FMF 2023

FOREST MOON FESTIVAL 2023

2023 Collectors Poster

2023 Event Poster

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT

2023 SCREENING & FILMMAKER PANEL

After the screening, there was a filmmaker Q&A. A broad ranging discussion not only about the making of Star Wars: Return of The Jedi, but about the filmmaking process, the impact movies can have on our lives, and the experience of location filmmaking for the crew and the local community.

THE PANEL

JIM BLOOM

Jim Bloom's career in the movie business began at age 19 when George Lucas hired him as a production assistant on American Graffiti (1973). Soon after he became an assistant director working alongside many noted filmmakers and productions including Francis Ford Coppola on The Conversation (1974), Robert Altman on Thieves Like Us (1974), two seasons on The Streets of San Francisco TV series (1973-1975) with Karl Malden and Michael Douglas, Sam Peckinpah on The Killer Elite(1975), John Korty on the TV movie Farewell to Manzanar (1976), Steven Spielberg on Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Hal Ashby on Bound for Glory (1976) and Coming Home (1978), Mathew Robbins on Corvette Summer (1978), and Phil Kaufman on Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). He rejoined Lucas to become an Associate Producer on The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and the first General Manager of ILM. Following this he became a Co- producer on Return of the Jedi (1983). He then produced Warning Sign (1985) for 20th Century Fox and director Hal Barwood. And later executive produced Fires Within (1991), directed by Gillian Armstrong, at MGM. He has also developed movies with Carroll Ballard, Walter Murch, Volker Schlöndorff, Warren Beatty, George Miller, and Guillermo del Toro. In addition to being a producer, Bloom worked as a creative executive at Sony Pictures, leading development and production of two business units: IMAX 3D movies (Across the Sea of Time (1995), and Wings of Courage (1995) directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud); and interactive movies. He also worked at Electronic Arts where he was recruited to help leverage EA entertainment properties into EA-TV (an interactive television venture). He later helped found an interactive games company with lead funding from Kleiner, Perkins, a well-regarded Silicon Valley Venture Capital firm. And then after he led business development for Tippett Studio, a leading visual effects company. Recently he produced Pushing Dead (2016), a festival winning Indie film.

Jim is also a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America.

Cris (right) interviewing Smith River local, Harrison Ford stand-in,
Joe Gillespie (left) at the Ship A Shore .

CRIS MACHT

Documentary filmmaker who’s two features on
Star Wars, the fandom, and his personal connection to the franchise are a must watch among Star Wars enthusiasts. A graduate from Columbia College Chicago, Cris started his entertainment career in the Music Business as a talent buyer and production manager. When not making independent film documentaries he works in television production and has an entertainment marketing company.

To say that Cris is a big fan of Star Wars is an understatement, he shares his birthday with the original Star Wars film and Return of the Jedi (May 25th), his last name means FORCE in German. Cris has released two Star Wars documentaries and a Star Wars reality TV show series on Amazon, as well as a Walking Dead documentary. He currently hosts his own show MACHTAILS FROM THE CANTINA which can be viewed on YouTube.

Cris's second Star Wars Doc, The Force Within Us takes us deeper into the Star Wars experience than just the obsession of collectibles and costuming. Going on a journey revealing that Star Wars is more than just another Sci-Fi film to watch or convention to attend. This documentary exposes personal connections that are developed through the sagas' good vs. evil story line. Also featured are thought provoking stories from Star Wars celebrities and how being a part of the phenomenon has changed their lives. Familiar Star Wars locations like Death Valley (Tatooine) and the Redwood Forest (Endor) add to the deep, emotional journey that is 'The Force Within Us'.

TRACY BOYD - Moderator

Hailing from Detroit, Tracy was lured into a life of film only after many years of studying philosophy, physics, and world religion at Humboldt State University. His award winning thesis film, THAT ART THOU led him to Los Angeles where Tracy is currently set to direct the campus comedy, PLEDGE TRIP with Rob Schneider, Ashley Benson, Justin Bartha, and Isabella Gomez.

Most recently Tracy served as associate producer on the film ADOPTING AUDREY (starring Jena Malone); produced and directed SACRED JOURNEYS (starring Glenn Scarpelli and Mackenzie Phillips) released on Amazon; served as associate producer and second unit director for the film DOWNSIZING (starring Matt Damon, Hong Chau, Kristen Wiig); and directed and executive produced HAPPY BOBBY GULLIVER, featuring an all-star cast of Second City alums. His first professional gig came on the Academy Award nominated ABOUT SCHMIDT (starring Jack Nicholson). Since then, he’s worked as a writer, director, and producer-- directing and producing the second units for the Academy Award winning THE DESCENDANTS (George Clooney, Shailene Woodley), SIDEWAYS (Paul Giamatti), and THE KING OF CALIFORNIA (Michael Douglas, Evan Rachel Wood), along with HBO’s TRUE DETECTIVE (Colin Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams), ENLIGHTENED (Mike White, Laura Dern), and HUNG (Thomas Jane).

