Interview

Interview with Festival Director Anamika Raj (GardenCity Film Festival)

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Garden_City_Logo-01.jpgI am Anamika Raj and I am a graphic designer by profession and have produced 2 feature indies. GardenCity Film Festival is one of the most appreciated in the country by several critics. It’s main focus is student and female filmmakers from around the world. We are happy to introduce the local audience to a range of most recent, cinematically daring and powerful filmmaking from around the globe. We want to be a festival that touches and teaches the audience, a festival that will drive creators to produce meaningful films, a festival that drives audiences from all walks of life and makes the week-end a deep experience that becomes a long lasting tradition.

Interview with Festival Director Anamika Raj

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

Anamika Raj: The best feeling for a budding filmmaker is not to earn loads of money, but to showcase his film in front of an audience, sharing the thoughts, and if the film is appreciated by the audience that is the biggest reward for every filmmaker all around the world. Film festivals are the stage to showcase great talents of the independent filmmakers. We at GardenCity give the same oppurtunity. There are so many film festivals all around the globe, and we don’t say we are the best, but as far as we can help filmmakers, we think we are doing our part.

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

AR: A lot of amazing documentaries made by young girls and there’s a section of LGBT films.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

AR: The qualification on the film depends on how the filmakers has tried to reach out to the audience. Your effort shows on the output of the film. We prefer films that are hard-hitting and are there to make an impact and should connect to the audience.

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

AR: It’s absolutely impossible to select every film witht he time duration we have and the amount of entries we get. Filmmakers need to understand that and maybe up their game. Every filmmaker is working very hard to bring out a good film, but they need to understand that if their film is not selected, maybe the other filmmakers have put a bit more effort than them in their pictures.

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

AR: Let me tell you a true story, I am a filmaker myself and people in my team are very passionate about films. So, we were doing this one project and we were working day and night on it, with just 4 hours break in a day. The project was completed and then we started sending it to film festivals. The feeling that you get when you receive a mail from the authorities saying that your film has been selected is amazing. I mean, you are actually being praised for your hard work. And that’s when my team and I decided to start something like this. If we can be a part of motivating talent, then, why not! See it’s simple, you are good at something and if you don’t get any good comments about that work, you will start working hard on your films, but if you get praised for doing that same work, next time you will try to give a better film to the audience.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

AR: We got 20 films as entries in the first edition and in the last edition, we got 300+ films. So, we are getting there.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

AR: In 4 years, we surely see ourselves as a big competitor to Cannes and Berlinale. Haha! Just kidding. When we started GardenCity Film Festival, we had one point very clear, all the film festivals happening all around the corner are not competing against each other, they are just helping brilliant filmakers to showcase their work. So, in 4 years, we would see ourselves helping four times of people we are helping now to bring out their work. We keep giving heavy discounts to the filmmakers who are really short of funds, especially student filmmakers.

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

AR: Rang De Basanti (from India) and every Woody Allen movie.

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

AR: As I already mentioned that a great film is that which connects to the audience and which has an amazing thought process behind it. See, for independant filmakers, cost of the movie really matters. Sometimes a filmmaker can come out with mind blowing movie on a very small budget, and sometimes, movies with huge budgets are panned by critics and audiences. So, to make a great movie all that it takes is a great thought and knowledge of using the given resources rightly. Script is the king.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

AR: In Bangalore, we have a film industry called Sandalwood. It’s growing and very good young filmmakers are coming out with their films. Sandalwood usually prefers action movies or thrillers. Some of them are Lucia, U-Turn and Cryptic Road.

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 to http://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Craig Higgins (Norwich Film Festival)

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norwich_1.jpgThe Norwich Film Festival is now preparing for it’s sixth year (2016). They have an amazing array of celebrity patrons and judges (including Bernard Hill, Tim McInnerny, Olivia Colman and Martin Walsh) who are all eager to watch your films and read your screenplays. The people of Norwich are also committed to supporting artists of all media and have been wonderful throughout our four previous years, turning up in their droves to see the best the festival has to offer.

www.norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

Interview with Festival Director Craig Higgins:

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

Craig Higgins: The Norwich Film Festival is passionate about screening filmmaker’s work from not just Norwich but from all over the world. We love that we get the opportunity to help the audience see something they generally wouldn’t see, and I feel this helps to give filmmaker’s a voice and the recognition they deserve. We have also just started to screen local feature films made in Norfolk throughout the year which we screen free of charge to help raise the profile of filmmakers. There really is an incredible amount of talent out there and we are just doing our little bit to help the world see it.

