“Prayers for Peace is an introspective journey, through the heart and soul of a difficult experience, and the artist’s conclusion proves very different from his original hypothesis.” ~Dustin Grella Dustin Grella is a talented director/animator. He is also a hard man to pin down. I have wanted to talk to him further about his […]
“I strive to be a modern day folklorist telling my stories through the medium of film.” ~Director Michelle L. Mower Last week I had the good fortune to be in Houston and visit the set of the highly anticipated feature film, The Preacher’s Daughter Movie. Having become aware of her through our mutual friend […]
Tomorrow’s filmmakers are today’s dreamers. Some choose film school while others pursue a different path to their film making dreams. Both groups wonder what film school is like and ponder the best path to learning the craft. Making this decision can prove daunting to the young (and the young at heart). Film School Snapshots begins […]
Recently, RIFF staff paid a visit to a slightly larger film festival, DC Shorts. This is where I met Demetrius “D” Parker, Sr., one of the stars of L1feline. Voted Best Actor in Northern Virginia by Northern Virginia Magazine in 2009, Demetrius’ broad career includes acting roles in four major movies, television and commercial roles, […]
Jason Mayland is an up-and-coming filmmaker and producer. A man of many talents, his movie After Dinner was recently shown at DC Shorts Film Festival where I met him and began a conversation about independent film. Currently working on a yet-to-be released television show, he took the time follow up with me and discuss his […]
Halloween is lumbering towards us like Frankenstein so it seemed a good time to check out some horror films. Two legendary samples came to mind: Nosferatu and Vampyr. Ostensibly both German, Vampyr’s Carl Theodor Dreyer was actually a Danish director but what they really share is outside-the-box thinking. Both were Expressionist horror films, progressive in […]
Now on its seventh run, the D.C. Shorts Film Festival is picking up speed and offering 97 films this year. Maybe that’s why The Bash was sold out. Hey, no one I know crashed that party. Total rumor. About half of the RIFF staff trekked downtown Washington to scope out this year’s entries and check on […]
Directors and actors look good when a movie is successful. Behind the scenes though, producers ensure the operation runs smoothly, legalities are followed, schedules planned, etc. Producer Colleen Keane is a seasoned entertainment industry professional and now co-owner of a production company specializing in independent films. Her 20 years experience in the film industry include […]
Alex Van Horn is a talented young director whose film One Time Me and My Friend Robbed a Store won the 2009 audience choice award. This year he was back with a shorter film and try as I may, was unable to catch up with him at RIFF 2010. He graciously agreed to be interviewed […]
RIFF 2010 has officially closed. The banners are down, weary staff and filmmakers have all gone home…..but it was a great festival. Each year seems to get better and RIFF 2010 was a lot of fun. Throughout the hectic weekend I tried to catch up with festival Director Paul Lewis. A very busy man indeed, it seems fitting […]
