Press

We had an absolute blast attending this exciting & diverse inaugural festival.

We had an absolute blast attending this exciting & diverse inaugural festival. With an inspiring line up of 50/50 split of female directors / female-driven films, Hammad & Johnathan are truly standing for inclusivity in the film industry. Our film came up beautifully on this historic screen. I’m looking forward to seeing how this festival grows over the coming years.

Miri Stone, Director of “Light Me Up.”

Top-notch new festival

A top-notch new festival created by two guys who really care about presenting quality films and the filmmakers who make them. Communication was excellent throughout, and Boston’s Regent Theatre is a superb venue. So pleased we could screen ‘In Everyone’s Eyes – El último!’ here.

Lloyd Frost Director, “In Everyone’s Eyes.”

I felt nurtured and appreciated every step of the way.

Although unable to attend this festival, I was very honoured to have been selected to screen my film here and felt very nurtured and appreciated at every step of the way by Hammad and his team. I love the festival’s mission to be diverse, inclusive and accessible. As a young filmmaker just starting out, the festival circuit can be brutal. This one felt like a warm homecoming. I’m just so happy to know that there are people like Hammad and Jonathan who deeply care about the journey of the indie filmmaker and look forward to the possibility of screening here again one day. So much gratitude – thank you!!

Kasha Sequoia Slavner, Director “The Sunrise Storyteller.”

Outstanding International Entries

This was a beautifully curated festival. I was so proud to be selected along with an another Australian Rachelle Mare’s Paper Boats She and her partner is consummate artists and the winning feature My Amish World was an exhilarating drama drawn from real life. 50% of selected filmmakers were women and the section from Boston filmmakers was also a show of unbridled creativity. There were some outstanding international entries. I didn’t win but I couldn’t be prouder to be premiered alongside these wonderful filmmakers.

Roshan Hill, Director, “This is or Us.”

Beautiful Atmosphere

What a beautifully curated festival! I was very impressed by the other films, and Hammad and Jonathan were wonderful hosts. The atmosphere of the festival is very supportive and nurturing and focused on building community. The theater is beautiful, and I can’t wait to attend next year.

Rachel Grissom, Writer & Producer, “Ripe Figs.”

Awesome Festival!

Awesome Festival – my screenplay was selected as a finalist. Hammad and the team really provide a very personal and tailored approach. Their advice and knowledge on marketing scripts and next steps for writers are invaluable.

Jaspal Kunner, Writer, “Eye for Eye.”

Major Gem for Filmmakers!

Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival is a filmmaker’s dream come true for filmmakers! It’s hard work to complete a film, but it’s even harder to get your film marketed and seen by a larger distributor. Hammad and his business partner Jonathan help filmmakers get their content in front of world cinema and television buyers. Lonely Seal Releasing, has a booth at the Cannes Film Market for over 15 years. Our film won “Best Picture” and audience choice award. We’ve been invited to go to Cannes!! The overall experience was AMAZING!! This is a festival is filled with so much heart and support. This festival is a huge advocate for filmmakers. I cannot recommend this festival enough!! Truly a MAJOR GEM for filmmakers.

Kasha Fauscett, “My Amish World.”

Incredible Experience!

What an incredible experience I had at the Lonely Seal Film Fest! From start to finish it was nothing but pure joy and fun filled with wonderful people. Hope to attend the festival next year!

Noah Pitifer, Director, “Three Courses.”

Great group to work with!

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with such an incredible festival. Lonely Seal was very informative and such a great group to work with. I would definitely recommend this festival to all filmmakers!

Mia Simmons, Director, “I, Object.”

Honor to be Selected!

I wish I could attend Boston to be a part of the first edition of the festival as an Iranian filmmaker. However, my fully independent short film was selected by Hammad to be screened in competition. Also in his review, he suggested te turn my short film to a feature film. It could be the praise for a short film!!! I hope such independent films could screen in other festivals in the US.

Zardosht Afshari, Director, “Burning Smell of Stone.”

Loved the wide variety of films!