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

CH: Fantastic short films made by the some of the most talented filmmakers you will ever see.

We have not yet released the programme, so here is a little bit of a spoiler. The festival will be looking to screen 50 short films, 2 feature films (both are premiers for Norwich), an industry panel of getting your film made, a talk from one of the best Editor’s in the world, BAFTA regional shorts tour, along with lots of a Q&A’s from filmmakers. We are also going to ensure that we offer lots of networking too!

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

CH: We have 5 competitive prizes this year including best short, best animation, best student, best documentary and best script. The standard of submissions this year as been incredibly high, so short listing is going to be tricky! Luckily enough we have a fantastic team who have helped to judge and score your film. What is also exciting, the best of the best films are sent to industry judges who will watch them and decide who should win our competition. Some of our judges this year include Damian Jones (Producer – The Iron Lady, Lady in the Van, Dad’s Army), Nick Moore (Editor – Love Actually, Notting Hill), William Osborne (Scriptwriter – Twins, Scorpian King), Julian Jarrold (Director – Kinky Boots, A Royal Night Out), Steven Hall (DOP & Camera Operative), Jane Gull (Director – Sunny Boy, My Feral Heart) & Hugh Fraser (Actor)

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

CH: That’s a good question. It’s difficult, because festival’s only have so much allocated time to screen films and usually the best of the bunch are the one’s which are screened. However, you sometimes have that middle pile of films which are good, but don’t always make it through due to another film being submitted with maybe a similar theme but can be slightly stronger in terms of its narrative. What, I would say is even if your film doesn’t get through to one festival don’t stop trying! If you believe in your work, get it out there to festivals, screen it in local bars etc….

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

CH: Easy – we love films! We also enjoy that we are the first people who get the opportunity to watch some of the most exciting, engaging and inspiring films out there and we get to screen them! How brilliant is that? We also love meeting and hearing from filmmakers and anything which can help showcase and bring people together is fabulous.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

CH: Well this year as been a huge development shift in the festival, keeping in mind that everyone involved with the Norwich Film Festival are volunteers. We are now running as a small charity (but are due to apply shortly to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in the next few weeks), we have increased our web content for filmmakers, increased our social media fan base, built up an impressive list of judges & patrons (Brian Cox, Olivia Colman, John Collee & Tim McInnerny), offered monthly screenings and an increased networking opportunities for filmmakers. We have worked really hard this year and we are planning bigger and better things for 2017 already!

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

CH: I would love to see the festival become BAFTA accredited. That is my dream! It would be great if we could also continue to build the level of submissions we receive each year and offer the audience even more than we are providing now.

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

CH: Jaws….. I love this film!

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

CH: Great story, originality, creativity & something that stay’s with you even when the film ends.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

CH: Norwich is such a creative city, we have a host of incredibly talented filmmakers, a brilliant picturehouse cinema, 2 Universities which offer film related courses and a lot of love from the people of the city who welcome all creative types. Norwich as also played host as a location setting for big budget films such as Averngers: age of ultron, Tulip Fever, Stardust, James the Giant Killer and so on. I would love filmmakers to come to Norwich to continue filming as it offers so much diversity.

Don’t forget the Norwich Film Festival will holding it’s annual festival from the 10 – 13th November. It’s gonna be fun! Come along and enjoy something different.

norwich_2.jpg

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 to http://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Elena Ringo (Vienna Independent Film Festival)

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VIFF Vienna Independent Film Festival invites filmmakers from all over the world to submit their films to their international film festival which takes place in Vienna.  The goal of our festival is to find new talented filmmakers who will be able to approach the heights of cinematography created by geniuses like Antonioni, Fellini, Tarkovsky, Bergman, Visconti, Godard. Now, when the whole world has a tendency towards commercialization, they appreciate free spirit, new ideas an independent point of view and new approaches. Not the budget of the film but solely talent should be the criteria for the film’s success.

http://www.vienna-film-festival.com/

Interview with Festival Director Elena Ringo

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

Elena Ringo: VIFF 2016 – Vienna Independent Film Festival took place for the first time in July and it laid the foundation for the future. There were 38 films screened at the festival, almost all of them were Austrian premieres and the films were introduced to a varied audience. The participants had a lot of opportunities for networking and have received exposure via social media and press coverage.

