My team applied to Lonely Seal (with many festivals under our belts for other shorts — including top-level fests) because we thought it sounded interesting — like a filmmaker-focused event where we could see great films, but also connect with like-minded artists. Unfortunately, the pandemic didn’t give us the opportunity to gather in person (for any festival), but Hammad and Jonathan really delivered on the filmmaker-focused feel in spite of the obstacles.
Before the festival even started, Hammad spoke with me for over an hour, offering guidance and feedback on future projects. He was very generous and helpful. It didn’t stop there, as he and Jonathan (Hammad’s partner in ‘crime’) held meetups throughout the festival for filmmakers to connect and ask questions. And the selections of films were really top-notch.
If you want to apply to a festival that will nurture you as a filmmaker and offer an outlet for networking, this is a great festival.