I loved that this festival had such a wide variety of films. Hammad and Jonathan are genuine in their love of filmmaking and helping filmmakers.

Becky Paige, Director, “The Stand: How One Gesture Shook the world.”

Lovely to work with!

I am very thankful to be a part of this film festival especially the first year of it. I loved the diversity throughout the films from all over the world. Hammad, the festival director, is very organized and lovely to work with. Can’t wait for next year!

Bridget Johnson, Director, “The Girl at the Library.”

Really Beautiful Festival with Enlightened Curatorship

Hammad and Jonathan have started a really beautiful festival with an enlightened curatorship. I am honored to have taken part and would encourage others to do the same.

Dina Rudick, Emmy-Award-Winning documentarian, Director, “The Race.”

Loved the programming of this new, enthusiastic festival!

Absolutely loved screening my film Mrs. Murphy’s Confession with these other filmmakers. Such an honor! Loved the programming for this new, enthusiastic festival.

Catherine Haun, Producer & Writer, “Mrs. Murphy’s Confession.”

A professional, positive, emerging festival worth the application.

The Lonely Seal International Film Screenplay and Music Festival accepted my short A MEDITATION to play their inaugural event. For the first acceptance, communication with the festival was clear, professional and timely. The head of the festival Hammad Zaidi himself reached out and sent instruction a number of times. I was unable to attend the festival but was there in spirit and followed Facebook postings. Following the festival, I received an email thanking me for participating and with a software offer. All in all a professional, positive, emerging festival worth the application.

Joe Petricca, Director, “A Meditation.”

We had a great Q&A after our film.

We are glad we attended the Lonely Seal International Film and Screenplay Festival and screen our film “Starlit” there. Before the screening were we able to talk to other interesting filmmakers and I was able to talk to the organizer Hammad Zaidi about distribution. Then we saw two really good short films. After our screening, we had a very nice Q&A with the audience where we exchanged ideas.

Kerry Borchardt, “Producer, “Starlit.”

Words cannot describe my incredible experience!

Words can not describe how enjoyable this festival was to both screen at and attend. First off, it took place in the historic Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA – the most beautiful of theaters in the most quaint little area with so much to do. The films selected were beyond impressive with a wide range of both documentaries and short/feature films. I was honored the festival directors, Hammad and Jonathan selected my film to be screened among such incredible award-winning pieces. This film festival is what all festivals need to strive for – the community, support, and resources Lonely Seal provided reminded why I got into filmmaking and why visual storytelling is so enriching. Thank you thank you thank you!

Ian Stack, Director, “Close to Home.”

Will Surely Submit Again!

Good Communication. Thanks for selecting our short film Kainaatu (Uneducated). Will surely submit my works in next edition also.

Harish Gokul, Director, “Kianaatu.”

Great Selection of Films!

Hammad was very personal and a great selection of films. Thanks so much for including my film and screenplay!

Mary C. Ferrara, Director, “Schmoopie.”

Really cares about Filmmakers

Hammad, the Founder, and Director of Lonely Seal International Film Festival have a very good communication with the cineastes, He really cares about filmmakers, and I thanks a lot for he works hard and kind. I am honored, and grateful to Lonely Seal chose my film Home of Mephibosheth for showcase in the Regent Theatre, a 100+-year-old cinema house. I am looking forward to coming back with my new movie for this GREAT film festival!!!

Li Guang, “Director, “Home of Mephibosheth.”

Great People

Really enjoyed being a part of the festival! Great communication and people. Looking forward to another shot next year.

Chason Liang, Director, “Breakers: Saving Harper Ross.”

My first trip to the USA was for this festival.

Many thanks to the organizers! This Festival has been one of the most enjoyable experiences for my film and myself. The organizers gave us a warm, supportive welcome. The best of all: the Main Awards are convert to real support and distribution helps! I would recommend entering your film here!

Michel Finazzi, Director, “Central Bloc.”

Awesome Prizes!

What an amazing festival with great people and awesome prizes!

