New Developments Among the Festivals

I am now going to expand the focus of this blog to include festivals and their search to invigorate themselves and, more importantly to us who are concerned with the business of films on an international basis, I will be looking to see how festivals are acting to assist the filmmakers in the ever present issue of recouping the costs of production and furthering their future careers.

What are the festivals doing to go beyond their traditional showcasing of films not otherwise available to their public and bringing in celebrities and filmmakers to talk to their public?

And is there any congruence between digital exhibition and the festivals?

Rose Kuo at AFIFest is now a year round programmer and told us that this year's festival (Oct 30-Nov 7) will have fewer films and all will be free entry! They're looking at sponsors to underwrite costs and of course they'll be given priority passes, VIP treatment, etc.
This year, in recognition of Audi’s 100 years of automotive innovation, AFI and Audi will offer complimentary tickets to all screenings, including a limited number of seats at the evening screenings and Galas, including Opening and Closing Night. The festival will be headquartered at the historic Mann’s Chinese Theatre until November 5th when it will move to the seaside for screenings in Santa Monica presented in association with the American Film Market (AFM). The Hollywood Roosevelt returns as the festival’s host hotel.

Berlin is aggregating its non Berlinale festivals into a consortium for cross promoting etc. its many many festivals held throughout the year. Could this work with other metropolitan areas like L.A. and could a partnership of sorts take place between such cities?

Perhaps Christian Gaines at Withoutabox could speak to new developments taking place among festivals. Maybe a reader will tell him to come here and post his opinion. Otherwise, I'll go to him in the upcoming weeks.

Is Tribeca actively creating a visionary sea change? What of their relationship to the Lincoln Film Society?

What about online components of film festivals?

Toronto International Film Festival hosts panels as part of a series for Industry Programmes called "Meet With..." which has been running for the past 8 years (also formerly known as "News and Views"). Designed as an extended discussion between industry insiders and attending delegates, each one-hour Meet With.. session is held in an intimate, relaxed setting for a limited audience of maximum 45 emerging film professionals.

And so, please keep tuned to this channel...Sydney