| WorldFest Film Festival Home |
| 46th
WorldFest International Independent Film Festival April 12-21, 2013 |
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What Did They Say?
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| "FORGET SUNDANCE! WorldFest is one of the best conceived festival productions on the planet!" ( This is simply our favorite quote... it says it all! ) |
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Craig Outhier, film critic, Phoenix press; Tempe Times |
THANK YOU’S FROM the FILMMAKERS ~ 2012 WorldFest-Houston Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:48:58 -0500 Hunter & Kathleen, Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:08:06 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:51:09 -0400 (EDT) Kathleen & Hunter: Thank you again for inviting me to WorldFest to give a seminar. The Awards for Chinese Take-Away were the icing on the cake, and something I never expected. I'm glad that we were able to share the Film with you. Here's part of an email from Don Alpert of DOG JACK. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me showing it to you: I have attended WorldFest for my 3rd year now, and for the first time, I realized how blessed I was to be among so many future filmmakers, Directors and Producers in such a down to earth festival. I had a longer stay this time around due to our early scheduled screening and was able to catch other features and meet more folks. This festival is one of the best. I spoke to other filmmakers who feel the same way. Thanks again for all your hard work, and for making everyone feel, as Ridley Scott would say, that their excellence is validated! Regards, Stuart Strutin Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:51:42 +0000 Dear Hunter, Kathleen, & Lauren: Congratulations to you on such a wonderful festival this
year! I was able to come in for the final weekend, met some
terrific people, and saw some great films as well. Hunter, you were marvelous as the host, and it was an honor to receive our award from you on stage. Needless to say, I was shocked by the Grand Remi Award. It was totally unexpected, and frankly, I still can't believe it. Thank you for recognizing all of the hard work, sweat, and tears that went into the Caras project. We are deeply grateful to you for this. Steve Caras and I will be gathering together orders for merchandise and duplicate awards, and we will get that to you as soon as possible. But in the meantime, thank you again. Sincerely, Deborah Novak Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:20:33 -0700 (PDT) Hi Kathleen! Thank you so very much for the lovely festival experience! Alina and I had a great time, met a bunch of nice filmmakers and moviegoers alike. It was very exciting to see “Garbage” pack the theater twice! We had no advertising but just a poster in the lobby and somehow we had over 200 people for both screenings. We're also very honored and proud to have won Gold for comedy and Best Actor!! We were at WorldFest for 5 days and wish we stayed longer! We hope that we'll finish our next film in time to submit for next year. Please tell Hunter thank you from us as well! Phil Volken PS: Kathleen, thank you soooooo much again for everything!!! ~ Alina Dear Program Director Kathleen Haney. I would like to write few words, I didn’t have opportunity
to tell you in Houston. Jozef Pa¹téka (Mrtvola Musi Zomrief) Trigon Prdns.
