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THE HYPE |
“If you are wondering if you should submit, the answer is: YES! ‘MMA is the Indie Spirit Awards of true indie filmmakers. The Oscars for actual ass kickers!’” |
| - MovieMaker Magazine |
“...The Maverick Movie Awards puts credibility and intrigue back into the word ‘maverick.’” |
| - Les Claypool, Frontman of Primus, Music Producer, Film Director, Novelist, Winemaker, and Fisherman |
“The MMA is the real deal. When you all say ‘it's a level playing field...from a maverick point-of-view,’ I believe it.” |
| - Anthony E. Griffin, Moviemaker and Co-Founder of Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival |
“We are sure this will help us...secure some kind of distribution - we are thrilled you respect the film.” |
| - Michael Rymer and Loretta Rymer, Moviemakers of “Face to Face” |
“MMA [puts] the politics and rhetoric of festivals aside [by] championing films with both technical and artistic merits that would not ordinarily get recognized...or get lost in the shuffle of astronomical odds.” |
| - Michael Silberman, Producer of “Running Away With Blackie" |
“Maverick Movie Awards [is] one of the few competitions that does not put special emphasis on who’s in the film or who made it, but simply judges it on the merit of the film itself.” |
| - Peter Besson, Director of “True Beauty This Night” |
“‘Maverick’ says it all – True independent trailblazers themselves, yet with an eye out for their fellow filmmakers (of every amplitude and ilk). Their straight-from-the-hip integrity (not to mention refreshing sense of humor) was welcome from the get-go, and then to receive a Maverick Award... It's the coolest, most personal award for our small, first-time, blood-sweat-and-tears production.” |
| - Toby Poser and John Adams, Moviemakers of “Rumblestrips” |
“A Maverick Award will most certainly help my film get DVD and online distribution.” |
| - Richard Butchins, Director of “The Last American Freak Show” |
“[We] research a festival before entering because of the financial burden involved with the hundreds of festivals. MMA clearly stood out to us as a competition worth entering (both through research and word of mouth). Being accepted into MMA helps make our work more legitimate. The more nominations and wins we receive will persuade audiences into giving our film a look.” |
| - Lance Larson, Director of “Bloom” |
“…Like an encyclopedia of films that one MUST SEE. Thank you...for the award for Best Actor in a short film. In such a classy [enterprise] as this it is a very humbling nod!” |
| - Dylan Smith, Star of “Hangnail” |
“Thanks to the Maverick Movie Awards, our movie came out of nowhere and got to stand beside accomplished and impressive contemporaries. ...Instead of being dismissed for our genre, budget, or obscurity, we received two nominations and an award... Getting the award implies that we're the mavericks, a designation to be proud of, but choosing us over more prestigious films is a ballsy statement in itself. Thank you, MMA, for following through on your mission statement and for the unfortunately rare virtue of NOT being completely full of shit.” |
| - Jack Bennett, Director/Producer of “Caprice” |
“I love how you guys keep your identities secret. You’re the film world’s Clark Kents. Ready to rip out Superman and fight the good fight.” |
| - James Robertson, Director of “Abraham” |
“The MMA is one of the best promoted and best run [organizations] you are going to find anywhere on the festival circuit, especially for films that are not cookie-cutter festival material. ...Give them the recognition they have earned and deserve.” |
| - Elaine Madsen, Producer/Director of “I Know a Woman Like That” |
“Submitting to the MMA was a no brainer for us because we wanted our short to be assessed by true filmmakers as opposed to film programmers who are just looking to fill a spot in their fest. In addition, there are enough categories where many who contributed on our short can have an opportunity to stand out. For our next film venture, we will definitely be submitting to the MMA, no questions asked.” |
| - Jacobo Concepción and Luis Cardona, Moviemakers of “Eugenio” |
“Wining a Maverick Movie Award is an incredible boost to my ANIMATED movie.” |
| - David Sheahan, Maker of “Together!” |
“I could write a novel on how I'm disappointed with what film festivals have become. I have entered many only to show up to the screening to be disappointed by the lack of interest these festivals seem to have with films and filmmaking. I've become jaded but MMA’s approach and goal to help filmmakers sets them apart.” |
| - Adam Hodge, Director of “The Darkling” |
“[We] love what you do, the philosophy of MMA, and the love and respect for film and DIVERSITY in film.” |
| - Michael Mackenzie and Tony Dupcinov, Makers of “Wasteland” |
“Where most institutions wouldn't even consider a small, independent, short documentary like mine, MMA not only considered it, but they nurtured the independent spirit behind it. If you're like me and you know what it's like to make a movie off of pennies and crumbs, then MMA is the place for you too!" |
| - Meg Pinsonneault, Maker of "Faces of Tomorrow" |
“Being nominated has immediately lifted the reputation of our film, and positions us well within our courting of film festivals in the year ahead.” |
| - Lee Matthews, Producer of “Abraham” |
“As a young independent filmmaker awards and recognition mean a lot, as (although I find it an unfortunate truth) getting your name out and gaining some credibility through awards helps a lot when looking for resources for your next project.” |
| - Brian Lye, Writer/Director of “Love Birds” |
“It's tough to find recognition as a student filmmaker, and much much more so as a student feature-length filmmaker. Being a recent college grad, I'm ineligible for most youth film festivals... and as a no-budget filmmaker, my work isn't polished enough yet to make it to the big leagues. Not only has the Maverick Movie Awards given “Coup de Cinema” a place for recognition, they've nominated us for awards in several categories beyond the student level, letting it compete alongside much larger-budget features. I can't think of a greater honor.” |
| - Sean Parker, Co-Director of “Coup de Cinema” |
