Can Michael Attardi Really Be the Next Walt Disney?

No one can dispute that Attardi’s animation sensation, “Once Upon a Christmas Village,” starring the voice talents of Jim Belushi, Tim Curry, Amanda Davis and you guessed it, Michael Attardi, holds this incredible record-breaking feat.

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Haydenfilms On The Road Episode 2

In this episode of Haydenfilms On The Road we travel to the headquarters of viddler.com and talked with the co-founder of Viddler, Rob Sandie. To find the answer to the Haydenfilms On The Road question, to win your one year subscription to MovieMaker magazine, you might want to visit: http://www.haydenfilms.com/fest07

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Haydenfilms On The Road episode 1

This episode we traveled Rumson, New Jersey to interview Michael Attardi, director, producer and writer of the award winning short animation "Once Upon A Christmas Village." His work was shown at Cannes film festival and even is nominated for an Academy Award. We were excited to talk to him and we hope you enjoy the first episode!

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Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival Holds Its First Roadshow and Seminar

The Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival, one of the first major international online competitions for independent films of all genres, held its first-ever roadshow and seminar at Kutztown University, an event designed to bring together executives, filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, educators, students and allied businesses from the movie industry.

The two-day seminar hosted by the Kutztown University Alumni Association included short film screenings from Haydenfilms first and second festivals, industry workshops and industry panel discussions. Among the participants were veteran film and TV character actor Clint Howard, who most recently appeared in “Cinderella Man,” directed by his brother Ron Howard, and John Burgess, a rising independent director whose film, “Powder Puff Principle” won the $10,000 grand prize in the Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival earlier this year. Clint Howard also starred in Burgess’ film.

Hayden Craddolph, founder of the film festival in 2001 and later established Haydenfilms LLC, an independent film and production company, said he was very pleased with the success of the Kutztown roadshow. “Our goal is to do everything we can to support independent filmmakers by giving them access to the resources they need to be successful and to contribute to global cinema. We are planning to take the Haydenfilms roadshow to other college campuses across the country.”

Among the sponsors of Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival and the roadshow are Miller Lite, Adobe and Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear

The Haydenfilms Film Festival is an online film festival held annually at www.haydenfilms.com and features up-and-coming short films submitted by the international independent filmmaking community. The third season, Haydenfilms 3.0 Film Festival, launches in June.

“Last season's festival was very competitive," Craddolph said. "The success of our first roadshow at Kutztown University confirms that these films have an audience and we are proud to be able to bring them to college students interested in film."

Finalists for the Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival submitted short films--none longer than 35 minutes--that were reviewed by a panel of 10 film industry experts who selected this season's 50 best entries from nearly 200 submissions. Top films were showcased on Haydenfilms.com, where member votes determined the final four. Top films will be showcased at Haydenfilms.com through August 29, 2007; after that, they will be replaced by third-season finalists.

Craddolph said that in addition to the film festival entries and news, content on the www.haydenfilms.com website continues to expand in other areas that will benefit independent filmmakers.

About Haydenfilms LLC:

Haydenfilms LLC, founded in 2001, is an independent film production and distribution company based in Kutztown, Pa. Its mission is to create and foster an online network of independent and student film producers, and to provide the support and resources necessary for filmmakers to succeed. The Haydenfilms Online Film Festival was the first online festival to accept all short films, regardless of genre, and the first to offer a $10,000 grand prize. The Haydenfilms website provides industry news, a crew database, production boards and shopping for filmmaking software and equipment.

Kutztown University To Host The Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival Roadshow and Seminar

Kutztown University’s Alumni Association is proud to introduce The Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival Roadshow and The Business of Entertainment: Movies and Theater Seminar, being held at the Alumni Auditorium of the McFarland Student Union Building in Kutztown, Pa. on April 2 and 3, 2007. The two-day seminar includes short film screenings, industry workshops, and industry panel discussions featuring distinguished film and television actor Clint Howard. The Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival is an online film festival held annually at www.haydenfilms.com and features up-and-coming short films submitted by the international independent filmmaking community.

“This season’s festival was very competitive” stated Hayden Craddolph, a Kutztown University alumnus and president of Haydenfilms LLC. “We believe these films have an audience, and we are proud to be able to bring this type of quality program to the Kutztown University campus.”

Events on Monday, April 2 begin at 7:00 p.m. and include a selection of independent short films from the Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival, including award-winning short festival films chosen by the international online audience, a Q&A with actor Clint Howard and Haydenfilms 2.0 festival grand-prize winning director John Burgess among other notable film professionals, plus a VIP social at the conclusion of the evening. The screening and Q&A are free and open to the public.

The Business of Entertainment Seminar on Tuesday, April 3 begins at 6:00 p.m. and features actor Clint Howard, director John Burgess, film industry insider Hayden Craddolph, Dr. J.R. Ogden, Professor of Marketing at Kutztown University, and other notable local and industry panelists. Topics to be addressed include “Thoughts on the Film Industry” and “Tasks and Issues in the Business of Film.” Panel guests will also be entertaining questions from attending audience members. Tickets are available at $25.00 for the seminar only, and $75.00 for both the seminar and Monday evening’s VIP social.

