matthew toffolo

Interview with Jo Southwell, Henley Fringe & Film Festival

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Bringing Theatre and Film to you. Drama. Comedy. Stand-Up. Music. New Writing. Film

http://www.henleyfringe.org/

Matthew Toffolo interviews Festival Director Jo Southwell:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

JO: TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING TO AUDIENCES. GIVING THE FILMMAKER A PLATFORM.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

JO: YES IN 2015 WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON SHORT FILMS AS WE FOUND THAT FEATURE FILMS WERE MORE DIFFICULT TO JUDGE AND SCREEN

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

JO: WE SHOWCASE 10 HOURS WORTH OF FILMS

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

JO: ALREADY WE HAVE HAD SOME AWARD WINNING SUBMISSIONS, FILMS SCREENED AT CANNES AND SOME INTERESTING DYNAMIC DRAMAS

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

JO: THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT FOR OUR FESTIVAL IS THE STORY. WE EQUALLY SCORE TECHNICAL QUALITY, ACTING, CASTING AND ARTISTIC VISION BUT WE ARE INTERESTED IN A COMPELLING STORY IN ALL GENRES.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

JO: WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE ANIMATION, COMEDY AND THE ABILITY TO NOT ONLY SCREEN FILMS BUT WORK WITH INDUSTRY TO CREATE LINKS FOR THE FILM MAKERS

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

JO: THERE ARE A LOT OF RESIDENT FILM MAKERS. ONE CINEMA BUT NOT A BIG FILM FEEL TO THE TOWN

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

JO: TOO MANY TO ANSWER – PROBABLY THE ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY AS I WROTE ABOUT MYTHOLOGY AND SCI FI FILM FOR MY DISSERTATION.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.

Michael Samstag, Festival Director, Film Score and the Scruffy City Film & Music Festival

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Film Score and the 2015 Scruffy City Film & Music Festival will be held April 28 – May 3, 2015.

A celebration of film and music, The Scruffy City Film & Music Festival (formerly the Knoxville Film & Music Festival) http://www.knoxvillefilms.com/festival411/

Matthew Toffolo interviews festival director Michael Samstag:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Michael: Our goal is to shine a bright light on the heart and soul of film—the songs and scores that really make films sing. Any film selected for the festival must have a stand out soundtrack or score, whether it’s a documentary or a narrative film.

The festival was created and is run by filmmakers and musicians so it’s our goal to showcase incredible films with great audiences. All of our screenings are in prime time or during the weekend to ensure the best audiences possible. We also work hard to show our visiting filmmakers, composers, and special guests what true Tennessee hospitality is all about, from accommodations, food and drinks, to our legendary TN Moonshine Gift Bags, we go the extra mile to ensure everyone has a great time.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Michael: Our festival is driven by change. We began as a simple 24 hour competition then evolved to a full blown film & music festival with 6-days of live music and incredible screenings. This year we’ve introduced two new competitions, our Music Composers Challenge that gives composers 5 trailers to score, and our Music Video Challenge, where filmmakers have six incredible tracks to choose from with which to create an incredible music video. The tracks have been submitted from national acts like the Black Lillies, The Features, and 10 Years, to name a few.

Next year we will be introducing a Trailer Challenge and the winning trailers will become the trailers for our Music Composers Challenge, and a Band Challenge, where the winning bands will have their tracks available for our Music Video Challenge.

Change or die, that should be our motto.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Michael: Not enough. We don’t run multiple screens or screenings during the week days so we have a very limited amount of slots. Our Selection Committee is reviewing over 300 films of which approximately 5 features, and 35 shorts will be selected. We are so fortunate to have James McNally, from Shorts That Are Not Pants as our Director of Film Programming this year. He has done an amazing job recruiting films and overseeing the Selection Committee. Our final deadline is March 23rd, so we are in the midst of making really difficult choices.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Michael: We have only officially selected a hand full of films so far, among them “The Tunes Behind the Toons”, an amazing documentary featuring a veritable who’s who of award-winning composers (among them Alan Menken, Randy Newman, Richard Sherman) and other experts share their insights into the role of music in adding character into animation over the decades. Our first official selection was the beautiful music video, “The Lion” about the troubled and redemptive family history of singer/songwriter Benjamin Scheuer told using a pride of cardboard lions, and their friends. We’ll be announcing more films soon.

