Film Fest

While most festivals have had to either be cancelled, or transformed their traditional edition into a virtual edition, or miss the presence of many film personalities (the Deauville American Film Festival edition with no American stars present), the second film co-written and directed by Marshall Cook after Division III: Football's Finest (2011) reminds us why we love film festivals, whether it's to discover new talent or to discover successful independent films.

In Film Fest, we follow the tribulations of independent filmmaker Logan Clark (Matt Cook), his agent Alex Davis (Diona Reasonover) and his producer as they try to get their film to compete in numerous festivals. Unfortunately, the only one that accepts their film is an unknown festival in a totally lost corner of the United States where independent films by obscure directors have also been selected for competition. Between surprising encounters with the local press, local personalities and other directors, Logan Clark is not at the end of his surprises.

The cast of this successful comedy includes Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That (1999), Get Carter (2000)), Diona Reasonover (NCIS), Bryan Callen (Schooled), Will Sasso (The Three Stooges), Sara Rue (American Housewife), Chris D'Elia (Undateable) and Dylan Silver (You Wish You Lived Here). Marshall Cook and Paul Alan Cope's script does not neglect any of the roles and gives each of the actors the opportunity to bring their characters to life with special affection.

Film Fest not only succeeds in being a satire of those many unknown festivals that try to exist and gain importance despite having no major sponsors or real support from the film world. We will particularly appreciate the presence of Rachael Leigh Cook who really seems to wonder what she is doing in such an unknown festival and we can only go in that direction as well... The script of Film Fest is also meant to be a satire of the film world in which some people have oversized egos and are in danger of disappearing from the screens as quickly as they have been there. This film discovered during the Austin Film Festival is simply the best comedy discovered during this festival and reminds us with nostalgia of our own festival coverage, whether in Los Angeles or in France. We can't wait to get back to normal life and to the moments that will remain forever engraved in our international festivals, interviews and many encounters.

Film Fest
Directed by Marshall Cook
Produced by Marshall Cook, Tyler A. Hawes
Written by Marshall Cook, Paul Alan Cope
Starring Matt Cook, Diona Reasonover, Will Sasso, Ellen Wong, CJ Vana, Laird Macintosh, Jason Genao, Allison Dunbar, Dana Powell, Marshall Cook, Sara Rue, Brendan Schaub, Rachael Leigh Cook, Patty Guggenheim, Greg Worswick , H Michael Croner, Dylan Silver
Cinematography: Edwin Pendleton Stevens
Edited by John David Buxton
Running time: 93 minutes

Seen on October 26, 2020 (online access Austin Film Festival)

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