Keeping up with the films we’ve screened at the Lindsey Fest is a little like keeping up with the kids or grandkids, except for the care and feeding part.  We love to see the films and their makers getting the attention they deserve at other film festivals or by getting a distribution deal, but sometimes keeping up with them is hard.  So, if your film has screened at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, drop us an email and let us know what new adventures you have had with your project. 

Two of this year’s winners are expanding their audiences this week with impressive film festival showings.  “My Friend Ehran” just screened at the San Francisco International Film Festival, and has been nominated for its Golden Gate Award.  Our 2013 Best of Show winner, “Abuelas,” will screen this Saturday, May 11, at the Documentary Edge Film Festival in Wellington, New Zealand.  Good Luck Khurrum M. Sultan and Afarin Eghbal on your continued success!

This year’s special event screener, the amazing documentary “Muscle Shoals,” also continues to rack up well deserved accolades.  It just beat 203 other films for the Audience Choice Award at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.  Way to go “Muscle Shoals”!

One year ago today we lost our friend, our founder, our namesake,  George Lindsey.  We’ve already  shared in this blog how difficult his loss has been to the festival, how we’ve  tried to make decisions according to the “What Would George Do” standard.  And we’ve already talked about how  proud we think George would be of this year’s festival, premiering the most  excellent documentary “Muscle Shoals,” welcoming filmmakers from across the  globe to exhibit their work, and helping to educate a new generation of  filmmakers in the art and industry he loved so well. It’s hard to find new way  to express how much George’s loss means to the film festival that carries his  name.

 A few days from now will be the anniversary of George’s  funeral.  Now that was an event  George would have been proud of!   Ernest Borgnine honored his pal with stories, which he shared from LA on  video.  Ray Stevens serenaded his  friend with “Everything is beautiful.”   And the remaining cast members of ”Hee Haw” sang him out with their own little pop culture treasure.  It seems fitting to remember George today as those friends honored him after his  death; George always said you had to exercise your funny bone!  Click on the picture to remember George with us (and pay close attention at about the 2 minute mark!)