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.
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.
Festival Reviews 