Kathleen and Hunter, We just wanted to thank you for such an amazing week -- we
were all so So huge thanks from us all -- we're very proud to have premiered
at All best,
Hi Hunter, Congratulation for another great WorldFest, it exceeded our
expectations, Below our email to friends from this years event there's
a great picture Hope this finds you well, Patrick Ei Dear Mr. Hunter Todd, Madam Kathleen Haney and the Members of the Jury, It is with great pleasure and appreciation that I accept these prestigious Gold Remi Awards from the 45th Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film & Video Festival, on behalf and for the entire cast and crew of the first Eritrean Feature film "TIGISTI" to be entered, to be nominated and to win two Gold Remi Awards. As it is said time and again, it is here that excellence is recognized, talent is discovered and artistic creativity is encouraged. This means a great deal for the young Eritrean Film Industry and the aspiring artists to be Discovered as the film greats that went through this path. Again, I thank you very much for showing us the way of hope to do better. Ytbarek Cuddus, Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 11:33:51 -0700 Kathleen & Hunter, I wanted to thank you so much for allowing us to participate
in your awesome In addition, having so many of my family there, and keeping
track of all All my (our) best,
Dear Hunter, I wanted to thank you and the festival organizers so much for such a great experience. It was a great pleasure to have my film at WorldFest 2012 and I am so glad I was able to attend even if briefly. I hope the future sends me again to Houston to attend future editions of your great festival. In this challenging world for independent filmmaking it is a great blessing that a wonderful festival like WorldFest exists providing independent filmmakers with a platform of support and a great opportunity to have their work seen and recognized. Many thanks for establishing this festival and holding onto the independent spirit. Best regards. Rami Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 02:18:39 -0400 Howdy Hunter!!! What a wonderful time you gave us --- and
again thank you I have photo to send you - but have been mega busy and am
off to Cyprus - Will contact you when I return. Many thanks 4/23-2012 Dear Hunter and Kathleen, I just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you very much for a lovely weekend and beautiful Gala Evening on Saturday. I really enjoyed my brief stay in Houston on behalf of "Just 45 Minutes from Broadway" and look forward to being able to return - maybe with a film of my own in the future. I thought all your organization and arrangements were terrific and felt very looked after. Best. Rosemary Marks Kathleen and Hunter, "Dear Hunter, I wanted to thank you once again for the great time we had at Worldfest, and the wonderful prizes. It was also an opportunity to discover Houston, Galveston, the NASA and the Yacht Club. We had a blast! Thank you, good luck for Worldfest 45, and, as Arnold said... we'll be back! :-) I hope! All the best" Giles Daoust - writer / director / producer, Brussels, Belgium "Hey Hunter and all, I wanted to thank you all for a
wonderful festival! I had an amazing time "I thank you for your kind and warm care of me in Houston. It was a great opportunity for me to learn "What is a Film" again, and "How to make the film" as an Independent Filmmaker. Now I have a great respect for your activities based on the thought that Film is not only a business tool, but also a great art and culture. From now on I will try to pursue making much better films, by depending on my experience in Houston." - Sakurai Masamoto - Director - Tokyo, Japan "As
my career moves on and I ramp up my next feature film I think
of you at Worldfest-Houston and my Silver Remi award for the
feature Karla Faye Tucker - Forevermore same year as Napoleon
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Helen Gibson - Director – USA |
| "I had a great time in this year's WorldFest, made a lot of friends, and most of all, won a Platinum Remi! That was the best moment of the festival for me! Thank you so much! Yes, your festival is very friendly and warm, and highly professional at the same time. I definitely want to take a part in your festival again with my feature film! Anyway, my festival circuits still continues since that time, been to Europe, and maybe going to South Africa next month! !” |
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Hiroshi Nakajima - Director – Japan |
| "Your
contest offers a wonderful opportunity for screenwriters. Worldfest
is one of the few screenwriting competitions that recognizes
writers in every genre. The multiple categories that you offer,
and the multiple prizes within each category, afford writers
many ways to succeed . I've been telling other writers and industry
professionals how much I enjoyed the whole process of entering,
and becoming a winner in Worldfest. Every communication that
I've had with you and your staff, has been warm, encouraging
