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

Edward Payson: We take an intimate look at Genre films outside the mainstream. A lot of these films are to crazy for a general audience. Its a festival made by filmmakers for filmmakers.

2) What would you expect to experience if you attend your upcoming festival?

You will definitely see films that will make you laugh, cru, cringe, get nauseous (not necessarily in that order. )

3) What are the qualifications for the selected films?

Each film is judged on originality, story effectiveness as well as many other technical aspects.

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

Most festivals just care about getting as many people in the door as possible, while we definitely want people to see the films a film made in the USA has the same chance as a film from ang other country. We also pull no punches with our content.

5) What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

We love genre films. That is basically it. We don’t make any money doing this. I, myself do this to give back to the community that treats me so well.

6) How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

I couldn’t ask for a better, more intuitive submission process.

7) Where do you see the festival by 2023?

Hopefully exactly the same as it is now. We love the 60-100 intimate crowds.

8) What film have you seen the most times in your life?

I would have to say Night if the Living Dead. Its a childhood favorite,

9) In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A good film makes you feel. Whether its crying, being scared being happy, you feel something.

10) How is the film scene in your city?

Its Los Angeles. It is the film mecca.

*****

James Rowlins left his native England for Paris, France, to study French cinema. His passion for visual culture subsequently took him to Los Angeles, where he earned a doctorate at the University of Southern California while learning the ropes of filmmaking. He has published articles on the French New Wave and film noir. After serving as Head of Film Studies at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, he now dedicates himself to the full-time running of Brighton Rocks Film Festival.