FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Embassy Theatre will host the 2021 Hobnobben Film Festival this Friday through Sunday. Hobnobben has been the largest fundraiser for Cinema Center in previous years with the goal to raise funds to support the nonprofit arthouse theater.
During the three days, Hobnobben will feature a diverse lineup of film artistry.
Some significant callouts of this year’s festival are the following:
o 6 feature-length films
o 101 short films
o 31 films by first-time filmmakers
o 26% of films have a local or Indiana connection
o Almost 40% of films are made by women directors o 5 live-streamed panel discussions featured throughout the festival
o Films from 20 countries; 19 languages featured
o Free film open to the public: Greyland (Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.) – This is a pre-screening of a work in progress.
There is an opening night reception and opportunities to meet many of the filmmakers, pose for selfies and enjoy appetizers. A cash bar is also available as well as Hobnobben merchandise. During the opening reception, there will be several live performances on stage. Fort Wayne Dance Collective will perform two pieces (see details below), and performer Mike Maimone will take the stage to perform alongside his own video that was accepted into the festival this year.
Fort Wayne Dance Collective Title: Together We Rise This piece is a vision of what the world could be, if we all sought to support and champion one another in times of adversity. We may have disparate dreams, but the only way we can truly succeed is by standing together against hatred, bigotry, inequality and injustice. Music: “Wildfire” and “Wildfire- Alternate” by SYML Choreographer: Taylor Morris Dancers: Allison Brandgard, Yaro Carpenter, Rachel Jones, Taylor Morris, Bri Spellman
Fort Wayne Dance Collective Title: Textured Consonance Each dancer in this piece represents a layer of the music. Although they perform individual movement phrases, similar to a song using different instruments, they come together to create a harmonious composition. Music: “Echoes” by 2WEI Choreographer: Bekka Ferguson Dancers: Hannah Bond, Corinne Hobbs, Rachel Jones, Mandie Kolkman
The DisDress Dolls Burlesque Show (45 min.) will also take place live on the Embassy stage as a part of the festivities. A burlesque troupe from South Bend, Indiana (and the subject of one of the films, Welcome to the Dollhouse), these amazing women challenge society’s expectations of female power, femininity and beauty (starring Veda DeVille, Poppy Lane, Robin Rapscallion, River Thong and more). The awards ceremony will take place in the auditorium before the feature film Natyam on Friday evening.
Fright Night is also represented at the Embassy with three film blocks chosen to coincide with the evening’s downtown activity from 7 to 11:15 p.m. (Living…Even When It’s Hard, Dark & Twist & Pretty Fun and Fearing the Unknown).
Learn more about Hobnobben and details on daily schedules here
These independent films have not been rated. Many do address complicated and adult issues.
Those concerned about age-appropriate content are encouraged to look at the schedule and description of the films, all of which is available online, before purchasing tickets.
Full-day passes are $25 each.
A three-day pass is $45.
A VIP all-access pass can be purchased for $100. This can be found when you select the 3-day
pass option online.
Individual movies are $10 each
Student options are available as well ($5 for individual movies and a 3-day pass for $22.50)
by visiting the box office.
Please note that above pricing does not include any applicable fees.
Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, fwembassytheatre.org and at the STAR Bank box office at the Embassy (260.424.5665) at 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne.
The Embassy strongly recommends masks during Hobnobben.