and supportive. I plan to enter again in 2011 and I hope that
I'll be able to attend the festival, as well. Thanks again!” |
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Donna Lisa - Writer– USA |
| "You guy rock—you are the only ones who know how to really run a good film festival. Thanks!" |
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Joan & Hammond Hendrix - Directors– USA |
| "Thank
you so much for your support. I had a great time at your festival
and am so proud to have been a part of it. It was such a terrific
event. The entertainment alone at the award dinner ,from Bagpipes (which I can listen to for hours) to the Mexican Dancers, the Scottish dancers, all were fantastic: the cultural scope of the evening and all the films at the festival were tremendous. My friends and family loved it and then to top it off with the musical dance tribute to film. Not to mention the gourmet dinner and wine,,,I gained 3 pounds. Also, from how all the filmakers raved about the Yacht ride , Barbeque and NASA trip, I wish I was able to go, but being Nervous as heck before the screening I just lounged at the hotel. You are a special man and wish you another 40 years of a Great Festival. And again THANK YOU for making my maiden voyage so special. Please extend to all the Talent that put on the show how hard I know they must work and what a great job they all did." |
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Robert Davi - Director - Actor - Hollywood – USA |
| "After an amazing first time experience with Worldfest Houston 2006 by winning a Silver REMI award for the experimental-drama category for my short film entitled, THIS AND THAT, I am pleased to say that I will be submitting two further shorts to the 40th annual Houston Int’l Film Festival. Thanks to Worldfest’s prestigious award I have been granted funding here in Canada for these two new shorts films, hence why I plan to share with your festival.” |
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Ritchie Mitchell– Director – Montreal, Canada |
| "Thank you for making this weekend one of the greatest and most memorable in my life ... From watching the movies to the cocktail party to the awards gala and the fabulous day at NASA and the HYC Regatta, what an experience to remember! I am humbled and honored that I was able to be part of it all!" |
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R. Grant Gomm - Director – Black Lion Productions |
| "I cannot stress what a lovely time we had at WorldFest! Everyone we met was so gracious and eager to share their knowledge and support, which is not always the vibe at some festivals! The food and wine at the Awards Gala were pretty awesome as well!” |
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Lizzie Peet – Producer– Los Angeles |
| "I want to thank you and everyone at WorldFest again for conducting such a great festival! ... The hospitality was impeccable and the screenings of my film went very well!” |
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Kenneth Bi - Director – Hong Kong |
| "Thank you very much for including me and my film “The Last Place On Earth” in WorldFest 2002! I had a great time, loved the hotel, and was treated like royalty! You run a first class film festival and it was a privilege to be part of it. My hat is off to you and WorldFest!” |
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James Slocum – Director – Los Angeles |
| "Thank you very much for including me and my film “The Last Place On Earth” in WorldFest 2002! I had a great time, loved the hotel, and was treated like royalty! You run a first class film festival and it was a privilege to be part of it. My hat is off to you and WorldFest!” |
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James Slocum – Director – Los Angeles |
| “I wanted to take a moment, now that we are back in NYC, to thank you and your staff for an experience that we will not soon forget. We only wish that we were able to stay for the entire festival. As “Going Home” was our first film and WorldFest was our first festival, we felt privileged to be part of it. Thank you for all of your hard work in nurturing Independent Film and those who attempt them.” |
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Bob Celli & Laura Delano, DC Productions, NYC |
| “All those friendly and charming and engaged WorldFest people, and excellent festival, care and support, a great forum… can you imagine our amazement and our pleasure? The “Lurch” Team and I are truly honoured and deeply gratified to be receiving this great award, thank you from the heart… |
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from far-away Berlin, Boris Hars-Tschachotin, Berlin, Germany |
“Thanks so much for the wonderful news! I am really delighted and honoured to have been given this award, because I feel that WorldFest-Houston is not only a prestigious and truly independent festival, but one of particular high integrity in a festival world that does not always meet such high standards. The fact that me – an artist working on their own in a remote area on a miniscule budget – can win a Gold Remi just goes to prove the point. It is you who should be encouraged to keep up the good work! I hope that you go on from strength to strength for many, many years to come.” |
