Iron Crotch Festival Announcements

[Greg]

I will not be going to Palm Springs in March.

Dear Greg,
When reviewing films from around the world and of every conceivable subject matter, the selection process is incredibly difficult and often emotional. Many of the filmmakers who submit are either first-timers or experienced and in both instances, we want to do what we can to help our filmmakers realize their goals.   
 
Each of the films and film projects we viewed had strong elements and because of this, in many cases, we believe that we could confidently program 9 festivals with your work- that is how solid this field was for 2026. So many of these films had heart, humanity and honor. Every work we reviewed had something to share.   In fact, this was THE most difficult season to program for the festival.  Many of you are friends and alumni.
Quite a few of the films were short-listed, right up to this last moment of composing this letter to you.  Unfortunately, there are not enough slots for your film to be included for the 2026 line-up. This is particularly heart-breaking, for many of us have conversed and discussed your films- every one of them has something evocative, emotional, enriching and enlightening and therefore does make a difference. This process of reviewing films is sometimes called a chore by many festivals. For us it is an honor.
We have made every stride in trying to create as many opportunities for our filmmakers to participate in the event, so we would tell you to not take this personally. Being filmmakers, we know how hard it is to set your goals on being accepted into a festival and then not be invited. So much in programming from one year to the next is a process complicated by mixing, matching, and massaging what will work and what may not.
Your film will still have life at AmDocs. If an opportunity arises where we can help you share your film with the public or industry or other festival based on subject matter and the quality of your work, we will do so. 
If you are in Southern California during the festival, we want you to visit us, to make connections and continue to make films, for it is filmmakers like you who truly see the bigger picture. 
We hope to hear from you in the near future and please share your new works with us again.
Very truly yours,
Teddy Grouya 
Director, 
American Documentary And Animation Film Festival And Film Fund (AmDocs)