Types of
Films shown at film festivals
19th
BIFF Brochure
Initial look - Examples of various types of film festivals from around the world that cater to different types of audiences and showcase different types of films, covering a wide berth of niches:
- Animation
Nation 2011
- Asia-Pacific
Film Festival (overview & categories)
- Bradford
International Film Festival
- British
Urban Film Festival
- Sahara
International Film Festival (FISahara)
- Anima
Mundi
- Jamaica
International Reggae Film Festival
- Frameline
(San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival)
- Hawaii
International Film Festival
- The
Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
- Science
Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival
- The
Shortie Awards: International Film and News Festival
CONTACT & INTERVIEWS
Bradford International Film Festival (BIFF)
Ben Eagle: Former BIFF producer
Tony Earnshaw: Former BIFF director
Contacted both Mr. Eagle and Mr. Earnshaw via Twitter (9th May, 2013).
- Mr. Eagle felt he wasn’t ‘up to speed enough’ with festivals anymore. No further contact
- Mr. Earnshaw indicated enthusiasm with topic. Offered e-mail contact
- Started contact with Mr. Earnshaw through e-mail (12th May, 2013). Difficulty in arranging phone interview. Offered my own number. As of today (7th June), no contact.
Tom Vincent: Current BIFF co-director
- Contacted Mr. Vincent via e-mail (10th May, 2013)
- Eventually organized a meeting to discuss festival queries in person (1330, 21st May, 2013)
Key questions for Mr. Vincent:
How important are film festivals, such as the BIFF, for young and upcoming film-makers, both local and based further afield?
What do you feel are the most important benefits (for the public and for film-makers, distributors, etc) are received from film festivals in general?
How crucial are Film Festivals to the film industry as a whole?
21st May - Interview with Tom Vincent:
From the start of the interview, Mr. Vincent relayed how he thought that there were an 'awful lot' of festivals in general and told how more and more have arrived, 'especially in the last 10 years', with some supporting local film-making and others catering more for inter/national productions. He categorized film festivals into 'heavyweights' and 'lesser-weights', describing how the former (such as Cannes) focus more on launching films and selling to distributors, whilst the latter deals more with launching/showcasing filmmakers' work. Vincent viewed film festivals as 'generally a mechanism for showcasing' and gauging audience reaction. He also stated how online festivals are growing, such as Sheffield-based Doc/Fest.
Mr. Vincent also touched on the networking aspects of film festivals and how open to the public they are. He contrasted Cannes Film Festival and the BIFF as two examples. For interaction with the public, he stated that Cannes wasn't focused on the general public, as it was used primarily for marketing films to distributors and the glamour of movie stardom. In fact, as he stated, the public aren't allowed at the festival as it is invite-only (despite it being one of the most heavily publicized festivals). Later Vincent relayed that Cannes was also a vehicle for international film distribution, adding to the marketing and selling aspects.
In contrast, Mr. Vincent used the BIFF as an example of a festival that very much focuses on audience interaction. (Another example of a local festival that Vincent described is the Flatpack Film Festival, which is mainly used for history localized around Birmingham.) He described the festival as 'audience orientated' and used an example in the 'Industry Weekend' where local film-makers and audiences indulge in screenings and workshops for anyone who wants to learn more about the making processes...The weekend is primarily utilized for networking; connecting amateurs with professionals. Mr. Vincent also explained how at the BIFF, there is a lot of cinema shown within a concentrated amount of time and, as such, there is a 'fun intensity' for the viewers as they can see dozens upon dozens of films. He described it as an 'exploration of film' that brings people closer to film through 'direct contact'. Mr. Vincent later gave an example of films that the BIFF do occasionally help to distribute internationally; The Look of Love. He also said that the BIFF help distribute other British films internationally.
Related websites searched as a result of interview:
http://www.festival-cannes.com/en.html
http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/about/whoWeAre.html
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/bradfordinternationalfilmfestival
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/BradfordInternationalFilmFestival/Strands/FilmmakersWeekend.aspx
http://www.flatpackfestival.org/
QUESTIONNAIRE
Do you live in Bradford? (If not,
where?)
