021 Industry Ambassadors include (list in formation): 
Melanie Addington (Tallgrass Film Festival) 
Tiffany Boyle (Ramo Law) 
Lela Meadow Conner (Film Festival Alliance) 
Lauren DeVillier (CEO, Struum) 
Justin Giddings (Film Festival Mastery) 
Chris Gore (Film Threat) 
Jasper Grey (The Vedetta Group) 
Ben Lock (Vuulr) 
Barbara Morgan (Austin FF) 
Alex Nohe (Blood Sweat & Honey) 
Julian Silver (Actor) 
Leslie Vanderpool (Bahamas FF) 
Jeffrey Winter (The Film Collaborative) 
Jeremy Wine (Elevent) 
Viviana Zarragoitia (3 Point Capital)

Tickets are on sale now! The All-Access VIP Pass costs $200.00 and includes entry to all Festival screenings, panels, happy hours and receptions. The Festival Pass is $100.00 and includes screenings and happy hours but not Special Events and receptions. Individual ticket prices are $10.00 for scheduled virtual screenings and Q&As, and $7.00 for OnDemand streaming, and $12.50 for Theatrical in person screenings. Filmocracy PAYS filmmakers 30% of their box office receipts.

About Filmocracy: 
Filmocracy is a film and festival streaming platform that rewards users for discovering amazing independent films. Users earn virtual popcorn for watching and rating movies, which can be spent in their shop to earn movie tickets, redeem gift cards, or attend virtual film festivals hosted from around the world. Bringing a powerful combination of technologies together to enhance the virtual cinema and conference experience for filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences around the world. Filmocracy’s mission is to help all independent filmmakers reach wider audiences and grow their communities through storytelling. Festival Co-Founder Paul Jun serves as CEO of Filmocracy.

In December 2020, Filmocracy staged the First Annual Filmocracy Fest, an all-digital juried film festival. Filmocracy Fest presented a slate of 44 films; panels; mentorship program; live performances; script readings; cause-related partners; and dozens of virtual conversations with directors and industry talent. Jon Fitzgerald served as Executive Director.

Filmocracy also has a library of more than 3,500 titles for streaming that is constantly evolving and rotating. Liquid Media Group Ltd (NASDAQ: YVR) has joined Filmocracy as presenting sponsor.

Get Social!
Web: https://filmocracyfest.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/filmocracy2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmocracy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfilmocracy/

(Source: Press release provided by PMG Platform Media Group)

FILMOCRACY

FILMOCRACY FEST 2020 Presents Awards for First Annual Festival

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

Ceremony Caps Four Days of Panel Discussions, Keynotes…And Brewery-Hosted Happy Hours

Jury Confers Awards on Shorts, Docs, and Narratives

Audience Awards Honor Three Favorite Films

JOSÉ FELICIANO: BEHIND THIS GUITAR Claims Filmocracy’s First-Ever Inspiration Award

Los Angeles, CA (December 8, 2020)—Filmocracy, the world’s premier digital screening, distribution and experience platform, announced FILMOCRACY FEST 2020’s first awards Sunday evening, following a Boomtown Brewery-infused happy hour capping a sprawling schedule of screenings, panels, industry networking events and keynotes over the four days of the virtual festival December 3-6.

Filmocracy CEO Paul Jun

In announcing the Awards, Filmocracy CEO Paul Jun said, “Today, of course, we are in different times, and celebrations are different, but we wanted to recognize our winners.  Whether you believe in awards or prizes or not, they can really matter for indie filmmakers and can make the difference in helping get into other events, to secure distribution, and to attract audiences.”

Filmocacy Film Festival Founder and Executive Director Jon Fitzgerald

Festival Founder and Executive Director Jon Fitzgerald added, “Most importantly, we want to begin by thanking ALL our filmmakers for presenting works of uncommon quality and insight to our jury and our audience; we felt it was one of the most vibrant and content-rich programs yet presented at a virtual festival.

Any successful film festival is anchored by films. That’s why we attend festivals: to see great films, discover new talent, and hear amazing stories.  Thanks to all our filmmakers for sharing your work, and your time, with us.”

Filmocracy Fest presented its first-annual Inspiration Award to the documentary JOSÉ FELICIANO: BEHIND THIS GUITAR, by Frank Licari & Helen Murphy (USA).  Revered as one the world’s greatest guitarists, nine-time Grammy®/Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient Feliciano is the first Latin American to win Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Grammy Awards and is the first global Latin crossover artist. He is a pioneer in successfully blending genres as well as being a masterful musical interpreter.

An American immigrant in pursuit of his dream to one day perform on the world stage, he is the story of one of the greatest and arguably most underrated superstar artists of all time. The award followed a world-premiere video presentation of Felciano’s incendiary performance of his hit Light My Fire; Feliciano’s cover of The Doors’ tune won the 1969 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, the same year he also won the Grammy for Best New Artist.

Claiming the Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature was HER NAME WAS JO, by Joe Duca (USA). In the film, ten year- old Jo spends her days along the Shenandoah River with her best friend Selma, fishing, scrapping for metal—basically, just surviving. But when her abusive junkie stepdad dies, Jo decides, with Selma in tow, to dump his body, steal his car, and set off across the country in search of her real dad, a legendary folk singer in Los Angeles.

