WorldFest is more than 50 years old, founded as the International Film Society in August of 1961. On the heels of film festivals begun in San Francisco and New York, Houston was put on the map with the oldest independent film and video festival in the world, evolving into a competitive International Film Festival in 1968 by founder producer/director Hunter Todd.
Running through April 30, you can see the latest in independent films at the AMC Dunvale Theater, just south of Westheimer. Tickets to individual showings or weeklong passes can be purchased online or in person at the AMC Studio.
You can choose from 200 independent films by filmmakers from 76 countries.
The event also includes a list of special Master Class Seminars.
MASTER CLASSES SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Come and see what the heart of the film industry is all about with this set of innovative and exciting topics such as Casting for Indie Films, SAG/AFTRA, noted Film Critic Nick Nicholson's take on the world of Independent film, Drones for Indie Filmmaking, All about DCP, NASA insiders tips for amazing footage for filmmakers, to our traditional Indie Directors’ Forum, Scriptwriters Hollywood Protocol plus much more. $295 for the Master Class Pass, included in the VIP Gold and VIP Platinum Passes.
WHEN: April 27th, 28th, 29th at 10AM, 1PM & 3PM WHERE: The WorldFest HQ Hotel – The Westchase Marriott Hotel, 2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston 77042
MAKING A MOVIE WITH THE WRITE STUFF!Nick NicholsonThursday, April 27th at 10:00 AM
National film critic Nick Nicholson will reveal the seemingly ever-elusive list of things to do and not to do in your film projects on topics of writing, directing, producing, distribution and all in between. Member, Broadcast Film Critics Assn., Broadcast TV Journalist Assn., SAG-AFTRA, HCC-TV & CNN Radio & Co-founder of Houston Film Critics Society.
CUT TO THE DOGShawn WellingThursday, April 27th at 1:00 PM
Multi-award winner Shawn Welling shares innovative ways to shoot your next feature or short. Explore many options on how to keep audiences engaged yet not distracted by using animals, macro shots, drones, & clever perspectives to enhance a big budget look without a big budget. Fresh tricks of the trade and don’t miss the live animal & innovative equipment.
DIRECTING ACTORS FOR THE CINEMAGary ChasonThursday, April 27th at 3:00 PM
Gary Chason Writer/Producer/Director/Actor Gary Chason covers do's & don'ts of drawing the best performance out of an actor; Text vs. Subtext; ask don't tell; working with non-actors; line readings, with volunteers from audience and some actors, too.
SWAN DAY HOUSTON ~ SAG-AFTRALiz GrahamFriday, April 28th at 9:00 AM
Houston-Austin Local Celebrate Women in Film. Women know the power of the early bird who catches the pastries, followed by a master class in film production and working women in the Texas film industry.
THE ACTION STARTS AT CUTLee ChambersFriday, April 28th at 1:00 PM
Canadian multi-award winning director/producer & educator, Chambers, is a graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University Film Program in the UK. He has worked on TV shows for BBC and feature films for Miramax. In a stand-up style with large doses of humor, Lee educates & inspires with tips on balancing the business & the art, appreciating the craft as well as anecdotal war stories and life on the set.
DOCS PBS STYLEDave MillerFriday, April 28th at 3:00 PM
Virginia filmmaker, Dave Miller, has worked with NBC affiliates and managed cable television for local government and the Virginia educational system. He will demonstrate how to successfully make, promote, sell, and screen a PBS style film as well as how to produce local TV programs & documentaries. The class will feature lots of video clips and will be an open discussion format.
CONVERSATION WITH NASA’S CINEMATOGRAPHER JOHN STREETERJohn T. StreeterSaturday, April 29th at 10:00 AM
Archival and historical footage ranging from the years of early Saturn missile program into the current International Space Station program is discussed and shown how to obtain NASA footage for use in your productions.
INDIE FILM FINANCEJohn ConesSaturday, April 29th at 1:00 PM
With over 23 years’ experience in Los Angeles, John Cones is a film finance attorney, author and lecturer working in the broad field of film finance focusing on legalities of investor-financing of independent entertainment projects (primarily Indie features & Documentaries) & business start-ups.
WORLDFEST INDIE FILMMAKERS’ FORUMCanadian Director David WinningSaturday, April 29th at 3:00 PM
Ten feature film directors from the 2017 WorldFest Official Selection program will share their experiences on the completion of their award-winning films.