How often do you attend/take part
in community and cultured events (e.g. film festivals) around where you live?
What sort of events do you prefer
(to attend)?
How important do you feel film
festivals are?
What do you feel are the most
important benefits from film festivals in general?
How crucial do you feel Film
Festivals are to the film industry as a whole?
Do you have any general comments/opinions on
film festivals?
EVALUATION
As a result of looking at several different film festivals, it was immediately clear that there were several different types. What I was unaware of was the range; for example the festivals geared towards specific niches in entertainment such as the Anima Mundi festival. Also the festivals that cater towards specific demographics and cultures.
Whilst personally I initially felt that festivals were important to the film industry, I was unclear as to what degree that importance had. For instance I could only really have an opinion on value from the viewpoint of an audience member/festival attendee.
In terms of accessibility and relevance, the Bradford International Film Festival (BIFF) has just had another successful year for 2013. Whilst the festival was still fresh in the mind, I contacted co-director Tom Vincent on the matter.
From talking to Tom Vincent, it revealed very interesting information that I previously did not know of. Whilst I was aware that there were a lot of festivals, I didn't know that the growth had increased within the past ten years. This suggests that film festivals in general are not just growing in importance, but also growing in popularity. His statement that categorizes festivals into 'heavyweights' and 'lesser-weights' evokes a sense of sport within the various festivals. With the amount of festivals on the apparent increase, competitive sensibilities are not difficult to believe.
Mr. Vincent's comments on the 'lesser' film festivals to launch film-makers' work implies that such festivals play a vital role to potentially kick-start the careers of 'makers...Especially locals. And other localized festivals prove themselves to be important for differing reasons. The functions of festivals such as Birmingham's Flatpack Film Festival provide an educational and creative outlook for the host city, whilst the Industry Weekends of the Bradford International Film Festival are an example of events that provide networking opportunities for many aspiring film-makers.
On the other hand, Vincent's comments on the 'heavyweights' of the film industry implied that festivals such as Cannes are very prestigious (a brief look at the home-page of the Cannes website shows the very high-profile supporters/sponsors) and whilst they do provide a vehicle for the powerhouses of international film-making (especially Hollywood), they appear to be very business-based; focusing on selling, distribution, marketing, etc. with little input from the general public. On the Cannes website, however, the 'About Us' section (a selection of questions answered by the festival's Artistic Leader Thierry Fremaux) mentions the importance of reputation for directors and success of their films and their correlation with audiences receiving of them. It also describes how since 2011, films premiered at the festivals are also released, in tandem, nationwide, allowing members of the public to experience some of the festival. And finally Mr. Fremaux explains that since 2010, the festival has included an outdoor cinema open to anyone. Initially it may appear that Mr. Vincent's comments contradict Mr. Fremaux's, but despite the public inclusion that Cannes have created, it still remains a festival for the elite and invited. It still remains that no public go into the festival itself.
Along with the interview with Mr. Vincent, I put together a questionnaire (which of course was designed to ask for opinions based on being a viewer/event attendee) that some people did fill in. From the data, the general consensus I gathered was that young adults don't attend much in the way of cultural events and festivals, but when they do, it's a case of location and affordability. In terms of preference, the answers given were all down to individual tastes, including; music, arts, exhibitions, etc. And in answer to a question on how important they felt film festivals were, the majority implied, like myself, that they had an importance, but that's as far as the feeling reached. The general consensus for benefits from film festivals was for film-makers to get their work shown and have (more) opportunities in the industry. Despite this, when it came to the question of how crucial festivals were to the industry as a whole, the opinion was divided; some said that they were important, but others were very unsure.
I would've perhaps like to have asked more people of varying ages and generations their views with the questionnaire. Though from what I gathered, I did get a sense that those who are similar in age to myself do somewhat feel like I do about film festivals.
On reflection, I maybe would like to have gone more in depth with research; especially with the interview with Mr. Vincent. Of course information on what film festivals achieve is crucial, but I could've ascertained how they do so, with figures and revenue data and how much of it goes into further film production (or which particular aspects of film production...Or even if it goes back into the film festivals themselves).
AM
No comments:
Post a Comment