What people said about T/F 2005:
"After spending nearly a year on the road, my time in Columbia was by far the most intimate festival experience I had. For the first time I really felt integrated within a community of authentic people and not industry insiders or sales agents. I saw more good films at True/False than at any other festival and, more importantly, got to hang out with other directors who were at Sundance and Chicago, but in a far more relaxed and informal atmosphere. True/False returned me to the sensation of being an artist among other artists, a cinephile among other cinephiles. And the gift bag was the best of any other festival, hands down. Please send more Missouri Bar-B-Q sauce." Stephen Marshall, '05 True Vision Award Winner, director of This Revolution and Battleground

"Three things that make True/False the best US documentary festival. First, the perfect number of films. Second, a collegial, egalitarian, non-competitive environment for all the filmmakers. Third, the most stylish hooded sweatshirt." John Pierson, independent film guru

"Not only is a successful film festival a convention and visitors boost, it bathes our town in a unique cultural glow. Columbia, home of the world famous True/False Film Festival! People might come from far and wide to see the movies and soak up the ambiance." Hank Waters III, Columbia Daily Tribune

"If anyone asked me what I thought of this year's festival I'd say that it was by far the most intelligent and enjoyable festival of film I have been to. The range of films showed a real imagination in programming, and the organizers pulled off an amazing achievement because they managed to attract an extraordinary range of top-class and original film making from around the world. And all this happened in a tiny town in the middle of America which was completely involved in the festival — and also gave fantastic parties. It's a brilliant idea for a festival, completely unique, and I loved it."Adam Curtis, director, The Power of Nightmares

"The festival kicked ass. I had a great time, saw movies, met cool people." Dana Alan Shapiro, co-director, Murderball

"You guys did an incredible job. We were all gushing over your ability to make this happen, thought it was really a coup of sorts and we're curious about next year. If you keep curating it, it could easily be a destination doc festival in no time." Sarah Price, director, The Yes Men

"Wow! What an unbelievable weekend of films. We never have enjoyed Columbia as much as last weekend. Our group of five, ranging in age from 17 to 54, packed so many films, debates and discussions in the last four days that my brain is still reeling from overload and exhilaration. Thank you for a wonderful weekend retreat. Our only regret is that we have to wait a whole year to do it again." Linda Mustoe, festival-goer

"Making any film is a loving, grueling and often lonely adventure... But it's experiences like being surrounded by hundreds of hungry film lovers in the grand, classic Missouri Theatre or sitting around a pizza till two in the morning with a group of fellow nutjobs who also put everything they had (and a little they didn't) on the line to tell a story they believed in, that makes it all worthwhile." Matt Mahurin, director, I Like Killing Flies

"The festival was exquisite. I couldn't believe I was in Columbia. It felt like some coastal city. The films I saw were amazing but the one that stuck in my mind was The Corporation.... Again, it was delightful. I just can't get over it." Ruthie Moccia, festival-goer

"The True/False festival is a great opportunity to perceive the world differently, to meet different people and different ideas." Filip Remunda, co-director, Czech Dream

"Dear True False Godsends, thank you so much for organizing one of the best weekends I've had since moving from San Francisco to Columbia. You so clearly planned the series with care, intelligence and creativity. My friends in SF couldn't believe I saw movies before they did (Lost Boys of Sudan, The Yes Men). That was a first. Even more important, of course, is that each film made an impact. I've even signed up to volunteer as a tutor for refugees because of Lost Boys." Marisa Milanesa, festival-goer

"Thanks for a great fest and a kick-ass screening. Your hospitality was the best ever, ever, ever. Even better — what a great bunch of people helping out and showing films. Keep it up! The Shoot the Moon screening at the Bull Pen was so much fun I forgot that I was there with the film. The crowd response rivaled the hometown premiere for rowdiness." E.S. Wochensky, director, Shoot the Moon

"Just wanted to thank you again for a splendid festival. The work-in-progress (Melting Planet) was so interesting for me to realize that you can go so far into a film and still be trying to get a grip on what you've got. The panel discussion (Constructing Trust and Marketing Truth)was fascinating in the light of Czech Dream and The Power of Nightmares... you all couldn't have come up with a better title for the festival. Closing night I was punch drunk, not from alcohol but from films.... Thanks so much for allowing me to overdose!" Meredith Ludwig, festival-goer

"Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed the T/F Film Festival, and the wonderful people in Columbia, Missouri. That wonderful community which is at the heart of a very unique cinema paradise: the T/F Film Festival." Pedro Carvajal, director, Popaganda: The Art and Crimes of Ron English

"The True/False Film Festival gracefully integrates traveling filmmakers with an enthusiastic community of film lovers and local businesses, transforming a Midwestern downtown into a hotbed of open-ended debate and night-time revelry." David Redmon, director, Mardi Gras: Made in China

"Just got back from a few festivals and was thinking about True/False. Your festival has really emerged as the favorite — nothing so far has really measured up. So much care went into the True/False Film festival. Every detail was thoughtfully crafted and there was a camaraderie to the festival that really stood out to me — people were comparing it to the early days of Telluride. This camaraderie fostered great conversations, many with filmmakers whose work I admired. It was quite an intimate experience." Margaret Brown, director, Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt