IFFS: Why big fests should pay attention

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

When the film festival summit, the IFFS, wrapped last night with an open bar reception that suddenly, strangely turned into a cash bar, those remaining were left wondering what exactly this “tradeshow” had delivered. Divided into keynotes, panels, and valuable group sessions, the conference was useful for newbie and smaller fests to learn from the few established events. Telluride’s Gary Meyer, Toronto’s Piers Handling (pictured giving a keynote) along with cohorts from SXSW, AFI FEST, Denver, Austin film fest and others, spoke to just how this new “industry” was doing.

It doesn’t take much research to see there are too many festivals. While the fact that the tradeshow space was dotted with booths of companies catering to their needs (banner and badge makers, online services, ticketing services) some may say the business has arrived. In reality, it’s arrived at a turning point. Attendance needs to triple at the next event – only 200 registrants out of thousands of fests.

But it also needs to offer something to the big fests rather than a free ticket and bed. (And to set up shop in Henderson, NV? Forty minutes and a 60 buck cab-ride from the Strip? A town whose motto should be: “What happens in Henderson, happens in your grandma’s retirement community.”)

Rarely is there an event with potential to bring the heads of the major fests together where they aren’t running to the next theater; where they actually have to face each other. In fact, the more interesting conversations were held in caucus-like dinner and reception drink huddles. Who scalped which film from whom. The battle for Sundance-rejected premiere left-overs. Why some fests insist on premieres when others don’t. Sponsorship poaching. The big-money new fests that antagonistically stake their fest dates too close to others.

But the few big fest heads that talked to The Circuit said they wouldn’t have come if they hadn’t been flown in.

Big fests don’t have to like each other. It shouldn’t be a peace summit. Think it group therapy, perhaps.

But there is a more important reason the big fests must be here:

As art houses die around the country, festivals are filling the gap by becoming exhibitors (and sometimes being charged like one by distribs). As Telluride’s Gary Meyer put it, the responsibility is changing.

While the big fests may roll their eyes at the little guys, they must accept a deeper responsibility to the art form. Art needs to get out there. Even to Abilene, TX. (Especially to Abilene, TX. ) There is need to weed out the vanity fests, but there is a bigger need to pump up and mentor the ones spreading the good word.

While IFFS is not there yet, it could be. Next year will be telling. Let's hope it arrives. It still has a veneer of something put together by a tradeshow company. And it is. Their other shows are on the healthcare industry, for example. They have an advisory board of fest directors. But those people need to be much, much more involved.

Posted at 11:52AM in International Film Festival Summit|Permalink

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Posted by: QuereelpPlUff | 7/2/2009 12:19:12 PM

I think the industry should create an event like this, not someone who also works in healthcare? Is this true?

Posted by: Alan W - Detroit, MI | 3/14/2008 8:52:16 AM

Having been in attendance both this year and last, I was glad to see IFFS organizers address a need for more topics geared specifically towards small-to-medium festivals. While it''s wonderful having the opportunity to mix it up with some of the big leaguers, especially in terms of a notion touted often during the event - finding community - much of what is gleaned isn''t necessarily scalable downwards. A good deal of the benefit, for me anyway, has been the chance to exchange ideas with folks behind similarly-sized and staffed events and I''ve made some amazing contacts. That said, if I hadn''t been a speaker myself, it would have been a real stretch to even think about participating. Next year''s move back to the strip should help some with costs, but a reduction in the conference registration fee would go a long way towards creating an event that''s truly embraced by the industry.

Posted by: Lisa Vandever, CineKink | 12/10/2007 12:14:21 PM

As a participating festival that is entering its 39th year, I couldn't agree more with everything said and I am so grateful you said it publicly. I managed to express my similar views to the IFFS organizers, but realized that they are just event planners (who could use some of our expertise) and I was probably venting on deaf ears. It is vitally important to me to help make the IFFS a success. It is really the only place that I have found as an executive (and not a programmer) that I can attend workshops regarding logistics of running a film festival event and its funding support as well as engage in dialogue with film festival executives. It is also a place that I can give back to the young and upcoming festival administrators.

Posted by: Sallie Mayne, Nashville Film Festival | 12/7/2007 1:55:48 PM

Having been to the first IFFS and the Henderson version, I'll admit that it is an improved event. There is obviously some beneficial information being passed around for a lot of the younger festivals, but I think the larger issues for the larger festivals remain largely ignored; premiere issues, etc. I'd love to be given a reason to attend next year but...I wonder. And, maybe it's just me, but do we need another awards ceremony?

Posted by: Brit Withey | 12/5/2007 3:38:01 PM