My experience at Lonely Seal was just wonderful! Hammad has cultivated such a supportive, nurturing atmosphere, and that brings out great people. The networking was solid, they showed some excellent films, and getting to meet and learn from Oscar-winner Ernest Thompson was the cherry on top. Thank you to Hammad and everyone at Lonely Seal for giving me a very memorable first festival as a participant.

I was very happy to have my screenplay Caged Alone selected for this year’s Lonely Seal International Film Festival. A friend and fellow filmmaker who previously won a screenplay award at Lonely Seal recommended the festival to me and spoke very highly of his experience, which encouraged me to submit.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend this year due to circumstances on my end, but it was genuinely encouraging to have my work selected. I’d absolutely consider submitting future projects to Lonely Seal and hope I’ll have the opportunity to attend the festival in person in the future. Thank you to the Lonely Seal team for including Caged Alone this year!

Our film,”Maditations with Meli” was screened on 8/28 at the Lonely Seal Festival. Members of the cast and crew attended and it was a night to remember. The Festival was very well organized – amazing since there were so many moving parts! The variety of films ranged from poignant stories to zany comedy. Well done!

I had a really great time at the festival. As a selected screenwriter, I enjoyed hearing the stories behind the production of several of the films shown. The winners are are well deserving of their honors!

It is a special honour for my comedy feature screenplay, Voodoo Valentinos, to have been selected by Lonely Seal, knowing high its standards are, and how supportive and encouraging it is as a community.

Lonely Seal Film Festival is one-of-a-kind! Hammad and his team put in so much effort to make it an incredible weekend full of fun, networking, and inspiring films. The programming was extraordinarily well done. I highly recommend Lonely Seal!

My team and I had such a wonderful time at the Lonely Seal International Film Festival. There was an ease to how the festival was organized, the Regent Theater was well prepared, it was so much fun, and a incredibly positive experience for the premiere of our short film . The Director of the festival, Hammad Zaidi was so present and accessible during the whole event which made everyone feel heard and acknowledged. We highly recommend Lonely Seal FF!

The Lonely Seal folks were great to work with and the festival was very well attended and received. It was in a cute live music event space in the heart of Arlington, MA. It was a fun experience all around.

I thoroughly enjoyed Screening “So You Want to Steal a Kidney” at the festival. The film looked great on screen and it was well-curated with the others in the block. Thank you!

I was delighted to return to a cinema that I’ve been to many times for indie performances and movies, this time for the Lonely Seal festival.

Hammad was wonderfully welcoming, and definitely understands that writes (introverts) often need to be nudged towards the actors (extroverts) to get the ball rolling on networking. He deftly introduced different people who had work he could connect, and this meant that networking – and wider connection! – was easy and a lot more fun than it often is.

The lineup of films was great, from student micro shorts with a memorable punchline, to a drama feature that caused tears across the audience. The emphasis on disability and inclusion is unique to Lonely Seal, and the stories told – such as about a summer camp for disabled kids in east Asia – are just super important and don’t get enough attention, except here.

Hammad also held a session for writers on selling your script and getting funded that was incredibly useful and relevant to the modern economy, which is a nice distinction from many of these talks that festivals put on.

Overall, I was really energized by the festival, made many new friends and have had several emails from fellow attendees already, and I look forward to taking part in the future too. Thanks for everything, Hammad!

Thank you Lonely Seal for rewarding Detroit and Me as the best feature documentary, it was an honor to be invited and participate to such a wonderful festival and community. Much bless to the organizers and all the attendees in such wonderful get together.

Indy festival with movies you don’t usually see in other places, Great place to meet and talk with other movie creators.

We were so honored to have Finding Hope selected for the Lonely Seal International Film Festival. From the beginning, the entire experience felt incredibly welcoming and supportive. It’s clear how much the festival genuinely cares about filmmakers and the stories they are telling. We’re so grateful to have been included and to have had the opportunity to share Finding Hope with this community. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!

Lonely Seal was a valuable festival to take part in. Hammad Zaidi, the founder, is an amazing person with so much to share. This was an inclusive experience with a lot of goodwill. The quality of the screenings (picture and sound) was very satisfying because the whole festival takes place in a real theatre which allows you to understand your home or studio monitoring situation. I will submit again for sure. Thank you Hammad and Lonely Seal for a great experience.

One of the best festivals out there and I can’t recommend it enough. We had a fantastic time in Boston. Hammad Zaidi knows film and how to promote.

Great time at the Lonely Seal, highly recommend! Really great shorts in my block, good turnout of filmmakers, in a fantastic theatre. Good communication throughout and run by people who truly care about supporting the film community. Thanks for having me!

Hammad Zaidi makes this festival stand out! He’s approachable, knowledgeable, and supportive of all the talent who participate in his Lonely Seal competitions. I’d recommend Lonely Seal to anyone starting into the industry, and to anyone who is based on the East Coast or elsewhere looking to make some West Coast connections.

Amazing festival – it was an honor to screen my USC thesis film in my Hometown. The festival is run by well-organized and passionate folks who have created an outstanding venue for filmmakers to show their work and take the next steps in their careers. Highly, highly recommend submitting to this one!

