Filmmaker TestimonialsOn this page you will find plaudits from our 2004 through 2006 alumni as well as the survey results from our 2005 film festival. Plaudits
note: [year] reflects festival year, not production year Thank you for a truly wonderful experience with the film festival in
your town. You have done a fabulous job in coordinating and
organizing the festival. At one point a few months back I was really cynical and stopped working on the documentary. The kindness of both
the community and other filmmakers have revived me. Several people
from the community of Bethlehem as well as other filmmakers have emailed me comments about the film Growing Democracy that are invaluable for me figure out how to structure the film to make it more coherent. Thanks once again for the opportunity to screen and
all the work and energy that you've put into making a successful film festival. Best,
Keya Lea Horiuchi
"Growing Democracy" - SSFF 2006
Montrose, CO One of the most unique aspects of the SouthSide Film Festival that distinguishes it from other festivals I've been to, is the promming of older masterpieces, like a film by the Brothers Quay, side-by-side with ground-breaking films of today like Brent Green's "Hadacol Santa". It's brillant promgramming. Adam Parrish King
"The Wraith of Cobble Hill" - SSFF 2006 These comments were received, by email, after the 2005 festival. I know it's very hard to get a film festival off the ground, but I think you have done an amazing job. Remember, there are thousands of filmmakers like me who appreciate what you do. Keep up the good work! Ellen Perry
The Fall of Fujimori
San Francisco, California After the whirlwind weekend, I wanted to thank you and your amazing team of friends for such a great experience at Southside. Your hospitality,
your programming and thoughtful gestures every day really made me feel
welcome. It's always inspiring to be around people who love what they do
and this weekend was rejuvenating that way. I feel like I've met a new group of friends. Shanti Thakur
SSFF 2005 Guest Filmmaker
"Circles", "Seven Hours to Burn"
New York, NY You guys have the coolest thing going. In less than 12 hours, I managed to find myself totally inspired and rejuvenated. It's a wonderful setting, amazingly managed, and even for a preview night of shorts, you had a great crowd. I can't wait to come back next year -- already have a movie that's just about ready for you guys. Thanks again for being such gracious hosts. Soman Chainani
"Suhane Sapne" (Sweet Dreams)
New York, NY  | I am so excited to be part of this film festival, I have passed info about this fest to lot of people. Thank you once again for everything. I am sure this fest will also rock as the last one. Madhu Sudan
"Samanvay"
India | And this comment from one of our Documentary Filmmaking Workshop participants. I cant believe the amazing job that everyone did this past weekend. I
took the documentary workshop with Mel and Clayton and had one of the best learning experiences in my life!!! I cant thank all of you enough for bringing this film festival to the
Lehigh Valley. We needed it!!! Lisa Robinson
Documentary Filmmaking Workshop Student
Lehigh Valley The following comments were recorded on our post-festival questionaire. What was your overall Impression of the Festival:  | "All of you did such a splendid job. My feeling, along with other filmmakers, is that we felt extremely welcome." - Mel Halbach - The Long Haired Warriors [2004] | "Easy to navigate, friendly, nice town, a terrific social whirl!" R. Sewhcomar - New York Drag [2004] "I've been to the biggest film festivals in the world and the smallest. The big ones have their benefits, but personally, after accompanying my film to so many festivals I've become a big fan of the smaller ones. The audiences that attend these festivals are people who are either curious or who seek non-commercial entertainment, but rarely have the opportunity to find any in their own communities. When first invited to the SouthSide Film Festival in Bethlehem, PA I had no preconceptions. All I knew was that Bethlehem PA was 3rd on Hitler's list of places to bomb and that this was to be their first film festival. I was honoured that my film was chosen to be their opener and curious about Bethlehem. I'm very happy that I was able to attend. I brought my wife and 18 month old daughter. We were greeted with a great deal of warmth and hospitality. We were made to feel at home. It was as if the festival belonged to all of us. I'm hoping to be able to participate in their future festivals." - Cory McAbee - The American Astronaut [2004] Rate our film submission process: "Its great that the submission fee is low. Thanks for that." - Nick Poppy Containment: Life After Three Mile Island [2005] "Simple & painless; like eating jello." - Collin Kornfeind With an 'X' and an 'O' [2005] Rate our Audio/Visual theatre setups: "the audio for my piece was the best I ever heard it when it played in Whitaker" - A. Garrett - ny I dream [2004] "I thought the projection equipment was superb. I was really expecting some major equipment crashes along the way, buy none of that prevailed." Mel Halbach - The Long Haired Warriors [2004] "A/V equipment was excellent. Using Lehighs facilities a major plus." - Matt Lotti Protection [2005] Your impression of our staff volunteers: "Excellent! very friendly and helpful." - M. Kramer/A. Senape - Homestead: From Mill to Mall [2004] "Excellent, helpful, charming" - Bert Shapiro - The Noodle Man [2004] "Excellent!! Couldn't ask for anything better." Jude Gerard Prest - Rabbit Hash: the Center of the Universe [2004] "Incredibly friendly, so nice, I miss them all" - Brian Labrecque - Far Too Gone [2004]  | "The people were so warm and welcoming and went out of their way to help. It made my experience very special." - Shashwati Talukdar - Bollywood Terror [2005] | "Friendly; made me feel like I was a part of some crazy, grab-bag family" - Collin Kornfeind With an 'X' and an 'O' [2005] Your impression of Bethlehem in general, the South Side in particular:
"A wonderful close knit place that I want to move to. Find me a house!" Roger Sewhcomar New York Drag [2004] "Great venue location, would come back again in a heartbeat" - Jude Gerard Prest - Rabbit Hash: the Center of the Universe [2004] "Most friendly community" - Bert Shapiro - An appointment with Mr. Robert [2005] "Old town with a lot of past." - Ari Taub The Fallen [2005] "A lovely town. Friendly people. Full of creative energy." - Shanti Thakur - Kairos; Circles; and Seven Hours to Burn [2005] Any other comments you wish to make? "I would highly recommend this festival to everyone that loves movies or loves making movies." - Jude Gerard Prest - Rabbit Hash: the Center of the Universe [2004] "I love you all!" - Brian Labrecque - Far Too Gone[2004] "Having affordable accommodations is a great incentive for traveling filmmakers." - Nandini Sikand - In Whose Name [2005] How we rated in 2005
We asked our filmmakers to rate us on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best) Here is how we ranked: - 8.67 for the festival (overall)
- 8.80 for our submission process
- 8.92 for our jury process
- 8.46 for our pre-festival communications
- 8.47 for the venues, facilities, and A/V equipment
- 9.73 for our staff and volunteers
Would you return to our festival?
13 yes 0 no Did you feel we presented your film well?
12 yes 1 no Would you recommend our festival to other filmmakers?
13 yes 0 no
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