interview

Interview with Festival Director Lana Westbrook (Boise Film Festival)

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The Boise Film Festival supports and promotes film arts for the local community and for filmmakers and their audiences world-wide. Through the production of an annual film festival and year round events and educational activities, the Boise Film Festival engages the entire community in the appreciation of the film arts. Now in its 2nd year, the Boise Film Festival celebrates innovative and original filmmaking for the Treasure Valley Community.

Interview with Lana Westbrook:

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

Lana Westbrook: Boise Film Festival strives to not only provide a spotlight for local-to-Idaho films and filmmakers, but to redefine how film festivals interact with filmmakers. Ultimately, we hope to be a monetary resource for any films and filmmakers wanting to film within Idaho and continue to expand from there. Currently in our second year, we’re working towards our big goals by bringing filmmakers to and highlighting their work in an exciting and thriving film community here in Boise. Filmmakers – local, national or international – interacting with each other and discussing how we continue to make films and the film industry great: that’s what we seek to provide for filmmakers.

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

LW: A strong, intimate connection with all other Festival filmmakers, team members, volunteers, and audiences. The Boise community’s affinity for film is incredibly prevalent and exciting right now, but we want to direct that passion in a productive and balanced way. It’s a fascinating time to come and check out the film scene here. For more insight, check out this story from the team behind “How to Be Cute and Break Hearts” after they came to our inaugural Boise Film Festival last September: http://www.boisefilmfestival.org/blog/2016/3/23/htbcabh-filmmaker-perspective.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

LW: We’re excited by an local-to-Idaho submissions, but are also thrilled when we receive submissions from near and far places. We look for diverse stories filled with real storytelling talent that shines through any kind of technology.

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

LW: Sometimes. There are a lot of politics involved in creating a public event that is sponsored by various individuals/groups but highlights incredibly detailed, emotional, and/or personal content. BFF works hard to keep an independent and open mentality when watching our submissions.

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

LW: The love of film and our passion for shining the spotlight on Idaho as a production destination. We’ve all been filmmakers, writers, actors, etc. on a project before and that excitement for telling “Not the Same Old Stories” is what drives us to put on BFF. We want Boise and the rest of Idaho to be known not just for our potatoes, but also for how great those potatoes (and other amazing parts that make up our community) look on camera.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

LW: We’re constantly trying to extend our outreach through community fundraising events and even adding an additional arm to this year’s Festival through the Idaho Comedy Film Festival, scheduled for January 2017. Any collaboration we can do with local productions and performers is what we’re interested in and we tend to follow that wherever it takes us while still focusing on the ultimate goal of BFF.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

LW: BFF would love to be everyone’s BFF by 2020 – filmmakers, writers, actors, investors for film, etc. from all around the world. BFF2020 will be our fourth year and it would be amazing to see how far we’ve come in terms of size, where our submissions come from, and we hope to have a featured reel of films made through our newly set-up production fund.

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

LW: Lucky Number Slevin… Josh Hartnett and Lucy Liu are a match made in James Bond Heaven and that extra spice is added by a perfect redemption plot twist with the help of Bruce Willis, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Morgan Freeman.

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

LW: A great film is one that makes you forget it’s a film at all.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

LW: Exponentially growing! There are multiple film festivals the community relishes throughout the year and we’re so excited to be one of them. Production and industry is also growing with the help of a few production companies and film initiatives led by various local groups who know how incredible Idaho is as a landscape and backdrop for our stories.

boisefilmfestival

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

Interview with Festival Director Freda Sideroff (Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival)

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garifunaThe GIIFF was founded in 2012 with a mission to preserve the values and aspirations of all indigenous people and Garifuna cultures. Founded by Freda Sideroff an indigene of the Garifuna, the GIFF’s mission is to specifically support the preservation of all indigenous cultures in the world through art and film.

