Maybe it’s the fact that I’m in Vegas right now for the International Film Festival Summit, or maybe it’s the fact that Christmas is around the corner, but I can’t help but be reminded of this classic scene from Albert Brooks’ Lost In America as I hear the Detroit Automakers back in Washington (essentially) asking “for their money back”:
“The Desert Inn has heart”
“I know I’ve started to think/About leaving tonight/Although Nothing seems right/In cars”
‘Tis the Season:
December is the time for Independent Spirit.
To wit:
1) Most filmmakers receive news from Sundance (Slamdance, etc.) about whether or not they will be playing Park City.
(Note: I’ve written about my feelings on this topic at length. As the distribution world continues to implode/evolve/market correct/mutate, Festivals remain ever more important to a filmmaker’s overall strategy. And not just festivals that end with “dance,” “west,” “beca” and “onto.”. Submit to Atlanta, Sarasota, Maryland, Sidewalk, etc)
2) Year end lists begin to percolate, with the inevitable spotlight thrust onto the year’s most worthy releases. Without fail, these lists are populated with indies.
3) Awards season shifts into full gear as so many hopefuls open theatrically looking to live up to the hype, catch the Oscar wave, and buzz to a four+ month box office pay day.
5) The Call for Entries close for many Spring Festivals…including Oscar qualifiers like the Atlanta Film Festival: (Note: technically, the extended deadline is January 9, but the time for frugal filmmakers to submit is before December 5!)
Over 1,300 have already submitted…get your film to Dan and the committee ASAP!
In this era when an issues like Prop 8 brings to light the continuing struggle for equality, it is worth reviewing this remarkable document, and reading a bit about its fascinating history.
The Atlanta Film Festival will be participating as co-presenters (along with the High Museum of Art’s film program, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and Campus Movie Fest) of a sneak peek screening of THE PEOPLE SPEAK, followed by a panel discussion featuring Danny Glover, Jasmine Guy, Howard Zinn, activist Anthony Arnove and producer Chris Moore moderated by yours truly.
Join actors Danny Glover and Jasmine Guy for a free pre-screening of their film The People Speak, a historical documentary in which such actors as Viggo Mortensen, Marisa Tomei, Danny Glover, Jasmine Guy and Kerry Washington portray activists who made history through championing the principles of democracy and the UDHR.
Followed by Q & A and panel discussion with historian Howard Zinn, activist Anthony Arnove and producer Chris Moore moderated by Atlanta Film Festival Director Gabe Wardell.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 8:00pm
Rich Theater, Woodruff Arts Center
1280 Peachtree Street NE | Atlanta, GA 30309
Here are some thoughts I shared with everyone on the ATL Film Festival list:
Thanksgiving is a time for each to us to reflect on the things that fill our lives with joy. Challenging times such as these remind us to appreciate even the most simple things in life: our health, our friends, our family, our community.
I am reminded of a scene in Manhattan where a despondent Woody Allen conjures a litany of things that bring joy to his life:
Why is life worth living? It’s a very good question. Um… Well, There are certain things I guess that make it worthwhile. uh… Like what… okay… um… For me, uh… ooh… I would say… what, Groucho Marx, to name one thing…uh… um… and Wilie Mays…and um… the 2nd movement of the Jupiter Symphony… and um… Louis Armstrong, recording of Potato Head Blues...um… Swedish movies, naturally… Sentimental Education by Flaubert…uh… Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra…um… those ...incredible Apples and Pears by Cezanne… uh… the crabs at Sam Wo’s…”
There is no doubt that arts touch our lives in ineffable ways. They move our soul. The arts inform every aspect of our lives—yet they remain unsung and under supported.
On behalf of the board and staff of the Atlanta Film Festival, I want to thank everyone for their continued support of, and faith in, this organization.
2008 has been an amazing year for the Atlanta Film Festival: not only did we officially re-branded to “Atlanta Film Festival 365.” We also launched a blog, began utilizing Twitter, . We are grateful for our Metro Atlanta Arts Fund Sustainability Grant, and the tool box support that allowed us to develop an ambitious strategic plan.
Without a committed base of supporters, we couldn’t continue to do the important work of bringing meaning to the moving image by championing shared community experiences, fostering the free exchange of ideas, and nurturing the development of a thriving industry.
Please consider making a pledge of support here, or consider purchasing a gift membership for a friend, colleague, loved one, or other movie lover in your life for the holidays.
It’s a gift that keeps giving! An amazing value.
Thanks again for your support. We can’t wait to work together to make 2009 even better!
For Indiewire, I’ll add this final note to filmmakers: It’s still not to late to submit your film to the Atlanta Film Festival in 2009—April 16-25, 2009.
Finally—one of my all time favorite short films—I defy you to watch this film, and NOT smile:
Reasons to Be Glad by fellow Bardian Jeffrey Noyes Scher:
The Atlanta Film Festival’s December 5 deadline looms like a Lowell Mill Girl…and submissions are flooding in!
There’s a late deadline in January—but you’re going to wanna get your work to us before then, because prices are going up. In other words, don’t wait to get notice from Sundance before you decide whther or not to submit to ATL, SXSW, Nashville, Sarasota, Tribeca, etc!)
In the Spotlight this week is the ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL (ATLFF), an event renowned for discovering new talent. Since its inception over three decades ago, the Festival has shown early works of filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Jason Reitman, Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson, Mark Osborne, Robert Rodriguez, and Ray McKinnon.
The Atlanta Film Festival is one of a select group of Academy Award-qualifying film festivals; in fact, the 2001 Oscar-winning short THE ACCOUNTANT qualified for its nomination after winning at ATLFF. Boasting a long-established reputation for excellence in programming, the vital ten-day Festival attracts both industry professionals and corporate sponsors to engage with filmmakers and over 10,000 tastemakers and film lovers in attendance.
Accepted filmmakers receive film festival passes and invitations to gala events, parties, receptions, industry panels, and a VIP Hospitality Lounge. Filmmakers are also honored at the filmmaker appreciation party, co-hosted by Paste Magazine. Over 90% of the 2008 Atlanta Film Festival program came directly from Withoutabox submissions, so your chances of selection are very real - don’t miss out!
Add to your Watchlist View Listing
UPCOMING DEADLINE
December 5, 2008 - Regular Deadline
Upgraded projects save $5 off this deadline
MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
Positioned at the intersection of art, culture and commerce, the Atlanta Film Festival brings meaning to the moving image by championing the shared community experience, fostering the free exchange of ideas, and nurturing the development of a thriving industry.
MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
ATLFF is known for discovering original stories that enlighten audiences, provoking community dialogue, learning and engagement in world issues. The Festival presents prizes for the best of Documentary and Narrative Features as well as for Animated, Documentary, and Narrative Shorts. Winners of the Animated and Narrative Short Film Awards become eligible for Oscar nominations, while the Pink Peach Award is presented to a film that explores lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender themes.
Filmmakers of all backgrounds have had fun and productive experiences at ATLFF. Lucia Small of THE AXE IN THE ATTIC attests, ATLFF “really took care of me, and the film…found its home in Atlanta,” while Brandon Klein, Nicholas Klein, Daniel Klein and Tim Klein (WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?) express a similar sentiment: ”[The Festival] will always mean a lot to the four of us.” And Chris Holland (Author of “Film Festival Secrets”) speaks to the “real sense of camaraderie that grows over the course of the festival week as names and faces become familiar through repeated contact.”
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