For festival goers, this year we will be offering free student screenings and Movie and Massage nights where audience members can grab a free chair massage and cuddle up with a therapy dog while watching the films. And of course, we have incredible craft beers, great food, and the best location in downtown Knoxville in the thick of Market Square.

Matthew: What are you most excited about for the 2015 festival?

Michael: Thanks to Film Freeway, our festival is thriving so we’re hoping to bring in as many filmmakers as possible. Beyind the music and the screenings, my favorite moments are sitting around the bar, talking shop with filmmakers, musicians, film lovers, and whomever happens to be part of the conversation. The festival staff goes the extra mile to make sure everyone has a great time. Filmmakers are the new rock stars, and we like to hang out with rock stars too.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Michael: Based on the films being submitted this year, I think it’s clear that we will become a hot spot for great music docs, music biopics, music videos, incredible animation, and films that really celebrate their sound track or score.

Beyond that, I think crowd sourcing, crowd screenings, and social media will continue to change the way we think about film, music, and festivals in general. I can’t wait to see how companies like Film Freeway will continue to impact the festival community. Connecting audiences to artists will become easier than ever before.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Michael: Knoxville is one of the largest producers of television in the United States so we have a very active group of filmmakers that range from hobbyists to seasoned full-time professionals. It’s also home of the University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State Community College so there’s a great mix of filmmakers, students, musicians and innovators. Knoxville is the original music city (before Nashville shrewdly out marketed us) and I think it will be incredible to see where Knoxville ends up in terms of media innovation.

In the mean time, it’s a great place to make film and music. We’ve got as much talent here as in Austin and a much prettier city.

Matthew: What advice would you have for emerging filmmakers and musicians?

Michael: Follow your heart, live with your parents. Find new ways to make ramen noodles taste delicious. Keep on, keeping on. You will find your audience one day and all the bullshit you had to shovel along the way will have been worthwhile.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.

Interview with Diane Adams, “On the Edge” Family Film Festival

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The “On the Edge” Family Film Festival will stimulate the creative talent of aspiring and professional filmmakers and provide a venue to express their voice through the cinematic arts. We will inspire and challenge the local community by providing films that enlighten, entertain and educate.

http://ontheedgefilm.org/

Next festival is January 28, 2016

Matthew Toffolo interviews Director Diane Adams:

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your recent 2015 festival?

Diane: We have seen more submissions in the last year.

Matthew: How many films did you showcase at your Film Festival?

Diane: We showcased 11 films.

Matthew: In one word, how would you describe the success of your recent festival?

Diane: Growing

Matthew: Was there an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Diane: Family Entertainment

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Diane: Hopefully still around with some local submissions

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Diane: Almost non-existent

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

Diane: Much Ado about Nothing

Matthew: Are you ready for the 2016 film festival?

Diane: Yes

Interview with Michele Baker, Crossroads Film Festival

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The 16th Annual Crossroads Film Festival is happening April 9-12, 2015 at Malco Grandview Theater in Madison, Mississippi, with parties and receptions around the Jackson Metro area. The festival features cash prizes for filmmakers, workshops, evening receptions and live music.

Crossroads Film Society was born out of vision of a small group of Mississippi filmmakers and enthusiasts wanting to celebrate the art of filmmaking by providing a venue to enjoy selected films and by providing opportunities for aspiring and established filmmakers to learn more about the craft. Patrons enjoy Crossroads events throughout the year, but Crossroads Film Festival is the headliner of the Society’s calendar. Film awards are chosen through a juried process. Films are selected from submissions coming from Mississippians and from filmmakers around the country and even beyond.

The Crossroads mantra is “Everyone has a story” and it spends its time and energy promoting and exploring some of the best stories.