Official Website: http://www.garifunafilmfestival.com/filmfestival

Interview with Freda Sideroff

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

Freda Sideroff: GIIFF is succeeding at creating a platform uniting filmmakers from around the globe with common causes to share the stories

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

FS: 41 films with 18 films/docs making Worldwide premieres Screening at 5th Annual GIIFF with a global impact , indigenous art installation International Symposium and cultural performances.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

FS: Supporting the preservation of indigenous cultures. Our filmmakers and films must consist of characters that offers cultural diversity.

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

FS: I suspect that some films don’t get a fair shake from certain film festival if they don’t serve the best interest of the film festival .

And if so, why?

FS: If you choose to accept a certain film subject it means that in some way you become responsible or forced to become aware with what it means to deal with the issues.

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

FS: What motivates me and my team is knowing that the contribution that GIIFF is making brings together leaders from communities from around the globe creating a platform for their voices and the voices of their communities to be heard.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

FS: The first year GIIFF screened only Garifuna related films and now it includes films and documentaries about the indigenous from around the globe including our international symposium which will include leaders from indigenous communities from Fiji , West Papua ,Guatemala , Honduras, Belize , Hawaii, Tribal Leaders from North America to name a few .

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

FS: By 2020 my hope is that GIIFF will attract sponsors and it will no longer be costing us out of personal pocket .

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

FS: Sarafina by director Stephen Spielberg starring Whoopi Goldberg

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

FS: What makes a great film is when you find yourself impacted by the story.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

FS: Hollywood is here we are in the land of where films are made need I say more.

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

Interview with Festival Director Chris Grigsby (Cinevision Film Festival)

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Cinevision Film Festival is an international competition for short filmmakers located in Santa Fe, NM at the heart of the city.  We aim to help amateur filmmakers make the professional leap.  This year’s competition is a little bit different than in the past.  We’re focusing more on shorter films to allow more directors the opportunity to be seen.  This year’s festival is directed by Chris Grigsby who is partnering with film4change and this is our film to help create the best program we’ve had yet.

http://cinevisionsfuad.com/

Interview with Chris Grigsby:

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

Chris Grigsby: Cinevision Film Festival is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For those who don’t know, Santa Fe, Nm is indeed a real place and it happens to be a film and artist hub. Independence Day 2, Seth Rogan’s new project, “Preacher” and the ever popular Netflix show, “Longmire,” are just some of the recent project that are taking place here. With the film Festival, we like to give the opportunity for Filmmakers to showcase their work to an audience that is very involved in the business, and hopefully be a bridge between the amateur and professional realm.

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

CG: Laughing. Crying. Puking. Walk-outs and the occasional standing ovation is what I’m praying for. This year we had over 700 submissions from around the world and the program is shaping into one of the best showcases I’ve seen, but then again I’m biased.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

CG: Cinevision is an International Short Film Festival, so fifteen minutes or less is kind of our style. If you think punk-rock teen angst meets ballroom reception with a splash of comedy, this would be our qualifications. You won’t see to many heart felt documentaries this year.

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

CG: I can’t say with any certainty but I’m sure you could make a case for it. The beautiful thing about today, is that there are film festivals springing up all around the world that gives filmmakers an even greater chance to be seen and heard. So I would say try your chance and if it doesn’t work out, try again.

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

CG: Cinevision is part of a weekend art festival held at Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Were right in between Outdoor Vision Festival, which is an art instillation and projection exhibit, and Quadstock Music Festival. Their always seems to be a friendly rivalry between the events, and we want to win that rivalry. There is always a large crowd that comes out every year and we want them to come for the art, stay for the film and relax on the music.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

CG: We’ve shifted the program to focus on shorter works and opened up the competition more internationally, just to give the opportunity for more filmmakers to show their work. The competition abroad was really strong this season and I know the audience will appreciate that. If you’ve ever been to Santa Fe, then you’ll understand just how worldly the community is.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

CG: I’d like for the festival to keep its small town feel, and still support major competition. The great thing about being in Santa Fe, is that the filmmaker never gets lost in the shuffle and has the opportunities that any major film market could provide.

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

CG: Probably John Carpenters, Halloween. I started watching that around the age when I wasn’t supposed to and feel in love with it. And because of that, I’ll never get the soundtrack outta my head.

