CRUNCH TIME FOR BUFF

BUFF is only 6 weeks off, and, as usual, the seeds of panic are setting in. The program looks as good as ever, but some of the anchor films are not locked down; there is still a venue to secure; sponsorship is just beginning to happen; advertising is ahead of last year; we have more guest filmmakers, but less money to pay for them; interns are working, but my managers are showing preliminary signs of burn out; and not all the films that we are considering are adequately accounted for and the first press release has yet to go out.

Fortunately, my volunteers are good, and there are more of them than ever. Apart from the dedication of may managing directors, Anna and Kevin, there areKim and Izzy who seem determined to bring order to chaos against all odds.

BUFF 7 will happen. It will be fun and a complement to the Boston film scene. I should be used to such anxieties by now, having always been a little last minute and a veteran of other festivals as well, but the anxieties are there. Stay tuned.