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

ER: Our festival took place in July 2016 and now we are preparing for the next edition.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

ER: We value artistic quality of the films, independent point of view, cinematographic innovations and appreciate auteur cinema. Many films were directed, produced, shot and written by the directors themselves and the films were often based on real stories and personal experiences which brings truth to the films and makes the films more authentic and believable.

For example, the film Imperfect Sky which received the award for Best Feature Film, was written, directed and shot by Graham Streeter and was based on true events. Another interesting film which received the Grand Prix – Let’s Dance to the Rhythm was written, directed and edited by Bardroy Barretto and tells the story of real jazz musicians from Goa.

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

ER: I think that when festivals are very well-known they receive an enormous volume of submissions and very limited number of people actually select them on the first stage so many films are not noticed at all. Also, many festivals are more interested in big names rather than discovering new talents and do not want to take any risks.

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

ER: I hope that our festival will become a bigger event but will still preserve our main principles; independence, artistic quality, lack of political motivation and no discrimination against any genre or countries.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

ER: I hope that our festival will become a bigger event but will still preserve our main principles; independence, artistic quality, lack of political motivation and no discrimination against any genre or countries.

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

ER: The Mirror by Andrei Tarkovsky. This is a film which you can watch many times and every time discover something new.

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

ER: Artistic vision and deep ideas make a great film.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

ER: There are many cinemas and film lovers in Vienna. There are several film schools and there is a demand for more festivals in this cultural center.

viennafilmfestival.jpg

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.

Interview with Festival Director Joseph Hardin (HorrorQuest Film Festival)

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HorrorQuest Film Festival is the worlds only 100% free Horror film festival. Held each year at Cinefest Film Theatre, located on the Georgia State University campus, HorrorQuest has no set submission fee. All HorrorQuest screenings and events are free and open to the public on a first come, first served, basis.

Named one of the “Top 10 Film Festivals Every Filmmaker Should Know About” by Movie Maker Magazine, HorrorQuest has been praised by Filmmakers such as Kevin Smith (Clerks) and Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger) for it’s business model and ethics.

http://www.thehorrorquest.com/

Interview with Festival Director Joseph Hardin 

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

Joseph Hardin: I think HorrorQuest provides an alternative to filmmakers who might not have extra money to spend on festival submission fees. While we do charge a small fee for online submissions, filmmakers can still submit for free by mail. While this makes it harder to keep the festival running, it also is what makes HorrorQuest stand out.

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

JH: First, all screenings are 100% free to the public. HorrorQuest has always tried to put the films first. We do not have Q&As, red carpets or press junkets. Instead we try to cram in as many films as possible. We try to create a good mix of content, we do not have themed blocks of content, instead we try to give you a bit of everything in each block of films.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

JH: It can vary from film to film, but mostly we look for something interesting. When you watch hundreds of films years after year, it is easy to become bored when you see another slasher or zombie film. While we enjoy a good slasher or zombie film, it can be hard to bring something new to those sub-genres. That is what we really look for, films that try something new. If a film plays with an interesting idea or subject matter, HorrorQuest will often overlook the films technical shortcomings.

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

JH: I think that is absolutely true, even more so when you talk about larger festivals. If you do a simple Google search, you will find story after story about film festival corruption. Larger festivals are a business and they operate as such. They want to sell tickets and ad space, so it befits them to program differently than a festival like HorrorQuest. We can take a risk and program something experimental or extreme and not have to worry about what the sponsor is going to think about it. Not to mention bribes, HorrorQuest is a very small festival, yet well still get bribes from movie studios or indie distributors asking us to program their films. I would assume they offer more to larger festivals, on that scale, I am sure it becomes a strong temptation.

