Friday, July 28, 2023

"Everything" Sweeps Holly Weird 2023

 



Burbank, California – The results are in. This year was a groundbreaking year for alternative cinema in the entertainment capital of the world.


Everything to Entertain You: The Story of Video Headquarters”, a feature documentary film directed by Brantley Palmer, swept honors at this year's festival, capturing Best Film, Director and Documentary. The film, a story about a nostalgic look at a video store that closed in 2015, made a major statement at this year's festival. It was the film's World Premiere.


We're thrilled to announce this season's winners”, said festival founder Jack Truman. “Holly Weird is about sharing alternative film with the world. It's important as an artist to be fearless and question everything. This season's selections were a mind-blowing experience. This is just an example of what a person can do when they are a true independent innovator. We embrace innovation”.


The winners of the 2023 Holly Weird Film Festival:


Best Film: Everything to Entertain You (Brantley Palmer)

Best Director: Brantley Palmer, Everything to Entertain You

Best Short Film: Hi Dad (Stephanie Tonneson)

Best Feature Film: Everything to Entertain You (Brantley Palmer)

Best Drama: The Voice in Isabel Fleiss's Office (Jim Haverkamp)

Best Comedy: Naked Zombie Girl is Back (Rickey Bird)

Best Documentary: Everything to Entertain You (Brantley Palmer)

Best Weird Film: Phone Sex Grandma (Jack Truman) – Special Mention


This season's selected films are now available to see on Roku, on the Shorts Daily channel.





Monday, July 3, 2023

2023 Holly Weird Film Festival Announces Lineup

 




2023 Holly Weird Film Festival Announces Lineup



Burbank, California – A foundation is being set. It's official. The other side of Hollywood is becoming fearless to the entertainment capital of the world.


The 5th annual Holly Weird Film Festival has announced the lineup for the 2023 season. Celebrating true original underground filmmaking, Holly Weird celebrates and showcases independent films of all genres that feature a distinct vision, a unique voice, or an avant-garde challenge to what is expected or accepted. The festival is making it's mission to showcase the work of filmmakers who defy independent visions.


It's important for original underground filmmakers to have a venue to share their work with the world”, says the festival's founder, award-winning underground filmmaker Jack Truman. “As a filmmaker, I know how hard it is for underground filmmakers to make their movie. It's important for them to share their art. I'm proud of the diversity in this year's lineup. Films are from around the world, and 6 of the 15 selections are from female directors. There is an audience out there that is hungry for true, original independent film that defies the norm. We're focused on the unique and innovative, and are thrilled to bring the other side of film to the entertainment capital of the world”.


15 films from around the world were selected for the 2023 season from over 600 submissions worldwide. Included are short and feature narrative, documentary and experimental films. The range of countries selected include Canada, Italy, Uruguay and the United States. To celebrate the festival's 5th anniversary, included will be Jack Truman's award-winning cult short film “Phone Sex Grandma”. Also included is actress Abigail Breslin's directorial debut “The Cannibals” and “Naked Zombie Girl is Back”.


Due to the coronavirus, for the health and safety of the public, this season's festival will be virtual. All films will be available globally on Roku via the Shorts Daily channel for millions of viewers to have access to seeing.


We have an electric lineup of amazing films scheduled for this season”, states Truman. “These films will shock the world”.


More about the festival can be found on the Holly Weird FilmFreeway page at https://filmfreeway.com/HollyWeirdFilmFestival .


Holly Weird on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyweirdfilmfest/


OFFICIAL SELECTIONS for HOLLY WEIRD 2023:


Shorts:


Phone Sex Grandma – Jack Truman (Missouri) (9 Minutes)

Winded – Joe Lueben (New York) (1 Minute)

Virgil's Rings – Troy DeWinne (Texas) (3 Minutes)

The Cannibals – Kim Hopkins, Abigail Breslin (California) (18 Minutes)

Hi Dad – Stephanie Tonneson (United States) (3 Minutes)

Fighting MSA: Austin Crawford's Story – Phil Gioja (Illinois) (15 Minutes)

Watercraft – Gabriel Auclair-Doucet (Canada) (4 Minutes)

Tuk Tuk – Pavin Chaisua, Louie Corrons (United States) (5 Minutes)

Lucid – Emma Grey Rose (California) (1 Minute)

Evolutionary Symphony – Giorgia Moraca (Italy) (4 Minutes)

Naked Zombie Girl is Back – Rickey Bird (California) (13 Minutes)

I Hate You and Everything You Represent – Sebastian Porteiro (Uruguay) (2 Minutes)

Loose Change: A Memoir of Childhood – Andrew Bateman (Colorado) (8 Minutes)

The Voice in Isabel Fleiss's Office – Jim Haverkamp (North Carolina) (6 Minutes)

Fabula Rasa – Andie Madsen (Montana) (5 Minutes)


Feature Film:


Everything to Entertain You: The Story of Video Headquarters – Brantley Palmer (New Hampshire) (60 Minutes)






Thursday, April 20, 2023

It's 420 Day!