I am so honored to have been the winner of Lonely Seal Int. Film Festival in my hometown with my debut feature, Growing Pains. The film is run by talented, thoughtful, and dedicated filmmakers who genuinely care about representing unique and diverse perspectives on screen and uplifting filmmakers. Thanks to Lonely Seal and Hammad, the festival director, my feature was selected to be represented at the Marché Du Film at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The Marché Du Film is the buyers and distributors market, where films get sold, produced, greenlit, etc. This is a huge opportunity for my movie and I am eternally grateful. I will continue to submit my future work to this lovely festival, as will my hometown friends and community members from Women in Film & Video New England.

My feature screenplay TONY won this year’s Script Accessible award. Although I was unable to attend the festival in person, Hammad and his team were lovely to connect with online. Any festival that supports filmmakers and aims to help our disabled community in the process is a festival I could always get behind. Thanks, Lonely Seal!

One of the better small festivals out there!

Lonely Seal was a well run and fantastic experience. The venue was an old restored theater which added to the top notch experience. Hamadi provided his cellphone number and answered all questions quickly.
Ever Forward!

Lonely Seal is a brilliant festival. Their communication was top notch so even though I sadly couldn’t attend in person, they still let me feel fully immersed in the festival experience. I was delighted to win the Best International Short Film award, and Hammad the festival’s Director very kindly gave me advance notice so I could send a recorded acceptance speech in time for the awards ceremony. I highly recommend submitting to Lonely Seal, they truly care about the filmmakers!

I wish more Festival’s were like Lonely Seal. Their Communication is top-notch and obviously have a high regard for not only those attending the Festival, but those films and screenplays selected for competition. I truly hope I am able to attend the Festival in person one of these years. Highly recommended.

The time I spent in Arlington, MA for the Lonely Seal International Film Festival this past weekend was unforgettable. Smaller crowds coming and going made for perfect one on one and group networking. The location of the glorious Regent Theater is a dream. Plenty of restaurants and coffee shops surround the theater allowing one to spend the entire day and evening at the theater. I learned invaluable information about distribution, crowd funding/raising money, production tips, etc.. The festival’s founder and director, Hammad Zaidi, is over the top kind and open with his knowledge and stories of his time in the business. I wish I could have got to Arlington sooner to have spent more time learning from him. The Regent Theater’s manager/director of programming, Leland Stein, was a joy to be around. Everything about this festival and experience was positive. I’ve been to a few high quality festivals and had wonderful experiences but never one like this. Lonely Seal is different in a way that puts it on the top of my film festival experience lists. Thank you Lonely Seal for all you do for us filmmakers, writers, musicians, and fans of cinema.

I highly recommend Lonely Seal! A festival ran by people who love film and support diverse filmmakers.

Brilliant fest!!!! What an amazing group of humans that put this all together! A million thanks for having us as part of your beautiful festival!!!!

Lonely Seal’s people are possibly the kindest and most professional I’ve come across in this industry. Thank you guys so much for everything! I’m so glad you enjoyed Jumpers!
Kevin Dobbs

Sadly, we couldn’t be in attendance here but the programming, communication, care and culture here was lovely! Highly recommended and hope to attend and be part of this great festival again!

Awesome festival! Highly recommended. This is one of those festivals where it is obvious how much they genuinely care about filmmakers and their work.

The team is very committed, not only to making films visible but also to accompanying the filmmakers and creatives on their journey.
Check out their great webinars and if you can, meet them in person, it’s a delight!
Thank you for all your efforts and best of success to all of you and everyone involved!

Great Film Festival. Our movie got selected and we were happy for the selection and nominations.

Great festival! Really proud that my teleplay The Caregivers Playbook won an award at this amazing festival! Was not able to go in person, but really hoping to next time.

An honor to be selected. Enjoyed attending. Saw some great short films.

Such a great festival with an even better leader. Hammad really goes out of his way to help those apart of the Lonely Seal family. Thank you to the Lonely Seal for awarding my TV Pilot “Comic Relief” with 2024’s Best Teleplay!

So pleased and honored that my feature script, PROMISE OF EVE, placed as a Finalist in Lonely Seal’s Scriptwriting Competition. Wish I could have attended in person…Thank you so much!

Thanks Lonely Seal for the opportunity to screen Peter’s Plan.
It’s heartwarming to see a festival that provides a platform for both seasoned directors and emerging voices, giving each a chance to shine. What a wonderful opportunity to showcase our work, but also a place to find encouragement, motivation, and even lifelong friendships.
In a world where the film industry can feel competitive, the Lonely Seal serves as a reminder that we’re all in this together—united by our love for storytelling.
This festival isn’t just an event; it’s a home for filmmakers.

Thank you for your consideration.

Always a pleasure to be considered for your film festival.

Great fest! That’s honor for “Protection” (our project) to have been selected!. Thanks a lot. Best wishes to the fest an its crew!

A consummate professional organization and event. Excellent communication and expression of true interest for the Creative (writer, composer, musician, filmmaker, actor, director). Hammad Zaidi is the Real Deal artist and producer who welcomes you/your work to his professional family. A one-of-a-kind find on the Festival circuit. Thank you Hammad and team for honoring our screenplay, “I Am Austin” as a Finalist in Arlington 8/25/24!