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

CG: A great film breaths life from pictures.

cinevision_film_festival

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

Interview with Director Ben Wheatley (HIGH-RISE)

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Chatting with director Ben Wheatley on the phone in the midst of his press junket for “High-Rise” gave me a brief insight of who he is. He gives a lot of thought to the questions you ask him (even if he’s been asked a similar question dozens of times by reporters). He really loves his wife (see answer to final question). And he really likes directing films. 

benwheatley.jpgInterview with Ben Wheatley, promoting his film “High Rise”:

Matthew Toffolo: When did you first read the novel HIGH-RISE? Did you ever imagine that you would be the director of the film version.

Ben Wheatley: I first read the book when I was 16 years old. It stuck with me. Directing the film version, or any film in general, was the farthest thing on my mind then. Directing came later in my life.

MT: Tell us about your collaboration with screenwriter Amy Jump. From developing the script to editing the film together.

BW: She wrote the script and then passed it to me. There was no conversation. I gave her zero notes and zero feedback after I read it. I took the script and began the process of making the film. She knows me and what I’m capable of. And she knows the budget. So it was a seamless handoff.

After the film ended, we began to edit the film together.

MT: Was she on set? Did she watch the dailies?

BW: No. She first saw the footage when we began editing.

MT: How does your editing relationship work? I can’t think of another film where the writer and director edited the film together?

BW: I operate the machine, I guess like a traditional editor. She sits and has a conversation with me about what moment we’re piecing together.

Even with the credits in the film, we share the first title together. We are equal collaborators. We each have a job to do and our jobs are equally important.

MT: Producer Jeremy Thomas has wanted to make this film for over 30 years. What was his contribution on the film?

BW: He’s chafed that it’s completed. We (Amy and I) actually went to him, he didn’t come to us. We knew he had the rights to the novel and we were interested in doing it. We had no idea how long he was trying to get it made. From the day we spoke with him for the first time to the final product, it was about two years.

Amy’s weird in that she doesn’t like to take money to write. She told him , “I’ll write the script on spec. If you like it, then let’s do it. If you don’t, no problem.”

She did that, wrote the script and he did the rest to have it made.

MT: The film has a striking Production Design. How was your working relationship with Production Designer Mark Tildesley?

BW: I storyboarded the entire film. We drew together to set up certain scenes in pre-production and had a good relationship. We made a low budget film look expensive. We were very meticulous in how we set up each scene.

PHOTO: Tom Hiddleston stars in HIGH-RISE
high_rise_2.jpg

MT: The film has a very claustrophobic feel to it. Like we’re also trapped inside of this building and can’t get out. Was that your cinematic intention?

BW: The general sense of any movie is to wrap the audience in the film. So I wanted the audience inside that building relating to the characters. Yes, that was my intention.

MT: You like to present themes of the class war system in all of your films….

BW: Yes. The class system is all around all of us. Class is not just about money. It’s about the pressures of succeeding. And the misery of not succeeding. This around all of us, no matter what society we live in. I think everybody has issues with class, no matter what country you live in.

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

BW: Blade Runner. I’ve seen it 30-40 times.

MT: Who would you love to have dinner with, dead or alive?

BW: My wife. It’s miserable being away from home. I miss her. (Ben’s wife is Amy Jump, the writer/editor of High-Rise.)

MT: Can you give us a sneak peak of your next film “Free Fire”?

BW: It’s set in America, but the process of making it has been the same as before. It’s a genre action/crime film, so it was fun to make. The film is wrapped and edited and ready to be released. So stay tuned! It stars Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Sharlto Copley, and Armie Hammer.

Read Gilbert Seah’s Review of HIGH-RISE

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

Interview with Festival Director Tim Baldwin (Studio 35 Cinema Film Festival)

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Get ready for the second annual Studio 35 Cinema Comedy Film Festival (S35CCFF) taking place at Columbus’ oldest independent movie theater. Located in the heart of Clintonville, the S35CCFF features the newest and funniest independent film and shorts from around the country. What goes better together than comedy and a beer! A whole weekend is dedicated to showing the best independent comedy features and shorts, while drinking the best draft beers of the Midwest.

