The weird world of Film Festivals

A forum for sharing views on the art of film, video and AV sequence making as well as on competitions, judging and festivals.
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TimStannard
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by TimStannard »

Albert Noble wrote: Mon Jun 10, 2024 9:42 am Regarding if one needs to be present when your film is shown.....
...
I get thousands of hits each year on my website showing these works and
have never been present when someone takes a look.
But I am well satisfied.
I was going to say the same thing Albert.

I occasionally get comments on a couple of my YouTube films (think "Horrible Histories" featuring young children acting historical dramas to re-worded popular songs) from kids who say "Our teacher showed this at our school last week", or "We're doing this for our assembly and I'm playing Theseus".
This means so much more to me than any BIAFF award. The fact that (a) the kids enjoy it still (Tudor Rap! is more than 10 years old) and (b) teachers consider these good enough quality and content to incorporate into their already hard pressed curriculum makes me very proud indeed.
Tim
Proud to be an amateur film maker - I do it for the love of it
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John Simpson
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by John Simpson »

No I agree with Howard. YouTube hits is one thing; but if a filmaker has paid good money to enter a film into a serious indi film festival there needs to be accountability and a fair chance of awards. Do they take us for fools?
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TimStannard
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by TimStannard »

John Simpson wrote: Sun Jun 23, 2024 10:40 am No I agree with Howard.
I didn't disagree with Howard! - far from it. If you enter a film it deserves to be looked at (whether or not you've paid entry)

I was just agreeing with Albert about not feeling the need to be present every time my film is viewed.
Tim
Proud to be an amateur film maker - I do it for the love of it
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John Simpson
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by John Simpson »

I was just agreeing with Albert about not feelig the need to be present every time my film is viewed.
It is always nice when the award winners are there at the BIAFF festival. But I don't see BIAFF as the same as the indi festivals because it is celebrating amateur film making; whereas the indi film festivals are mainly for those aspiring to become professionals.
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fraught
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by fraught »

Howard-Smith wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2024 2:10 am Geoff, I wish you WOULD name names regarding festivals which reject films without even watching them whilst retaining the entry fee. This is thoroughly reprehensible behaviour from money-grabbing fraudsters, money that I personally can ill-afford to lose.
I'll DM you Howard :-)
Only Boring People Get Bored
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ned c
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by ned c »

Most Festivals do not differentiate between amateurs and professionals; there are just "entrants". My experience with DOCUTAH demonstrated this as I knew some of the entrants as amateurs but this was never an issue; Michael Slowe had at least two very successful screenings and his status was never questioned.

My concern is the actual level of pre-screening review; I still cannot find out how Sundance actually review 6,000 short films, the usual "short film" limit at Festivals is 45 minutes. At an average of 20 minutes that's 2,000 hours to view. Of that entry the screening will be about 50 films!
ned c
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John Simpson
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by John Simpson »

Here is the old chestnut: The difference between an amateur and professional film is the funding.

Re BIAFF, IAC members and clubs making films is one part of it, but all the organising, judging and showing is an equally important part of the activities of the IAC and shoud be fulfilling. People working well together is one of the most fulfilling activities in life whether on a filmset or elsewhere.

Where reviews of films are made, that is proof that they have been watched.
Michael Slowe
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Re: The weird world of Film Festivals

Post by Michael Slowe »

John, I think that the funding of fictional films does illustrate the difference between amateur and professional productions, but documentaries need not be expensive. We can compete with the professionals provided that the subject is interesting enough.
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