The Feel Good Film Festival (FGFF), also known as the Sunflower Film Festival, was held annually in

Hollywood, California Hollywood is a neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. Its name has come to be a shorthand reference for the U.S. film industry and the people associated with it. Many notable film studios, such as Columbia Pictures, ...

from 2008 to 2012. The Festival was the largest of its kind showcasing American, international, independent, and family-friendly films from all around the world that leave the audience feeling good. The FGFF was a three-day annual event held in August showcasing 60–70 feel-good feature films, short films, screenplays, and student films.

History

Mission

Kristen Flores Kristen Ridgway Flores is Founder and CEO of The Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood, California and an American actress, set designer, production designer, and film producer. Early life Ms. Flores received her early theatre and acting training ...

, FGFF Founder and Festival Director, established the Feel Good Film Festival. The Feel Good Film Festival began in Hollywood August 22–24, 2008, with the goal of showcasing upbeat, happy ending films. It isn't necessarily difficult to find feel-good films to screen. "They've been looking for an outlet," according to the Festival's creator, Kristen Flores. The mission of the festival is "a film viewing experience for the entire family that encourages the development, production, and distribution of short or feature length films with positive themes, happy endings, that make audiences laugh, and that capture the beauty of our world. The FGFF focuses on drawing attention to filmmakers and films that have a similar message and mission. The traditional "red carpet" gives way to a glowing sunburst carpet in keeping with the "Feel Good" theme of sunflowers that, by the way, always face the sun's rays. Certainly, with the sunburst carpet, the festivities and the films, one cannot help going away feeling kissed by the sun.

Notability

The Festival had signature "yellow" carpet entrances and international screenings. In addition, The FGFF has presented generous award packages totaling over $100,000 worth of prizes from such sponsors as

Panavision Panavision is an American motion picture equipment company founded in 1953 specializing in cameras and lenses, based in Woodland Hills, California. Formed by Robert Gottschalk as a small partnership to create anamorphic projection lenses during ...

, Hollywood Rentals, Final Draft, Showbiz Software,

New York Film Academy New York Film Academy – School of Film and Acting (NYFA) is a private for-profit film school and acting school based in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami. The New York Film Academy was founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, a former film, t ...

, Film Independent, InkTip.com, Tuff Cut Sound and MEHRNOOSH.Those awards go to the Feel Good Film Festival's Best Feel Good Feature Film, Best Feel Good Short Film, and Best Feel Good Student Film. In addition, there are Audience Awards for Best Feel Good Feature Film and Best Feel Good Short Film. Additional awards are presented to the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Ensemble and Best Director".

Celebrities honored

The FGFF has honored numerous celebrities, including funnyman

Jonathan Winters Jonathan Harshman Winters III (November 11, 1925 – April 11, 2013) was an American comedian, actor, author, television host, and artist. Beginning in 1960, Winters recorded many classic comedy albums for the Verve Records label. He also h ...

(''Certifiably Jonathan''),

Judd Apatow Judd Apatow (; born December 6, 1967) is an American comedian, director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his work in comedy and drama films. He is the founder of Apatow Productions, through which he produced and directed the films '' ...

(''American Storage''),

Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology), ...

-winning musical star

Shirley Jones Shirley Mae Jones (born March 31, 1934) is an American actress and singer. In her six decades in show business, she has starred as wholesome characters in a number of musical films, such as ''Oklahoma!'' (1955), ''Carousel'' (1956), and ''The M ...

(''

Elmer Gantry ''Elmer Gantry'' is a satirical novel written by Sinclair Lewis in 1926 that presents aspects of the religious activity of America in fundamentalist and evangelistic circles and the attitudes of the 1920s public toward it. The novel's protagonis ...

'', ''

Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...

''),

Cheryl Hines Cheryl Ruth Hines (born September 21, 1965) is an American actress and director, best known for playing the role of Larry David's wife, Cheryl, on HBO's ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'', for which she has been nominated for two Emmy Awards. She also sta ...

(''

Curb Your Enthusiasm ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' is an American television sitcom produced and broadcast by HBO since October 15, 2000, and created by Larry David, who stars as a semi-fictionalized version of himself. It follows David's life as a semi-retired televisio ...

''), Joe Ballarini (''Father vs. Son''),

Hal Sparks Hal Harry Magee Sparks III (born September 25, 1969) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, musician, political commentator, television and radio host and television personality. He made contributions to VH1, hosting E!'s ''Talk Soup'', and ...

