Press

the spokesman-review—An impressive array of films high light the 25th annual Spokane International Film Festival

“‘Punderneath it All’ is the quirkiest film of the fest. The sweet and amusing documentary features a clever cast of characters…Yes, there are some groans, but the breezy film generates some laughs and drops some surprising insights.”

the inlander—Highlighting the standout films from the 2024 Spokane International Film Festival

“Turns out comedic competition isn’t all PUN and games — rules get stricter, tensions rise and puns take on politics. The film will definitely make you reconsider whether puns are the lowest form of humor. I say, let the PUN shine!”

King5 evening news—New movie by Seattle filmmaker is a whole lotta pun

“‘Once you're aware of puns, they are everywhere,’ said Abby, who added the topic was a natural fit for her, since she was raised as a pundamentalist. (pa dum dum. Bad joke is our fault.)”

Tacoma film festival Award winner

Punderneath It All was awarded the PNW Audience Award at the Tacoma Film Festival in Washington.

Deep in the heart film festival Award winner

Punderneath It All was given a Special Jury Award at the Deep in the Heart Film Festival in Waco, Texas.

THE STRANGER—SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW

“Abby Hagan's documentary…is sweet and touching and funny and full of thoughtful insights on the relationship between language and the self and community.”

THE LAST THING I SEE—FILM REVIEW

“A sucker for documentaries that explore the most niche, off-the-beaten-path slices of life, Abby Hagan’s film, Punderneath it All, about the world of puns, punning, and pun slams, is freaking catnip.”

The Sunbreak magazine—SIFF 2023: NW Connections: Poets and Puns

“I wouldn’t have thought I’d enjoy this movie as much I did, but it was a lot of punfun. Punderneath It All is pretty much The Last Dance of puns…[it] is certainly the punniest movie at SIFF.”

Crosscut—ArtSEA: SIFF launches festival with a Cinerama save

Scenes from Seattle pun slams reveal that while goofy, this particular form of funny comes with very specific parameters — so just make sure you aren’t punning on empty. 

Pun INTENSIVE PODCAST—Special Mini Episode: A Documentary About You!

“You may recognize our guest, Abby Hagan, from one of many pun competitions throughout the country. She's the one with the camera.”

SCREENCRAFT FILM FUND—PUNDERNEATH IT ALL ADVANCES TO SECOND ROUND