I never thought I'd become so invested in Canada's independent film scene. One comment I came across on reddit described Run N Gun as being "serious about being unserious.

That's one of the funny things about becoming a fan of someone. Eventually you start learning about the places that shaped them. You start noticing places you never really paid attention to before and, in this case, a creative community I probably would have never discovered otherwise.

Before starting Hudson Williams Project, I probably would have scrolled past a tweet about a Toronto indie film festival without thinking twice. This time was different. Run N Gun became the first event I covered live on Twitter, and somewhere between posting photos, saving videos and reading people's experiences, I realized I wasn't just covering another day in Hudson's schedule. I was discovering a part of his journey that existed long before all of us knew who he was. After everything I saw over the weekend, I think I understand why this festival means so much to the people who are part of it.

Hudson has been part of this community for a while. Before magazine covers, television success and the growing attention he's receiving today, he was making films with many of the same people who still returned to the festival this year. So when he show up this year as an official juror, it didn't feel like a celebrity making an appearance. It felt like a homecoming.

During the day we found out that Hudson would be making a special appearance in Human Nature, a short film directed by CDIGITY. The news made everyone even more excited for the screening, turning what was already an anticipated moment into one of the highlights of the festival.

When Hudson stepped onto the stage he was welcomed with a huge round of applause from the audience. The moment was captured in several fan videos, showing just how excited everyone was to have him there and how warmly he was received by the Run N Gun community.

The day went on and after the Human Nature screening and Hudson presenting the Best Direction Award, the night continued with the after-party. Several photos shared afterward showed Hudson celebrating with friends and enjoying the evening with the same people that has been part of his journey for years. A personal thank you to all the official photographers who blessed us with so many incredible photos of Hudson. We truly appreciate you.

But the feeling that came through every photo, every video and every story shared by the people who were there was that Run N Gun doesn't look like an event built around celebrity culture like every other awards show or big film festival. It looked like a place where people genuinely enjoy making films together and celebrate each other's work.

The fact that this was the first Hudson event I got to cover for the Hudson Williams Project made it even more special. The more I learned about Run N Gun and the people behind it, the more I wished I could have experienced it in person.

So, if anyone knows the next winning lottery numbers, please let me know. I have a film festival to attend.

……

Here's some reference links:

Hudson Williams' appearance at the Run N Gun Festival made headlines:

If you were in the audience that day, thank you for welcoming Hudson with so much warmth and excitement. Seeing the way this community celebrated him was truly special. So much has happened and moments like this mean a lot to us as fans and, without a doubt, to Hudson as well ♡