Here are some of the letters sent from enthusiastic Moondancers.
Their comments are inspiring and we hope you enjoy them.

Feel free to add your thoughts or comments by sending an email with MOONDANCE in the subject line to:

After receiving the wonderful tribute and award you presented me at The Camden House, I left the next morning on a film and just returned home last Sunday. The award, by the way, now sits on a very special mantel in my home that reflects some very special moments of the 53 years I have been in the film industry. I want to thank you and your staff again, and hope we will see each other many more times at Moondance.-- Joey D. Viera, 2006 Moondance Cinema Pioneer Award recipient

I just wanted to email you to let you know that I appreciate everything you did for the film, and tell you that it was an honor to meet you, and I hope dearly that we stay in touch! -- All my Love! Emma Bing, co-star of PUNK LOVE, directed by Nick Lyon, co-winner of the DGA Director's Award at Moondance 2006

I want to say thank you very much for the award I received from Moondance! It's a real honor getting this DGA Director's Award (for PUNK LOVE)! -- Nick Lyon

My screenplay "Souls" was awarded the "Columbine Award" in the feature screenplay competition at Moondance 2006. As a writer from the war-torn Middle East, I believe in peace, as I saw first hand the suffering armed conflicts could inflict on innocent souls, especially children... All this adds to the importance of a film festival like Moondance, as films, scripts and stories presented in this film festival could literally save lives. Thank you for creating and guiding Moondance. -- Mahmoud Abdel-Hai

First, let me tell how thrilled I am to be among the names on your website--I was ecstatic even as a finalist! but to be awarded in both the short story and TV pilot is more than I ever would have hoped. I've watched from afar as the festival has grown and waited until I had something I thought good enough to submit, and so I can't tell you how happy I am. Thanks for the good work you do. -- Mary Carroll-Hackett

Moondance continues to inspire and encourage me so much. I loved meeting so many Moondancers. Again, I want to say thank you for the Columbine Film Fund award. It will be very well used and allows us to keep going. Thank you for the faith, for the encouragement, and for the financial support. Next year, I want to be able to show our finished film at Moondance! -- Rosalee Mayeux (Coyote Nights)

You did a great job...You took your festival to another level and you should be really proud of what you did...Really means so much to me..... What you did for me .... Giving me a start..... having somebody who believes in you.... Like you do in me. You know that means so much to me. I will not let you down I will make you proud of me. I've been doing a lot of thinking about what is my next move... Really want to make another movie....-- John Daniel Gavin (Johnny Montana)

I want you to know how much I appreciate your talent and hard work on this year's festival. It was an amazing accomplishment! Moondance belongs in Hollywood. I brought my two beautiful step-daughters, Tammy and Tina, and all three of us had fun volunteering for the three days. Several producers wanted to put the girls in their movies. They were both thrilled and had a fantastic time participating in some of the workshops and watching the screenings. Of course, the evening parties were especially a big hit with all of us. A special thanks for my Columbine Award in the Short Story for Kids category for The Legend of Lalibela: Priest King of Ethiopia, (written in the trochee rhythm, which is one of the most healing rhythms for our time). I may develop it into a screenplay later this year. We made many wonderful human connections and the talent that was exhibited was superb. It was really A Film Festival to Die For! Thank you, Elizabeth, you so deserve an award for making it happen! I hope you will keep the same great venue, Raleigh Studios, for next year. I look forward to being there in 2007! -- Bonita Maffei

Thank you for Moondance experience. I look forward to next year. Moondance has come at a time in my life that needed direction, and more importantly towards a direction that would bring me closer to suppressed dreams. Everything has its time and place.-- Graciela Lopez, 2006 Moondance Volunteers Coordinator

Just got the winners list, and saw that we won the Gaia award (for Neb Luv,)! Wow! Thanks! I'm really excited about having won our first award with this video from you guys, and hope to have screenplays and/or features to talk to you about for next year. Thanks again for your consideration. -- Sam Crow (Voodoo People Productions)

It was a great night at the awards. Of course, we are pleased with the award! Drewin booked a gig with the Camden House...when their band finished playing, the Manager loved it and they will be playing June 21st for the dinner crowd (acoustic sets, etc.) Moondance production team did an outstanding job!! It was a great experience and hope you will be back next year~ Thanks for all your help! -- Linda Dempsey (Irish Cowboys)

Again, thanks for making it all happen. And also, thanks for believing in me. Hopefully, A KODAK MOMENT will be bought and produced into a major motion picture. I can assure you that you will be there with me at it's premiere. Your encouragement and support will stay with me forever and a day. -- John Alarid

I wanted to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the Moondance festival. It was great. "SCENIC," played to a packed house,. we put in five folding chairs, people were sitting on the steps, and four were standing. I got great feedback, and congratulations. I thank you for choosing my film. And you are "the best of the best." -- Ginger Justin Johnston

I recently received your email alerting me that both my short story submissions placed in your competition. I am thrilled and very proud. Thank you for what you do for writers and filmmakers. As you know, being creative is a double-edge sword. To receive affirmation such as I just received from you and your organization will keep me going. I hope I can attend the next festival. -- Elizabeth Appell

I simply wanted to say I enjoyed Moondance L.A. for the old friends and new met and the energy of the whole fest. All the best as I move on to make my new feature comedy, ROUTE 66, this August.-- Andy Horton

I live in Boulder, but was in LA for a few days of the festival for meetings on another recently optioned script. The festival's move to LA seemed like a huge success. Congratulations on the successful festival. -- Erin Eckles, feature screenplay finalist

