THE HYPE

“...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

“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”

“MMA is a competition that celebrates true independently created films, putting the politics and rhetoric of other 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”

“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”

“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 independent film landscape.”
     - Sandy Cioffi, Director of “Sweet Crude”

“As an independent filmmaker working outside the Hollywood system, the Maverick Movie Awards has been an incredible opportunity for me. 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!
I recommend the Maverick Movie Awards to anyone out there with the passion to take back the independent film industry!”
     - Meg Pinsonneault, Maker of "Faces of Tomorrow"

“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”

“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”

“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 new approach and goal to help filmmakers sets them apart.”
     - Adam Hodge, Director of “The Darkling”

“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 to independent films, 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 foundation's commitment to the submitters.”
     - Bernard Garceau III, Director of “One Day”

“[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”

“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”

“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 with
the spirit of independent films.”
     - Chen Li, Director of “Convalescent Leprosy Patients, the Life Sank into Oblivion”

“We submitted to MMA [because there are] so few groups that represent truly independent filmmaking.”
     - Christoper J. Smith, Director of “For Us”

“Wining a Maverick Movie Award is an incredible boost to my [animated] movie.”
     - David Sheahan, Maker of “Together!”

“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. No studios, no agents – That's what MMA is celebrating and that's why I chose to submit my work. MMA [really gives] independent filmmakers a chance.”
     - Deborah Geffner, Writer/Director of “Guitar Lessons”

“Having played the film festival circuit, it’s easy to get disillusioned since most are becoming Hollywood backlots…which is why the [Maverick Movie Awards] really jumped out at me. There needs to be more support for the little guys who pour their life’s blood into their craft with only a wad of bills and a prayer.”
     - Andrew Kasch, Director of “Thirsty”

“I submitted to MMA [because of their] commitment to TRUE independent, non-Hollywood financed films, giving little movies like mine a chance!”
     - Matthew J. Avant, Director of “Lunopolis”

“MMA is a great way to receive recognition from group of independent filmmakers that don't deal with the politics of festivals or "mainstream" awards.”
     - Zack Coffman, Co-Director of “The Harbortown Bobber”

“[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 a foundation who really watches each submission closely and makes its decisions with no strings attached.”
     - Bernardo Uzeda, Director of “Imago”

“This is a unique group of people that are out there guerilla-style creating pieces purely out of passion. I admire Maverick for respecting these talents and providing a way to celebrate them.”
     - Nathan Freise, Co-Creator of “The Machine Stops”

“Thanks for supporting us indies. We couldn't do it without organizations such as yours.”
     - Phil Messerer, Director of “Thicker than Water”

“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 [and has brought] important attention to the voices of the "last spoken for minority" (persons with disabilities)...”
     - Drew Morton Goldsmith, Maker of “No Pity”

“We submitted to the Maverick Movie Awards because... [they] understand the difficulty in producing a [movie independently] and also understand the art and beauty that happens when filmmakers aren’t confined by a system during the creation process.”
     - Makers of “Homeland Nation: Mescalero Apache”

“MMA is a fantastic way for all aspects of independent filmmakers to be recognized and has high standards. Awesome!”
     - Russell Whaley, Director of “Tin Soldier”