Who’s Who at the Festival This Year:
Steven Soderbergh produced our Friday night film, “The Exiles,” about the aftermath of Tiananmen Square. And Wuer Kaixi, one of the exiled protesters, will be at Anthem for our post-screening panel.
Dan Slepian of Dateline NBC will headline our panel “The Tragedy of Wrongful Convictions” following “Infraction,” a short narrative about Terrance Lewis, who served 21 years for a murder he did not commit.
Slepian is also part of our Friday morning session featuring seven short films in praise of fathers, led by John Papola, creator of the Dad Saves America channel. Troy Kotsur, the first deaf man to win an Oscar for best supporting actor, is the subject of the moving tribute “To My Father,” which is already being discussed as an Oscar contender itself.
Paul Guay, who wrote the script for Jim Carrey’s “Liar, Liar,” is headlining our festival of comedies. He will also present a session on screenwriting and will keynote our master class on becoming an “Overnight Success.”
“Ithaka” follows the tireless efforts of Julian Assange‘s father and wife to secure Julian’s freedom. We’re following it with “Free to Speak” and “In the Pines,” plus a panel about free speech, hate speech, and the freedom of the press featuring Nadine Strossen.
Dave Henderson’s four-year battle with Inland Revenue is the subject of our feature comedy “We’re Here to Help.” Dave will be on hand for Q&A and a book-signing.
And for pure charm and beautiful filmmaking that celebrates the right to be left alone, catch “Call Me Mule” on Thursday morning.