Thanks so much for your assistance and for making things go so smoothly (for the workshop and screening of Blue Butterfly); you've all been terrific. -- Ranny Levy - Founder and President, Coalition for Quality Children's Media & KIDS FIRST! Film and Video Festival

I received a call from my Brother-in-law this morning who attended the award ceremony on my behalf that I have won the prestigious 'Moondance Columbine Award' for my screenplay "Queen of the Jungle" under the category Feature Screenplay for Kids. I would like to thank all of you for this honour. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the fellow finalists and winners and would like to wish them best of luck. -- Deepak Arara

I was not able to give my thank you in person for the honor of being chosen a Moondancer finalist, but I wanted to say thank you for all you do to make the Moondance Festival happen. -- Charise Studesville

Wow! This is the best. My first writing contest! I'll tell the world. I entered this as being over 75...way over! Thank you so much. I have told the world how happy you have made me, to say nothing about the inspiration to others here at the "senior center", the writers chat groups I visit, and others with my disease (Inclusion Body Myositis). I will now seek an agent for my new novel, with this as another inducement to gain acceptance. People ask me, what was the prize? I tell them , "Winning was the greatest prize, ever. -- Abraham Amchin, 2006 Neptune Award winner for his short story

Thank you so much for your support! What an honor to be so warmly received at my film's premiere screening.... and what a beautiful award! I already have it off getting framed. -- Angelique Midthunder (Gaia Award for Silent Thunder)

Just wanted to say thanks for a great festival! I had a blast in LA and am so glad you decided to take the fest to Hollywood. I got some potential jobs lined up from networking at the after party. Starting production of my next film next month called Maggie's Manifestation. I wanna see it at Moondance next year! -- Charity West (Kundalini Productions)

Thank you so very much once more for the huge honour of receiving the Gaia Award for my short, "I've Dreamed of You So Much". I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that yes, indeed, I have already put my award to good use. I was interviewed today by Walt Zmed who produces "Ikons"... which is going to be aired on chanel 34 (local tv) next Sunday, June 25 at 6:30 pm. It is a half hour interview and I hope you will have a chance to enjoy it. Let me know if there are any other local filmmakers that I could suggest to Walter to interview. If there is someone you feel who could use the exposure, I would be happy to pass along their info. Thank you again for an unforgetable festivial experience.......like no other......and I've been to the real Cannes twice!! -- Marina Boldireff

Thank you for the wonderful news! I am one of the producers of the docu-drama Tabriz: Images from the Forgotten World. On behalf of the director, Mr. Mohammad Ehsani, I also would like to thank You, Ms. English in particular, and Moondance Film Festival in general, for your prestigious award. We all feel very happy and proud. -- Zaven Khatchaturian (Arbor Vitae Entertainment)

Thank you for your kind words. I felt very good about being a finalist as I am a beginning writer and the subject matter meant a lot to me, so getting as far as I have meant a great deal. I felt very surprised and honored to make it to the finals. I am a very new screenwriter, and my hope was to make it to the semi-finals in SOME contest. I really didn't think it would be this one- I felt I was reaching too high and only sent my script in as a "what the hell" at the last minute. -- Leslie Ann Campbell, "Seven Red Dresses"

What a lovely event you had at the Camden House. Joey D. Viera (original Lassie, Braveheart, etc.) and I want to thank you for the kindness and generosity you showed toward us. As busy as you were, you managed to keep in touch with me prior to the festival, and I appreciated the updates. Your staff, from Kyle, Kenny to Dylan, were all so helpful and ever so patient. You will probably be hearing from Joey real soon. I look forward to next year's festival, and many more. -- Victoria Fisher, Selective Artists Management

I wanted to say "thank you" once again for a lovely experience this year at Moondance. The quality of the work shown at Moondance reflects its commitment to excellence. I am honored to be recognized as a four-time winner. Congratulations on your smooth transition to "Hollywood." I would like to acknowledge the fine job done by your staff, especially Graciela Lopez, the Volunteer Coordinator. As a volunteer for two days of the festival, I observed Graciela first hand and was impressed with her poise, resourcefulness and grace under pressure. -- Lola Martin Balaguer

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the 2006 Moondance Film Festival. The workshop presenters were knowledgeable and dynamic, the films were inventive and well done, and I made some worthwhile contacts. I was thrilled to be selected as a Spirit of Moondance winner, and I was really glad to have the opportunity to talk with you, for awhile. You did a wonderful job with this event! Thanks again for your validation, encouragement, and for all the hard work you invested in Moondance.-- Donna Lisa Rothstein, winning entry: Kheng Kheng Crocodile

Word on the street is that "Sita, a Girl from Jambu" " won an award from Moondance last week. Patrick Dumont, who composed the music for the film, left me a phone message while I was abroad. I am thrilled about the award, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there to accept it. (I just got back last night from Rome.) -- Kathleen Man

Moondance was wonderful! One of the best Film Festivals I've ever attended. -- Bruce

Thanks to all for a fabulous event. Moving Moondance to LA put it right in the heart of things. -- Arthur Kanegis

I love your passion. As a filmmaker, I am always incredibly grateful for all the hard work that goes into making a festival. Without people like you it would be very difficult to showcase our films. It was a pleasure screening ROSA at the festival. -- William Olsson

Thank you so much for everything. Moondance was a lot of fun and it was a very exciting experience to be part of the festival this year - as soon as I get my next animated short done I'll be happy to submit it to Moondance 2008. Have a great day and thank you once again for having "La Cecilia" at your festival. -- Ari Carrillo

---

Moondancers Write Us - Archives:

>> September 11, 2001 Letters to Moondance