Last day...
This year’s festival is coming to a close. It’s been a great week, with lots of amazing films and some good discussions.
We’re already thinking about next year’s festival and we know a bunch of changes that we need to make for next time around, but in general, I think we’re headed in the right direction. That said, we’d love some feedback. If you attended the festival (or even f you didn’t), please send us a note telling us what you’d like to see next time around. What worked for you this year? What didn’t? The festival has to work for the film audiences or we’re not doing our jobs correctly.
We would really like to get more people in the doors of the theaters — not just to help pay for the festival, but because we really believe in the films we’re presenting and we want them to get exposed to the largest possible audience. What do you think it will take to get lines out the door at these films? Let us know! Feel free to leave a comment under this blog post or email the festival directly.
Thanks to all of our sponsors and festival-goers. We’ll see you next fall, and hopefully tonight at the closing party at American Flatbread.
Onward…
Posted by Bill Simmon | Permalink
And the award goes to...
Last night VtIFF and the Vermont Film Commission held an awards reception at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center to present the annual James Goldstone Award and a series of awards to some excellent student filmmakers.
First up was the James Goldstone Award, presented annually by the Vermont Film Commission to honor “an emerging Vermont filmmaker.” This year’s award went to — and this is somewhat awkward — me. My film, Digital Pamphleteer, about Essex Junction political blogger Steve Benen, took home the certificate and a $500 check to boot. I am deeply honored by the commission’s recognition and I plan on spending the money on a feature documentary that I’m trying to finish.
Also presented at the reception were the 2007 Vermont International Film Festival Student Showcase Awards. According to the festival’s official release…
The films were screened by a panel of student judges representing 4 of the 5 schools participating in the showcase. The students screened films from 11 am – 3 pm on Friday, 10/12/07. Subsequent to the screening, and fueled with pizza, the panel discussed each film. Orly Yadin, filmmaker and Managing Director of Footage Farm, a historical footage collection, worked closely with the judges to develop criteria for their decisions.
The awards were announced at a reception hosted by the Vermont Film Commission. The 5 winners will each receive an Avid Media Composer software package donated by Avid.
The following awards were presented:
Best Documentary and Overall Winner of Best Student Film
“What I Do Has to be Great”, Kelsey Eichorn, Middlebury College
For its beautiful cinematography and compelling insight into its subject matter
Best Narrative Film “Boy Wonder”, Craig Hildebrand, Burlington College
For it’s witty , intelligent screenplay and excellent acting
Best Experimental Film “Improvisation”, Michael Everett, UVM
For its flawless integration of music and images within an experimental form
Best Animation “Paws Off”, Ray Bergeron, Champlain
For its sophisticated use of 3D animation, especially involving the water effects
Overall Runner-up “Morning After”, Gef Bove, UVM
For its excellent camerawork and inventive use of sound effects
Honorable Mention
“In Translation”, Astri Von Arbin Ahlander, Middlebury
“Montage”, Elezabeth Rossano, UVM
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Posted by Bill Simmon | Permalink
WCAX's coverage of the festival
I was interviewed yeasterday by WCAX TV about the festival. I gave them loads of good information about specific films and the history of the festival and the Vermont Showcase and they cut it all down to one sentence about trying to expand our audience this year (of course, such is the way of TV news). Still, we are grateful for the coverage. Here’s the piece, in case you missed it…
BTW, listen to the way Marselis says, “…a new website that encourages users to review the films and then blog about them.” It’s a perfect example of how I always imagine folks in traditional media must say the word “blog” — with utter disdain.
Posted by Bill Simmon | Permalink
I read the news today, oh boy...
VtIFF is getting some nice publicity today. I was just interviewed by WCAX out in front of the Main Street Landing’s Performing Arts Center about the festival. That will air on tonight’s six o’clock news. Seven Days ran a nice piece today, as did Burlington’s paper of record. And North Country Public Radio interviewed VtIFF President Deb Ellis about the festival yesterday. Let’s hope all this great publicity brings people out to the venues!
I was at Main Street Landing this morning checking out the theaters and things are looking and sounding good. Let’s watch some movies!
Posted by Bill Simmon | Permalink
Special Collector's Festival Poster
West coast graphic designer and illustrator, Tyler Stout, has created a special collector’s print festival poster for the 2007 Vermont International Film Festival. The print is of an original illustration made especially for the Vermont International Film Festival. There are also t-shirts available with the design. Check it out…
I’m not exactly sure what the image has to do with the Vermont International Film Festival, but I think it’s pretty cool anyway.
Prints are $10 and t-shirts are $15. Look for them at festival venues!
Posted by Bill Simmon | Permalink