AOF 2016
Matt Degennaro and me
Dear Daniel Craig,
I have several festivals that I love. But one in particular reigns supreme in my heart. And that's AOF Megafest.
In 2016 they accepted all of mine and Missy's work. 5 scripts, a little documentary, and a music video. There are festivals then there are festivals. Most people know the top tier festivals like Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, and SXSW. But AOF flies under the radar and is by far the biggest festival I attend on a yearly basis.
Upon arrival in 2016 I met the Munro's. Anabelle and Huntley. A husband and wife duo we rode up the elevator together with their baby in a carriage. Anabelle was the sweetest, most kind hearted, and genuine person, she immediately made me feel like a REAL creative.
The second person I met was Harold L. Brown an AMAZING writer and facilitator in many ways. Whether it's a kind word, or praise for your work he makes feel like you matter and that anything is really possible.
The man in the above photo, Matt Degennaro, I met when a tripped and went sprawling to the ground at my first AOF. He and his wife Nancy were generous with their time, their hearts, and their wisdom. They helped me to not feel so self conscious about landing flat on my safe.
Of there's Del Weston and his wife Theresa who run AOF Megafest. They embrace every filmmaker and when they're behind you, you pick up the pieces and put yourself back together. They're half the reason why Letters to Daniel got made. By inviting me to their film festival I was able to connect with a higher caliber of filmmaker who were willing to work with me.
In the AOF Class of 2016 I met Mark Maness director, cinematographer, and editor with 34 years experience in the industry and Clint Gaige also a director, cinematographer, and editor with 30 years of experience in the industry.
They allowed me to learn from them from 2016-2018. I worked with Clint going from colorist to alternate edit. Then in 2019 I hired Mark to DP Letters to Daniel and Clint to edit it.
I found my composer/sound editor at Indie Gathering. I had a stellar cast & crew from Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Arkansas, & Tennessee.
With out stand actresses in the leads, and an actor who is Ohio's best kept secret rounding out the core cast Indie Gathering also helped staff my cast and crew.
But with Clint and Valyo on the post production team and Mark working magic photographing Letters to Daniel we were all able to create something really special.
Letters to Daniel is only as good as it is because of the connections AOF afforded me to cultivate and collaborate with.
That is why I'm proud to screen at AOF in such a splashy way and it is also why AOF will always be home.
Sincerely,
Amy McCorkle