http://www.crossroadsfilmfestival.com

Matthew Toffolo interviews Crossroads Film Festival Coordinator Michele Baker:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Michele: The goal of Crossroads Film Festival is simple: to promote and support Mississippi films and filmmakers, which includes bringing in films from throughout the country. Part of our mission is also to promote up and coming filmmakers, including female and minority filmmakers.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Michele: Crossroads Film Society began the annual film festival in 1999. In the beginning, the festival was a few film lovers coming together to see a couple of indie films. In the 16 years since then, it has grown to a four-day event showcasing hundreds of films from across the globe. Crossroads has grown and evolved to a marvelous mix of short films about politics, features about the Southern experience, wonderful animation including animated films by high-school-aged filmmakers, and much more. Each year we include a huge variety of films on every topic imaginable – from experimental silent films about kudzu, to making craft beer, to inspiring films about social justice, to stories about the LGBT community, to faith-based documentaries, and more. There are family-friendly and kid-friendly films, and we always show a widely distributed feature with a well-known cast.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Michele: We received nearly 850 films this year (Thanks, FilmFreeway!) and are still selecting our films right now, but we anticipate showing about 75-85 films, including a Showcase of local music videos.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peek of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Michele: Well, it’s still in the works, but there will be an exceptional lineup. We have several international films that will screen together, and some wonderful films made by a young filmmaker from our Gulf Coast.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Michele: Our theme this year is one we’ve embraced for several years now: “Everybody has a Story. What’s yours?” This year is also our 16th birthday.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Michele: Crossroads’ ultimate goal is to become more of a regional festival. Right now we’re well known in Mississippi and Louisiana, because we actively partner with festivals in those areas. But Crossroads has a venerable history which leads me to believe that expansion is the way to go.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Michele: Jackson and nearby Canton, Mississippi are both becoming more popular with filmmakers. As you know, Mississippi Film Office is the liaison to filmmakers hoping to shoot their masterpieces in our beautiful state. I can proudly say that Mississippi has one of the best financial incentives packages around, which, when combined with our hardworking and talented cast and crew members and our varied and beautiful landscape (not to mention our history), makes Mississippi an ideal place to film.

Matthew: What films have you seen the most in your life?

Michele: Personally, I like stories of all types that make me think. I like action films, romantic comedies, documentaries, experimental films… I like it all. As long as it tells a story, and the characters compel me to feel something, I’m going to like it. In that way, Crossroads Film Festival Coordinator is a dream job – I get to watch movies all day!

Interview with Ashley Berens, from the North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival

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Matthew Toffolo Interviews Ashley Berens, Marketing & Promotion Specialist, Public Media Network
North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Out of the heart of the Midwest, the North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival looked for films done on a shoe-string budget. Our categories included: Long Feature, Short Feature, Short Documentary/Profile, Animation, and an all-new challenge…MicroCam. Our budget restrictions were under 10K for Long Features and under 5K for other categories (not including equipment costs). With our whole new challenge of MicroCam, we wanted people to use their small devices (iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, GoPros – no DSLR’s allowed) and be able to edit them in their software of choice.

Website: nxmwfilm.org
Free Screening Event Day: May 16, 2015
Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Epic Center downtown

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Ashley: As a non-profit Community Media Center, Public Media Network has witnessed the talent and caliber of video production on a small budget. What we know is that you can do many things on your own, or with a small crew, and get a tremendous product – it’s in our DNA. We wanted to showcase media and films from everywhere (we’ve gone international!) that it doesn’t have to have a large Hollywood budget.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Ashley: The festival started out in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a Micro-Budget Film Festival. After losing their venue, we were asked if we could take the festival on. This year was a pilot project, and based on the enthusiastic response, we’ve been greenlighted for next year. Call for entries will be January 18 – February 19, 2016.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Ashley: We are looking at screening roughly 36 films, selected from across the 5 categories.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peek of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Ashley: Your guess is as good as ours! We’ve recognized small film making niches in our area, and our hope is that the community will come to our free screening event on May 16, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Ashley: Recognizing talent, making connections and inspiring filmmakers that something amazing can be done with such a small budget.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Ashley: In 5 years, we hope to still be celebrating Micro-Budget talent. Since this is our first year, we hope to expand further year by year. Will the budget still be 5K and 10K? We don’t know…we may have to adjust for cost of living… 🙂

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Ashley: There are many local colleges and universities that have film or media production programs. There are also many local groups that appreciate film – like one of our sponsors, the Kalamazoo Film Society. Media is huge in Michigan, and seeing as Kalamazoo is a mid-sized community, we wanted to have great prizes. In each category, 1st place receives $1,000, 2nd places receives $500, and 3rd place receives $100. We will have an awards ceremony on the day of the screening.

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

Ashley: Personally, I enjoy many types of films – documentaries being my favorite. But I have to say that Mean Girls is the best!

Interview with Greg Coffey, Festival Director of Over the Fence Comedy Film Festival

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OTF is a Perth based internationally recognised festival, that aims to develop, encourage and promote filmmakers, and expand the world of comedy to the nation and the world; equally giving new and independent filmmakers of the world the opportunity to have their films seen in a festival dedicated to the wide & wild genre ‘comedy’.