('' Queer as Folk''),

Rainn Wilson Rainn Percival Dietrich Wilson (born January 20, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, podcaster, producer, and writer. He is best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on the NBC sitcom ''The Office'', for which he earned three consecutive Emm ...

(''

The Office ''The Office'' is a mockumentary sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, first made in the United Kingdom, then Germany, and subsequently the United States. It has since been remade in ten other countries. The original series of ...

''),

Carlos Mencia Ned Arnel "Carlos" Mencía (born October 22, 1967) is a Honduran-American comedian, writer, and actor. His style of comedy is often political and involves issues of race relations, Latin American culture, criminal justice, and social class. He i ...

(

Comedy Central Comedy Central is an American basic cable channel owned by Paramount Global through its network division's MTV Entertainment Group unit, based in Manhattan. The channel is geared towards young adults aged 18–34 and carries comedy programming ...

),. Other stars dotting the FGFF schedule include

James Darren James William Ercolani (born June 8, 1936) known by his stage name James Darren, is an American television and film actor, television director, and singer. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, he had notable starring and supporting roles in fi ...

Sally Field Sally Margaret Field (born November 6, 1946) is an American actress. She has received many awards and nominations, including two Academy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Cannes Film F ...

Jorja Fox Jorja-An Fox ( ) is an American actress and producer. She first came to prominence with a recurring role in the NBC medical drama '' ER'' as Dr. Maggie Doyle from 1996 to 1999. This was followed by another critical success in the recurring ro ...

Gregory Harrison Gregory Neale Harrison (born May 31, 1950) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Chandler in the 1987 film ''North Shore (1987 film), North Shore'', as Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates, the young surgeon assistant of Dr. Trapper John ...

Cliff Robertson Clifford Parker Robertson III (September 9, 1923 – September 10, 2011) was an American actor whose career in film and television spanned over six decades. Robertson portrayed a young John F. Kennedy in the 1963 film '' PT 109'', and won the 196 ...

(''Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story''),

Greta Gerwig Greta Celeste Gerwig (; born August 4, 1983) is an American actress, screenwriter, and director. She first garnered attention after working on and appearing in several mumblecore films. Between 2006 and 2009, she appeared in a number of films b ...

Iggy Pop James Newell Osterberg Jr. (born April 21, 1947), known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, musician, songwriter and actor. Called the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Godfather of Punk", he was the vocalist and lyricist of ...

(''Art House''),

Daniel Baldwin Daniel Leroy Baldwin (born October 5, 1960) is an American actor. He is the second oldest of the four Baldwin brothers, all of whom are actors. Baldwin played the role of Detective Beau Felton in the NBC TV series '' Homicide: Life on the Stree ...

Orson Bean Orson Bean (born Dallas Frederick Burrows; July 22, 1928 – February 7, 2020) was an American film, television, and stage actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He was a game show and talk show host and a "mainstay of Los Angeles’ small ...

Willie Garson William Garson Paszamant (February 20, 1964September 21, 2021) was an American actor. He appeared in over 75 films and more than 300 TV episodes. He was known for playing Stanford Blatch on the HBO series ''Sex and the City'', in the related fi ...

Clint Howard Clinton Engle Howard (born April 20, 1959) is an American actor. He is the second son born to American actors Rance and Jean Howard, and younger brother of actor and director Ron Howard. His 200-plus acting credits include feature films such as ...

Craig Sheffer Craig Eric Sheffer (born April 23, 1960) is an American film and television actor. He is known for his leading roles as Norman Maclean in the film '' A River Runs Through It, ''Aaron Boone in the film ''Nightbreed'', Joe Kane in the film '' The ...

(''Ashley's Ashes''), Margot Farley,

Mitzi Kapture Mitzi Kapture (born Mitzi Gaynor Donahue; May 2, 1962) is an American actress, known for her role as Sgt. Rita Lee Lance in the CBS/USA Network crime drama series ''Silk Stalkings'' from 1991 to 1995. Life and career Kapture was born in Yorba Li ...

John Saxon John Saxon (born Carmine Orrico; August 5, 1936 – July 25, 2020) was an American actor who worked on more than 200 film and television projects during a span of 60 years. He was known for his work in Western (genre), Westerns and horror film ...

Tim Thomerson Joseph Timothy "Tim" Thomerson (born April 8, 1946) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Jack Deth in the ''Trancers'' film series and for his work in numerous low-budget features and for his comedic television r ...

