INDIE FILM CHAT FORUMS

Attended this one for the first time this year, down in Wilmington, NC. I wasn't expecting much, went more b/c I was going to be in the area than anything else. I was pleasantly surprised and now am planning on making it an annual trip (any excuse to get out of NJ in November)! They featured a fair share of local indies, but also brought in award-winning foreign language titles (like WAITER and KHADAK) and festival hits (like HANNAH TAKES THE STAIRS and MONSTER CAMP) that likely otherwise wouldn't ever get shown within a hundred miles of there.

The community really gets fired up for the festival, made obvious by all the sold-out screenings. You definitely need to snag tix in advance of showtime for this one. With a couple of locales screening films and a few outdoor screenings down on the waterfront, the fest really allows a visitor to see all of Wilmington. And though it may be "North" Carolina, happy to report that southern hospitality abounds in Wilmington! check it out here: www.cucalorus.org   

I attended Cucalorus for the first time this year as well - they played our film KHADAK and invited me down. It was a great experience, and we definitely have it on the short list for fall festivals to attend this year.

In addition showing a wide variety of great films, they had a wonderfully high percentage of director's in attendance. I love a good Q&A after a screening and they were plentiful there.

Best of all, there was a carefree, laid back vibe throughout the whole festival that you don't find too often anymore. Everyone seemed geniunely happy to be there and take in as many films as possible. I highly recommend this festival, especially for those of you close enough to drive to Wilmington for a few days.