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

JH: Every one who is or has been involved with HorrorQuest, does it for free, no one gets paid. We all do it because we enjoy watching movies. We get to get together and watch films many people will never see. Everyday fells a bit like Christmas, when you check the mailbox, you never know what your are going to find. We get submissions from all over the world and it is still amazing to see what people can create. When it stops feeling like Christmas, it will be time to stop.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

JH: Not much has changed. It costs more to keep the festival going. The price to rent a theater never goes down. We still average the same about of guests, some years are better than others. We now accept online submission, which was something we put off for as long as possible. While it has made somethings easier, it has created more work over all. If anything, we have more name recognition. We are still the same hole-in-the-wall festival we were when we started.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

JH: Hopefully the festival will still be going. It is getting harder and harder each year to keep the festival as free as possible and not be out of pocket. Thankfully, we get by and have a theater that works with us as much as they can. There are a lot of things HorrorQuest wants to do. Right now, we are just glad to still be here.

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

JH: I have no idea, it is probably something like Back to the Future or Flight of the Navigator. One of those movies I watched as a kid. I still watch Back to the Future, Navigator, Monster Squad and The Goonies (among others) at least once a year.

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

JH: If I knew that, I probably wouldn’t tell you. I don’t think anyone knows. I think you can know what works, but even then, great filmmakers still make stinkers. Just make something you would want to see, odds are there is someone out there who will agree with you.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

JH: Atlanta is crazy, everything seems to be filming here, Ant-man, Captain America, Hunger Games. I think it was just voted the number one place to live as an indie filmmakers. There seems to be a lot of opportunities here. Georgia is a great place for film, hopefully the state won’t screw it up.

horrorquest

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.

 

 

Interview with Festival Director Frances Hill (Down Under Berlin Film Festival)

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Down Under Berlin was established in 2011 and is a project of the not-for-profit association Down Under Berlin – Australian Film Festival e.V. Since 2011 it has developed into the largest film festival in Europe dedicated to Australian and New Zealand film. As such it provides not only a window to storytelling and cinematography from Down Under but also a platform for filmmakers, who want to present their work to German audiences. The festival showcases a wide range of films including Indigenous cinema, short films, documentaries, experimental and feature films. Down Under Berlin is a member of festiwelt, the Berlin Network of Film Festivals.

http://www.downunderberlin.de

Interview with Festival Director Frances Hill

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

Frances Hill: Down Under Berlin Film Festival gives Australian and New Zealand filmmakers a new platform for their films in Europe.

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

FH: A range of high quality shorts across all genres, strong independent feature films, entertaining and moving documentaries, and a selection of features from established directors.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

FH: The films, the directors, or the subject matter must be connected with Australia or New Zealand. We encourage submissions that show off the high standard of filmmaking that can be found Down Under, as well as films that give varied perspectives on these countries and their cultures.

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

FH: A film festival is always a showcase of many different films, which makes it hard to highlight each and every film that is screened. It’s also a matter of audience and press interest: those films that have bigger names attached to them will be easier to market. But supporting up and coming filmmakers who have produced quality films is just as important, audiences appreciate good films regardless of budget and celebrity.

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

FH: The Down Under Berlin team is passionate about bringing new and unseen films to Berlin, we want to show our international audience films they cannot see anywhere else. We also see the appreciation from European and German audience members for the cultures of Australia and New Zealand and want to support indigenous filmmaking from Down Under in Europe.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

FH: Our first festival included mostly shorts with a few longer documentary films, which was a result of our reach at the time. We are now part of the Berlin film festival network and are also gaining recognition in Australia and New Zealand for our work. We have increased the number of films and audience members steadily over the years, and are proud to bring great films to Berlin, which otherwise would not be seen in cinemas.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

FH: We hope to take Down Under Berlin to other cities in Germany, maybe to other countries too. We would like to work more with film schools from Australia and New Zealand whose students are producing amazing films, which we believe should be seen in Europe too.

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

I think The Castle from Australia and Run Lola Run from Germany.

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

A compelling story with captivating visuals.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

In Berlin the film scene is great, we have studio productions next to independent projects, film school shorts alongside visiting directors from all over the world. Also we have many independent cinemas screening a diverse range of films, including short film nights. Berlin is a fantastic place to make and see films.

down_under_berlin

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.

