http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org/traverse-city-film-festival-movies/awards/

First up: Two stories hitting today.

1) Variety story on TCFF which includes a quote from Ben

2) Film Gecko (film blog) interview w/ Michael Moore in which he says some awesome things about the movie and why he chose it for Traverse City

http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org/496/tcff-filmmaker-spotlight-ben-hickernell/

Woods Hole is an intimate festival in Cape Cod with a focus on filmmakers that was included in Moviemaker Magazine’s list of the top 20 coolest film festivals. We’re happy to be a part of this year’s festival!

Tickets may be purchased here:

http://www.woodsholefilmfestival.org/2010/films10/film_detail.php?id=112

And don’t forget – please demand us on Eventful!

That button takes you to a site called “Eventful,” which lets people demand that films they want to see come to *their* town. You enter your zipcode and email and then you have registered one “vote” for that movie. It tells the filmmakers (and our future distributor) how many people want to see the movie, and where.

If you want to see Lebanon, Pa… If you like the trailer, or have heard good things… If you like Josh, or Samantha, or like the town of Lebanon, or for any other reason to want to see this movie… If you *did* see it and liked it, NOW is the time to make a difference and click that demand button. Then, please tell your friends you did so, and that they should check out the trailer, and if they want to see the movie, they should demand it too. It only takes a few seconds, and it will make a *vital* difference.

Click “more” to read how in more detail!

We are currently talking with  distributors about the film. I can’t say too much at the moment, but the response has been very positive. People recognize we have a moving film that people respond to. I think we’ve “won the war” on whether this is a good film or not. But in this climate, both in the economy at large and in the independent film releasing scene, having a great film isn’t always enough. Distributors are being very careful about which films they take on, and only want to put out the ones where they can clearly see how they make a profit.

That is what makes your demand *so* important. Every demand we get, we can show the distributors: this many people want to see our film in this town. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick. Your demands, your votes, will have a *direct* influence on if we are in theaters at all, and if so, how widely we are released and to what areas.

So please click demand, and please spread the word to others. Every demand makes a huge difference.

I really appreciate your help, and want so much to bring the movie to a theater near you. Together, we can make it happen. Thank you.

More very soon on our upcoming festivals! – Ben

I entitled a post a year ago “Where the Hell I Have Been,” when I had been away from the blog for a while during a flurry of activity, and it seems this has happened again.

I know it’s been awhile – since SXSW! – but I’ve been behind the curtains toiling away on bringing the movie to audiences.

Click “more” to read the details, but first notice that new “Demand” button off to the right. Interesting, eh? Hmmmm…

As this is an independent film, it all comes down to me. Over the years there have been many, many people involved with making this film. I’m sure the number is in the hundreds now. But most people’s involvement has a definite start and expiration date: the extra on set for a day, the colorist working on it for two weeks and then his job is done, the actor’s agent with a month’s flurry of negotiating and then they’re on to other offers and projects.

But me, I’ve been running the marathon for 5 years. And anytime there isn’t a person assigned to the do the job, it falls to me. Every festival submitted to, every press inquiry responded to, every distributor followed up with, it’s me on the phone or at my laptop. Not that I’m complaining. This is also the joy of indie cinema. We’ve made the movie we wanted to make, without interference from a studio or other interests. But it also means that day in and day out I’m working on the movie, (while working to pay the bills), and so sometimes I fall behind. So, sorry for not keeping y’all updated as often as I would like.

Now, with that out of the way – here’s what’s been going on:

Distribution: Our faithful, hard working sales agent in LA, David Garber, has been sharing the film with a variety of distributors and we’ve had some promising conversations. But the film has not been picked up *yet*. There is one very important thing you can do to help, and that is to click that demand button on the right hand side of our blog. More on that tomorrow.

Festivals: After SXSW, many film festivals got in touch regarding playing the film, and we’ve also submitted to other fests we’d like to be a part of. I have some great festival announcements to make this week. And we’re hoping for a relatively steady flow of festivals from July through October. From some goliaths on the festival circuit to some charming small scale indie festivals. So hopefully we’ll be coming to a town near you!

Other projects: Lebanon, Pa. “alumni” have also been busy with other projects you can check out until you sit down to experience “Lebanon, Pa.” Josh stars on “Cougar Town,” of course. Samantha has a new movie out on Blu Ray with Kevin Costner, “The New Daughter,”  and a new movie coming out in theaters, “Buried.” Matt Pond PA is currently on tour across the country. And producer Jason Contino’s getting married in two weeks!

Check back tomorrow for what you can do to help bring us to a theater near you! – Ben

The screenings went well. Great audience reaction and both shows sold out. Now we see what comes from those two screenings… First up should be more reviews in the coming days…

In the meantime, enjoy an interview with me, Rachel, Josh and Samantha!

http://www.metelevision.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=83

Cover story in the Lebanon Daily News… thanks Lebanon!

Have had an *amazing* today. Am kind of in awe about how earnest this business actually can be – filled with so many people who create films out of nothing, and make it about the work. Gotta say SXSW gets it right. This is incredible. – Ben

http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/sxsw-preview-lebanon-pa.php