I accepted my invitation to the festival. My song Sunday vibe won the award for best song. The festival was a great festival… very organized and a good vibe. Was blessed to meet very talented people from a round the world. Hammad was super nice and I feel like I met a friend for life…. Would love to go again

Delighted for my first short MOURNING is to featured at the festival. Great communication

Thank you so much for selecting our film, Typical? Great festival and we’ll hopefully be back next time!

I wasn’t able to attend in person due to a conflict, but was so honored to have my film included in the disability block. Love to see Hammad programming films about diversity! Communication was great, I will definitely submit again in the future.

Hammad works really hard to bring a strong showcase and it’s so evident how much he cares about getting films seen & made. This film festival is personal, intimate, and a great showcase of talent & support. It’s clear how much time & careful thoughtfulness goes behind curating the lineup, and we felt lucky to be apart of it all.

Hammad runs a great festival and communicates extremely well with filmmakers. He does a great job of programming, matching films of complimentary styles and subjects. A really well run festival deserves even more attention!

Such a great experience to be part of this fantastic festival. Hammad Zaida is super cool and updates you in the best way to feel part of the film family. I’m really humbled and honored to have won an award at this prestigious event. Immense thanks to the whole team! Update: I was at the live event in Arlington MA to see many films screened at the beautiful Regent theatre. Great to meet all the filmmakers and Hammad live. Big thanks for the award for my new film!

I couldn’t feel more fortunate to have gotten the chance to be a part of the Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival. Hammad is in a league of his own and a true expert in his field. It was a dream come true to be a part of such a thoughtfully curated festival. The festival brought such fascinating filmmakers to Massachusetts and it wouldn’t have happened without the brilliance of Lonely Seal. On behalf of of our documentary Dad Rock, a million thanks and hope to see the Lonely Seal brigade extremely soon. Do yourself and your film a favor and join the Lonely Seal Community.

Wonderful festival! Wish I could have attended in person but our producer was there and had wonderful things to say about his experience. Hammad and the staff were easy to communicate with via email and we felt welcome with open arms. Thank you, Lonely Seal!

The personal approach and friendly communication from Hammad was extremely appreciated. Although I sadly wasn’t able to make it out to Boston due to logistical issues, I felt like Hammad had my short’s best interests at heart, and I am honored the festival chose to screen it. I can’t wait to submit my next project and, should I be so lucky as to be selected again, make it out to Boston to enjoy the festival with everyone.

As a finalist for Best Music, I feel a bit shortchanged. I think the organization should reward the people who made it to the finals instead of just the winners. Furthermore, it is a good festival.

Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival has been wonderful! The staff are fantastic and their communication is great. Winning best Play/Musical is an honor, and I’m thankful for the recognition of my work. Thank you Lonely Seal!

The Lonely Seal film, screenplay and music festival is destined for greatness. Already a top 100 festival on FilmFreeway, in just 7 short years, the future looks extremely exciting. Hammad Zaidi -festival founder and executive director- and his team, have a passion and talent for running a successful festival. Their attention to detail is exceptional.

Whatever your project is, rest assured it will be reviewed by people that know their crafts. And, if you’re one of the lucky ones to be selected, you’ll have history with a group of festival professionals that will make sure your work is showcased properly on the world stage. The Atomik Age Project is proud to have history with Hammad Zaidi and the Lonely Seal Film Festival. All the best going forward.

-Philip Curcuru

My short documentary was screened last week at The Lonely Seal FF in Arlington, MA and it was a terrific experience. This was my first film and I was unsure of what to expect and more than a wee bit nervous. Hammad and his staff were warm and welcoming, and they turned the evening gathering into a comfortable, entertaining experience. The films were diverse and thought provoking/ eye opening, generating some great conversations. This team has an eye for stories begging to be told! The theater was the perfect venue, too. I’m so glad this was my first experience as a Film Maker. I learned a lot in a comfortable environment surrounded by enthusiastic and interesting people.

I had a lovely experience at Lonely Seal. Hammad’s passion and generosity for film and filmmakers is evident in everything he does. His staff was warm and welcoming, and the venue was great. I really appreciated this opportunity to meet other creatives, to see some excellent films, and to have my work validated. Thank you!

The Lonely Seal Film Festival was an amazing experience! Hammad and his team were the best — they provided great content, opportunities to meet fellow film makers, provided an awesome workshop on financing your film and were so generous with their time and resources in connecting personally with festival participants. I’ve been to different festivals and Lonely Seal is an absolute standout. I’ll definitely be back next year!

Hammad and his team were great with communication! And the event venue is fantastic. Great film festival for your first short or feature films! To top it off we won Best Feature Film and Best Music Score, so we definitely can’t complain. 🙂

Wonderful festival!! Thank you Hammad

I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to screen my film at the Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, Boston. Although I was only able to make it to the final day, I got to see several excellent films and being honoured with ‘Best Short documentary award was truly an amazing moment.

I would like to thank the Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival for the incredible platform they provided for filmmakers like me and I look forward to returning in the future.