Interview with Festival Director Matt Beurois (Paris Music Video Underground)

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Paris is a vibrant venue for culture, with lots of venues for shows, and the city itself is a gigantic set to shoot images. The festival selects Music Videos and dance movies from all over the world and they screen it in Paris and give young artists both sides of the camera to be noticed for their talents.

https://filmfreeway.com/festival/ParisMusicVideoUnderground

Interview with Matt Beurois:

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

Matt Beurois: Paris as a mixed history with Music Video festival. There is a huge one, but it is for well established artists and artists with labels… That doesn’t really need a festival exposure. We want to offer a real opportunity for artists, bands, directors working in music vids to have they work screened, seen, shared.

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

MB: A great atmosphere ! We visited quite a lot of underground venues in Paris. For our first year we choose the Highlander Scottish Pub because they have two screens, and because they really like our idea and our way of doing it. Music Videos will be a full part of this night in the underground cave of the pub.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

MB: We just are expecting to discover music videos. A music vid can easily be enjoyed : there’s music, images, it is short. But for the same reasons, and long after the MTV generation, a music vid has turned to be just another piece of marketing. What we like are music videos made with serious, sometimes ambition, and we love to watch something fun. We have selected very different music videos, in their music genres, but also in their styles, graphic design, editing… We select music vids that we want people to discover an so we can tell them : “take a look at this one, is comes from that other side of the world, it really has some guts”.

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

MB: We all know there are different ranges of festivals. The A type festival are like the holy grail most of us will never be able to reach. Under that there are the big festivals, the ones you never get selected to even if your work really would deserve it. Above that, there are hundreds of festivals, and we choose to create festivals that may, can and do accept and select strange, different, bloody, experimental stuff. We want to be one of these festivals the filmmakers are proud to take part of, and we try to do it so it is useful for artists to be part of our selections.

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

MB: We created a couple of movie festivals before, as the Paris Art and Movie Awards. I personally worked in the music business as a manager for 10 years, and I directed myself several music videos. I love this genre, because first of all I love music, and I love cinema. After the Paris Art and Movie Award had such a success, we created the Paris Music Video Underground, so we can just focus on one category, and create a competition that really emphasis these talents.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

MB: This is our very first edition, and we are really happy about the submissions we had. We hope the festival will grow !

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

MB: “The Frighteners” by Peter Jackson, just before he dived into the LOTR. This movie is an underestimated masterpiece, a perfect balance between entertainment and good script. For his first movie in the US, of this scale, I have much respect for Jackson.

Also, “The Truman Show”. When you watch this movie for the first time, your jaws will drop. Then, the more you watch it, the more it may freaks you out. This is so our world now…

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

MB: The script has to be good.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

MB: From the watchers point of view, we have many theaters, Original Versions, independent venues and major distributors. Paris is the greatest place in France to watch movies.

If you’re talking about the film business, Paris is hopeless, stuck in the mafia-like family process.

paris_music

Matt Beurois is a multi-award winning director and screenwriter with a background in Modern Letter in French High School, and a degree in Advertisement Communication and Marketing. He directed 25 shorts, and wrote 5 features, one of the screenplays being award nominated in the UK. He also produced and directed several music videos through the years, in Paris and London. He also is the founder of the Paris Art and Movie Awards, the only international festival in Paris intended for indie filmmakers and producers. His last movie to date as director : ‘Man of the Past’ has been selected by 31 festivals worldwide, winning 4 awards in Los Angeles, Paris, Croatia and India, including Best International Film Award in Hollywood, and screened in Cannes Film Festival in may 2014.
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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 Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Jacob Javor (South Florida Student Film Festival)

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The South Florida Student Film Festival (SFSFF), open to middle and high school students world wide and taking place at Movies of Delray/Lake Worth, is an organization founded by students designed to bring about awareness concerning the art of student filmmaking. SFSFF shines a positive light upon Middle & High School students who love the beauty of motion pictures.

http://www.sfsff.org

Interview with Jacob Javor:

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

Jacob Javor: As we are in our debut year, we only hope to help local young filmmakers get jumpstarts on their careers, by learning, creating, and meeting new people.

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

JJ: At SFSFF, both filmmakers that submitted and attendees alike can expect a valuable experience in which you can learn more about your passion by speaking to industry professionals and conversing with your peers; all while having a great time watching student short films and enjoying the company of our amazing sponsors!