('' God's Ears''),

Anne Hathaway Anne Jacqueline Hathaway (born November 12, 1982) is an American actress. The recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Anne Hathaway, various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Awar ...

Leeza Gibbons Leeza Kim Gibbons (born March 26, 1957) is an American talk show host. She is best known as a correspondent and co-host for ''Entertainment Tonight'' (1984–2000) as well as for having her own syndicated daytime talk show, ''Leeza'' (1993–20 ...

(''10 Mountains 10 Years''),

Beth Grant Beth Grant (born September 18, 1949) is an American character actress. Between 2012 and 2017, she was a series regular on the television comedy ''The Mindy Project'' in the role of Beverly Janoszewski. She is also known for her role as Gracie L ...

(''Herpes Boy''),

James Hong James Hong (; born February 22, 1929) is an American actor, producer and director. He has worked in numerous productions in American media since the 1950s, portraying a variety of roles. With more than 650 film and television credits as of 20 ...

Jenna Jameson Jenna Marie Massoli (born April 9, 1974), known professionally as Jenna Jameson (), is an American model, former pornographic film actress, businesswoman, and television personality. She has been named the world's most famous adult entertainme ...

Ken Jeong Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong (, ; born July 13, 1969) is an American actor, stand-up comedian, producer, writer and licensed physician. He rose to prominence for playing Leslie Chow in ''The Hangover'' film series (2009–2013) and Ben Chang in the ...

, Josh Meyers,

Krysten Ritter Krysten Alyce Ritter (born December 16, 1981) is an American actress and model. She came to prominence when she appeared as Jane Margolis in the AMC drama series '' Breaking Bad'' (2009–2010) and its spinoff film '' El Camino'' (2019). She the ...

Ian Somerhalder Ian Joseph Somerhalder (born December 8, 1978) is an American actor. He is known for playing Boone Carlyle in the TV drama ''Lost'', Damon Salvatore in The CW's supernatural drama ''The Vampire Diaries'', and Dr. Luther Swann in Netflix's sci ...

(''

How to Make Love to a Woman ''How to Make Love to a Woman'' is a 2010 American sex comedy film directed by Scott Culver and written by Dennis Kao, both making their respective debuts, starring Josh Meyers (actor), Josh Meyers, Krysten Ritter, Eugene Byrd, James Hong, and I ...

''),

Tim Allen Timothy Alan Dick (born June 13, 1953), known professionally as Tim Allen, is an American actor and comedian. He is known for playing Tim "The Toolman" Taylor on the ABC sitcom ''Home Improvement'' (1991–1999) and Mike Baxter on the ABC/Fo ...

Louis C.K. Louis Alfred Székely (; born September 12, 1967), known professionally as Louis C.K. (), is an American stand-up comedian, screenwriter, actor, and filmmaker. C.K. won three Peabody Awards, three Grammy Awards, six Primetime Emmy Awards, and a ...

Tommy Davidson Thomas Davidson (born November 10, 1963) is an American comedian and actor. He was an original cast member on the sketch comedy TV show ''In Living Color'', Mitchell on ''Between Brothers'' (1997-1999), Dexter on ''Malcolm & Eddie'' (1999-2000) ...

Dana Gould Dana Gould (born August 24, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer and voice artist who has been featured on HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central. He voiced Hi Larious in the TV series ''Father of the Pride'' (2004–2005) and the tit ...

Kathy Griffin Kathleen Mary Griffin (born November 4, 1960) is an American comedian and actress who has starred in television comedy specials and has released comedy albums. In 2007 and 2008, Griffin won Primetime Emmy Awards for her reality show '' Kathy ...

Sarah Silverman Sarah Kate Silverman (born December 1, 1970) is an American comedian, actress, and writer. Silverman was a writer and performer on ''Saturday Night Live'', and she starred in and produced ''The Sarah Silverman Program'', which ran from 2007 to ...

(''

I Am Comic ''I Am Comic'' is a 2010 documentary about the stand-up comedy world directed by Jordan Brady. Overview Directed by former stand-up comic Jordan Brady and starring and narrated by ex-comedian turned comedy writer Ritch Shydner, the film explores t ...

'') and

Elaine Hendrix Katherine Elaine Hendrix (born December 28, 1970) is an American actress. She is known for her roles in ''Superstar'', ''Romy and Michele's High School Reunion'', the 1995 ''Get Smart'' series, the 1998 remake of '' The Parent Trap'', ''Dynasty' ...