Great festival– Hammad and all at Lonely Seal were warm and welcoming. The films were excellent and the seminar was helpful- I enjoyed the fest and was thrilled to win a Screenplay prize– which unlike other festivals involves FinalDraft software and consultation on my projects. THANK YOU Lonely Seal!

I am very grateful that my feature script ‘Colorado Caliber’ was selected to be in the 2022 edition. Thank you for your support and I look forward to sharing more projects in the future!

This festival was like no other, it really felt like being part of a family. All the films were truly of the highest caliber.

Incredible Film Festival, so proud to have gotten an Official Selection with my short script “Poor Little Boy”. Unfortunately I couldn’t be in Boston because I don’t live in the US, I would’ve really loved to, the experience would’ve been awesome! Highly recommended, guys 🙂

The best festival experience I have had, and this includes having won a number of awards at over a dozen other festivals as well as interactions with and selections by many others. Living in China, timely communications are sometimes difficult and Hammad was diligent and thorough and most generous in connecting with me by phone in China and keeping me updated about festival events and my film’s status. I very much regret that pandemic-related circumstances prevented me from attending the festival in person. I highly recommend this festival to any and all who wish their film work to be taken seriously and their projects to be handled with care and respect. A great experience for me, and a truly great film festival.

Excellent service and advice, an extremely positive experience all round for us to be honoured to be involved.

Five stars in every category for Hammad Zaidi and the Lonely Seal Festival! This is a hidden gem and I can only hope it will gain more notice as the years go by. The summary of my experience is: the festival absolutely live up to its two promises: 1) telling “stories aching to be told” and 2) offering excellent career advice and networking opportunities.

More details:
My film was selected for the festival and I wanted to attend, but I had to miss the middle days since I was the maid of honor in a wedding in a different city. Hammad was so good about accommodating me and I was able to see my film being screened. The wedding also meant I missed the scheduled career talk session. When I told Hammad this and asked if it would be recorded, he said I could just set up a time with him to talk over the phone instead. Indeed, I walked away from every conversation I had with him having learned a new and valuable piece of advice.

It was also a delight to be at a festival committed to supporting diverse voices. The Grand Prize film this year (Oklahoma Breakdown) taught me about an incredible musician I had never heard of. I saw films that centered around disabled main characters *and* films with disabled side characters. While both are important, it is so rare to see the latter. At Lonely Seal I got to see a film with a deaf character where their deafness isn’t remarkable, where they are allowed to just be another friend in a group, in addition to incredible films that did center around characters’ disabilities. What a joy it was.

Lonely Seal puts their money where their mouth is: they support diverse storytellers and diverse stories through the films they screen and through the fountain of advice and networking opportunities they offer.

L.A. has Dances with Films. And the East Coast has Lonely Seal.

This festival champions the independent film as much as possible. 100% of the films accepted are from blind submissions. With nearly 50 screeners you will get a fair shot just like everyone else. And it’s at the magnificent Regent Theatre, which drips with history.

I was incredibly fortunate to not only get accepted but to win the Grand Jury prize for the music doc Oklahoma Breakdown. But the most valuable part of the experience was the in-person connection I had with Hammad Zaidi, who really cares about helping you make the most out of the direction of your film after production.

This festival might be under-the-radar for now but it will soon be recognized as a destination for filmmakers trying to break into the industry. 5***

The Lonely Seal International Film Festival has great communication and such an appreciation for the artists and their work! A great festival!

In the suburbs of Boston, this film festival takes place at one of the most charming vintage theaters that has a long and celebrated history among locals. Hammad is the best communicator who will care for your personally. I highly recommend this in-person film festival.

Hammad is a fantastic host who really cares about his filmmakers. I strongly recommend this festival.

Lonely Seal is the rare festival that doesn’t merely give lip service to cultivating scripts about/by/for the disempowered. Its ethos — namely “stories aching to be told,” and its founder’s genuine affinity for underdogs — makes Hammad Zaidi’s international film festival uniquely important.

Thus you can imagine I was tremendously humbled that Lonely Seal crowned my “Serenade of the Vulture” script (about a homeless Asian woman battling a tech billionaire) as “Best Overall Feature Screenplay” and “Best Dramatic Feature Screenplay.” Winning any competition validates a screenwriter’s hard work, but Lonely Seal’s mission statement resonates emotionally with my fascination with provocative tales of social injustice.

Our great nation has a long, troubled history of disrespecting people’s otherness… whether it’s race, religion, immigrants, physical ability, orientation, culture or poverty. I thank Lonely Seal for raising awareness of ALL films and scripts that amplify America’s forgotten voices. Thus it’s no coincidence that its categories include “Best Indigenous Film” and “Best Film Focused on Disabilities.”

I’m not the first screenwriter to delve into class warfare, income disparity and cultural inequity, and I won’t be the last. That’s why a contest like Lonely Seal is so vital… it shines a light on the human condition of today’s era. And isn’t that the very definition of great art?

A smooth running festival with clear guidelines and helpful feedback on your work. The festival takes place in a traditional movie theater with fantastic sound and a huge screen giving it an authentic cinema lovers feel. Hammad is generous with his time and available for insight.