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

JJ: At SFSFF, we are looking for GOOD STORIES. We primarily focus on the story your short film tells, and how it could connect to a potential audience. We also search for films that are well edited, shot and produced. We are not sticklers on visual appeal in the sense of using big-budget cameras and equipment. In fact, we encourage the opposite! Resourcefulness is extremely important in this industry, (and beyond) and we love to see filmmakers make use of what they have. So if all you have is your phone to shoot, worry not and film on!

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

JJ: Absolutely. Although we have not experienced many film festivals in particular, we think it’s very possible some judges may penalize submissions based only on their visual appeal. We entirely understand the limitations tight or non-existed budgets may set, and feel strongly that films should not be judged on anything but the quality story it tells.

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

JJ: We, the co-founders of SFSFF, are but high school students ourselves, and have a mutual passion for storytelling. We attempt to help young aspiring filmmakers like ourselves get jumpstarts on our careers, and the excitement of such a passion motivates us to drive on!

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

JJ: As we said previously, we are in our first year, and we are constantly developing and preparing for what we hope to be a successful and beneficial experience.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

JJ: By 2020, or even sooner, we hope to be known and recongnized near and far as a beneficial event that attendees enjoy and look forward to.

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

JJ: Probably Forrest Gump, or The Lion King.

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

JJ: Great films make you feel something.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

JJ: South Florida is home to a few big independent film festivals: including the Palm Beach & Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festivals (PBIFF and FLIFF). We only dream to be as successful as them, and greatly appreciate all they’ve done to help us in our passionate pursuits!

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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 Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Eric Quander (Joshua Tree International Film Festival)

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The 2016 Joshua Tree International Film Festival’s mission is to provide a platform for independent and noteworthy films and filmmakers to connect with industry professionals and the diverse audience that recognizes Joshua Tree as an oasis of creativity, art and culture throughout the international arts community. With special focus and support for projects that encompass the diverse vision of the urban and LBGTQ communities and bring to light the perspectives of indigenous cultures from around the world, we hope to cast the widest possible net to grow future generations of filmmakers and movie goers in Joshua Tree and beyond.

http://www.jtiff.org/

Interview with Eric Quander: 

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

Eric Quander: The Joshua Tree International Film Festival offers filmmakers the opportunity to exhibit their work before an enthusiastic, curious and intelligent audience, in a community known for its creativity and mystic surroundings.

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

EQ: The theme for this year’s festival in “SACRED SPACE”, and will feature an eclectic mix of features and shorts that exhibit filmmakers and characters exploring their relationship to both their inner and exterior spaces.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

EQ: Submitted films are screened by a panel of judges, who are committed to the vision of the JTIFF. Films are distributed and are based on a set of criteria which are scored 1 (the lowest) to 10 (the highest). Films with the highest cumulative scores are submitted to the Programming Committee who make final determinations based on the festival’s theme and anticipated level of audience interest.

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

EQ: I can’t really speak for other festivals, but JTIFF screeners and judges are trusted to view each submission with an open mind. We received over 100 submissions to this year’s festival, and undoubtedly among them, there were more than a few that simply don’t meet the standard of the type of films we want to screen before an audience. We don’t force screeners and judges to endure an obviously amateurish work, or those that lie far beyond the theme.

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

EQ: Our inaugural event last years was motivated by a challenge as to if a film festival in our community could attract an audience, in that we succeeded; however, admittedly, neither my staff or myself were not prepared for the technical difficulties that we experienced, which really threw the entire schedule off. We learned a lot from that experience, and this year, we are motivated to produce as professional event as possible. We have ½ as many films, a trained volunteer staff and venues that make it easier for attendees to see more films.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

EQ: The JTIFF is much more organized this year. We have taken the time to really coordinate our efforts with venue owners, and we all recognize that he festival is a community effort, that will benefit all. We have been able to educate ourselves on how a festival should go, how to make seeing films easy for attendees and how to prepare technically, to ensure that every film on the schedule is screened. We’re proud of the work we have done, and know that returning attendees will see a big difference, while first time attendees will enjoy the experience.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

EQ: That will be our 6th festival, and honestly, I have no idea how the JTIFF will change in the intervening years. I do know that we will be around; between now and then, I would mid engaging in building a permanent space for the JTIFF, that shows films monthly. In the meantime, we will aim to exhibit independent films that challenge audiences, encourage introspection, and stimulate audiences to contribute to the positive growth of the local and global community.