(''The Cloggers''). Also included in the celebrity lineup are

Valente Rodriguez Valente Rodriguez (born February 14, 1964) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Ernie Cardenas on the sitcom ''George Lopez''. He also starred as Cesar in the TV Land sitcom ''Happily Divorced'', as well as guest starring on ' ...

(''

Happily Divorced ''Happily Divorced'' is an American sitcom created by Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson. Inspired by their own experiences as a formerly married couple, the series, which became TV Land's third original scripted series following ''Hot in Clev ...

'' and

Rizwan Manji Rizwan Manji (born October 17, 1974) is a Canadian actor. He is known best for his portrayals of Ray Butani on ''Schitt's Creek'', Tick Pickwick on '' The Magicians'', Rajiv Gidwani in the NBC Universal TV series '' Outsourced'', and Jamil in th ...

('' Outsourced'').

Reception

The Feel Good Film Festival has been recognized as a "most favorite Los Angeles Film Festival". The positive theme and energy of the FGFF and its many high-quality films stands out amongst the sea of Los Angeles film festivals. Also writer, director, and actor Michael Worth ("God's Ears"; "Jabberwock"; "CSI NY"; "Desperate Housewives") praises the FGFF as it makes filmmakers dig deeper for more substance over style. Chris Getman created the Festival's website. Founding FGFF Board members include

, Alan Noel Vega, Natalie Chaidez, Chandler Poling, Sarah "Quigs" Quigley, and

America Young America Young (born December 6, 1984) is an American actress, director, writer, stunt performer and producer from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has been the voice of Barbie since 2018, having previously voiced her in the ''Barbie Vlogger'' web series. ...

; 2011–2012 FGFF Board members include

, Alan Noel Vega, Natalie Chaidez, Dominic Flores, John Wildman, Jenna Charles, Mr. Lawrence, Kelly Koskella, and Richard Kraft.Adam Shell
"Finding Kraftland"
"Richard Kraft Productions", 2008

Awards

2012

*Best Feel Good Feature Film: "Red Dog", directed by Kriv Stenders and produced by

Nelson Woss Nelson Woss (born in Perth, Western Australia) is an Australian film producer who made the feature films '' Red Dog'' and ''Ned Kelly''. Career After graduating from Christ Church Grammar School, Nelson Woss attended the University of Western ...

*Best Feel Good Short Film: "The First 70", directed by Jarratt Moody *Best Feel Good Original Screenplay: "Getting the Business", written by Haik Hakobian *Best Feel Good Student Film: "Chalk Talk", directed by Christopher Durenberger *Best Director: Kriv Stenders,"Red Dog" *Best Actor: Fabian Kruger, "Der Sandmann" *Best Actress: Carmen Sanchez, "La Ultima Isla" *Audience Award Feel Good Feature: "Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey", directed by Wendy JN Lee *Audience Award Feel Good Short: "C'est Magique", directed by Nayda Lebron, produced by Tony Chiu, Fabienne Maurer and Nayda Lebron, writer Fabienne Maurer

2011

*Best Feel Good Feature Film: "The Italian Key", written and directed by Rosa Karo, producer-composer

Tuomas Kantelinen Tuomas Kantelinen (born 22 September 1969 in Kankaanpää) is a Finnish composer. He studied composition at the Sibelius Academy with Eero Hämeenniemi. He is best known for his scores for films such as ''Rukajärven tie'', '' Äideistä parhain'', ...

*Best Feel Good Short Film: "Sudden Death", written and directed by Adam Hall, produced by Melanie Hall *Best Feel Good Directed Film Over 60 Minutes: Valerie Weiss, "

Losing Control ''Losing Control'' is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Valerie Weiss about a female scientist who wants proof that her boyfriend is "the one." ''Losing Control'' was released theatrically on March 23, 2012 in ...

" *Best Feel Good Directed Film Under 60 Minutes: Mark Playne, "

Love at First Sight Love at first sight is a personal experience as well as a common trope in literature: a person or character feels an instant, extreme, and ultimately long-lasting romantic attraction for a stranger upon first seeing that stranger. Described by p ...

