Founded 2008 | ||
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Location Hollywood, California, United States | ||
The Feel Good Film Festival (FGFF), also known as the Sunflower Film Festival, is held annually in Hollywood, California. The Festival is the largest of its kind showcasing American, international, independent, and family-friendly films from all around the world that leave the audience feeling good. The FGFF is a three-day annual event held in August showcasing 60–70 feel-good feature films, short films, screenplays, and student films.
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Mission
Kristen Flores, FGFF Founder and Festival Director, established the Feel Good Film Festival. The Feel Good Film Festival began in Hollywood August 22–24, 2008, with the goal of showcasing upbeat, happy ending films. It isn't necessarily difficult to find feel-good films to screen. "They've been looking for an outlet," according to the Festival's creator, Kristen Flores. The mission of the festival is "a film viewing experience for the entire family that encourages the development, production, and distribution of short or feature length films with positive themes, happy endings, that make audiences laugh, and that capture the beauty of our world. The FGFF focuses on drawing attention to filmmakers and films that have a similar message and mission. The traditional "red carpet" gives way to a glowing sunburst carpet in keeping with the "Feel Good" theme of sunflowers that, by the way, always face the sun's rays. Certainly, with the sunburst carpet,the festivities and the films, one cannot help going away feeling kissed by the sun.
Notability
The Festival has continued its signature "yellow" carpet entrances and international screenings which are part of the FGFF today,. In addition, The FGFF has presented generous award packages totaling over $100,000 worth of prizes from such sponsors as Panavision, Hollywood Rentals, Final Draft, Showbiz Software, New York Film Academy, Film Independent, InkTip.com, Tuff Cut Sound and MEHRNOOSH.Those awards go to the Feel Good Film Festival's Best Feel Good Feature Film, Best Feel Good Short Film, and Best Feel Good Student Film. In addition, there are Audience Awards for Best Feel Good Feature Film and Best Feel Good Short Film. Additional awards are presented to the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Ensemble and Best Director".
Celebrities honored
The FGFF has honored numerous celebrities, including funnyman Jonathan Winters (Certifiably Jonathan), Judd Apatow (American Storage), Oscar-winning musical star Shirley Jones (Elmer Gantry, Oklahoma!, Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Joe Ballarini (Father vs. Son), Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Carlos Mencia (Comedy Central),. Other stars dotting the FGFF schedule include James Darren, Sally Field, Jorja Fox, Gregory Harrison, Cliff Robertson (Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story), Greta Gerwig, Iggy Pop (Art House), Daniel Baldwin, Orson Bean, Willie Garson, Clint Howard, Craig Sheffer (Ashley's Ashes), Margot Farley], Mitzi Kapture, John Saxon, Tim Thomerson (God's Ears), Anne Hathaway, Leeza Gibbons (10 Mountains 10 Years), Beth Grant (Herpes Boy), James Hong, Jenna Jameson, Ken Jeong, Josh Meyers, Krysten Ritter, Ian Somerhalder (How to Make Love to a Woman), Tim Allen, Louis C.K., Tommy Davidson, Dana Gould, Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman (I Am Comic) and Elaine Hendrix (The Cloggers). Also included in the celebrity lineup are Valente Rodriguez (Happily Divorced and Rizwan Manji (Outsourced).
Reception
The Feel Good Film Festival has been recognized as a "most favorite Los Angeles Film Festival". The positive theme and energy of the FGFF and its many high-quality films stands out amongst the sea of Los Angeles film festivals. Also writer, director, and actor Michael Worth ("God's Ears"; "Jabberwock"; "CSI NY"; "Desperate Housewives") praises the FGFF as it makes filmmakers dig deeper for more substance over style. Chris Getman created the Festival's website. Founding FGFF Board members include Kristen Flores, Alan Noel Vega, Natalie Chaidez, Chandler Poling, Sarah "Quigs" Quigley, and America Young; 2011–2012 FGFF Board members include Kristen Flores, Alan Noel Vega, Natalie Chaidez, Dominic Flores, John Wildman, Jenna Charles, Mr. Lawrence, Kelly Koskella, and Richard Kraft.