Explore newspaper clippings, interviews, festival coverage, and announcements featuring Hammad Zaidi and the Lonely Seal family of companies, dating back to 1994. Browse newest to oldest and follow each link to the original article or preserved clipping.
August 26, 2026
Hammer to Nail previews the ninth Lonely Seal festival
Hammer to Nail · Festival coverage
Don R. Lewis highlights the Arlington festival’s independent films, filmmaker programming, Ernest Thompson appearance, and Spike & Mike’s animation showcase.
August 25, 2026
Watertown filmmaker brings Late Fall to Lonely Seal
Watertown News · Film coverage
Charlie Breitrose reports on Abigail Jean Lucas and her film Late Fall, selected for the festival’s Women in Film & Video New England showcase.
August 24, 2026
Massachusetts Film Office spotlights Lonely Seal
Massachusetts Film Office · Event notice
The state film office’s event notice highlights the August 27–30 festival and its focus on independent storytelling, global diversity, and underrepresented voices.
August 19, 2026
Stories Aching to Be Told: A Conversation with Hammad Zaidi
Cinema Without Borders · Interview
Bijan Tehrani speaks with Hammad about filmmaking, the origins of Lonely Seal, inclusive storytelling, streaming, and his work across entertainment and sports.
August 16, 2026
The Arts Fuse includes Lonely Seal in its cultural guide
The Arts Fuse · Arts guide
The Boston arts guide previews the ninth festival at the Regent Theatre, including Ernest Thompson’s book discussion and the return of Spike & Mike’s animation program.
December 22, 2025
Meet Hammad Zaidi of Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach
VoyageLA · Personal interview
Hammad reflects on his path to UCLA and filmmaking, the origins of Lonely Seal, building Ryz Sports Network, and the childhood ambitions that shaped his career.
May 26, 2025
Hammad Zaidi Turned Adversity into Art, Advocacy, and a Life Worth Watching
Entrepreneur UK · Profile
A career feature explores Hammad’s path into film, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, tracing the experiences that shaped his approach to storytelling and business.
June 13, 2024
Six Bay State film fests and events to soak up this summer
The Boston Globe · Festival coverage
Includes Lonely Seal.
May 16, 2024
Lonely Seal at the Cannes film market
Cannes Market News · Photo coverage
The official Cannes market daily includes a photograph identifying Hammad Zaidi and Lonely Seal colleagues on page 15.
April 9, 2024
Rolling Out explores film, technology, and inclusion
Rolling Out · Video interview
Kevin E. Hooks interviews Hammad about his creative career and his perspective on storytelling, technology, and representation.
January 14, 2024
Palm Springs festival recognizes its 2024 juries
Palm Springs International Film Festival · Awards notice
The festival’s official awards announcement names Hammad among the jurors for the Cinema Without Borders Bridging the Borders Award.
September 24, 2020
Revisiting the United Day of Service campaign
Follow South Jersey · Retrospective
A retrospective examines the youth-volunteering initiative and Hammad’s role in creating its public-service announcement.
October 2, 2019
Scene Here: Granite State screenings, orchestral efforts, (Lonely) Seal of approval
The Boston Globe · Loren King
Lonely Seal’s second edition.
2019 · Year shown in source
Lonely Seal Releasing sales listing
Cannes Market News · Le Film français · Page 49
A market catalogue listing Hammad Zaidi as founder and CEO alongside the Lonely Seal slate.
September 27, 2018
Film festivals aplenty — and getting a ‘Clue’
The Boston Globe · Loren King
Lonely Seal’s festival debut.
May 15, 2015
The Multi-Hyphenate Hammad Zaidi
Script Magazine · Profile
John W. Kim’s profile explores Hammad’s filmmaking, writing, distribution work, and efforts to create opportunities for storytellers.
September 23, 2010
Interview with Hammad Zaidi about Calculated Business Risks
Michael Rucker · Interview
A conversation about filmmaking, entrepreneurship, distribution, and learning from failure.
January 29, 2010
Slamdance Hands Out Awards
TheWrap · Awards coverage
Reports the first Script Accessible Screenplay Award, sponsored by Lonely Seal Releasing.
November 25, 2007
Monkey business
The Kansas City Star · Robert W. Butler · Page F9
A feature about Monkey Presents, with Hammad Zaidi’s photograph and comments on the educational DVD series.
January 30, 2005
Ben Meade ‘academic film’ offers a peep into American stag reels
The Kansas City Star · Robert W. Butler · Page G4
Arts coverage identifying Hammad Zaidi as producer and co-writer, and discussing Lonely Seal Pictures.
August 23, 2002
Annette Kellerman is Alive… a 911 call…
Ain’t It Cool News · Campaign coverage
Ain’t It Cool News reports on the United Day of Service PSA directed by Hammad, created to encourage young people to volunteer on the first anniversary of September 11.
May 31, 2001
Reel Nashville
Nashville Scene · Arts coverage
Tennessee Film Night coverage featuring a short film by Hammad Zaidi.
April 2001 · Event date
Baptized at Lucky Lube at Dawson City
Dawson City International Short Film Festival · Program
The festival’s original program documents the short film’s screening and Hammad’s participation in the Directors on Directing workshop.
October 5, 2000
Annette Kellerman gets Baptized at Lucky Lube
Ain’t It Cool News · Film review
Annette Kellerman reviews Hammad’s short film and discusses its personal storytelling and his work as a first-time director.
October 17, 1994
Lonely Seal has ‘Rules’
Daily Variety · Newspaper clipping
Early trade coverage of Lonely Seal Pictures and the Local Rules option negotiated by Hammad Zaidi and Christopher Ted Olsen.