Our line-up included the following drama and comedy feature-length films: “The Father,” “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” “Our Souls at Night,” “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,” “Thelma,” “Coco,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” We also offered four short docs including “A Concerto is a Conversation,” “Dick Van Dyke Coldplay video,” “Not Dead Yet,” (featuring MEA alum Eve Brandstein who was with us talking about working with Norman Lear for 40 years), and clips from an upcoming film, “The Oldest Person,” one that MEA alum Julie Benello (who was with us) is Executive Producing.
We were fortunate to have Oscar-nominated screenwriter Bill Broyles do a fireside chat talking about Tom Hanks and “Cast Away,” as well as the Sundance-winning actor of “The Tao of Steve,” Donal Logue, and his Director Jenniphr Goodman and Writer Duncan North, whom this Santa Fe-based GenX film is based upon.
Our Audience Award went to “Duty Free,” a documentary made by MEA alum Sian-Pierre Regis featuring his mother Rebecca Danigelis, both of whom were with us the whole week. The runner-up for Audience Award went to two 2024 films, “Ghostlight” and “Emilia Pérez,” with the latter earning the most Golden Globe nominations this year (if you haven’t heard about that Netflix film yet, the Oscar Buzz will reach you soon).
This inaugural workshop was such a hit that we’ve already announced next year’s FilmFest and, because it was sold-out this year, we’ll take both of the Santa Fe ranch retreat centers. We will offer themes on particular days at both retreat centers. Imagine watching Richard Linklater’s “Before” series with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight) with films in the morning, afternoon and evening at one of the two retreat centers and talking about our process of aging from early adulthood to the transitional midlife. We expect all kinds of filmmakers and actors to join us as well. Robert Redford just moved to town and we screened his film, “Our Souls at Night,” this year
Here are some photos that will give you a flavor of the week:
Chip interviewing Rebecca and Sian-Pierre from “Duty Free” on stage
Rebecca Daneglis and her son Sian-Pierre Regis
Filmmaker Michelle Allen with the team from “The Tao of Steve”: Donal Logue, Jenniphr Goodman, and Duncan North
So many movie goodies were available to all of us
Me and “Cast Away” screenwriter Bill Broyles, who lives in Santa Fe
Audience questions to Oscar-nominated screenwriter Bill Broyles
Most of the “Unscripted” cohort with the gorgeous winter Santa Fe blue sky above us.
-Chip