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Jenny Chapman – Director, Argyll, Scotland UK |
| “Thanks so much for making my first Film Festival such a huge success! Everything and everybody was just great! I want to wish you all the best of success and I have no doubt that my Platinum Remi Award will help me sell “Twilight Claire” eventually. I am now inspired to do a short for the 36th WorldFest!” |
- Ron Toufar,
writer, Ontario, Canada |
| “Since my Remi Award, I have acquired an agent, had scripts pitched to major production companies, and met with many wonderful creative people who have helped me in my endeavors, all because of having won at your festival… Thanks a lot, WorldFest, for being the turning point in my screenwriting career!!” |
- Darren T. Lohr, Writer,
New Kensington, PA |
| “Because of WorldFest, our first film “The Bread, My Sweet” has been invited to many other festivals, found our distributor and is enjoying record-breaking theatrical runs. It all began in Houston, and our thanks continue!” |
- Melissa Martin, Director
& Adrienne Wehr, Producer, Pittsburgh, PA |
| "Thank you very much for my prestigious Remi Award! You have been a constant supporter of my work since 1994 and you have no idea how much these awards have encouraged me to continue in my quest to have a successful production company. I look forward to submitting my first feature when it is complete." |
- Gabrielle McKinlay
- producer/director - Australia |
| "Thank you for putting on such an enormous and well-designed production! WorldFest-Houston provides an unfathomably diverse selection of innovative and inspiring films. I met at WorldFest directors that I admire, and I found an audience that understands and respects my work. What more can one ask? The atmosphere is creative and energizing, and WorldFest treats its filmmakers are treasured professionals. My greatest thanks for a thrilling and fascinating experience." |
- Clay Westervelt ~
Writer/Director "Thursday Afternoon" Hollywood,
CA |
| "Thank you so much for WorldFest - a national non-profit like ours deeply appreciates your prestigious awards. You've greatly impacted Cable in the Classroom's ability to secure celebrity spokespersons and behind-the-camera talent. Stars like Bill Cosby, Oscar De La Hoya, Alfre Woodard and Gregory Hines are attracted to our projects, not just because we donate resources to 81,000 schools, but because WorldFest has given us an official stamp of validation and approval! Thanks… for serving the Independent film community so well. Your efforts and true commitment to excellence encourages filmmakers everywhere to strive for the highest quality." |
- Taffy Patton - Cable
in the Classroom - Virginia |
| "This was probably the 15th WorldFest that I have attended in person and the event continues to grow and get better each year…no one runs a smoother, bigger, better, more diverse film festival!" |
- Robert A. Nowotny
- Teocalli Entertainment - New Mexico |
| "I have just received my beautiful award and all this details about this year's festival…It is a privilege to share my work at one of the greatest film festivals in the world and I am truly grateful for it. Your support will always stand out as a great inspiration to explore my passion for filmmaking." |
- Lewis Fojtik - "Bid
Me Run" - Boston, MA |
| "A wonderful festival for the Indie filmmaker. I credit my WorldFest award with providing the momentum that led to a distribution deal with Iron Hill Pictures." |
- Chi Muoi Lo, producer/director,
CATFISH IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE |
| "Thank you so very much! I wanted you to know that my Gold Award has opened a lot of previously unopened and indeed unpenetrable doors. Thanks again for choosing me for the Gold in the screenplay Thriller category." |
- Nina Savelle,
writer, Kavannah Films, KILLER BLOND |
| "I truly enjoyed my stay in Houston, winning a Gold Special Jury Award, meeting wonderful people at WorldFest, visiting NASA, and having such a pleasant sailing regatta and Texas BBQ!" |
- Helga Oswald, director,
CLARA |
| "That, sir, was a hell of a great film festival. I've always thought a good film should contain equal parts of intelligence, genuine emotion, and crowd-pleasing showmanship. Well, that's WorldFest in a nutshell. As much as Hollywood most often celebrates what's worst about film and filmmakers, you have chosen to celebrate what's best…Thank you for everything. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. There's nothing I'd like more than to add my name to the list of great filmmakers who won their first awards at WorldFest." |
- Peter Friedman, writer/director,
BAD DOG |
"As
first time award winners at WorldFest, we just wanted to write
and thank you for a stunning festival and finale weekend.
