Are we going to make it?
With two weeks until the event, week 10 was final week before the madness that will be the final 10 days before the event. I have a series of thoughts about the inception of MIYFF and even at week 10, I’m still nervous about the big day(s).
I am going to use subheadings in this blog post to address certain telling thoughts and perceptions.
Group dynamic
One thing I found telling is the lack of communication in both the MIYFF group and various group chats that i’m in. There are now dozens of posts by various people in the group that have not been addressed , a lot of the posts are questions and requests which are understandable if people don’t respond but there are also a series of posts that require everyone to participate, an example being the post outline what screening you’ll be attending and Grace’s post about group roles in the program.
I will never disparage a class member and on the most part we have worked so well collectively but in the last few weeks, which are arguably the most important weeks, I’ve seen a lack in responses, which is pretty alarming.
I think that despite the classes occasional objection, I think it’s important that Cerise makes us all write our tasks on the board and stay accountable for them. This is the only way I can see us actually pulling this thing off.
Programming // materials
I am actually really proud of the program that Alana, Tristan, Alice, Maddy and I curated for MIYFF. We have a really strong range of films that cover a bunch of really important issues. I am also really happy with how we’ve delegated jobs post the completion of the program. Alana and Brandon are compiling links and trailers, Tristan and Alice are compiling all images and bios, Maddy is trying to organise the Q&A and I’m handing the publicity and media releases. I also want to give Grace a special mention for helping us out with materials and the program.
I am a little disappointed what we didn’t solicit more shorts, I sent out a few emails and got nothing back sadly, which was the case for a few of us in the group. I also think that all of us studying full time and also having to survive made it hard for us to multitask to the level needed for project like this.
Posters // Trailers // Social Media
I am really keen on the posters and I think Tessa and Ben have both done excellent jobs on their designs. I personally think we should’ve used more colour and I’m still not sure we’re allowed to use Kathryn Bigelow’s face on the poster but I’m more than happy with the job their done.
In terms of social media, I think that they should start posting more information about the films screenings but i’ll bring that up at our next meeting early in week 11. All in all I think we’ve handled this side pretty well and I’ve seen a bunch of random friends of mine of Facebook click attending to the official event which is exciting. I think that if I manage to get some press, we should aim for 500+ likes on FB by the time the festival starts.
I also thought that the crit session was a bit harsh regarding the trailer. I think the people who worked on it should be pleased with themselves on the quality and quirkiness of the video.
Technical stuff // sponsorship // events crew
I think more people should be congratulating Bridie on her work this semester. I think that Bridie’s work getting sponsors on board is mind-blowingly impressive and she is of the main reasons that this festival is where it is.
I also want to thank Sean for his work handling everything technical, I think he’s done an excellent job all round.
Publicity
I am sending out my media realise tomorrow which is a bit nerve-racking, I am going to send half out on my personal email to media that know me personally and the other half via media@miyff.com.au. I’ve made a pretty decent hit list for media that I want to get for the event and I’m pretty confident that I may just get some bites. Also I have worked on some things that gets absolutely no coverage so I’m hesitant to get people too excited.
I am really happy with the programming media release that I wrote on the weekend. I had to watch every film again and read all the media releases i’ve done in the pass before I finished it but I think it’s looks professional and media will like it. I actually constantly referred to the a quote from the week 5’s reading that said media releases have to answer who, what, why, when and how, which I thought was weirdly comical.
I have also made a list of media to invite, I decided to use the MIYFF email for invitations, which I actually thought looked more professional.
MIYFF in two weeks!!!
I am really confident that we will get a packed opening night which is really exciting. Expecting that at least 15 of us attend, plus all the MIYFF guests and some people who buy tickets, I’m really sure that it’ll be a great night.
I am however getting worried about the Saturday, I think that we have two really strong programs lined up for the day but I’m not sure whether we will get bums on seats. I guess it’s kinda up to me doing publicity…
My participation in film festival culture
I have been attending many films this semester but have only attended the one ‘festival screening’ because I was given a ticket to go see it. Despite this I have been trawling the web for press for other Australian festivals for ideas of who I can try and approach. I am hoping that we can get the same amount of coverage the Sun Theatre’s Setting Sun Festival and the Realgood Film Festival.
I am aiming to attended HRAFF in the next week or so depending on my financial situation I might have to watch Mubi and pretend I’m at a festival.
In terms of the this course and my own personal festival journey, I think it has really taught me a lot about not only film festivals, the film industry but also filmmaking. I have always wanted to work in film distribution and the experience of selecting films and at least trying to solicit films has been such an amazing experience.
I also think that visits from Mia Falstein-Rush and Richard Sawada were also very influential on my way of thinking when it comes to MIYFF and broader film and arts this semester. I was really taken aback by Mia’s thoughts and methods of embracing representation when programming both MIFF and Seen & Heard, I really noticed that it is something still lacking in my main fields of interest being film and electronic music. I was inspired by Richard’s story of he started in the festival business, his hard work, creativity and ingenuity were all so impressive.
Reflections on readings
CHIFF // HRAFF
Although I’m a little skeptical of CHIFF, I am really impressed with the film selection and layout of the program. I think might have to go to Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion and check out if CHIFF is or isn’t another Palace type festival chain.
I am particularly impressed with HRAFF shorts programming, they have five seperate shorts programs which is really amazing. I feel that after reading the majority of Setting Up a Human Rights Film Festival, vol. 2 over the past eight weeks, we as a class should all go to a screening post MIYFF as a decompression.
AG