COSTUMERS

The Forest Moon Festival is so grateful to be working with screen-accurate Costuming Groups and other Star Wars themed organizations, from throughout the west coast region, who generously bring their passion and talent all the way to the North Coast. These groups are non-profits, and do this work out of their own pockets-- having helped raise millions of dollars for worthy causes. Often working with children's hospitals and other charities, as well as making appearances at major fan events like Comic-Con.

FOREST MOON FESTIVAL - 2023 APPEARANCES

Rebel Legion - Endor Base

The Rebel Legion is an international Star Wars costuming organization created by, of and for people interested in creating costumes from the Star Wars mythos. Research, create, build and improve your costumes in a place where costumers with similar passions share skills, tips and ideas. Jedi, Rebel Pilots, Troopers, Princesses and even Wookiees…. we’ve got them all….and we’re always looking for more.

What makes us good guys?
Besides our ‘Good Guy’ costumes, our worldwide membership often chooses to give back to their communities (through costumed volunteer activities and charity events). No one can provide the public with a greater range of Star Wars costumes, nor a more personable, interactive, face to face experience.

Rebels For A Cause
The Rebel Legion charity initiatives support causes including Make-A-Wish, The Starlight Foundation, and UNICEF. Locally, Endor Base fundraises and appears at events to support causes including the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, American Heart Association Heart & Stroke Walk, Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area, The George Mark Children’s House, Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, MS Society's WalkMS, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network PanCan Purple Stride, Parkinson's Foundation Move4PD, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bay Area, Shriners Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals (Oakland and San Francisco).

Endor Base is the Northern California chapter of The Rebel Legion, as was the first costuming organization to come to the North Coast, in support of our May the 4th Event in 2022. We are thrilled to have them back again this year, and look forward to many more years of collaboration!

Mandalorian Mercs - Teren Clan

The Mandalorian Mercs, founded in 2007 by Tom Hutchens, has quickly grown to be one of the largest global Star Wars fan organizations, with several chapters in countries around the world.

The Mercs are truly a unique organization as they encourages membership applicants to focus on adding their personal and distinctive creative individuality, as opposed to limiting them based solely on visual accuracies from the Star Wars films, books, comics, video games, and other media. The MMCC is an inclusive and friendly club, following the Mandalorian way of “Clans” or family units and a clans’ ability to adopt anyone who wishes to be a Mandalorian.

Little Warrior International
In 2014 Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club became a registered 501(c)(4) non-profit, and expanded the mission of its charity fund “Little Warrior International” to continue bringing hope to underprivileged children and families in need around the world.

Teren Clan is our very own local chapter of the Mandalorian Mercs, based right here in Humboldt County! We are so grateful to have them here, and look forward to helping them build their presence all along the North Coast!

501st Legion - Golden Gate Garrison

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. Through the creation and use of quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the Star Wars universe, the 501st Legion not only promotes interest in Star Wars, but also contributes to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work. Affectionately known as “Bad Guys Doing Good,” Legion members have helped raise millions of dollars for charity, both here and abroad.

The Golden Gate Garrison represents the 501st in coastal Northern California, primarily in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This our first year working with the 501st GGG, but we are so grateful to have them be a part of the Forest Moon Festival!

Stormtrooper Ranch

The Stormtrooper Ranch We have been cloned not to kill like in the old Imperial Forces, but to help others in their time of need. We make appearances in support of charity, when we can, to help benefit children and other non profit organizations at no charge (FREE).
Stormtrooper Ranch is a Star Wars fan club dedicated to celebrating Star Wars through costuming. Stormtrooper Ranch is an all-volunteer organization formed for the express purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity within which to operate. Stormtrooper Ranch seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as supporting the local community charities through costumed volunteer work.
Based in Redding, this is our first year working with our neighbors to the east-- but we are so grateful to have them join in the fun!

Bay Area Droid Builders - Astromech Builders

The Bay Area Droid Builders and Astromech Builders are eclectic groups who exchange information and ideas relating to building our favorite robots of the Star Wars films such as R2-D2, BB-8, and more! They also actively participate in local charity and educational events.
What a treat to have a representative of the Astromech Builders and the Bay Area Droid Builders join us this year, especially since he is a native of Humboldt county, bringing his creation for a visit!

The Saber Legion

The Saber Legion is a worldwide saber club, with a focus on saber combat and sparring. Our Mission Statement: Love and always represent your charters and who you are.
United Through Sabers! They like to say that “they are not a role playing game, they are a sport.” They're also a non-profit, and membership is free.
We are so excited to have these athletes join the Forest Moon Festival in multiple demos of their sport.