Najla Zaidi, Director, “The Christmas Tree.”

Waikiki PD endorses this festival!

The festival prize package is worth the price of admission. Plus, it is run by a great team of people. Check it out!

Jeffrey Orig, Director, “Waikiki PD.”

Helpful arts organization

Lonely Seal was very proactive in communicating with us, and that really stood out. An organized, helpful arts organization with goals I appreciate.

Greg Bowen, Director, “Kids Table, What Happened to Alicia?”

Although I couldn’t attend this year’s festival, I felt like I was a part of the event ahead of time

Although I couldn’t attend this year’s festival, I felt like I was a part of the event ahead of time. Hammad is a very humble and simple man, despite his busy schedule he cared to contact me personally to show appreciation for my work. I would start preparing a trip for next year’s festival from today!

Anne Abdalla, “Fhedi.”

This was a wonderful festival experience and a very warm atmosphere.

This was a wonderful Festival experience and a very warm atmosphere. The Lonely Seal team made me feel very welcome. It was an honor to be there as a filmmaker from Zimbabwe, and meet so many amazing filmmakers from all over the world! I look forward to attending next year!!

Tatenda Mbudzi, Director, “Zim High”

We traveled from Sydney to attend this inaugural event.

It was an absolute pleasure to be involved in The Lonely Seal. We traveled from Sydney to Boston to attend this inaugural event. Hammad, the festival director, was extremely communicative before, during and after the event. The filmmaker strategy advice offered by Hammad was invaluable. We feel that we have been taken into the fold and that our journey as filmmakers will be nurtured and supported into the future. It will be interesting to see how this poignant and touching festival, with its values of giving voice to the disenfranchised and supporting the underdog, will develop.

Rachele Windmare, Director, “The Paper Boat.”

This is a beautiful film festival.

This is a beautiful film festival. From the very beginning, the communication was great and personal, you never felt like just another number. Hammad understands how to run a film festival, and more importantly, really cares about the films he programs and the filmmakers behind them. I was unable to attend the festival, but Lonely Seal was great about updating their FB page, so even though I was unable to be there, I still felt like I was a part of the festivities. It’s hard to believe that this was their first year because everything ran so smoothly. I plan on submitting all of my future projects to them, I recommend everyone submit to this festival, you won’t regret it!

Taryn Hough, “The Last Doll Lady.”

Worth it!

This is a great festival! Worth it.

Tony Mouleart, Director, “The Newcomer.”

Thank You for Helping Young Filmmakers!

Dear Lonely Seal Film Festival,

Thank you for helping young filmmakers to succeed and see their work.
I am very happy to have played my film and share it, at this great festival.
Be part of your amazing festival is an honor to me.

Hamze Zarei, Director, “Song of Hands.”

Awesome Feedback and Inspiration

Awesome feedback and inspiration. Great communication and encouragement for writers and filmmakers.

Ernie Charles, Director, “I Think I Need a Drink.”

The best part of this fest is the connections.

The best part about this fest is the connections you make, especially with Hammad, the festival director. Hammad is a very wise filmmaker himself, with many years of experience; and plenty of advice to give. He was so kind in sharing his wisdom throughout the fest. He and the rest of the festival team are all so nice and very easy to communicate with. I had a blast at this little fest, and I am very excited to see how it grows in the future.

Jacob Padilla, Director, “The Being Who Fell From the Stars.”

An Amazing Film Festival!

Producer, Hammad Zaidi, and his team know the film industry first hand and have organized an amazing film festival with quality screening facilities, top-notch panels and discussions, and fun receptions/parties. I highly recommend this festival!

Lorette Bayle, Director of “The Bake Shop Ghost,” and “Scarlett-Angelina.”

Press Links

Film Daily, Wednesday, September 18, 2018

Boston Globe, Friday, September 27, 2018

Creative Loop, (Zimbabwe) Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Blue Mountains Gazette, (Australia) Thursday, October 18, 2018

2018 Screenplay Selections

FilmFreeway Five-Star Reviews