[Frameworks] Current situation with Film Festivals

[DOMINIC ANGERAME]

I am noticing an alarming trend these days with experimental film festivals 
throughout the world. I received a notice from the Images Festival in Canada 
that they received more than 1,000 entries for exhibition. I am sure that Ann 
Arbor Film Festival received far more entries than the 150 films they are 
viewing. Since is seems that almost everyone is a filmmaker these days that the 
structure and procedures of the major experimental film festivals should be 
changed in major ways. Virtually all festivals charge an fee for entry. 1000 
entries can mean $25,000 going to the festivals for admin/pre-screening, etc. 
This does not include the donations, governmental grants, and other sources of 
income.  I used to run a couple of festivals and understand the purpose of entry 
fees to help defray costs. However, since the number of entries for many 
festivals has risen more than 3 or 4 times the amount the festivals need to 
consider extending their exhibitions to accomodate the amount of entries. Most 
filmmakers are now facing a 1 to 20 odds of having their films shown in major 
festivals. This is less than playing the lottery.

It is distressing for me, having been making films for more than 40 years to see 
the festival situation become so debased. The volume of work being entered is 
drowning these festivals in both admin, and creative decisions. I have served on 
juries in many festivals and noticed when I looked at the list of the films 
rejected by pre screeners that many great films had been rejected. As a judge I 
requested to view those rejected and found most of the films selected by me were 
shown at these particular festivals. Since the volume of entered work in most 
well known festivals far exceeds the festivals ability to manage this volume, 
that a new structure needs to be put in place. This would be a great service to 
the filmmakers entering their works into these festivals.

Dominic Angerame


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