A warm, inviting atmosphere in a charming historic theater made this festival special. Hammad Zaidi is passionate about films and has a wealth of information about the industry; a scheduled, hour and a half seminar ran to almost three hours, and he has continued to communicate with me even after the festival’s close. I’m so glad Lonely Seal was my first in-person festival experience. It was great to see my film, Dear Lily, Love Patrick among other thought-provoking, beautifully crafted films.

What a fantastic film festival. Nestled in the adorable and upscale neighborhood of Arlington, MA. and scheduled during Boston’s most beautiful fall weather, The Lonely Seal International Film Festival is A+ from beginning to end. My short film CARROTS premiered there and also won an Honorable Mention, but the real reward was the one-on-one time with the founder of the festival Hammad Zaidi – (who happened to be on our flight from Los Angeles too!) and also the interesting and important connections with other filmmakers. Tara (my lead actress) and I made memories that will last a lifetime. Great festival!

A great festival in a great venue! We’re so honored that our documentary “The Drive to Sing” was selected and won an award. Hammad and the Regent theater staff were very responsive and welcoming. They even allowed us do a live music performance on stage before the screening, and the tech director provided just the right amount of amplification and lighting.

great festival with a welcoming atmosphere and totally positive vibe!

I was thrilled to learn my feature screenplay “The Mulligan Caper” won in its category and from such a wonderful festival! Very helpful, upfront and actually respond to queries! How many do that!! Thanks, Lonely Seal! As Arnold says, “I’ll be back.” A FIVE STAR for sure.

This festival is a hidden gem, nestled in a historic theater right outside Boston, with phenomenal films, top-notch hospitality and personal attention. I am grateful to Hammad and the entire Lonely Seal staff for making it such a warm and positive environment and with really high-quality films spurring amazing conversations. It cannot be missed.

Many thanks for the quick response and accurate work. I am very grateful to the festival team for choosing my film. I look forward to fruitful cooperation in promoting the film.

This was an outstanding festival! I’ve attended a number of film festivals over the years, and this was probably my favorite. The film selections were top notch and the personal attention was unmatched. Highly recommend this festival, especially if you’re able to attend in person.

This was a well-executed and phenomenally run film festival. It would be one of my top recommendations to enter for any filmmaker or screenwriter. – Virginia Austin

It was a great honor to have my screenplay, “Bode” selected as a finalist in the Script Accessible Category. Thank you so very much for all the hard work and dedication.

A great festival whose organizer is always willing to help writers and filmmakers in their early career and networking.

It’s a great festival to submit to and gain exposure and also to mix and mingle with other filmmakers. They communicate with you through the entire film festival as well, in case there are changes.

This wonderful, caring and brilliant festival director is the real deal. And therefore filmmakers or screenwriters should submit their projects with the confidence in knowing their story will be carefully appreciated and loved. Be assured that this Producer/Director/Writer will follow your “stories aching to be told” well after the festival has ended. For he gives himself unconditionally to all creatives, shares his knowledge and truths. From Sundance to Cannes, Hammad is the real deal.

Lonely Seal Film, Screenplay & Music Festival: I have participated before and I love your mission. Your work is important to so many people. Thank you for recognizing my short accessible script, “When You’re Dead.”

Much gratitude to Lonely Seal for appreciating my work! I hope to meet everyone in person one day soon. This Fest rocks!!! FJA

It was an excellent Festival! I really appreciate for choosing my short to be part of Lonely Seal! Every Staff was friendly, and they have worked super hard to make the festival happens! The theatre was amazing. I was gratefully glad that I attended. I have met a lot of great filmmakers and working professionals at the festival. Thank you so much again and look forward to next year’s Lonely Seal Festival!

Great festival! Excellent communication, films, and presentation! I wish I could have attended in person. Lonely Seal is a gem. All the best to the team for the next event!

This festival was a wonderful experience that I’d recommend to any filmmaker trying to get their work out there. Lonely Seal really cares about their films and filmmakers – I hope to go back next year!

Debated with myself about traveling from California, during a pandemic, and with all that’s on my plate. I’m SO glad I did. In my experience, Lonely Seal is a one-of-a-kind festival. The films I saw were on the whole fantastic, soul-stirring, even life-changing. I had a wonderful time networking with filmmakers and writers. And the fest’s dedication to educate and support every filmmaker and writer for their future career success is unparalleled. THANK YOU so much!

My screenplay, Sub Rosa, was a finalist at Lonely Seal and while I couldn’t attend because I’m based in Europe, and was so impressed that despite COVID they were one of the few festivals to host live events (with safety protocols, of course). It’s so important for filmmakers to meet and mingle. I hope I’m lucky enough to be selected for another project so that I can finally meet the wonderful founders of Lonely Seal in person.

The festival went beyond my expectations and clearly supports excellent films and art above everything else!

People write glowing reviews all the time of Film Festivals, but I can sincerely say Lonely Seal is a rockstar amongst them.(and I’m a New Yorker. Not much impresses me). Lol Even before my screenplay was selected as a finalist, communication was stellar. Support was amazing from the get-go. I was not able to attend, but I know the networking opportunities were many. Panels were informative. Hammad & his team made us ALL feel special. And as this pandemic continues to kick our butts, Lonely Seal will be remembered as a highlight of 2021. Bravo/Brava!