“You have absolutely no idea how much this nomination has meant to us, after being rejected by EVERYONE for so long.” |
| - Simon Cook, Writer/Director of “The Gin Lady” |
“MMA is a fantastic outlet for...filmmakers to see how they compare with others within the same year. MMA...has high standards. Awesome!” |
| - Russell Whaley, Director of “One Man’s Goal” and “Tin Soldier” |
“Too many...festivals and award organizations are in it for themselves. The Maverick Movie Awards don't even reveal their identities. They are a mystery team that promote the films more than themselves!” |
| - Shant Hamassian, Director of “Spaceman on Earth” |
“I submitted to MMA because of its different approach...mainly in the aspect of recognizing each craft specifically and not just lumping all films into a best of comedy or drama category. It proves to me that the judges have clearly viewed my film and found something worth noting through the process. And even if you don't get a win, the nomination stands to the justification of a film’s craft and to the cooperative's commitment to the submitters.” |
| - Bernard Garceau III, Director of “One Day” |
“[A Maverick Award] not only makes us feel like "real" filmmakers, but good filmmakers. And that's pretty awesome.” |
| - Jimmy Weber, Writer/Producer/Director of “Incubator” |
“I submitted to MMA [because they] give more than one award to short films. Usually it's just Best Short, but here I had an opportunity for many members of my cast and crew to receive recognition for their work. [This] recognition will help us secure a distribution deal and give us that much more ammo when we try to finance the feature version of our film.” |
| - Barry Caldwell, Director of “Reflections” |
“MMA is a great experience because it is run by working professionals who respect and recognize the craft, commitment, labor of love, and lunacy it takes to be a moviemaker.” |
| - Maggie Franks, Producer/Director of “The Board Meeting” |
“An organization that can view and appreciate a film on its own unique terms is refreshing and inspiring.” |
| - Jessi Gotta and Bryan Enk, Moviemakers of “The Big Bad” |
“[MMA] truly represents what my film is, and as a result, gave me fair and equal playing ground as a contender. The fact that the film has been awarded several nominations will be a great boon to the spirits of the personnel involved. It will also act as a great tool in the acquisition of possible sales, distribution and/or screening of the film.” |
| - Donald Percy, Director of “Inanimate Objects” |
“You should submit to MMA because their awesome logo will look really cool on your movie poster.” |
| - Kiff Scholl, Director of “Scream of the Bikini” |
“For a film made in a small country like Lebanon, it is incredible to realize that MMA recognizes our film [and is] able to see what is beautiful about it. We chose MMA to reach out to a western audience. ...MMA continues...finding good films from around the world that need recognition.” |
| - Samer Daboul, Moviemaker of “Out Loud” |
“The MMA truly celebrates what usually lacks in many big name festivals: the very spirit of indie filmmaking. ‘Indie’ has become an overused word these last years. It slowly lost value, becoming more of a fashion thing than anything else. MMA brings ‘Indie’ back to where it belongs!" |
| - Olivier Boonjing, Writer/Producer/Director of “Somewhere Between Here and Now” |
“One thing is clear, the [festival circuit] has to be taken back for those it was originally meant to serve: filmmakers and audiences. [MMA is] a group whose mission is so in line with what needs to be done in this ever-changing...landscape.” |
| - Sandy Cioffi, Director of “Sweet Crude” |
“As true independent filmmakers we seek out anything that supports our plight. Many days it feels like we are wondering aimlessly in this great desert they call the movie business. The Maverick Movie Awards is an oasis for those projects willing to brave the heat on their own [giving all its participants] replenishment in the form of acknowledgment.” |
| - Mark Hug, Co-Director of “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” |
“MMA values true independent films and the true independent spirit needed to make them.” |
| - Simone Mihich Bueno and Micki Mihich, Producers of “The 100th Job” |
“...Such a positive experience.” |
| - Derek Prusak, Director of “Another Man's Treasure” |
“As a Chinese student who has no opportunity to be recognized, I am strongly encouraged by my nomination from MMA so I can show the world, touch the world outside, and keep focusing on my love for filmmaking.” |
| - Chen Li, Director of “Convalescent Leprosy Patients, the Life Sank into Oblivion” |
“I was glad to hear that I could...share my work...knowing that there are not many Animation Awards [out there].” |
| - HyunWoo Kim, Maker of “Burn Down” |
“The Maverick Movie Awards has given my film...the opportunity to be appreciated for what it is – a truly independent movie by a first time filmmaker.” |
| - Deborah Geffner, Writer/Director of “Guitar Lessons” |
“[The Maverick Movie Awards honor movies that] are made with passion and the belief that good ideas, dedication and talent are at the core of quality filmmaking. We were delighted to be recognized by [an awards cooperative] who really watches each submission closely and makes its decisions with no strings attached.” |
| - Bernardo Uzeda, Director of “Imago” |
“I submitted to MMA because I am a young filmmaker who is passionate about opening people's hearts and minds through film. The Maverick Movie Awards [has given an] exciting boon to my young career...” |
| - Drew Morton Goldsmith, Maker of “No Pity” |
“All indie filmmakers are Mavericks at heart. We make our movies by any means necessary. The Maverick Movie Awards applauds that dedication to craft. They recognize passion.” |
| - Bryan Davis, Director of “Skinhead Cross Culture” |
“Maverick Movie Awards is a place where your movie can be judged based solely on the merit of your work, where having a talented but unknown cast will not be counted as a strike against you. My experience with MMA has been nothing short of outstanding." |
| - Michael Ervin, Director of “Strange Angel” |
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