Finalists for the Haydenfilms 2.0 Film Festival submitted short films - none longer than 35 minutes - that were reviewed by a panel of 10 film industry experts who selected this season's 50 best entries from nearly 200 submissions. Top films were showcased on Haydenfilms.com, where member votes determined the final four. Top films will be showcased at Haydenfilms.com through August 29, 2007.

For more information about the Roadshow and Seminar and for seminar tickets, contact Dr. J.R. Ogden at 610-683-4596, or visit www.haydenfilms.com

About Haydenfilms LLC:

Haydenfilms LLC, founded in 2001, is an independent film production and distribution company based in Kutztown, Pa. Its mission is to create and foster an online network of independent and student film producers, and to provide the support and resources necessary for filmmakers to succeed. The Haydenfilms Online Film Festival was the first online festival to accept all short films, regardless of genre, and the first to offer a $10,000 grand prize. The Haydenfilms website provides industry news, a crew database, production boards and shopping for filmmaking software and equipment.

Behind the Scenes February 2007– focus on the filmmaker

Name: Sarah Lambert
Age: 37
Hometown: Mt. Sydney, Australia
College & Degree/s: Bachelor of Communications, UTS, Sydney.

Family/Personal info: Grew up in Australia and the Philippines. Lived in New
York for ten years until 2005.

Current Job Title/Employment: Writer/Director

Favorite Film: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Raise the Red lantern, City of God, All that Jazz, Lenny, The Last Laugh, Breaking the Waves, Once Where Warriors, American Beauty, The Ice Storm, Afterlife

Favorite Filmmaker/s: Bob Fosse, Fellini, Peter Weir, Murnau, Charlie Kaufman, Yimou Zhang, Ang Lee

Your film “Photograph” was a finalist in the Haydenfilms 2.0 Online Film Festival. Where or how did you come up with the story for this film?

I used to watch this woman walk down Fifth Avenue. From a distance, she looked like a jewel. Bright green twin set. Perfect red curls, red lips and glorious eye make up. Only when she got closer could you see that she was actually 80 or 90. She was glorious. But people would behave like she was embarrassing and that really hurt me until I realised that she couldn't care less. She was having a lovely time and I should celebrate her. The story came from that experience.

How did you select the cast?

I interviewed and met nearly every seventy plus actress in Sydney and Melbourne. Elaine Lee walked in after having taken a bus in a white flimsy dress with a feather boa and ten inch heels. She was perfect for our Lydia from the moment she walked in the door. For Mandy, I looked at a range of actresses but really wanted someone like my sister, Anne. In the end, I stopped fighting that desire and cast her. May as well make use of having a brilliant actress in the family!

When and where did shooting take place?

We shot over five days. Everything was done on location. An old disused hospital ward that we dressed. A theatre. And a function centre which we completely redressed.

What other films have you worked on?

I have been working in the industry since I was seven when I started on Phil Noyce's Newsfront. I have worked intensely in dramas and documentaries for the last fifteen years. My other films include, Come Fly With me, Scanner, Conversations with a stranger and the feature docs, Clone story, God in Government to name a few. I am currently writing a Dutch, Singaporean Co-production based on a true story.

What is your next project?

A feature, “RED DRESS”.

What is your position on the HD vs. film debate?

I think the debate is slightly pointless. There will always be new mediums that need to be embraced. We make films. The form may be different but it doesn't change the fact that we still need to make films that generate feeling and excite audiences.

How do you think the internet will impact filmmaking in the future?

Again, it's a great way to get your work out there and seen. But again, it doesn't make it any easier to make a great film.

How would you compare this online film festival experience to that of a “standard” film festival?

I miss the experience of hearing the audience but it was great to read people's feedback.

What do you consider the best film ever made and why?

I don't think I can answer that.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Making my second feature and hopefully enjoying every second of the process. I love making films.

Calling All Filmmakers!

Looking for a creative challenge? Haydenfilms, in conjunction with the SouthSide Film Festival is proud to announce the 2007 IoW (Image over Word) filmmaking contest! IoW is a creative exercise designed to hone your filmmaking skills, challenging you to create compelling visual stories using our unremarkable script, and requiring you to explore, learn and experiment with the other tools cinema provides to the storyteller. As long as you don't change the text of the script (except where noted), artistic license reigns!

There’s no entry fee, so you may enter as many films as you like! SouthSide Film Festival will be awarding winners in two categories this year – the Judge’s Pick and the Audience Award, selected through online viewing and voting at www.haydenfilms.com Top entries will be screened during the SouthSide Film Festival in June 2007, with the winning films announced June 23 at a main theater venue. The deadline for entries is May 5, 2007. For the script, rules, and more information, go to www.ssff.org and click on the IoW festival link.