Like most festivals and markets, there's no such thing as "stopping by".

On Tuesday morning, I was on my way to the Apple Store on Prince Street and had intended on stopping by the Market afterwards, but since the Puck Building (location of the Market) is directly between my apartment and the Apple Store I decided to "stop by" the Market first.

As soon as you walk through the door, the kind volunteers are there to escort you to registration. I assume registration is normally a quick procedure, but because I was listed under "Sponsor" and "Industry" registration became a bit more confusing. Which badge should they give me? Do the badges effect events/panels/discussions which I am entitled to? Do they need to take another picture? All in all, they were pretty basic questions which can be confusing...and I am familiar with the questions from my volunteering days with the Slamdance Film Festival. You just want to do the "right" thing.

Twenty minutes later, I had my badge, walked around, and was able to catch up with various Roundtable participants.

The Market seems to be doing well this year. Their program has improved and there are many shorts, rough cuts and panels which I'd really like to attend.

After about an hour of catching up with the filmmakers, I was on my way over to the Apple Store when a few friends noted that they, too, had intended on going to the Apple Store.

Fast forward after the Apple Store, we continued on to some more IFP events, on and on until basically I was sleeping on my feet.

It was really nice to catch up with a lot of friends/ filmmakers from around the country who came in for the Market. Many are currently working on new projects which are screening this week and it was great to see so many of these talented people out and working on new projects.