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

EQ: Night of the Living Dead (b&w version)

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

EQ: A great film’s main character stimulates its viewer(s) to consider their life and environment.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

EQ: Although there are a few sporadic screening throughout the year, the JTIFF is our community’s main platform to see independent films in the hi-desert.

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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 Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Bill Hass, Programming Director (Fort Worth Indie Film Festival)

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The goal of the FWIFS is to promote grassroots collaboration between and among filmmakers. They want to call attention to the quality work produced within the independent film movement. They want to do their part to provide a platform for independent artists to share their work and unique voices; to network and gain encouragement from their peers.

Website: http://fwindiefilm.com/

Interview with the Festival’s Programming Director Bill Hass:

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

Bill Haas: We are just three years old so we are still growing and discovering our persona. We’re seeing that we are becoming successful at relationship building. We work really hard to create an environment of collaboration versus competition. We are structured so that everything is physically close. This provides opportunity for filmmakers to see each other’s films and network. We are also building strong relationships with other festival directors who attend FWIFS. The filmmakers have opportunity to meet those directors and learn about other festivals to which they can successfully submit. For filmmakers that are actually from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, we’re providing a platform for them to show their work to family and friends in a festive environment. We’re still growing, but I can see that in the years to come, one of the key things that we will be successful at is building bridges. Establishing relationships with filmmakers, helping them grow their audience in the Fort Worth area and helping new and young filmmakers establish relationships with other filmmakers and festivals so they can continue to grow in their craft.

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

BH: If you attend the festival this year you can expect to have a complete independent film experience. We have quality films from around the world. A lot of the filmmakers will be in attendance, so you will get to meet and talk to the people who are creating the art. As a filmmaker, if you attend, you can expect a highly positive experience. All filmmakers will be celebrated for their work and treated like the professional artists they are.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

BH: A strong story. Whether it is a documentary or a narrative, the story needs to be interesting. We look for good writing, plausible concepts and a strong production value relative to the budget. Beyond that, we like to see good acting that results in characters that we believe an care about. Basically, we want to see a respect for the craft for filmmaking. If the person that made the film has a love for the craft, that will show; and the film made with respect for the craft is a strong candidate for acceptance to the festival.

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

BH: I see this topic come up in some form or fashion quite a bit. I honestly believe that all legitimate festivals fully consider every film submitted. Ultimately though, I can only speak for myself. We have a diverse screening committee that watches all of the submitted films. I don’t vote and I don’t speak to the committee about the films so as not to influence them with my biases. When making decisions regarding which films will be accepted, I lean heavily on their assessments. Beyond that, there are films I had a negative opinion of based on the synopsis. But then I watched the film and the story and production value turned me around, and we accepted the film. I honestly thing that all legitimate festivals fully consider every submitted film; I know for a fact that we do.

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

BH: We’re filmmakers ourselves. We know how difficult it is to get a low budget independent film in front of an audience. We want to do what we can to help other filmmakers connect with an audience and grow in the craft. That being said, this festival is not about us. We hardly ever show our own films, and if we do, we’re not eligible for awards.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

BH: We’ve not really changed a lot since our inception. Our target is the true independent low budget filmmaker. We want to show the films produced by the teams that are telling quality stories with little to no budget. That is where we started and that is where we plan to stay. We have grown. We have two screens this year so we’re showing twice as many films. Aside from that, we’re the same festival that we were in year one. Next year, we’re planning to add a screenplay competition.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

BH: By 2020 we’ll be seven years old. By then we should be in a position to add at least one more day to the festival, or another screen (or both). We may be in a position to increase the value of our awards and possibly provide some level of assistance or sponsorship to student filmmakers.

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

BH: The Five Heartbeats.

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

BH: A great story makes a great film.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

BH: The film scene in Fort Worth is getting better. We have a new film commission and the film community is really excited about that. We’re looking forward to more opportunities developing at all levels over the next several years.

