NORTHAMPTON INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
After a conferance call today, I am struck by the fact that the more the Festival needs to become special, the more the conversation goes to use the same formula for "success" We can=t all be trying to do the same thing. Northampton is a unique New England community, and peop[le who attend the Festival from outside fall in love with the city. I still feel that the Festival not become a showcase for independent film, but become a referendum n the state of independent filmmaking.
2 Comments:
Ths year was my first at the NIFF, as a representative of CDIA@BU. As you mention, its an easy place to fall in love with, but appearance, appearances, right...? Still it was an opportunity for us (david tamés and myself) to host round-table discussions about the technical matters pertaining to digital filmmaking, such as 24p, in standard-def and high-def, digital sound concerns, etc; many young filmmakers had some great questions, as well as great input. We are looking forward to expanding on some of the relationships intiated there - for example, since NIFF one beginning filmmaker has written me to let update us on his career after speaking with me there, and is well on his way to directing a doc with some 'big names' attached to it: as an educator, always rewarding to hear these things!
Would bringing in more outside, or non-local players to the NIFF help boost the quality, I wonder. It could, definitely, at the risk of course of becoming more generic...I found the mixture of home-brew (yes pun)and larger-themed projects very nice. This is an important topic, hopefully more discussion can be generated!
Thank you for your comments. I think we're on the same page. In the festivals with which I am involved, I try to ensure that about 40% of the program is regional (i.e., New England, Since the festivals can't afford transportation and housing costs, it makes progmatic sense. But, it also makes sense from an audience standpoint, for they get a chance to mix with the people who make films in ways that can't go on at larger festivals. And, it's important for the filmmakers themselves, who, in forums such as the one in which you participated, not only is it a chance to give them something to do other than watch one another's films, but, with so many people at similar points in their careers, it gives them a chance for an exchange of infrmation, something like swapping war stories. The previous Festival directors actually dropped the panels, because the residents were't coming out. When I took over almost three years ago, I insisted on bringing them back. They,ve been well attended, not only by the participating fimmakers, but by those who are part of the larger Pioneer Valley (and Eastern Massachusetts) film community. There is some question about the Tech Fair. It's labor intensive, and in terms of attendance, a little specialized. But we shall see. Stay posted.
Post a Comment
<< Home