What an unrivalled experience it was. We will be submitting
for years to come in the hope that we can savor that 'filmmaker
ambience' once again." |
- Peter Sands &
Anna Scott, filmmakers, COMING INTO MONEY |
| "What a jewel you have in WorldFest. It is the classiest festival we have been to, and shows the most intriguing, thought provoking independent films out today. Another thing that really impressed us was the way the locals came out to support the films and the filmmakers…that was great! You have a festival that, in my opinion, is unrivalled, and that includes any burgs in Utah or festivals with 'dance' in their names!" |
- Jeff Hare, writer/director,
BAD BUNNY PICTURES |
| "It was an assemblage of artists…this WorldFest-Houston Festival…so many… so talented…and so hopeful. It seems fruitless to judge. Only to marvel at the abundance. To me it was a resurrection. A renewal of hope. That in an often hopeless, desperate ground of cinema, there still were seeds of future growth and greatness. May this 'mustard seed' of hope stay with you and be nurtured by your talent to flower to its full potential." |
- Cliff Robertson, actor,
WorldFest Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. |
| "WorldFest is a superbly organized event ¦ the staff was extremely helpful, committed and efficient." |
- Gavin Hood, Director,
"A Reasonable Man"™ South Africa. |
| "Thank you for discovering our film. We enjoyed every moment of the experience and count ourselves lucky to have met so many fine people and made so many new friends." |
- Rick Barlow, Producer
"The Last Late Night"™ |
| "The festival's doors were open to anyone regardless of their position in or out of the industry. There is a genuine openness amongst all attendees of the festival. This factors makes WorldFest unique, as many film festivals are only open to recognized personalities in the industry." |
- Chris McGee, Writer-No
Planner Productions |
| "I am an independent filmmaker and have worked in film for the past 10 years. I was very impressed by your festival; the organization was excellent. The personnel working with the festival did everything possible for the filmmakers to feel at home and provided us with a selection of cultural and entertaining films that represented a variety of countries." |
- Marise Samitier, Caelus
Cinema, Los Angeles. |
| "I am a filmmaker from Slovenia, recently a Fulbright Scholar. WorldFest is one of my very best festival experiences - a vivid event where one can meet the best filmmakers from around the world, discuss new ideas and create a network of friendly and professional relationships." |
- Natasa Prosenc, producer/director |
| "WorldFest has a reputation of screening some of the best independent short and feature films available in this country and abroad. Not only because of the competition and awards, but because it provides a venue and opportunity for our fellow filmmakers to see the fruits and labors of our work." |
- Stephen E. Stapinski,
Moushel Productions, "Sporting Dog"™ |
| "WorldFest-Houston is without a doubt a world-class Film Festival! No one knows the festival business as well as you, and WorldFest was truly well-run and enjoyable in all aspects. The hospitality extended to all of the attending filmmakers was, as always, top notch. Perhaps more importantly, the encouragement you and the entire WorldFest team give to those of us operating in the independent arena means more than you will ever know." |
- Robert A. Nowotny,
Producer - Teocalli Entertainment |
| "WorldFest is exactly the sort of festival of which filmmakers dream. It supports film as art and the filmmaker as an artist." |
- Diana Lucas Leavengood,
Producer / Director, Will Knot Di Prod™. |
| "A wonderful experience - your staff is exceptionally friendly and professional. I especially appreciate your energy and enthusiasm for Independent Films. You made each filmmaker seem special, as well they are. You are truly an Independent." |
- Rodney McDonald, Director. |
| "I was honored to have been part of such a fine and wonderful festival. I enjoyed myself tremendously, and I met so many great, very talented people." |
- Janet Mitchell, Director |
| "Being from Switzerland, I have attended most of the major film festivals in Europe. By far, WorldFest presents a much better selection of top quality short and feature films than any of them. The superb organization and presentation of WorldFest is rare and unique in the film world. It is quite simply one of the best film festivals in the world." |
- Korrinna Sehringer,
Producer / Director "The Cookie Thief". |
