Editor

Dear Friends:

This year’s Festival had a special feeling about it.

People attended more Films, crowded the Panel discussions, settled in at the VIP Lounge, enjoyed the Filmmaker Happy Hours, Patron's Breakfast, Party with a Purpose and Culinary Cinema like I haven’t seen before.

We often talk about building community with like-minded film lovers and I am grateful that this year’s Festival delivered on that promise in a big way. It was palpable.

This year we focused on ‘Celebrating the Power of Film’ ... to inform, to inspire, to educate. Thank you to all of the Filmmakers that joined us this year from all around the world from Buenos Aires to Serbia and many countries in between. Thank you for your passion and thank you for your excellence in the art of cinematic storytelling. Within a couple of hours, we watched your film, experienced a part of life different from our everyday world ... and an understanding of our shared humanity ... with the added bonus of discussing your films with you directly.

Let’s also consider the ‘Power of the Film Festival’ as the next level. It takes courage to step out of our comfort zones to attend an event, meet new people and put ourselves out there. And yet we continue to yearn for connection. I was lucky enough to make some introductions at the Opening Night party and then see those same people hanging out with each other during all 5 days of the Festival. Where else can you start the collective experience in the theater with strangers ... then step outside for conversation about the film ... and walk away having connected with new friends. I want to personally thank everyone who attended this year’s Festival.

To one and all ... thank you for joining us ... and thank you for sharing your passion for great film. We look forward to connecting with you again in the new year!

And in the meantime, we wish you peace and joy this holiday season.

Tonya Mantooth, CEO/Executive Director

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