WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival

WorldFest-Houston Filmmaker Comments & Quotes!

We would like to share the opinions of our award-winners and participants with you, to give you a better idea of the quality and significance of WorldFest. These are not our words, but the very personal thoughts and opinions of recent WorldFest alumni…

"FORGET SUNDANCE! WorldFest is one of the best conceived festival productions on the planet!" (simply our favorite quote... it says it all!)

- Craig Outhier, film critic, Phoenix press; Tempe Times

"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.”

- 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!"

- 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!”

- 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!”

- 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!”

- 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.”

- 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…

- 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.”

- 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.

What Did They Say?

WorldFest-Houston Filmmaker Comments & Quotes!