This is my 2nd time being in this festival, and it’s always a great experience. Hammad is a passionate lover of film land filmmakers. Highly recommend!

Really excellent event, one of the best I have attended. A stellar lineup of films, a great venue, and Hammad + the other organizers were really generous, supportive and encouraging. Made some great connections. Looking forward to the next one!

The festival was so well organized and programmed. I was honored to have ODD BIRD included in the excellent films in 2020. Many thanks to the Lonely Seal Team for the enthusiastic response to our work and for organizing such a wonderful festival.

I am so grateful to Lonely Seal for honouring my documentary “STRIVE” with Best Film Accessible Award. Thank you, Hammad and Jonathan, for bringing the stories that matter to a single platform for the world and giving a chance to filmmakers like myself to showcase their work. Everything about the festival was top notch. I will definitely look forward to experiencing this festival every year.

We’re so grateful for Lonely Seal honouring our award-winning indigenous documentary “MY BLOOD IS RED” with Best International Documentary. One of the world’s most filmmaker-sympathetic festivals perhaps because they’re filmmakers themselves and understand the struggle and the challenges. They were a real pleasure to deal with and we thank them for giving the story of the indigenous holocaust the visibility it so tragically deserves. An absolutely world-class experience.

My team applied to Lonely Seal (with many festivals under our belts for other shorts — including top levels fests) because we thought it sounded interesting — like a filmmaker-focused event where we could see great films, but also connect with like-minded artists. Unfortunately, the pandemic didn’t give us the opportunity to gather in-person (for any festival), but Hammad and Jonathan really delivered on the filmmaker-focused feel in spite of the obstacles.

Before the festival even started, Hammad spoke with me for over an hour, offering guidance and feedback on future projects. He was very generous and helpful. It didn’t stop there, as he and Jonathan (Hammad’s partner in ‘crime’) held meetups throughout the festival for filmmakers to connect and ask questions. And the selections of films were really top-notch.

If you want to apply to a festival that will nurture you as a filmmaker and offer an outlet for networking, this is a great festival.

This is a thoughtful, creative, exciting international film and music festival. Well done!

Once again, we’d like to thank Hammad and Jonathan for their hard work in making sure this festival happened. Everything about it was top notch!!!

In a time of extreme flux and uncertainty, Johnathan Nadeau and Hammad Zaidi did a wonderful job hosting a lively and inclusive online festival of quality and heart. Jonathan personally helped me navigate the technicalities of submitting my film for their online presentation to ensure the process ran as smooth as possible. The whole Lonely Seal team did their best to make sure their festival experience in 2020 was as seamless and personal as any other year (I’m sure no small feat). I was honored to be selected and shown among a range of films of such depth and quality. All the stories selected felt important and uniquely timely. Thank you Lonely Seal team!

The Lonely Seal International’s Film, Screenplay and Music Festival derives its name from a moment of awakening early in Hammad Zaidi’s life when he understood that his life’s purpose was to help heal the world. Together with Jonathan Nadeau, they have built a soulful and substantive festival that highlights the best of our humanity. I am honored and grateful to have been part of the 2020 collective of filmmakers and to have been regarded with great care, respect and enthusiasm. Thank you! I hope to return again!

One of the best film festival experiences !

If you have a GREAT film you want to submit to this festival.
They not only screen impeccable films they also offer invaluable services to the film maker.
Hammed and Jonathan are really terrific and amazing programers who are also well know filmmakers in the industry.

We created meaningful connections at Lonely Seal this year not only with the incredible Jonathan and Hammad but also with fellow festival participants. The online seminars and get-to-know-you’s were a successful covid-19 pivot, as was the viewer-friendly streaming platform they created, which ended up increasing viewership beyond what would have been possible in a traditional in-person venue. Jonathan and Hammad are engaged, generous, and authentic, and the high caliber of films, scripts, and other work in the festival is inspiring.

It’s a great honor to be a part of this amazing festival. Congratulations!

Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival have worked hard and successfully adjusted to the flux and changes of Covid-19, bringing select stories “aching to be told” to their online platform. Hammad, Jonathan + Team are fierce AND sincere advocates for artists across these three mediums and I thank you for including my little film to your program. Please visit their website and support them by watching these celebrated films streaming just for you.

A great festival! We entered our screenplay and the staff at Lonely Seal were all so positive, encouraging, and communicative. We look forward to entering again!

Lonely Seal International is an amazing festival. it has quality films and truly engages with its Festival Family! Top notch folks with a great mission!

Delightful people, very communicative, thoughtful, encouraging. They are definitely working on behalf of screenwriters as well as filmmakers.

Lots of good communication from the festival. I have not been, but will definitely go in person when the treat of virus lifts.

Hammad Zaidi is an encyclopedia of professional information and wisdom and strategy. In the course of his Zoom events he made certain to focus on each participating filmmaker, ask questions of them as to what they were working on, etc. and would impart great tid-bits on how to proceed to the next step. Very tuned in to the process and how to get through the forest. He and co-director Jonathan Nadeau really create a super-bubble for filmmakers to listen to each other and get inspired by our common tasks. Jonathan and Hammad acknowledge and affirm what you’re doing and make it seem a very normal and significant pursuit. The festival was a much-needed fueling station. They really give time to their filmmakers. Everyone belongs.