 Happy 420 Day!


It's a day for celebration around the world. This is a top thing trending on Twitter today. It's the 20th day of the fourth month of the year. As many of us know, it's also a slang reference for cannabis consumption and the celebration of marijuana culture! This also serves as a rallying day for advocates of the legalization of cannabis. Change is happening!


This is all over the news! Beginning in the 70's, people have been celebrating this day. Where did it originate? It's not clear. There's gatherings today around the country. Many states have begun legalization. The times are changing. As of today, marijuana is legal in 37 states. 


Happy 420 Day!!!

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

New WordPress Site for the Holly Weird Film Festival

 We've got a new website on WordPress!


Here it is: https://hollyweirdfilmfest.wordpress.com/ 


The 2023 Holly Weird Film Festival. Showing the other side of Hollywood.

Saturday, June 18, 2022

2022 Holly Weird Film Festival Announces Lineup

 



The Fringes of Burlesque

Official Selection 2022 Holly Weird Film Festival



Holly Weird Film Festival Announces Lineup



Burbank, California - The other side of Hollywood is becoming fearless to the entertainment capital of the world.


The 4th annual Holly Weird Film Festival has announced the lineup for the 2022 season. Celebrating true original underground filmmaking, Holly Weird celebrates and showcases independent films of all genres that feature a distinct vision, a unique voice, or an avant-garde challenge to what is expected or accepted. The festival is making it's mission to showcase the work of filmmakers who defy independent visions.


It's important for original underground filmmakers to have a venue to share their work with the world”, says the festival's founder, award-winning underground filmmaker Jack Truman. “As a filmmaker, I know how hard it is for underground filmmakers to make their movie. It's important for them to share their art. I'm proud of the diversity in this year's lineup. Films are from around world, and 4 of the 12 selections are from female directors. There is an audience out there that is hungry for true, original independent film that defies the norm. We're focused on the unique and innovative, and are thrilled to bring the other side of film to the entertainment capital of the world”.


12 films from around the world were selected for the 2022 season from over 400 submissions worldwide. Included are short and feature narrative, documentary and experimental films. The range of countries selected include Australia, the Netherlands and the United States. Some of the films to be included is the feature film “Vulveeta” by Maria Breauz, and short films “The Fringes of Burlesque”, “How Many Licks” and “Sedalia”.


July's in-person festival event will take place on July 10th at The Good Nite in North Hollywood, California.


We have an electric lineup of amazing films scheduled for this season”, states Truman. “These films will shock the world”.


More about the festival can be found on the Holly Weird FilmFreeway page at https://filmfreeway.com/HollyWeirdFilmFestival .


Holly Weird on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyweirdfilmfest/



OFFICIAL SELECTIONS for HOLLY WEIRD 2022:



Shorts:


The Fringes of Burlesque – Jack Truman (12 Minutes) (Missouri)

Monster – Henk Loorbach (3 Minutes) (Netherlands)

How Many Licks – Moses Venegas (2 Minutes) (California)

Her False Self – Rachel Mason (7 Minutes) (California)

30 Second Thoughts – David Baeumler (3 Minutes) (North Carolina)

House on Fire – Jess Hole (7 Minutes) (Australia)

Attack of the Covid Squirrel – John Schulte (2 Minutes) (California)

Sophie in Furbyland – Pacey Hansen (8 Minutes) (Florida)

Deadbeat – Danielle Morgan (13 Minutes) (New York)

Dear Leviathan – Greg Roensch (3 Minutes) (California)

No Splash Photography Please – Steven LeLeux-Lopez (5 Minutes) (California)

Sedalia – Brandon Pennick (18 Minutes) (Texas)


Feature Film:


Vulveeta – Maria Breux (92 Minutes) (California)






"Everything" Sweeps Holly Weird 2023

  Burbank, California – The results are in. This year was a groundbreaking year for alternative cinema in the entertainment capital of the w...