Website: http://www.studio35.com/

Interview with Tim Baldwin:

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

Tim Baldwin: We’re able to show their shorts and features on a big screen in DCP format. Not on a pull up screen in a hotel auditorium, or something like that. We’re an independent theater in Columbus, and we can show what we want. You make a movie to see on the big screen, and we will do that. I wish we had some panels for filmmakers, but we will do a Q&A. And since we’re small, there’s a lot of opportunities to just hang out and discuss films. We love supporting films after they’re been here as well.

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

TB: Some funny international short films. We’ve had a great submission year for international shorts. This sounds ridiculous, but we have a swag bag this year that I think is great for filmmakers. Great draft beer. A Ghostbusters pinball game.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

TB: Since we’re a comedy film fest, it’s as easy as make us laugh. We’ve received a lot of shorts and features that are good, but not funny. They would play great at a film festival, but not at a COMEDY film festival. And the regular technical aspects like make sure we can hear the film, and see it. The judges and I struggle with shorts that are technically not good, but maybe humorous. It needs to look good, maybe not polished or too polished, but look like it wasn’t shot with a camcorder. And the story has to be great. That’s the least expensive thing about a film you can do. Make a good story that we care about. All the best equipment in the world won’t make an unfunny story funny.

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

TB: If you mean, why don’t films get selected, it could be a lot of reasons. As a filmmaker who has submitted to over hundreds of festivals, I wonder the same. And I’ve found out that it’s just subjective to some extent. Some movies don’t fit the program, or some are too long to be included, or just not the genre they were looking for. But a lot of it comes down to, someone didn’t like it or get it. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t good or anything, just didn’t fit.

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

TB: I wanted to create a festival to show shorts and features that our community would not normally see. I wanted to create a fun atmosphere of filmmakers and moviegoers. And I wanted to meet filmmakers. Good film motivates me.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

TB: Well, it’s only our second year, so not a lot. We shortened the festival to three days this year. Since our attendance wasn’t as great as I hoped, we don’t have an awards ceremony or anything. I hope to have something more substantial in future years.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

TB: If we’re still doing it, lol, I’d like to have more shorts and films from well known artists but below the radar studio pictures. I’d like to have it be a cool location for filmmakers to come see their films. I’d like to have more of the community to attend, and in return give something back to local groups and events. I hope to make it more of an event for our community. We’re finding our footing now, seeing where we fit.

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

TB: Easy. Star Wars. I’m a small filmmaker as well, producing and making short films for twenty years. So Star Wars was a huge inspiration and influence in my life.

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

TB: A great film makes me care about the characters and what will happen to them.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

TB: We have a nice little film production community here in Columbus. Many people help out with other people’s productions. Columbus is working hard to bring the bigger budgeted movie here. Many of the professional crew work on these, and national spots. Columbus, also, has tons of international companies headquartered here that do production work. For viewing films, we have the Ohio State’s Wexner Center, which is second to none in programming films. The Gateway Film Center is also amazing in programming films and having special events that the people can get involved with. Our little single screen theater is great for community events, and watching movies with a great crowd as well.

Tim Baldwin BIO: Loving movies all his life, Tim entered Bowling Green State University with an emphasis of film production and studies. After taking an internship in Columbus, Ohio, Tim moved there in 1994. Tim worked at a production house for four year, moving from grip/production assistant to online editor. As a second job, he was a projectionist at three movie theaters in town, watching movies all the time. Wanting something more, he moved to Los Angeles in 1998 to expand his career and fulfill a dream of working in movies. After working on six films, including “The Heist”, “Buddy Boy” and “Way of the Gun” as a post production assistant, Tim wanted to try a different avenue to get his films made. So he moved back to Ohio and has worked as an AVID editor and video producer since 2000. He loves watching movies with his young son and spending time with his Key Make-up Artist wife.