 

The Feature Documentary Award went to PIANO TO ZANSKAR, by the UK’s Michael Sulima. Facing a dim future in retirement, 65-year old piano tuner Desmond O’Keeffe decides instead to take on the most challenging delivery of his career: transporting a 100-year old Broadwood & Sons piano from London to a primary school in a faraway Buddhist village, some 14,000 feet above sea level, deep in the Indian Himalayas.

Claiming the Best Documentary Short Award was Canada’s GIRL IN THE HALLWAY, by Valerie Barnhart.  “Why does Little Red Riding Hood give Jamie nightmares? It’s been fifteen years, and the girl in the hallway haunts him still. This is a testament to locked doors. A lullaby is sung by wolves with duct tape and Polaroids. Not all children make it out of the forest. Some stories children shouldn’t hear.”

Best Narrative Short went to 1,2,3 ALL EYES ON ME, directed by Emil Gallardo (USA). In that film, a crisis suddenly engulfs an elementary school campus, and Ms. Leena, a determined art teacher, tries everything she can to save her frightened class.

The last juried award, Filmocracy conferred The Student Filmmaker Award upon TECH WEEK, directed by USC student Caden Hollander (USA). TECH WEEK is a feature-length movie musical he wrote, directed, produced, and is now available to watch on Amazon Prime. The film follows Peter (Euan Cousar) as he volunteers during the final week of rehearsals for a youth musical theater production, where he is exposed to the magical world of musical theater.

Filmocracy Fest gave three Audience Awards: The combined Audience Award for Best Short Film went to THE CORONATION, by Dhruv Sud (USA).  In this rhinestone encrusted fable, a young boy sneaks out of his parents’ home in New Jersey to see his drag queen friends in New York City. While there, he is encouraged to try drag for the first time and he is crowned queen for a night.

 

THE WISHING TREE

THE WISHING TREE, by Laura Adamo (Canada), captured the Audience Award for Feature Narrative. Set against the most stunning backdrop of Northern Ontario’s hiking trails, THE WISHING TREE—a Filmocracy Fest World Premiere—is the story of one woman’s hiking expedition initiated as a quest for perspective, peace, answers, and ultimately a way to heal from personal tragedy.

 

WOMEN IN BLUE

Finally, the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature was awarded to the timely WOMEN IN BLUE by Deirdre Fishel (USA). WOMEN IN BLUE follows the stories of the women police officers in Minneapolis who try to reform the department and restore trust in the community after a high-profile police shooting forces its first female chief to resign.

Jury members included: Urs Baur, Elliot Kotek, and Grace Mora (documentary features); Tana Jamieson, Alan Ng, and Nathan Sutton (narrative features); and Henry Eshelman, Michael Kuehnert, and Daniel Sol (narrative and documentary shorts).

About Filmocracy

The First Annual Filmocracy Fest is an annual juried film festival the debuted in December 2020 in Los Angeles, California, and nationwide. Filmocracy presents a robust slate of 44 films from a dozen countries; numerous panels featuring industry professionals; a mentorship program from 25 festival ambassadors; live performances; script readings; cause-related partners; and dozens of virtual conversations with directors and industry talent. Jon Fitzgerald serves as Executive Director.

Filmocracy is a film and festival streaming platform that rewards users for discovering amazing independent films. Users earn virtual popcorn for watching and rating movies, which can be spent in their shop to earn movie tickets, redeem gift cards, or attend virtual film festivals the host from around the world. Bringing a powerful combination of technologies together to enhance the virtual cinema and conference experience for filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences around the world. Filmocracy’s mission is to help all independent filmmakers reach wider audiences and grow their communities through storytelling. Festival Co-Founder Paul Jun serves as CEO of Filmocracy.

Filmocracy also has a library of film titles for streaming that is constantly evolving and rotating, with 2600 titles currently available.

(Source: Press release provided by PMG, Henry Eshelman/Alexa Oliphant)

FILMOCRACY

FILMOCRACY Digital Distribution Platform Launches Its Own Festival!

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

 

FILMOCRACY FEST 2020

Digital Distribution Platform Launches Its Own Festival Under Direction of Veteran Festival Executive Jon Fitzgerald

Virtual Event Unspools December 3-6 in Los Angeles and Worldwide;

Includes Panels, Q&A’s, Mentorship and Digital Networking Opportunities

Fifteen Documentaries, Five Narratives Vie for Jury Prizes

Along with Four Special Presentations

https://festival.filmocracy.com/filmfest  

 

Los Angeles, CA (November 18, 2020)—Filmocracy, the world’s premier digital screening, distribution, and experience platform, has announced a unique Festival for these challenging times: The First Annual Filmocracy Fest. The juried festival begins on December 3rd and ends on December 6th. For its inaugural festival, Filmocracy presents a robust slate of 44 films from a dozen countries; numerous panels featuring industry professionals; a mentorship program from 25 festival ambassadors; live performances; script readings; cause-related partners; and dozens of virtual conversations with directors and industry talent. The all-digital festival kicks off with a special sneak preview screening of WHEN TODAY ENDS, directed by Michael Leoni, on December 3rd. Filmocracy will present films both as scheduled virtual screenings and as on-demand viewing.

