Free Range Film Festival (Wrenshall, MN) is an experience like no other. Every year the festival takes place in a 100 year old red barn and the whole event it's the definition of effortless cool, swag bag with fresh veggies included. Also, lets not forget the sun hat and the "filmmaker's only" lounge in the rafters with couches! Silicone Soul got to screen in the Barn on June 30th and it was wonderful!
See it for yourself:
The two SILICONE SOUL screenings (April 21, April 22) at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival have been extra special because most of the team members (Miles Painter- editor, Charlie McCarron - composer, Jesse Marks - sound mix, Beth Peloff & John Akre - animation) that worked on the documentary live there including our director, Melody Gilbert. Even our cinematographer, Igor Myakotin, who is based in NYC flew in for the screenings. The spirits were high, the screenings SOLD out, the Q&A's were fantastic, the audience receptive and open minded, director Melody Gilbert gave a TV interview for KARE 11 (see it bellow) and we were included in the BEST OF FEST list, getting the chance to screen SILICONE SOUL one more time (May 2). In short, we had the greatest time!
Let me do a recap of all things 'Silicone Soul' that happened this March!
BUT FIRST… THIS MAKES US HAPPY (from a film festival catalog):
More below:
Minneapolis St.Paul International Film Festival catalogue
WORLD PREMIERE: We love the Thessaloniki International Documentary Film Festival where we received two full house screenings and fabulous (long & thoughtful) Q & A's! I barely made the screening, arriving in Greece with one hour to spare before the world premiere (you can read my husband's blog post about my 40-hour (!) journey here), so it was an extra special thrill to be there! It was a dream come true.
World Premiere at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival
A couple of my former students from AUBG (American University in Bulgaria) made the trek to Greece for the opening night, which made the premiere even more special! Thanks Didi and Flori!
Me (dir. Silicone Soul), Dumi (producer), Didi and Flori
We also got a couple of nice interviews while we were there. This is my favorite. Can't understand Greek? That's okay! This interview with me in English! Link here (my interview starts at 12:53)
In addition to screenings, we also had lots of industry meetings, went to pitch sessions and connected with filmmakers from around the world. Thessaloniki was the best possible festival to begin the process of sending Silicone Soul out into the world!
NEXT STOP: Sofia, Bulgaria for the Sofia International Film Festival where we saw lots of friends AND we got lots of press!
Interview with Bulgaria on Air TV
These stories are in Bulgarian, but fun to watch anyway! My favorite was this TV news story on BNT (Bulgarian National Television), where the I told the skeptical reporter about the Hollywood movie "Lars and the Real Girl" (which she had never heard of) and she used it in her story to report that Silicone Soul is like the real "Lars and the Real Girl." Watch here.
RADIO SOFIA (in English with me on Facebook live). Watch here
Bulgaria On Air TV (Bulgarian only). Watch here.
Bulgarian National Radio , Hristo Botev program (Bulgarian and English). Listen here.
I was also on the documentary jury which meant I had to go to lots of screenings other than my own, which was exhausting but fun. Not complaining!
Overall, there was lots of interest in the film and some great discussions and gatherings.
Melody and Dumi (producer)
Special thanks to producer Dumitrita Pacicovschi for always being by my side!
AMDOCS (American Documentary Film Festival) and MSPIFF.
AMDOCS in Palm Springs, CA Screening on Saturday, April 7 at 9pm Ticket info here.
MN PREMIERE AT MSPIFF!
Sat, April 21, 6:45pm and Sun, April 22, 2:15pm
Here is what MSPIFF says about SILICONE SOUL in the catalog (we are very happy about this!):
"Gilbert ventures beyond the surface to engage with each individual and explore what inspired the specific bond each share with a companion." Yay! They "get" it! So happy. For tickets + read the rest of the synopsis, go here .
Minnesota friends: These screenings will likely sell out before the festival, so don't wait to get your tickets!
More screenings coming up in Duluth, San Francisco and and more- will announce soon!
To follow the progress of the film, please follow and like us on FB, Twitter and IG and of course we are always posting updates and pics on the website, too.
More updates soon!
Yours in Docs,
Melody
We are pleased to announce that 'Silicone Soul' will have it's US premiere at American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs on Saturday, April 7, 7:30pm at the Camelot Theaters, Theater 2. Director Melody Gilbert will be attending the festival and will be there, ready to answer all your questions about the documentary.
Also, on April 21 (6:45pm) and April 22 (2:15pm) 'Silicone Soul' will screen at Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. If you are around the area, buy a ticket and come to one of the screenings, it will be great fun!