Our definition of comedy is – A film driven by, or ultimately concluding with and excellent sense of humour.

http://www.overthefence.com.au/

Matthew Toffolo interview Greg Coffey:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Greg: Our mission is to offer a refreshing challenge to people’s ideas of ‘what comedy is’; to give our audience a whole new experience of the way in which funny stories can be told through a the wide variety of filmmaking styles, genres, and from all countries across the world!

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Greg: Our 1st festival was held in 1 venue in Perth. Since then we have grown to be the big-gest touring comedy film festival in Australia- touring to over 40 centres and screens across Australia. And we have been invited to screen in Brazil & the UK.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Greg: Can range12 -16 short films. This year we have 12 short films selected

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Greg: This year we have an amazing selection of comedy shorts dealing with a view on love, angst & the peculiar deception life can – & filmmakers do – take us on.

We delve in to ‘dreams & peeing in bed!’; a ‘faecal existential crisis’; ‘many failed suicide attempts’; that first ‘meeting with your girlfriend’s parents’… and if u think that’s gotta be seriously & wickedly odd then wait ‘til you see the; bizarre world of the ‘new middle class; ‘desperately looking young’; and, ‘the trials of love, love … and love’s failure!!!

Get ready for the incredibly rich & strange worlds according to twelve amazing filmmakers from across the planet, and, all with an excellent sense of humour!

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Greg: Each year we do have a theme, and it is created from the films selected. We do not look for it, nor, ask for it, it simply arises from the selection of films. It’s kind of mysterious that once selected its almost like it pops out! The theme that arose for this years fest is Love, Angst & Other Deceptions.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Greg: We will be screening in a cities and centres as we have done. I see us featuring special events, ie indie & new features and long shorts in a cross section of co-produced events in Major festivals.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Greg: Perth is an exciting city for indie and grassroots filmmaking.

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

Greg: Tricky question , way too many on my list, so going for the one that left me most impacted me, and challenged me at the same time. That’s got to be the ‘Life of Brian’. Why? – because of how they were able to usurp religion and the crazy belief systems humans want to live by, all-the-while presenting the bizarre concern/reluctance to be an individual… and that scene is the BEST! There are few comedy feature films which have come near to being so radical, challenging, and, had so much to say, all with an excellent sense of humour – since.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival . He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes. Took over full reins of the WILDsound Festival in May 2013. From then to the end of 2014, he’s presented over 90 movies at the monthly FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto, plus has had over 60 screenplays and stories performed by professional actors at the bi-monthly Writing Festival.

Interview with Yogesh Baraskar, Founder Goa Short Film Festival

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Matthew Toffolo interviews the Founder/Director of the Goa Short Film Festival:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – The goal of Goa Short Film Festival is to provide the platform for new taelnt in the field of cinema making. in India ti is really common thing now to become a short film maker but they are not getting good chance to showcase their talent. We want to provide that.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – The festival has change immensely since its inception. thought it is only the second edition of the festival. We are also organizing Pune Short Film Festival for last five years, so the helps us to spread our new Goa Short Film Festival

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – In its 1st year only we have received more than 400 films across 23 countries. out of the we have selected 87 films in the competition section of the festival and we showcased all the 87 films in the festival.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – In 2015 we are expecting more than 600 films across 30 countries. our festival jis getting good shape and jit is spreading especially across USA and Europe.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – No our festival does not have any particular theme. it is open for all the Genre and all the categories of the films and film makers

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – In the next five years we are planning to become not only India’s but one of the Asia’s top film festival. we want to grow not only in terms of prize money but in terms of number of quality films.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – in Goa We have very good film culture. most of the young filmmaker are coming ahead to showcase their talent through the short films.

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

Yogesh Baraskar (Founder, Director) – I personally watched and like all the films of Satyajeet Ray, Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Majidi Majidi

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival . He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes. Took over full reins of the WILDsound Festival in May 2013. From then to the end of 2014, he’s presented over 90 movies at the monthly FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto, plus has had over 60 screenplays and stories performed by professional actors at the bi-monthly Writing Festival.

Interview with Alexander Jeffery, Festival Director El Dorado Film Festival

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The El Dorado Film Festival was founded as a part of the 50th Anniversary of the South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC). SAAC, in celebration of 50 years of artistic achievement, created many new events that will be the legacy of the next 50 years. The El Dorado Film Festival is one of these events. Laura Barrow and Austin Barrow agreed to take on this endeavor alongside festival committee Richard Wharton, Joanna Benson, Matt Benson, and Emily Cole. When Alexander Jeffery returned to El Dorado from Sweden in March, he helped with managerial duties on the first festival.

