Light Matter Film Festival

08/08/2025

In response to recent NYT polls, I conducted and tabulated the results for this Best/Great Experimental Cinema of the 21st Century. 109 ballots, 940 films, and 550 films later, these are the results.

Reminder: lists suggest consensus where this is none. Hopefully this can be a guide/resource. It has the shortcomings of any consensus list with so many voters and different votes.

Thanks again to Filmmaker Magazine for stepping up to publish and to all contributors.

Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources.

07/25/2025

I am putting together a list of the Best Experimental Cinema of the 21st Century, as a response to the recent NYT list. If you would like to submit a list of 15 titles, send an email to lightmatterfilmfestival @ gmail, and I will send you the Google form. If you don't use Google, you can email me the list. Submissions open through August 1.

11/05/2024

Thanks to everyone who came to Alfred for the first leg of the festival over the weekend.

More to come in Buenos Aires in December at Kino Palais!

08/15/2024

Light Matter Film Festival fundraiser is slowing down, but we still need additional funding for the festival this year. We'll take donations for a few more days. I'm so grateful for anyone willing to contribute. And, if you can't, keep sharing news, updates, and love for the festival where you are!

Hi everyone. This is James Hansen, the co-founder and curator of the Light Ma… James Hansen needs your support for Support the 2024 Light Matter Film Festival

08/09/2024

I’ve organized a small fundraiser for Light Matter 2024 in hopes of offsetting some out of pocket costs. If the initial goal is surpassed, additional funding will go towards special programs, publicity, etc. A bit more info on the GoFundMe page. There's a short video on Instagram. I feel weird about this, tbh, but I’d appreciate any support. -James Hansen

Hi everyone. This is James Hansen, the co-founder and curator of the Light Ma… James Hansen needs your support for Support the 2024 Light Matter Film Festival

11/03/2023

Today is the day! Light Matter 2023 is here!!!

Light Matter is a new festival dedicated to experimental film and media arts in Alfred NY.

10/17/2023

The Light Matter 2023 website is live!

Complete schedule with film titles, information, etc. for the festival taking place in the village of Alfred, NY from November 3-5, 2023.

101 films (including several on 16mm in our Sunday blowout). 36 countries. Over 1000 minutes of work to see. Curated by James Hansen

If you're an experimental film, video art, media art, and/or digital artist or enthusiast, we hope you'll consider joining us.

Light Matter is a new festival dedicated to experimental film and media arts in Alfred NY.

09/08/2023

Last day to submit to Light Matter! Get those entries in to give us more to consider!

07/24/2023

https://www.facebook.com/66701215/posts/10102047306234358/?app=fbl

Light Matter is a new festival dedicated to experimental film and media arts in Alfred NY.