Houston, Texas is best known for oil and cowboys. Like most things, there is way more than meets the stereotype. My favorite Houston secret is Worldfest, a nine day international independent film festival held every April. What is so great about it? It's a point of pride for Houstonians because it is the oldest in the world. It was founded in August 1961 as Cinema Arts, and International Film Society. It became the international film festival it is today in April 1968. In all of this time it has been under the care of founder Hunter Todd. His goal was to create a quality film festival for independent filmmakers. Meh, who cares how old it is. If it's last power doesn't impress you, here's a short list of some of the filmmakers discovered at Worldfest: Steven Spielberg George Lucas Ridley Scott The Coen Brothers Oliver Stone David Lynch Pretty sweet, huh? Granted, every year isnt going to screen films from such illustrious, yet undiscovered, filmmakers, but this is an impressive track record. Needless to say, though I'm saying it anyway, I flipped when I discovered this was in my hometown seven years ago. With 51 feature films, 107 shorts, and 6 master classes this year it's difficult to narrow down what to attend. Here's my list of the features and master classes I hope to attend (with a brief synopsis from the World Fest site): FeaturesOdd Man Out Are the things that make us freaks on the outside or the inside? For Mike and Matt Turner, two brothers crippled literally and figuratively by the demons of sibling rivalry, bone deep inside jealousy, and unrequited love, the answer to that question will have very real and terrifying repercussions. One thing is for sure: NOBODY goes to Hell for Love. American Empire American Empire is a documentary about the hidden forces that are controlling America and the world, and how this affects you, your children, and your grandchildren. The best way to get the truth these days is not from the media. Its from documentaries like this. In this gripping film, people are willing to reveal information that is being withheld from the public. This film reveals the world as it really is and you will no longer be able to accept the lies being told to you. The Legend of Darkhorse County As Jon and Joy Ford move into the small town of DarkHorse, mysterious and supernatural occurrences threaten to tear the town apart. Teenage girl abductions and a chain of serial killings force good-ol-boy Sheriff McElroy (Lee Majors / Larry Wade Carrell), the towns rugged symbol of justice, to use any means necessary to keep his beloved town from tumbling into chaos, and when Joys nieces (Olivia ChaChi Gonzales and Presley Bishop) are kidnapped, they must race to find the abductor and in turn come face to face with a monster. The Mystical Laws In 202X, Tathagata Killer, a mysterious military leader armed with extraterrestrial technology, stages a coup and becomes the new emperor of the world superpower of Asia. The future of humankind is at stake in this epic struggle, but in its midst, we learn about the mystical laws that rule the world around us. From the animators of some of the most successful anime franchises of the last decade, The Mystical Laws is a Japanese animation filled with nonstop action, unpredictable twists, and a rich plot. The Daughter In this gripping suspense-thriller, the daughter of a wealthy mayoral candidate and her friends are held for ransom by a group of daring criminals. Soon, as tempers flare and tension mounts, secrets rise to the surface revealing that these kidnappers are after much more than just money. Please Kill Mr. Know It All Cynical Sally ghostwrites an advice column under the pseudonym Mr. Know It All. When a celebrity endorsement turns her column into an overnight success, Sally submits a sketch of Albert, a handsome stranger she spots in a movie theatre, as the face of Mr. Know It All. Unfortunately, Albert happens to be a contract killer and cannot walk down the street without being recognized. For the sake of his livelihood, he decides he must kill Mr. Know It All. Matt's Chance A darkly comedic tale of love, revenge, and the fickle nature of human morality. Enter Matt, a down-on-his-luck loser who on his birthday night discovers his fiancée, Jessica, in bed with another man. As Matt learns the true depth of Jessicas betrayal, he begins a downward spiral revenge quest that pits him face to face with a wide array of characters including an eccentric pawn shop owner (Gary Busey), an aging stripper (Margot Kidder), and a barber with an agenda (Lee Majors). The Ancestor of Tai Chi During late and early Ming Dynasty in China, the evil surrounds in Lao Mountain area. The people are extremely suffering. Gao is the local black sheep, bullies people, especially robs goods and beauty by force. In order to save Yumeng (a beautiful girl) and other people in Lao Mountain, a young Taoist named Sanfeng is forced to kill a man in battle. He is extremely disturbed by the accident killing. Then Sangfeng starts the journey to create martial arts that doesnt intend for killing, but for controlling and subduing the opponent. Eventually he finishes his missions and passes down his Tai Chi and Tai Chi concepts to the world. Master Classes Houston Area Film Critics Panel: Nick Nicholson moderates this panel on film criticism by local area & Houston film critics. Jake Hamilton, Fox 26 News; Mark Schumann, Reel Nutrition; Dave Morales, Backstage Online; Dustin Chase Woody, Texas Art & Film SAG/AFTRA for Indie Films: Trish Avery, SAG/AFTRA Houston-Austin Executive Director discusses the tips and ways that Indie filmmakers can specifically maximize their talent, resources and strategies to produce and market their films. Docs on a Dime: Alan Mendelsohn Multi award-winning (High River Blues, The Road to Partition, The Disappearing Male) Canadian producer Alan Mendehlson is back by popular-demand to present his detailed and focused Master Class on getting the best bang for your buck in achieving your creative excellence as an Independent documentarian. Marketing Your Script: Leigh Murray based in Charleston, SC though she works in LA formed LEIGH MURRAY PRODUCTIONS from which she has sold television movies, series, and theatrical motion projects to Sony, Warner Bros, MGM Pictures, ABC-TV and CBS-TV. The much acclaimed Stolen Women, Captured Hearts as well as The Outside Woman are among her many credits. Currently developing the Billy Graham story as a film with the William Morris Agency. Leigh sold the WorldFest award winning script, The Schooner that she developed to Village Roadshow Pictures with Stuart Beattie as writer- director. Indies: The New Reality: Master Class with Jon Scheide Los Angelesbased, for more than 17 years, Hollywood Producer and all around Producing and Indie Distribution expert will elucidate the reality of successful filmmaking, financing and distribution in the 21st Century. Director (The Rose Technique, WorldFest Award winner, Java Heads), Producer & Executive Producer. Jon has worked on such varied films as Looking for Richard, Dantes Peak, Mighty Joe Young, September 11th, The Pledge, The Assassination of Richard Nixon plus many films for Television as well. Worldfest Indie Filmmakers Forum: Moderated by Leigh Murray & David Winning. Ten feature film directors from the 2013 WorldFest Official Selection share their experiences on how they were able to complete their award-winning film. Im excited about all the films and classes, but in closing I want to point out what Im most looking forward to: Lee Majors. I havent seen him in anything for years. Granted, thats because Im a cord cutter and no longer watch broadcast television. Yet, here he is in two films, in the same film festival. Well played, Colt Seavers. Well played.