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Survival of the Fittest

We did it! We survived, and not just the Festival. In the past year, the staffers here at Enzian have survived three hurricanes, the deaths of family members (in two cases two in one family within two weeks), car accidents, illnesses, and the dissolution of relationships…maybe God is punishing Florida. But we are still here and we produced a great festival (if I do say so myself).

This was my fifth festival and I don’t think I have ever seen a staff (paid or volunteer) work so hard! And please, before we start to get letters, let me clear up the fact that the folks at Gatorland who provided us with “Jeb” really do care about those animals and use them to educate schoolchildren on wildlife preservation. Anyone who sees those men with those animals can tell they love them. Enough said.

Each year there is one moment where I think this is why we do this…this is why I do this. This year is was on closing night when I saw the tears of a packed house in reaction to AFTER INNOCENCE. When I saw it at Sundance, I knew we had to screen it in Florida, especially since there is current legislation pending in the Florida legislature regarding the use of DNA evidence. After director Jessica Sanders impassioned plea to the audience to take action, I think the real Jeb probably received a few calls yesterday…

slacek posted to FFF 05 on April 19, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)