2017 Festival Comments:

Brian Sanders
—Topeka, KS:
Friends,
My wife and I have been coming to KSFF every year since 2012 and we're both wondering why we haven't discovered it sooner! We hope it goes on and on because rain, shine, sleet, snow or tornado - or whatever - we plan to be there year after year. [Brian volunteered after contacting us, and was an important help in putting on our 2017 celebration.

Want to volunteer for 2018? Contact us at ksffvolunteer@gmail.com

Jason Boles
—Kansas City:
Kudos on another outstanding festival! The talent, guests, films, Cinema-Dinner, and overall experience was in one word INCREDIBLE. Next year can't get here quick enough!

Keith Goering
—Iola, KS:
Kudos to you and your workers for an exemplary event this past weekend. One of your best.

Richard "Alex" Alexander
—Topeka, KS:
It was wonderful once again. Many thanks. One of my guests, an old banking colleague drove in from Oklahoma City. He has done this for the last several years and always thoroughly enjoys the experience. We both were enchanted with "Barbed Wire" with Pola Negri. It was the best of the lot.

Dr. Harriet Fields
—Fairfield, CT:
Dear dear Bill and your KSFF Team,
  Thank You so very very much for such a treasured time at KSFF. What a jewel the KSFF and Washburn U. are in the middle of the country, nationally, and internationally as well.
  I always embrace the opportunity to share the art through humor of my grandfather, for W.C. Fields comforts the human condition through the joy of his work and being. He helps all of us get through the day. The closing comment on Saturday night by a member of the audience in the back [John Kelso, Wichita, KS], not a question, but a comment to me sums it all up, Do we realize how much love and happiness W.C. Fields brought and continues to bring the world. That says it all and I am deeply grateful to the KSFF in honoring W.C. Fields, my grandfather, in 2017.
  The committed teamwork you have inspired is a ballet to behold. Thank you for the opportunity to share my insights into the spirit, character, and being of my grandfather, my spiritual inspiration, and what he means to me, and W.C. Fields' timeless gifts to the world. I particularly love telling the story through the films, as W.C. Fields did of his life. As you know, am committed to continue to share in all venues throughout our small global community.
  Brother Allen thanks you for the Happy Birthday chorus at the special dinner. How generous, touching and loving of all. It was indeed a humble privilege to share my interpretation of my grandfather with the wonderful KSFF audiences – the films and at the dinner, which I loved doing.
  Please do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to help the cause of the KSFF and your great work. The role of KSFF and Washburn University in the community, WU public television station, and KPR are jewels that enhance our quality of life and what it means to be human.
  Please feel free to share this deep and heartfelt Thank You.
Warmest regards always to all with love,
Harriet Fields
www.wcfields.com

Carol Yoho
—Topeka, KS:
Bill,
I've been to all 21 of the Kansas Silent Film Festivals. I've loved every one of them, but particularly enjoyed this year's event. Besides seeing many longtime friends from all over the country and seeing the hard work of the staff, musicians and special guests in pulling off the event, I particularly enjoyed seeing thirteen films--ONLY ONE OF WHICH I'D SEEN BEFORE: The Boat, starring Buster Keaton. My new favorites included the comedy short Crazy Like a Fox, starring Charley Chase, and my first-ever-seen Pola Negri feature film, Barbed Wire. All the music was fantastic: special musician guest Ben Model, and regulars Jeff Rapsis, Marvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen! The Cinema Dinner was delicious, and I enjoyed the variety of opportunities to hear Dr. Harriet Fields share memories about her grandfather, W.C. Fields.
  I send special thanks to Lyle Waring and Mike Sershen, both on the Washburn University White Concert Hall staff, and all volunteers who greeted attendees and managed the lobby tables of merchandise. Also, I send thanks to your projection help: you, Karl Mischler, Jim Reid and Bruce Calvert.
  Free punch and cookies, served at the mid-afternoon intermission, was a nice surprise at the FREE EVENT. I also enjoyed warm coffee shared by P.T.'s Coffee Shop.
  Looking forward to more festivals, more movies and more friends in 2018!

John Kelso
—Wichita, KS:
Bill:
Harriet's comments just help to reinforce this: It just goes to prove that good entertainment never dies.

Jackie Gfeller & Robert Cole
—Brock, NE
Dear Bill and wonderful staff of organizers and volunteers:
   Well, the festival came of age this year! The music was perfect, the selection of films...superb, and the dinner was back to its usual divine delight. The speaker was easily heard and showed relevant clips. The smiles on the faces of all of the helpers were welcoming and warming! Perfect!
   Absolutely perfect!
   Thank you all for all you do to make this event such a success. It is no small amount of work or energy. We all come and see all the movies, and you all work your tail-feathers off for our joy! Such a selfless and giving group I have never before encountered!
   Bill, enclosed is our donation for next year. Hopefully it will give you a starter for something special you all want to do. Let me know when you need dinner numbers. I hope to have more next year! We were a small group this year!
   The weekend of the KSFF is the one and only event that my husband and I put on our calendar in ink. No one touches it. Everyone knows that we will be 'out of town.' It gives us and our friends a place to gather for something special and unique. It bridges generations and our youngest one will be 9 this year. We hope to have him as well as our college student back with us again next year.
   Thank you again, for all you do! God bless you all!