Film Fest

Film Fest is a 90s throwback film about a guy who makes a 90s throwback film in 2020, only to discover that no one cares...except in the out-of-touch land of The Hollywilde International Film Festival of Cinema, where a flamboyant, washed-up filmmaker turned festival director provides a welcoming platform for all manner of Sundance rejects and experimental auteurs.

The movie gives a mockingly accurate breakdown of the current state of the indie film industry and makes fun of everyone in it. Filmmakers and those who aspire to be filmmakers, along with their loved ones, should see it for that reason. It also artfully weaves in various elements of the 90s coming of age movies, complete with a dose of Rachael Leigh Cook, who plays herself in the film.

Matt Cook (CBS's Man With A Plan) plays the hero of the story...well, he thinks he's the hero... insecure everyman, artist, Logan. Spoiler Alert: The adorable Diona Reasonover (NCIS) plays Alex, the actual hero - I think. There's some debate, as the characters have a habit of discussing their own situation in terms of plot and story elements and they disagree on this point.

Will Sasso (Mad TV, The Three Stooges, etc.) brilliantly plays the benevolent legend (in his own mind), Montgomery Nash.

Fans of The Groundlings Comedy Troupe will notice that the film is loaded with its players, in addition to Matt Cook, most notably Laird MacIntosh (Saving Private Ryan) and Allison Dunbar (Startup) in supporting roles, and some hilarious show stealing moments by Patty Guggenheim, Greg Worswick and Michael Croner.

Jason Genao (On My Block, The Get Down, etc.) plays a pre-pubescent disruptor who is wonderfully pitted against MacIntosh's veteran cinematographer in a nerd clash for the ages.

Brendan Schaub, MMA fighter turned comic and podcaster, plays the perfect parody of a movie bully, who, in one of the film's more meta moments, is made fun of for being too "on the nose" to be a movie bully.

Ellen Wong (GLOW, Scott Pilgrim, etc.) turns in a terrific performance as Logan's longsuffering - but not quite infinitely longsuffering - girlfriend. CJ Vana plays a lowly Production Assistant, Kyle the P.A. (so lowly he doesn't get a last name) who comes of age in pure 90s fashion as the story unfolds.

Anyone who works in the film industry, anyone who's ever made a film or knows an aspiring filmmaker, or who's ever been to a film festival will recognize the characters in this film. Those depictions are spot on. But movie lovers of all stripes will enjoy Film Fest and its simple message: be the hero of your own story.

The best scene in this independent film about the auteur as main character, is the touching scene between the director/auteur and his producer in which the producer confesses she has charged up her credit cards to finance the making of their film.

This is a film about pretentious people who hope to sell their products at a shady film festival held in some redneck town. It is a film for filmmakers - depressing in places and insightful in others.

It is not another "Sideways". It is not even another "Little Miss Sunshine". Nevertheless, if you aspire to be dedicated to the subject craft, watch it. You will see yourself and your peeps. I hope.

It's kind of fun, but not profound. The movie has some pretty fun performers, while some of the cast are less exciting. Allison Dunbar, Brendan Schaub, Dana Powell, Ellen Wong, Joe Raffa, Patty Guggenheim, Rachael Leigh Cook, Sara Rue, Shannon Dang, and Will Sasso are all great in this movie! The rest of the cast are a little tedious to watch. Much like How I Met Your Mother, the main actor is just unbearable. If they could have had anyone else in that lead role, the movie would have been better.

The story is fun, and definitely worth watching - especially for industry insiders, which I am not. I do run my own business, and I spent a lot of my career working with startup companies. The main character's cynical attitude was annoying; being positive is necessary for success. Some startup companies fail because they want to be billionaires overnight, and they think the small gig is beneath them. A small festival, a small award, a tiny bit of exposure - these are all valuable. The next project isn't a chore; it's the reason we came here.

It's hard to top a will sasso performance but matt cook was diverse and convincing. I have seen him before in man with a plan and was pleasantly surprised once i realized where i recognized him from since it took me a minute he was able to portray someone extremely distinguishable from how i formerly knew him. Still just as funny tho! I must sing his praises because i remember watching this guy from his former TV series and thinking that this dude is an absolute typecast and this is my public apology to you Matt Cook! Completely proved me wrong and you gained a huge fan who will be looking out for your future films.

Seriously, 5/10 as at July, 2021. Wtf?

I don't recall who recommended this film to me, and I had no expectations whatsoever.

I was captivated by it from the get go. I was so enthralled by the plot and performances, the balance of comedy and drama - yet I wouldn't call it a dramedy.

I think it was such a simple premise, magnicifently crafted and with some great acting. The emotional turmoil of getting their film off the ground; these flawed characters who strove for perfection in their art... it all spoke volumes to me.

I'm sure the low ratings must have been left by viewers who had a different expectation of the film, or just didn't connect with it for whatever reason. But that's their loss.

I'll definitely watch it again.