Founders Halfdan Hussey and Kathleen Powell with Program Director Mike Rabehl passionately drive an institute that dares to cross the grain of traditional filmmaking, exhibition and distribution. Over the 18-year history, Cinequest has stirred souls via its world renowned Cinequest Film Festival, Cinequest Filmmaking and Innovation Forums and Cinequest Distribution. Each year, Cinequest bestows its Maverick Spirit Awards on film artists and innovators whose work and lives represent the truly independent. Past recipients have included: Desmond Doss (American Hero and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient), Emmanuel Yeboah (inspirational subject of the film Emmanuel's Gift -- featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show), William H. Macy, Sir Ben Kingsley, Spike Lee, and Kevin Spacey.
Empowering the Maverick
Cinequest, a premiere film institute, produces:
- Cinequest Film Festival: a discovery festival of Maverick films and innovations that was recently named the Top 10 festival in the world by the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide.
- Cinequest Distribution empowers Maverick films & fans via leading Internet, Internet TV & DVD.
- Mentoring and Education: groundbreaking programs for elementary through college students.
Cinequest serves Maverick artists, innovators, film lovers and students. www.cinequest.org
Cinequest Embodies the True Maverick Spirit


