Anthem, The Libertarian Film Festival, is dedicated to finding and presenting the year's best films about personal and civil liberty. We seek films and documentaries about self-reliance, innovation, commerce, individual rights, and the power of persuasion over force. Libertarian films are about choice, opportunity, and knocking down obstacles. They often point out the consequences of government in
tervention, but they are just as likely to present a protagonist’s personal struggle for self-expression. They do not conform to the expectations of others. When something goes wrong, they fix it themselves. When something goes right, they give credit where it is due. They show us how to make the world a better place simply by making their own life better. What are filmmakers saying about Anthem? "It is rare to find a festival with such strong commitment to important messaging. We were honored to have our work included." --Courtney Balaker, director, The Conversation
"Being a libertarian filmmaker comes with its own set of complications, particularly concerning reception. Anthem provides more than just a showcase for niche films...it's an outlet for like-minded individuals to network in an industry that is generally dominated by hostile kingmakers."—Sean Buttimer, director, Threnody and The Pilgrim
"Many of the people who run traditional film festivals seem to be ideologically hostile to the concepts of free markets, capitalism and individual liberty, even though it's those very principles which have given our country the wealth to afford creative pursuits such as filmmaking. Fortunately, those biases against free enterprise do not exist at the Anthem Film Festival -- one reason it's become such a successful event in just a few short years." --Bob Bowdon, director and grand prize winner, The Cartel
"As a Canadian-Iranian who really loves America and will be moving here in about six months, being at the Anthem Film Festival made me really hopeful about the future of this country and the fact that there are people who really care about what I care about, which is freedom." – Cyrus Saidi, director and grand prize winner, L1ittl3 Br0th3r
"The anti-war movement, corporatism, and civil liberties are the political topics most important to me, and FreedomFest seems to be the premiere gathering that sheds light on these issues with prominent public figures. It was a great honor to be awarded for my film Closing Bell last year, and it fuels my ambition to make more films that create a dialogue within the audience on important political and philosophical issues." –Janek Ambros, director, Closing Bell and Son of Man
Filmmakers often screen to standing-room-only audiences at Anthem, because Anthem is part of FreedomFest, "the world’s largest gathering of free minds." With over 2,500 attendees and 150 speakers on topics including politics, economics, history, science, health, art, and literature, FreedomFest provides a ready audience of eager viewers for Anthem’s filmmakers. Our comfortable 250-seat theater was often overflowing at last year's festival. This year’s FreedomFest theme "Is Big Brother Here?" is already creating quite a buzz. Are you worried about government snooping and endless nannyism? Let your voice be heard through film! See you at the movies -- The Mirage, Las Vegas, July 13-16, 2022