Tim has wrote, directed and edited six short films, one feature length film “Garage Sale” and a documentary about Studio35, the longest running single screen movie theater in Ohio. He also is program director for the Studio35 Comedy Film Festival, now in it’s second year.

 

Studio 35 Film Festival FB_2016-01

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

Interview with Festival Director Nathalia Lemos (Flamingo Film Festival)

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The Flamingo Film Festival is dedicated to exhibiting the international short films and videos produced by student filmmakers. For the past 3 years, this event, held in South Florida, has honored outstanding narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated projects created by students while enrolled in a college, university, or other post-secondary institution.

Website: flamingofilmfest.com

Interview with Nathalia Lemos:

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

Nathalia Lemos: The festival is giving student filmmakers the opportunity to have their work screened not only for their peers, but also for a diverse audience of festival goers.

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

NL: Anyone attending the festival this year can expect a diverse showcase of student films. Festival goers will have the unique opportunity to see a variety of films not only from local student filmmakers, but also student films from abroad.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

NL: Well, we are definitely looking for films that are creative and original. We want to offer our audience the opportunity to discover new voices that have fresh and interesting perspectives.

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

NL: The goal of a festival is to curate a well rounded program. While yes, I am sure that there are films that don’t get a “fair shake,” here at the Flamingo Film Festival we are giving filmmakers from all over the world the opportunity to have their films reach a wider audience.

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

NL: The Flamingo Film Festival is dedicated to exhibiting the short films from student filmmakers from all over the world. Our goal is to continue to encourage student creativity and to recognize achievement in the film and video medium.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

NL: The festival is now in its 3rd year. And while the mission and goals remain the same, the festival has definitely increased it’s traction with international student filmmakers.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

NL: By 2020 I definitely see the Flamingo Film Festival as one of the most important international student film festivals in the country.

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

NL: Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

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

NL: In my opinion, a great film is one that remains interesting and engaging no matter how many times you see it. A film that can remain relevant 20 or more years from now.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

NL: The South Florida film scene is very diverse and vibrant. South Florida is offering filmmakers the opportunity to create fresh and interesting work. I would say that South Florida is currently a terrific haven for independent filmmakers looking for the ease and space to develop their work.

flamingo_film_festival

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

Interview with Executive Director Nina Streich (Global Peace Film Festival)

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Since its inception in 2003, the GPFF has shown over 500 films from around the world. The critically acclaimed programming has included Academy Award winning, nominated and short-listed films. In his blog, former Orlando Sentinel film critic Roger Moore called the GPFF “…one of the best festivals in this part of the country” and said, “Global Peace has the best documentaries of any festival.” GPFF’s leadership believes that to further its mission, success should not simply be measured by attendance numbers but by the engagement the films inspire from the audience – at the festival and beyond.

Interview with Nina Streich

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

Nina Streich: The Global Peace Film Festival (GPFF) is about actively engaging audiences to do something about the issues in the films they see. Watch Films, Get Involved, Change Things is our tagline and we seek films, mainly documentary but narratives too, that have been produced to have an impact on the issues they address. Filmmakers find enthusiastic audiences and meet leaders of organizations that are working on the issues the their films address. In the past few years, we have begun to offer other services for filmmakers beyond the festival including impact consulting and fiscal sponsorship.

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

NS: Most films are followed by discussions with filmmakers and also representatives from local organizations that work on the issue(s) raised in the films. The Q&As are often longer than those at most film festivals. Filmmakers find the audiences engaged and interested in their films as well as the issues they raise. Festival staff and volunteers work to make the GPFF a warm and welcoming experience for filmmakers and audiences alike.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

NS: We program features and shorts – documentary, narrative and animation. The majority of the program is non-fiction but we always want to include fiction work. We have always programmed films that are “mediums” – between 40 and 65 minutes. Our approach to the definition of “peace” is very broad and includes everything from conflict resolution, social inequality (class, race, gender, age, mobility, etc.), environment/environmental justice, LGBT rights, fair trade and new business models, human trafficking, sports and recreation, comedy/satire. We look for films that inspire and educate. We also include an online selection of films, mainly shorts, in addition to the main program, during the week of the festival.