The inaugural El Dorado Film Festival featured special guest speaker Howard Klausner, Chuck Mere of the Emmy Winning “Zombie Go Boom,” and over 30 films from 12 different countries. The locals and the filmmakers ate it up, and we are keen to bring more amazing films to this year’s program.

The 2nd El Dorado Film Festival will take place Sept 17-19, 2015.

Matthew Toffolo interviews Festival Director Alexander Jeffery:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Jeffery: The goal of our festival is to cater to filmmakers and local audiences who are sick and tired of the Hollywood Blockbuster playing at the local theatre. We embrace our Southern roots, throw some killer parties, and give filmmakers a fun place to mingle and even showcase work-in-progress films if they are up for it!

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Jeffery: Well, since we are only in our second year, the biggest change is that there is significantly less stress in approaching this year. We sort of went in blind our first year, and know what worked well and what didn’t work at all. We are giving ourselves more time to program and select films and approaching guests and judges much earlier. We will be announcing this year’s guests and judges very soon.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Jeffery: Last year we screened about 35 films in 3 days, this year we hope to show more.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Jeffery: We’ve received some incredible submissions so far. I know for a fact we are going to be showing some of the best short films that this year offers, some edgy, some wildly hilarious, and some quieter, honest films with beautiful performances. We won’t know what workshops will be offered up until closer to the festival, but we are working hard to expand the educational component of our festival and give the high school and college students a chance to learn from people working in their craft. I know we will have some wild parties, good networking opportunities, and we will be giving filmmakers a chance to show any work-in-progress films after the awards ceremony on Saturday night. Last year we were in the theatre until about 4am watching new films, drinking beer, and talking about the craft of filmmaking.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Jeffery: In terms of the films we are programming, no. We only seek to program the best films we get, be it drama, horror, experimental, comedy, farce, ANYTHING! We love giving filmmakers a place to showcase their time, effort, and artistic expression to a very eager audience. If anything, the theme for this year’s festival will be similar to last year’s theme: make movies and make them anywhere. We are located just 20 miles north of the state that took beat out California as the number 1 place to shoot films (Louisiana), and we believe that the South, the Midwest, New York, Texas, Tennessee, WHEREVER, is the best place to tell your story. Last year Howard Klausner did a presentation on the evolving film business and how to find your market in this rapidly changing industry.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Jeffery: The biggest compliment we get is that people want to come back to our festival – in five years I just hope we are a festival that filmmakers and audiences want to visit annually. We’ll never be Sundance or Toronto, we’ll never have premieres starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but that’s okay with us! We are trying to keep it fun, showcase great work on beautiful projectors and screens, and get filmmakers and audiences talking about the craft of filmmaking. In five years we will also have a new venue. El Dorado is currently under construction and we will soon have a brand new Arts and Entertainment district downtown, featuring a renovated old movie theatre called the Rialto. This endeavor is being taken on by El Dorado Festivals and Events, Inc under the leadership of Terry Stewart (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and Austin Barrow. With this entertainment district, we will have more venues and top of the line equipment to show even more films and seat more audience members.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Jeffery: Right now film is more of an educational idea rather than production heavy. I shot a short film with some of the festival team here in El Dorado last year, and we have just been selected to screen at the 2015 Omaha Film Festival. So, that’s exciting. There is a desire to grow the film community here, to educate audiences and filmmakers, and to have El Dorado be a place where more films are produced.

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

Jeffery: It’s a toss up between Empire Strikes Back and The Social Network… I watch them both religiously.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.

Interview with Amparo Gea, Director of Native Film Festival

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The main objective of the Native Film Festival is the construction, development and promotion of opportunities for dialogue, based on a deep respect for sociocultural diversity, promotes and organizes this Festival.

Festival takes place in the 2nd week of June 2015.