| "The festival itself was wonderful, as were the quality of the films - some of them really extraordinary, and the awards banquet was unique and great. Thanks again for presenting a first-class festival (the others could learn a lot from you and WorldFest) and for making so many talented, creative people feel that their struggles are worth it. Our industry is often filled with too much intensity and fear and you somehow manage to inject it with a nice dose of joy." |
- Jane Ilsa Wells, Writer. |
| "I was honored to be part of such an organized, respected and worthy organization. WorldFest opened my eyes and inspired me to continue my goal to produce and direct feature films and to use video as my stepping stone. Your inclusion of video in WorldFest has been a tremendous help in my career and I thank you for offering videomakers that opportunity and thanks for putting on such a well-organized and successful festival. WorldFest will forever have a special meaning for me. Thank you for such a great event." |
- Richard May, Producer,
APRO Productions |
| "My company notified me that I won the President's Award. But the WorldFest Awards Banquet and my Silver Award mean more to me than the company award and the cash bonus. Your awards banquet was better run and the award, to me, held far greater significance." |
- Steven N. Karels,
Writer. |
| "Thank you for such a fantastic festival! It was a huge success, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend so much of it. I have made some great contacts, and met some absolutely wonderful and talented people. I have to thank you also for the inspiration which the festival has given me." |
- Jake and Abbie Wein,
Writers |
| "The core of integrity of WorldFest that inspired me throughout the festival survives as a validating flame now as I reflect on it. To leave the festival with such unshakable enthusiasm as I did is of course a reflection of the dedication and talent of the artists who gathered there. That you made this opportunity possible for me, that you have done so for others for more than thirty years, and will continue to do so, bespeaks a beautiful vision and commitment of which I find myself in awe." |
- Gareth Seigel, Writer |
| "I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me such a wonderful experience at WorldFest such a wonderful festival, and I hope to return, with or without a film." |
- Will Geiger, Director |
| "For a filmmaker more concerned with passion than commerce, it is an extraordinary honor; it is a great thrill; it is a deep vindication; it is a great encouragement. It is also a career enhancing opportunity for which I am extremely grateful. Thank you for being the kind of festival director who actually cares about creativity and not just political agendas, who sees films from the standpoint of a filmmaker and not an agent. Thank you for creating the kind of festival which honors independent films and passionate filmmakers. In short, thank you for WorldFest." |
- Jason Constantine,
Director, "Ashes"™ |
| "From the very moment I arrived, I was treated with great care, respect and understanding, something independent filmmakers rarely experience, unless they can make some money for someone. Yes, it was the greatest experience, not only because of the way my film and I were treated, and the tireless work of your small staff, but because this festival stands for what I believe in: The Artist and his work. That said, I hereby claim WorldFest as MY FESTIVAL!" |
- Joel Wyner "Pale
Saints"™ |
| "We met so many talented people and saw so many wonderful films from all over the world. We feel honored to have been part of it all. Not to mention the fact that we had a great time. It was a First Class Festival all the way." |
- Steven Christopher
Young & Lisa Deanne, Red Truck Productions |
| "WorldFest was a terrific experience for both of us. The people we met, the work we saw and the encouragement we received provided a much-needed boost after those long hours spent in front of the small screen - the computer - in preparation for the big screen. We have a nice post-festival buzz going and are experiencing firsthand the kind of well-earned respect WorldFest has in the industry." |
- Miranda Comstock &
Liz Joyce, IndiVisual Productions |
| "The staff was kind and courteous, and WorldFest itself had a lot to offer both the Houston film going public and distributors looking for films for distribution. I was treated like a real VIP in Houston." |
- Adam Rogers, Vice
President, Intl Film Exchange. |
| "Everything was laid out impeccably, and everyone was extremely nice and efficient. Already my Gold Award had wielded some power. In a meeting set for the day after my return from WorldFest, news of the honor helped in initiating negotiations as to getting the series represented." |
- Dave Bartholomew,
Hyphenate Productions. |
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