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

NS: We are motivated to present a great program that addresses the many aspects of peace and produce an event that is a catalyst for community engagement.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

NS: The festival has grown in both size and impact. 2016 will be our 14th festival. We recognized the changing model of film festivals and decided early on to steer the festival in a direction that served the community in a deeper way, beyond bringing a crowd to a downtown venue for a passive viewing experience. We sought to develop relationships with the filmmaking community that focused on the “why” motivating filmmakers. This involved moving to pull other partners into the festival to build a new structure that would serve as a networking hub. This includes schools, libraries and universities to add depth, variety and timeliness to their community offerings. We reached out to community groups to bring the same benefits of our programming to help educate, energize and increase their member base. Our programming has always been centered on active engagement with our audience.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

NS: As the festival has evolved, we have begun to offer services to filmmakers (whether their work has been in the festival or not) including impact consulting and fiscal sponsorship.

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

NS: I’m always looking for and want to see new films so I can’t think of what I’ve seen the most times! Rather than the films that I’ve seen the most times, I think more about the films that have influenced me the most. It’s a long list…

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

NS: A great story.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

NS: I live in New York and the festival is in Central Florida. New York, of course has an incredible film scene. Central Florida doesn’t have anywhere near the size of the film scene as New York, but it is just as engaged, passionate and exciting.

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Nina Streich has an extensive background in both the film/TV/media industries and in the political arena. She held senior management positions in other film festivals prior to creating the Global Peace Film Festival in 2003 including Festival Manager of the Newport International Film Festival and Development Director of the Nantucket Film Festival. She began her career as a film editor, cutting trailers and marketing material for over 50 major studio and independent features, including The Elephant Man, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Scandal. In politics, she has worked for many candidates, from local to presidential campaigns. She was a coordinator of the Inauguration of Mayor David N. Dinkins in New York City in 1990 and was appointed Deputy Film Commissioner for the NYC Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting. After leaving the Mayor’s Office, she was the Deputy Executive Director of the NYC Host Committee for the 1994 Grammy Host Committee. An accomplished events producer, she has organized film premiers, music festivals, conferences, parades, street fairs and press conferences. She has produced several documentaries on subjects she is passionate about.

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

Interview with Festival Director Michael Helman (WILLiFest)

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Interview with Festival Director Michael Helman:

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

Michael Helman: Our festival gives independent filmmakers an opportunity to have their film screened professionally in New York City. There are not many opportunities for that in NYC. The few opportunities that do exist like Tribeca and NY Film Festival are incredibly difficult or impossible for the small filmmaker to get into. There are many other film festivals in NYC but screenings at many of them are not quite professional.

We also offer additional events like networking events and panels. Many festivals skip or skimp on these important events. When filmmakers are traveling from another city, it is the festival’s responsibility to play host and at a minimum, entertain and educate those filmmakers who have spent the money to travel to NYC and support the festival.

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

MH: Our festival is continuing to narrowly focus on the emerging filmmaker. We have offered many other events at our festival, street fairs, concerts but we have found that filmmakers find these to be a distraction for what they are really interested in, which is watch film, talk film and learn about film. We have heard them and are focusing on doing just that as well as we can.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

MH: Nothing specific. We offer many categories of films and are simply looking for the best in those categories. We have reduced the number of films this year that we plan on exhibiting in order to make entry into the festival more competitive and feature the best of independent film at the festival for the audience.

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

MH: Of course. Top tier festivals are very political and are somewhat slaves to their sponsors and partners so they have only so many slots available to discover new filmmakers and small films. Very small festivals are not receiving enough submissions and variety to find the next major filmmaker. Mid-tier festivals are the sweet spot because they receive enough varied submissions to discover new talent each year. One year we showed a short film from an NYU filmmaker and saw something in the film. That film went on to win the Academy Award that year for Best Short. This film was passed over by the larger festivals.