 

The last nine months have turned the film festival community inside-out. Many festivals postponed or canceled, and others moved clumsily to off-the-shelf online platforms ill-served to their audiences and stakeholders, while the pressure grew to utilize film festivals as de facto distribution platforms.

 

All this while, technology company Filmocracy has honed the sophistication of its delivery platform, in essence creating virtual, navigable worlds for festivalgoers to experience in a unique, content-rich, entertaining way, coining the motto as they went along: Virtual Festivals Don’t Have to Suck. Festivals and markets including San Diego, Louisville, Paris, and most recently, AFM have adopted Filmocracy’s platform for their festivals. Filmocracy also has a library of titles for streaming that is constantly evolving and rotating with 2600 titles currently available.

 

When Filmocracy co-founder and CEO Paul Jun met veteran festival programmer, producer, and executive Jon Fitzgerald, they decided to merge their platform with Fitzgerald’s innovative, inclusive, and inspired “four-pillared” programming concept consisting of: Mentorship, Discovery, Networking, and Experience.

 

Jun says, “After hosting a number of large film events like the San Diego International Film Festival and the American Film Market, we’re extremely excited to use this platform for our homegrown festival. Filmocracy is all about helping filmmakers reach wider audiences through unique gamification and prizes while showcasing the most interesting film festivals in the world. Filmocracy Fest will be the crown jewel of our annual festival lineup.”

 

Filmocracy Fest represents the merging of a robust, innovative delivery platform that makes the absolute most of a three-dimensional digital experience with carefully curated film programming and interactive conversations with filmmakers, industry leaders, educators, and more. Virtual Q&A’s and conversations with select filmmakers follow each screening, and Filmocracy has assembled a group of 25 ambassadors, including Dan Harlow, Brian Newman, Mark Litwak, Jasper Grey, and Nick Reed to lead presentations.

 

Highlights of the festival include: five juried narrative and fifteen feature documentary features, including two world premieres and several award winners from other festivals; four special presentations (three of which are sneak previews) comprising two documentaries: ROCK CAMP, by Douglas Blush, and JOSÉ FELICIANO: BEHIND THIS GUITAR, by Frank Licari & Helen Murphy (featuring a live performance by Felciano himself), and two narratives, IZZY LION, THE UNSPUN HERO by Dan Lanigan and WHEN TODAY ENDS, by Michael Leoni; and five themed shorts programs—Futuristic Societies; Broken Pieces; Youth and Consequences; Diversity and Inclusion; and Inner Demons—44 films in all. The full selection of films is here:

https://festival.filmocracy.com/filmfest/filmfest-guide/

 

Because it’s a three-dimensional digital presentation, a passholder can visit Filmocracy Fest at almost any time and be sure of finding something going on. In addition to scheduled screenings and films on demand, there are daily breakfasts, happy hours in the “saloon” and an “Impact Expo” to experience and explore impact-related filmmaking and their related causes, a subject near to Fitgzerald’s heart.   He says, “As the film festival world continues this dramatic shift, we look forward to bringing together an amazing slate of films, a distinctive roster of Ambassadors and unique networking opportunities that will create memorable and productive experiences for all participants. I thank Filmocracy and Paul Jun for providing the platform to put forward an event of this mission and scope.” The festival will announce its full slate of panels, educational programs and other elements shortly.

 

Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 19th with multiple pass options.  The All-Access VIP Pass costs $99.00 and includes entry to all festival screenings, events, panels and mentorship.  Other ticketing options include the Industry Pass for $45 and Day Passes at $25 per day.

 

For Festival Director Jon Fitzgerald, Filmocracy Fest is the latest episode in a professional anthology that includes co-founding Slamdance, directing Santa Barbara, Naples, and AFI Festivals, with director/producer credits THE MILKY WAY, THE HIGHEST PASS and WARRIOR ONE, and authoring Filmmaking for Change.

 

Fitzgerald concludes, “Filmocracy Fest lives at the intersection of storytelling, committed to connecting creative talent, industry professionals and film fans in a brave new world.  Founded on the basis of four key pillars (Discovery, Mentorship, Networking, Experience), the Festival will create opportunities for industry professionals and audiences to discover new voices.

“We will combine online screenings and Q&As with unique digital experiences, script readings, and networking opportunities. As the modern film festival experience is being reinvented, Filmocracy Fest endeavors to create an exciting and productive experience for filmmakers, industry, and audiences alike.”

About Filmocracy:

Filmocracy is a film and festival streaming platform that rewards users for discovering amazing independent films. Users earn virtual popcorn for watching and rating movies, which can be spent in their shop to earn movie tickets, redeem gift cards, or attend virtual film festivals the host from around the world. Bringing a powerful combination of technologies together to enhance the virtual cinema and conference experience for filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences around the world. Filmocracy’s mission is to help all independent filmmakers reach wider audiences and grow their communities through storytelling.