The Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF) is an academic organization. The WCFF MISSION is to inform, engage and inspire audiences about the need for and importance of the protection of global biodiversity. The WCFF does this through the annual film festival in New York and Beijing, the annual biodiversity conference in New York. WCFF also engages in monthly programs in New York and other cites that include film screenings, business & social networking events, and presentations.

www.WCFF.org

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Christopher J. Gervais: The WCFF helps filmmakers to build relationships for existing and future projects. We also make connections between talented filmmakers that have exceptional content to networks for broadcasting and distribution.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

CJG: An attendee will experience over 90 exceptional and award winning films, over 65 are World Premieres at the WCFF and another 26 will be north America premieres. In addition to the film screenings, there are panel discussion, Q&A with the film producers, receptions, and a biodiversity conference. Attendees get to meet international filmmakers that attend the WCFF from across the globe.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

CJG: Film are reviewed by a jury selection committee. We look for exceptional content. A film that has a message about a specific species or ecosystem. The films we select are not just meant to entertain the audience but to inform, engage and inspire.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

CJG: Some films are not selected for political reasons. An example, this past spring a film festival held event related to one specific species. The announced award winners were from film producers or productions companies that were board members to the film festival. This is a conflict of interest and in our opinion was not ethical.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

CJG: What motivates myself and my team is commitment to protect global biodiversity. We do this through the power of film.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

CJG: The festival was a 2 day event in a small town on Long Island the first year. Within two years we moved to New York city and within the 5th year the festival has grown to 10 day event that included a biodiversity conference and filed trips. visiting scientists, film producers and members of the press have identified the WCFF as one of the most important film festival on the planet for wildlife conservation.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

CJG: Our goal by 2020 is to have the film festival remain in New York and ad another key America city as a venue. We are also looking to bring the WCFF to one if not several countries is Asia.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

CJG: There is not one but several mainstream films; Dancing with Wolves and JAWS.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

CJG: A great documentary film has exceptional cinematography, narration and a unique story.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

CJG: New York city is a great film town. There is exceptional mainstream and documentary films screened all the time. Something for everyone as there is such a variety in the subject matter.

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Fesival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go tohttp://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.