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

MH: We are filmmakers ourselves with a long history in film production. We produced a short film several years ago. The film was accepted to a bunch of festivals so we decided to travel the country with it and see what festivals we like. We were quite unimpressed and decided we could do a better job. Producing a good festival is an incredibly difficult process. We have found it to be as complex as producing a feature film… perhaps more difficult. Pulling off a well run event with limited staff and financial resources is no easy feat. We enjoy the challenge and the opportunities it brings to struggling filmmakers to find an audience and have their work be seen.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

MH: We started as a LARGE, multi-disciplined arts festival. Our first year included an arts exhibit, storytelling competition, 47 indoor/outdoor concerts, street fair, half a dozen parties, opening night gala, closing day awards ceremony and almost 200 screenings. It was a monster spread out over 12 venues throughout Brooklyn. We have learned from the first year successes and stumbling blocks and have adjusted the festival each year. The rest of the answer was addressed in question 2.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

MH: No clue. We see our focus continuing to narrow. Depending on how this upcoming festival goes, we will probably continue to narrow the focus of the festival and numbers of screenings. We are continuing to grow our screenplay competition. We are trying to offer our filmmakers more benefits that they don’t always receive at other festivals like full festival passes for them and their co-producers so anyone coming out to support the festival can enjoy the entire event at no cost. We have always had an issue that most festivals charge visiting filmmakers to attend any events as well as screenings. The festival only exists and excites audiences because these talented filmmakers are attending these out-of-town festivals so they can address the audience who has chosen to view their film and answer any questions they might have. Q&A is pretty much the only thing that separates the festival experience from the movie-going experience.

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

MH: The Graduate or Back To The Future.

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

MH: Story. We look for a professionally produced film with good lighting, camera work, acting and especially sound. However, we have accepted less technically proficient films because the story was so compelling. Entertainment these days are driven by content. Youtube videos can be most poorly produced disaster you have ever seen but still achieve over a million views because the content is compelling to a large, general audience. If you start with a good idea, take your time and turn this compelling story into a well-written screenplay, you are already ahead of most films out there, including Hollywood films. It starts with the story and the script and everything else just enhances it and hurts it. Bad acting is a killer, so there is no easy path to making a great film. But it all starts with an interesting story. It is a lot more difficult to achieve then it sounds.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

MH: What is there to say, New York City is arguably the center of the entertainment world. You feel it as you walk these storied streets through Manhattan and Brooklyn. If your film is going to show anywhere in this world, most filmmakers dream of a New York City screening and we aim to offer just that.

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

Interview with Festival Director Korina Mavrikidou (Athens Animation Festival)

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The 11th ATHENS ANIMFEST starts on Thursday, 7th of April and runs until Wednesday, 13th of April, 2016, at the Greek Film Archive. Screenings will also be held in Romantso (11-13 April, 2016) and the Cine Club Vrilissia (9-10 April, 2016). This year preselection juries have selected a large number of animated movies submitted from all over the world, confirming Athens as part of the high quality animation festival association. The program includes competition sections for experimental, student and short animated movies, a tribute and some events.

Interview with Korina Mavrikidou:

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

Korina Mavrikidou : Athens Animfest is a festival dedicated to animation films. Both artists and students of animation are given the opportunity to create their films and cinephiles are able to enjoy them. This interactive relationship has a remarkable effect on the evolution of animation, in general. Also, it contributes to reveal talented filmmakers that people may not be aware of. The last two years, Athens Animfest attracts artists from all around the world who meet each other in Athens. We are convinced that, beyond the promotion of animation, our festival cultivates relationships between artists and cinephiles.

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

KM: Cinephiles have the opportunity to enjoy screenings of inspirational films created by notable filmmakers and a 7-day program full of parallel special events about the art of animation all over the world.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

KM: The selected films should be inspirational and should be distinguished for conceptual, technical and aesthetic excellence.