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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 Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Todd Looby (BendFilm Festival)

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A near-constant fixture of MovieMaker magazine’s 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, BendFilm celebrates independent films and the risky, passionate, tough and talented people who make them. This year’s festival runs from Thursday, Oct. 6 – Sunday, Oct. 9, with most venues located in Bend’s historic downtown in Oregon and the nearby Old Mill District.

Website: http://bendfilm.org/

Interview with Festival Director Todd Looby

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

Todd Looby: BendFilm is committed to considering each film that comes in our door fairly. We want to champion the work of independent filmmakers who deserve more attention – whether we premiere ‘discoveries’ or present the work of established filmmakers whose work is under-appreciated by commercial audiences. We fundraise to pay travel expenses for our feature filmmakers and provide free lodging for all of our filmmakers. Last, but definitely not least, we award up to $8,500 in cash awards including $5,000 for the “Best of Show” as well as a $60,000 camera package from Panavision.

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

TL: We received a great grant from the Roundhouse Foundation to host at least 5 female filmmakers and their films. We want to be a force to overcome the vast gender disparity in filmmaking. A huge part of that is introducing and championing accomplished work to our audience. Though our programming process is still in an early stage, we have an incredibly promising crop of films to present to our audience. We are lining up intriguing panels, one of which will hopefully be our 3rd straight Film Fatales panel. Finally, we have commitments from some of Bend’s best venues to host what we think will be our best parties yet where our filmmakers and audience will continue make lasting bonds.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

TL: Selected films for the majority of our slots will not already have screened in the region, not yet have wide distribution and must be solidly independent.

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

TL: I can’t speak for other festivals, but it is something I felt as a filmmaker myself. Our Programmer Erik Jambor and our programming team make an extraordinary effort to give everyone a fair shake by watching each submitted film at least twice. Every film that we accept or have to reject will be fairly vetted and include input from our loyal and talented screening committee.

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

TL: I fell in love with the film festival experience as an aspiring filmmaker attending the Chicago International Film Festival. That love was solidified when I presented my first film festival at the Iowa Independent Film Festival. Since those early years, I’ve screened at dozens of festivals and they all reinforced the importance of the festival world in building filmmaking careers. We want to make discoveries to champion the work of filmmakers that should be doing this for a living. And, perhaps most importantly, connect those filmmakers with such a generous, critical and appreciative audience that we have here in Bend.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

TL: Our festival was great since its inception in 2004. For many years it was a “best kept secret” festival to the independent filmmaking community. Now we have 3-4 times the amount of submissions than we did just 3 years ago, so it is catching on quickly. With our community’s incredible support and enthusiasm for our programs we’ve added many year-round screenings and education programs that meet our community’s demand for greater access to films while at the same time foster more filmmaking from aspiring filmmakers.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

TL: That’s hard to quantify, but what the Board, Erik and I really want to do is make BendFilm a “must-stop” on the festival circuit. By 2020, we want to parlay our commitment to discovery to gain filmmakers the distribution and larger audiences that they deserve.

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

TL: It’s probably a tie between “Midnight Run”, “Dances with Wolves” and “Blues Brothers”. The first 2 stem from the late 80s when I was a teen with a lot of time discovering the magic of film at the same time we first got cable at home. Those films still resonate with me, though I haven’t seem them in years. “Blues Brothers” was one of the first films I saw in the theaters at the age of 5. Growing up in Chicago, it was a mainstay on all of our TVs and VCRs. I think each of those films holds up so well and serve as the standard-bearers in their respective genres.

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

TL: To me, as someone who’s made (or attempted to make) 3 narrative films for under $10,000, I love films that overachieve their budgets and transcend what the script may look like on paper. That “litmus test” can be applied to films working on every level – from independent to Hollywood or Academy-nominated films. 3 films that come to mind in recent years are Eric Steele’s “Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self”, Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separartion” and Ruben Ostlund’s “Force Majeure”.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

TL: Almost every week I get emails from filmmakers that are new in Bend or are seeking to move here. We already have solid production companies doing great work and a lot of talented filmmakers living here, but mostly working outside of Oregon. With the support of the Oregon Film Office and the newly formed “Central Oregon Film Office”, we hope to see a better utilization of that talent and more narrative and documentary work produced right here.
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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 Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.