" *Best Feel Good Original Screenplay: "Drosselbart", written by Effie Bathen *Best Feel Good Student Film: "Extraordinary Fight of Atticus Walker and the Monster in his Head", written and directed by Michael Karman *Best Actor in a Feel Good Film: Bjorn Johnson, "Part Time Fabulous" *Best Actress in a Feel Good Film: Jules Bruff, "Part Time Fabulous" *Best Ensemble Acting in a Feel Good Film: "Sweet Little Lies", directed and produced by William Saunders *Audience Award Feel Good Feature: "In the Key of Eli", directed by Phillip Scarpaci, produced by Pattie Kelly *Audience Award Feel Good Short: "Aphasia"', written/directed/produced by Jim Gloster, executive producer Donna Scott

2010

*Best Feel Good Feature Film: "God's Ears", directed by

Michael Worth Michael Troy Worth (born January 13, 1965) is an American actor, martial artist, screenwriter, and director. Early life Born in Philadelphia in 1965, Worth is from German and Delaware Indian Native American heritage. As a child, he grew up near th ...

*Best Feel Good Short Film: "Butterfly Circus", directed by Joshua Weigel *Audience Award Feel Good Feature: "10 Mountains 10 Years", directed by Jennifer Yee *Audience Award Feel Good Short: "Maryanne Goes to the Market", directed by Ethan Cushing *Best Feel Good Student Film: "Chinese Antique", directed by Ryo Shiina, Bassem Wahbi *Best Feel Good Student Film Runner Up: "Flying for Mice", directed by Dana Jones, Joel Reaves *Best Feel Good Director: Brent Florence for "Eagles in the Chickencoop", directed by Brent Florence *Best Feel Good Actor: Byron Lane for "Herpes Boy" *Best Feel Good Actress: Ahna O'Reilly for "Herpes Boy" *Best Feel Good Ensemble: "Herpes Boy" *Best Feel Good Screenplay Award: "Shinola"; Writer: Martin Garner *Feel Good Original Song Award: "Wakiyaku Monogatari (Cast Me if You Can)", Composer: Jessica De Rooij

2009

*Best Feel Good Feature Film: "Dance of the Dragon", directed by John Raadel, produced by Clavin Tan *Best Feel Good Short Film: "Lucy: A Period Piece", directed by Julie Sagalowsky *Audience Award Feel Good Feature: "Rock Slyde", directed by Chris Dowling *Audience Award Feel Good Short: "Grande Drip", directed by Angelo Salvatore Restaino *Best Feel Good Student Film: "Happy Man's Pants", directed by Kunal Saykur *Best Feel Good Webisode: "Pink Eye", directed by Brinton Bryan *Best Feel Good Director: Jacob Medjuck for "Summerhood" *Best Feel Good Actor: Anthony Natale for "Universal Signs" *Best Feel Good Actress: Sabrina Loyde for "Universal Signs" *Best Feel Good Cinematography (Panther Award): John Radel for "Dance of the Dragon" *Best Feel Good Production Design: Ewan Dickson for "Summerhood" *Best Feel Good Screenplay Award: "Godspeed", Writers: Travis Mann, David White & Michael Toay *Feel Good Original Song Award: "Step on the Moon" by Skyebat (Music by Peter Calandra, Lyrics by Stephanie Batailler)

2008

*Best Feel Good Film: "Certifiably Jonathan", directed by Jim Pasternak *Best Feel Good Short Film: "Mira", directed by Michael Berry *Best Feel Good Cinematography: Jim Orr for "The Flyboys" *Audience Award for Feel Good Feature: "The Rainbow Tribe", directed by Christopher Watson *Audience Award for Feel Good Short: "Mira", directed by Michael Berry *Best Feel Good Student Film (20-21 Year Old Division): "First Bass", directed by Philip Hodges, written and produced by

Jonah Ansell Jonah or Jonas, ''Yōnā'', "dove"; gr, Ἰωνᾶς ''Iōnâs''; ar, يونس ' or '; Latin: ''Ionas'' son of Amittai, is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran, from Gath-hepher of the northern kingdom of Israel in about the 8th cent ...

*Best Feel Good Student Film (19 Year Old and Under Division): "The Last Cherry", directed by Lisa Kowalski *Best Feel Good Screenplay Award: "Hear, Boy!", Writer: Noah Edelson *Feel Good Original Song Award: "Falling from Mars", music & lyrics: Alyssa Campbell

References

External links

* The Official website *''Wall Street Journal'', Marshall Heyman
"Festival Seeks Happy Endings"
, Aug. 12, 2011. {{DEFAULTSORT:Feel Good Film Festival Film festivals in Los Angeles Film festivals established in 2008 2008 establishments in California