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

KM: The evaluation process is really very difficult. Most of the films submitted for the festival are technically robust, due to technological developments and their themes are imaginative as well. Nevertheless, a great film will stand out among the rest and will get what it deserves.

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

KM: Apart from our passion for the animated films, which is for granted, we have supported this effort so much, because through this, new talents are emerging which are so necessary in our country.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

KM: Some things have remained unchanged, such as our passion for this project, but some things have changed radically. Now we get submissions from more countries and we have regular fans that attend Athens Animfest every year. We become famous through social networks and the world seems to embrace this festival.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

KM: Hmm, I wish I am running it until then …! Also, I hope to have gained a good reputation and attract even more participants.

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

KM: A great film should have a great story to reveal, including new or unique ideas. Also, sound, acting, filming and editing are important elements for a good result. In a few words, the film should have the whole package to be considered as great.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

KM: One is for sure: There is much to be done. You see, there are efforts which are remarkable, but they do not have adequate support from the state and thus they collapse. Nevertheless, we remain optimistic and supporting our efforts and the efforts of other festivals that take place in Athens, we are looking forward to a better tomorrow.

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

Interview with Festival Director Damon Blalack (Red Dirt International Film Festival)

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The Red Dirt International Film Festival is where film goes to have fun. We love movies and a good time. We are pleased to showcase films of many genres. The name of the fest is so-called because of central Oklahoma’s uniquely colored red earth.

During its 2-day run March 3-4, 2017, we will feature many films, from full-length movies and documentaries, and short films from filmmakers both local and worldwide. In the past we have featured films from all seven continents, including Antarctica! Red Dirt was formed to bring more inspiration, culture, and entertainment to central Oklahoma, as well as to enliven people of all ages through the united power of the film medium.

Interview with Damon Blalack:

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

Damon Blalack: Allowing them a platform for promoting their work, and putting them into great networking situations.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival next year (2017)?

DB: A lot of heart, friendliness, and GREAT films and panels!

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

DB: Something unique, something inspirational on some-level, and well-crafted.

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

DB: Right. It’s a lot of responsibility for the filmmakers to get their audience together for their film, and for those who don’t do enough promotion, there are always the few gems that win awards despite not-having had an audience.

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

DB: Helping give back to the film community and film industry by partnering like minds and highlighting the best work!

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

DB: Our palette of films has diversified and grown; we’ve grown by leaps in bounds in only three years’ time, receiving much community and statewide support!

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

DB: As a must-attend contender in the region!

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

DB: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) – Damon
The Cutting Edge (1992) – Marisa

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

DB: Something inspirational to say; well-crafted, and offering a unique voice.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

DB: Very, very dry and almost otherwise non-existent aside from the festival.

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Damon Blalack (Co-Founder and Executive Director) – Red Dirt founder and Executive Director Damon Blalack is also a filmmaker and current Ph.D. student at Queen’s University, Belfast Ireland. His current focus is on the “fan-edit” film phenomenon, and how it affects the fidelity of adaptive works.

He’s working to crowd-fund a movie-sequel to the 1992 Coppola-directed film, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which is his favourite film, and which is based on his favourite novel, Dracula.

Alongside that film, his lifelong inspiration to become a filmmaker was borne out of the Star Wars saga, of which he has taught courses as a college professor on the mythology of the Star Wars movies and Clone Wars television show. His particular interest is in the prequel films, and Clone Wars series, and part of his current work includes a re-assembly of all 133 episodes of the Clone Wars into a three-film trilogy distillation.

As early as two years old Damon knew he wanted to be a filmmaker, and would project shadows of his action figures onto the walls with lamps. His absolute favourite films include the aforementioned Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and the Star Wars films (1977-2015), the Universal Classic Monsters films of the 30s and 40s, the Narnia films, and EVERYTHING made by Jodorowsky [El Topo (1970) and Holy Mountain (1973) changed his life!], Kubrick, Melies, Herzog, and Maddin (his favourite filmmakers).

He’s looking-forward to year four of Red Dirt, and very happy to see it growing into such a wonderful staple of the Stillwater and OSU community!

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