What an honor to be included in a festival that is curated by festival content experts and striving to share the work of unheard voices to shift the industry’s paradigm.
Hammad and Job are generous hosts, sharing their wisdom in the panels and hosting really friendly virtual meet-n-greets.
I hope that I can participate every year and uplifted to have met these folks.

This is a great group of people and I am honored to have had my script in it. I hope this is one of those festivals that lasts long and becomes a tradition.

Thank you for selecting my screenplay “Little Things Mean a Lot” for inclusion in your festival. The communication and support from Hammad and Jonathan was excellent and I found the online meetings enjoyable and informative.

We were delighted that our song was selected and really enjoyed the Zoom gathering with Hammad and other artists. Hammad is a wonderful host.Hope to join in again next year. Vincent Tina & Zoë

The communication was great. The opportunities offered and the care, and championing of my film were all wonderful. So happy to have been selected. Sadly cannot rate on hospitality or networking due to not being able to attend. But generally a lovely festival experience.

This festival is the most caring I have been involved with. The communication is top notch and I felt like apart of the festival. The effort put into this years festival was over the top and very much appreciated.

Hammad and Jonathan were great! Kept me informed and appreciated that they had an online festival and were able to include my song “Keep Shining”

Unfortunately our film couldn’t be included this year because the Festival was online and not able to be geo-blocked. However, Hammad and Jonathan have invited it to screen next year – very considerate of them and they included me in this year’s meetings with fellow filmmakers. So a great festival to be involved with, with a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

A great festival with a lovely staff.

A difficult time for festivals. However, delighted that my screenplay ALTA CALIFORNIA was chosen as a semi-finalist. Valuable to know about the appreciation given. Thanks to all involved in this important festival.

I am so glad that I submitted to this festival. Communication has been absolutely fantastic. Top notch. They care and are extremely helpful even beyond the festival. I’m glad I made the connection.

Great festival. Thank you for your support. Professional and easy communication. I look forward to attending it in the future.

Lonely Seal, like most of the festivals during this crazy time, went virtual and hosted the films on a site they created! They also had a wonderful batch of Zoom meet & greets that enabled filmmakers, screenwriters, and composers to chat with each other and to ask Hammad, the co-director of the festival, any questions we wanted. (I was lucky to have a short film, a screenplay, and a song accepted.) He was a font of information, and was extremely generous in giving his time and considered responses to every filmmaker! Jonathan, also, is a wonderful and hardworking partner to Hammad. These are festival directors who truly care, not only about the quality of what they screen, but about the needs and future lives of the filmmakers.

Although this festival was online this year due to Covid-19, it was a tremendous experience. Looking forward to submitting additional material in the future. I highly recommend this festival to all filmmakers and screenwriters

As always, another great festival. Looking forward to submitting additional material, and hopefully an in-person visit to Boston for 2021. Very supportive team. I highly recommend this festival to all filmmakers and screenwriters

Despite a difficult pandemic, lonely seal held the festival online and did all they could to make it a memorable experience.

Great festival! Thank you so much.

Awesome festival. Very easy to contact them and make things work out. Thank you for choosing my film for your festival.

The folks who run Lonely Seal were absolutely lovely and very communicative! Thank you!

The Lonely Seal team was absolutely amazing and the festival itself was full of great content, energy, and turn out! I’m glad several of our cast and crew made it out to network with the founders and the staff, as well as the individuals attending. Looking forward to visiting Lonely Seal in the future even when we don’t have films entered. This is a great festival to add to your list!

Unfortunately I was unable to attend, but I would like to have been at the Festival. I hope next time I will definitely. Thanks for the Award, thanks for everything. Cinema is great!

I can’t say enough good things about Hammad, Jon, and the MVP, Hugh. They couldn’t have been more welcoming and more passionate about the festival, the filmmakers, and every movie there. Hammad even accommodated our travel schedule when arranging the blocks to ensure we could be in attendance for our screening. The Going Bionic seminar was loaded with practical, firsthand, industry information and was invaluable. Submit to this festival, and if you’re fortunate enough to get in, make no hesitations about attending.

Some wonderful films were showcased.

Hammad Zaidi and Jonathan Nadeau throw a great festival. Unique in that it throws different-disciplined artists together under the same umbrella. Venue was super sweet and Hammad is generous with his vast and relevant knowledge drawn from his years in the business. It was a bonding experience that created community I know I’ll be in touch with for years to come. Highly recommended!

Thank you to Hammad and team for a great festival!! Highly recommend!

Although I could not attend the Lonely Seal International Film festival, it was an amazing experience. There are not many film festivals that give their filmmakers so much attention and respect. This is one that does. I look so forward to continuing a rapport with the festival heads and also to submitting again. Highly recommended.

I’m so grateful for this festival’s appreciation of quality projects. Thank you so much Hammad for screening Anne Frank Meets God. Hammad has been very generous and supportive in my career as a filmmaker and I celebrate his festival!

