The Pathological Optimist by director Miranda Bailey, will open the 11th Manhattan Film Festival on April 20, 2017. The documentary is a character study that features never-before-seen, full access footage, of the man at the center of one of the biggest medical and media controversies of our time – Andrew Wakefield – whose film Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe, screened at last year’s Manhattan Film Festival and sparked fierce debate.
“As a filmmaker, I was drawn to exploring a controversial subject so I’m grateful that the Manhattan Film Festival embraces provocative films, and I look forward to premiering The Pathological Optimist,” says Director Miranda Bailey.
The screening will also include a filmmaker Q & A with participants in the film to create an open discussion about the subject matter.
“MFF strongly feels part of the role for an independent film festival is to spark debate and give filmmakers a platform,” said Festival Director Philip Nelson. “We are thrilled and honored to open the festival with The Pathological Optimist, and look forward to the dialog to follow.”
Bailey made her directorial debut with the documentary Greenlit – a humorous documentary examining the hypocrisy inherent in Hollywood’s “green” movement – premiered at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival to critical acclaim and was acquired by IFC International. Additionally, she established herself as a prolific producer championing independent films as CEO of Cold Iron Pictures. In the last year, her film Swiss Army Man and Don’t Think Twice were released to box office success and critical acclaim. Her most recent film, Norman, will be released by Sony Classics April 14.
The 11th annual Manhattan Film Festival will take place April 19 to 30, 2017.Manhattan Film Festival
The Manhattan Film Festival is dedicated to developing and discovering new ways to help filmmakers pursue a career out of filmmaking. In the process we introduce filmmakers and their work to new and expanding audiences. The festival was founded by independent filmmakers who learned first hand how hard it is to find an independent film an audience. MFF was recently named among “The Coolest Film Festivals in the World” as well as “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry” by MovieMaker Magazine.
Manhattan Film Festival started in 2006 and takes place in New York, NY
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Film on Controversial Anti-Vaccine Filmmaker, Andrew Wakefield, to Open Manhattan Film Festival
The Pathological Optimist by director Miranda Bailey, will open the 11th Manhattan Film Festival on April 20, 2017. The documentary is a character study that features never-before-seen, full access footage, of the man at the center of one of the biggest medical and media controversies of our time – Andrew Wakefield – whose film Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe, screened at last year’s Manhattan Film Festival and sparked fierce debate.
“As a filmmaker, I was drawn to exploring a controversial subject so I’m grateful that the Manhattan Film Festival embraces provocative films, and I look forward to premiering The Pathological Optimist,” says Director Miranda Bailey.
The screening will also include a filmmaker Q & A with participants in the film to create an open discussion about the subject matter.
“MFF strongly feels part of the role for an independent film festival is to spark debate and give filmmakers a platform,” said Festival Director Philip Nelson. “We are thrilled and honored to open the festival with The Pathological Optimist, and look forward to the dialog to follow.”
Bailey made her directorial debut with the documentary Greenlit – a humorous documentary examining the hypocrisy inherent in Hollywood’s “green” movement – premiered at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival to critical acclaim and was acquired by IFC International. Additionally, she established herself as a prolific producer championing independent films as CEO of Cold Iron Pictures. In the last year, her film Swiss Army Man and Don’t Think Twice were released to box office success and critical acclaim. Her most recent film, Norman, will be released by Sony Classics April 14.
The 11th annual Manhattan Film Festival will take place April 19 to 30, 2017.