The Website is http://nativefilmfestival.blogspot.com.es/ and lade our organization is http://www.elojocojo.org/test2

Matthew Toffolo interviews director Amparo Gea:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Amparo: Our goal is to show current movies and quality, or native peoples, native or indígenasque hardly reach the Spanish commercial circuits. One way to make available world cinema at the same time sensitizes viewers

Matthew: How has the festival changed since inception ITS Until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Amparo: The festival grows slowly and is gaining interest epectadores, talking about an issue that is not addressed in Spain.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Amparo: It depends on the hours of exhibition halls, but we bet exhibit about 30.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Amparo: The dignity and how interprets each village.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Amparo: Display in different parts of Spain

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Amparo: We are committed to being in a traveling in cities of Spain, and Madrid.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Amparo: Currently in Mdrid we survived a few independent festivals, but a growing interest breathes for participating in activities as proposed by us

Matthew: What film have you seen The most in your life?

Amparo: Underground Emir Kusturica

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.

Interview with Marc Lhormer, Co-Founder Napa Valley Film Festival

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Napa Valley Film Festival
napavalleyfilmfest.org
November 11 – 15, 2015 (fifth annual)

NVFF is a glorious annual celebration of the best new independent films of the year along with sneak previews of some of the hottest awards-season films. With over 400 film industry attendees (filmmakers, celebrities, industry executives) and some of the best food and wine on the planet, attendees enjoy five days and nights of cinematic-storytelling, epicurean adventures, and unforgettable memory-making in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

Matthew Toffolo interviews Co-Founder Marc Lhormer:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Marc: The goal of the Napa Valley Film Festival is to celebrate and support the art of cinematic story-telling, and to do so in a way that builds community and contributes to the advancement of human endeavors.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Marc: Our festival footprint was established in our first year, running Wednesday through Sunday and taking place simultaneously with screening, hospitality and special event venues clustered in the four walk-able villages of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Attendance has gone up every year, with 2015 attendance (year five) looking to be about double year one attendance (48,000 versus 24,000). The most notable changes are bigger brands involved and more top-level filmmakers and celebrities and industry power players wanting to be here (e.g., Kevin Costner, Mike Myers, Shailene Woodley, Bill Paxton, Michelle Monaghan all made appearances in 2014, along with Harvey Weinstein, one of the biggest movie moguls around).

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Marc: Each year we present around 120 films, including narrative and documentary features and shorts, primarily from the U.S. but not exclusively. Most of the films are eligible for audience awards and juried awards in various categories.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Marc: We are already getting calls from filmmakers and talent reps about placing their next films and/or hottest clients here given the great experiences they’ve had with us during our first four years. The Variety 10 Producers to Watch component (new in 2014) is likely to continue, and Billy Bush and Dave Karger are both likely to be back hosting our Tributes and on-stage in-depth discussions with our top filmmakers and celebrities. A massive Festival Gala is in the works plus a series of indulgent filmmaker/winemaker/chef dinners and lunches with an elite group of winery partners we call our Vintner Circle. And we do know we’ll be showing a few of the hottest already-being-buzzed-about Oscar contenders for next year; but if we told you which ones, we’d have to … well, you know!

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Marc: We do not generally have a theme for our festival from year to year. We seek out films that are mostly positive in terms of what they have to say about the human condition, and filmmakers who are visionary and engaging and eager to interact with our audiences. We plan experiences that encourage the artists-meet-audience dynamic; all of the wonderful food and wine helps!

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Marc: Bigger, better, more. We see more of the industry’s top players enjoying our festival as the perfect antidote after the American Film Market which ends just as we kick off. We see more top brands bringing their products and services into the festival in ways that enhance the experience for our audiences. We see embracing technology in ways that both showcase how the industry is changing and underscore how special it is to unplug for several days with thousands of old and new friends.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Marc: Being in wine country and not in an urban center, the environment around the Napa Valley Film Festival is not much of a Film Scene. This said, our Founders (Brenda and Marc Lhormer) are the producers of the iconic wine-themed feature film BOTTLE SHOCK; that uplifting story of the 1976 wine-tasting competition in Paris where Napa Valley Vintners triumphed over the French is replete with themes that demonstrate the fascinating parallels between filmmaking and winemaking. The aspirational nature of wine country living is offset by the reality that most who live in this area are economically disadvantaged. Our festival organization works year-round to offer filmmaking programs to students in local schools, both teaching filmmaking skills and bringing established filmmakers with their stories into schools to be woven into curriculum. We are actively working to create a culture of appreciation for the power of cinematic story-telling and – who knows – perhaps to inspire a future Francis Ford Coppola or Quentin Tarantino or Alexander Payne.

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

Marc: Casablanca… though Bottle Shock is a close second given all of the Sundance screenings we had to go to when it premiered there in 2008. And my favorite film of all-time is The Sting.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.