My experience with Lonely Seals and organizers Hammad Zaidi and Jonathan Nadeau was nothing short of life altering. Not only was I honored to receive an honorable mention award for short films (my first writing/production of one); but the two organizers were so generous with their time and attention to my film. Hammad gave a 3-hour master class in production, funding, distribution, and marketing of films which greatly re-focused my energies and strategy for moving forward to produce a full length feature. He has continued to stay in contact and I will be participating in his traveling show.I feel I have gained a mentor, partner, and friend in Hameed who is sincerely intersted in fostering new and diverse voices. I have attended 7 festivals this year with my film, and this was head and heels above the rest in terms of personal interactions, networking, education, and empowerment. I’m already planning my 2020 submission! –Dvid Lally, writer/producer Dream House

Lonely Seal did a great job in all ways! While I was unable to personally attend, I had friends who were able to be there, and Hammad communicated at each step of the way, answering all my questions. I’m hoping to be selected in the future so I can personally attend this festival. They went above and beyond to make sure all films got the exposure we are all looking for. I highly recommend! And thanks again for selecting our music video Love Me So Much to be included with so many other great films!

I wasn’t able to attend but this is an event well worth the entry fee and very kind people.

What a fun fest. Hammad and his crew made it easy to participate and we always knew what was needed of us. There was a kind, happy energy around the whole thing. Hope to make it in with a new project next year!

Lonely Seal is run by such a warm, enthusiastic group of film lovers who were so attentive to the film’s needs and on top of all communication. Hammad was a joy to deal with. We were honored to play amongst such a great group of films. It’s on our list for next year!

Great festival that treated us very well! Thank you so much!

Communication excellent, was pleased that two of my scripts made it all the way to the finals.

My deep appreciation to Hammad Zaidi and Jonathan Nadeau for all their hard work in making the Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival the success that it is. Thank you very much for honoring “Aktion T-4” as a top-9 finalist in your Script Accessible Best Screenplay category. My apology for not being able to attend your Festival due to a family health crisis. The very best in all things to both of you gentlemen.

Great focus. Too many finalists. Great people and fabulous dialogue

When I learned of this Festival’s inspirational and courageous beginnings and its passion to be inclusive and create opportunities for underrepresented filmmakers and writers, I knew I wanted to support it by sending in my work. I’m so glad I did. Though I couldn’t make the trip east this time, Festival Directors Hammad and Jonathan kept me well informed with warm and positive emails. Their commitment to the growth of their Fest and the expanding of opportunities for the creative community is evident. “When life throws you challenges…overcome them with positive actions that also help others!” could be the motto of this Fest. I look forward to participating again.

The Lonely Seal Festival is an amazing and very important event that highlights the works of filmmakers, screenwriters, musician/music artists and disabled artists from all over the world. Hammad and Nathan are great folks who are so supportive to their alumni. Whenever we reached out to them for any questions, they answered right away and were always helpful.

Our short film screenplay ‘I’m Not Going to Hurt You’ actually won the “Best Short Film Screenplay” award and we’re very grateful to be among the many talented winners this year.

We highly recommend submitting your films, screenplays and music to this wonderful festival. *****

This is one of the most exciting and also one of the friendliest festivals that I have ever attended. The atmosphere is one of true creative camaraderie. Along with the chance to see some unique and fabulous films, the networking and learning opportunities are not to be missed. Lonely Seal is a world-class event and well worth the trip to attend no matter where in the world you are. Heartfelt thanks to Hammad, Jonathan, Hugh and everyone at the festival for working so hard to give us all such a memorable and dynamic experience. I was truly honored to be a part of it.

Loved showing my film THE PROMISE this year at the fest. Loved the reaction it got from the festival and all the support Lonely Seal and Hammad gave to our little movie. You can really tell Hammads passion for his festival and all who take part in it. Keep at the dream Hammad and keep running an amazing film festival.

This was such a lovely festival. I’m glad to have gone there and seen all the wonderful films playing. The festival was very well organized. And I’m so happy to have met the talented filmmakers that made them. Such a warm embracing event set in one of the most perfect of settings to view films: an old charming Vaudevillian theatre at the heart of a beautiful and friendly community. And Hammad’s seminar was insightful, such a treat to have in the middle. I returned home a changed man. Thank you, Hammad and Jonathan for putting this gem together!

This is what a film festival should be; a mix of great films and easy networking in a classy location. We all had a great time. Big thanks to Hammad, Jonathan and the back-up team, especially Hugh and Noah.

I absolutely loved this festival! After seeing the high quality of films/music I’m honored that one of my feature screenplays was included as a finalist. Hammad and Jonathon have created a very special event that provides an intimate setting for mingling and meeting other filmmakers (Hammad’s seminar was especially helpful)! Thank you so much for this opportunity…I’m planning on submitting again and would love to come back next year!

This was an incredible festival! Hammad was great and communicated extremely well, even moving my film when I had conflicts with another festival. I am humbled to be an honorable mention among such great films in such a great festival.

What a great festival experience! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend, but the communication has been unbelievable. It was great to see someone who I met at another Festival, earlier this year be recognized as an honorable mention in the screenplay competition. I’ve already scheduled the event dates for 2020 on my calendar. Can’t wait to attend. I highly recommend this festival to all filmmakers and screenwriters!