My name is Truman Kewley, and in 2023 I wrote and directed my first feature film, Beautiful Friend. As a first-time filmmaker with little knowledge of the festival circuit, I began submitting to festivals randomly through FilmFreeway. After watching my unique and disturbing film, someone close to me recommended I submit to Oldenburg, saying, “It’s a well-respected festival that might just be crazy enough to program your film.”
I took this advice and submitted and, to my surprise, I quickly received an email from Torsten Neumann, the mastermind behind Oldenburg. He deeply understood what I had created, comparing my film to several I had never heard of, but ultimately, he graciously invited Beautiful Friend to screen as part of the 2023 Oldenburg Film Festival.
After a journey filled with flight delays, cancellations, and a long train ride, I finally arrived in Oldenburg—minus my luggage, which the airline had lost. Fortunately, my carry-on was packed exclusively with swag and promotional materials, so I could at least hand out my promo hats… All I had to wear was what I had on, but the festival greeted me with style. A Porsche and personal driver whisked me from the train station to my complimentary hotel room, where I had just an hour to prepare for the red carpet.
From there, I was dropped off at a glamorous red carpet event with a photographer count that could rival the Oscars. Nervous but filled with gratitude, I embarked on a five-day rollercoaster of screenings, secret parties, after-hours events, and endless networking. It was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences of my life.
Torsten, Debra, and the entire Oldenburg staff made me feel truly valued as a filmmaker, praising my work and encouraging my pursuit of unique storytelling. Now, having attended several other festivals around the world with Beautiful Friend, it’s clear that the Oldenburg International Film Festival is unmatched. The care and consideration that Oldenburg shows for filmmakers feel like a collective celebration, putting art and creators first—unlike many other festivals that prioritize celebrities, budgets, and big names over the actual films.
The friends I made at Oldenburg have become like family, and no other festival has come close to the genuine belief and support I felt there. Several Oldenburg programmers, like Buddy Giovinazzo and Doug Buck, continue to champion my film to other festivals, publications, and distributors. As a first-time filmmaker, I am eternally grateful for the knowledge I’ve absorbed from them.
Beautiful Friend is getting a limited theatrical release in the U.S. this October, and I’ve just wrapped production on my sophomore feature, They Were Asking For It. My strategy as an artist moving forward has been directly or indirectly influenced by my experience at the Oldenburg International Film Festival and the amazing people I’ve met through this weird, unique, and incredible event.
If you have the opportunity to attend Oldenburg, don’t hesitate. It’s a damn good time with damn good people who love true cinema and aren’t afraid to appreciate films that other festivals shy away from to protect their “image or brand.” If you’re attending this year’s Oldenburg Film Festival, I’ll see you there alongside some amazing filmmakers for an anthology film for the psychedelic punk band, Pornographie Exclusive.
