Previously: #25. Ashland
There's a bunch of other great American film festivals that do good work for documentaries and filmmakers. And if our Top 25 Film Festivals list was completely US-centric, the following ten film festivals would all make the list.
Here's an alphabetical list of 10 more American festivals that matter, with comments from filmmakers and industry who've attended:
AFI FestSelection of US films screened at 2009 festival: THE ART OF THE STEAL, BEETLE QUEEN CONQUERS TOKYO, LA DANSE: THE PARIS OPERA BALLET, NEIL YOUNG TRUNK SHOW, REPORTER, SWEETGRASS
Our coverage of AFI Fest here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "awesome people. didn't get to attend, but heard good things. have budget to fly and house filmmakers"
Filmmaker: "Lots of glitz but not much substance, particularly for weighty films."
Industry: "I was really
impressed with the way they remade themselves this year. I'm definitely
interested in returning. And yes, they paid for my flight and room."
Industry: "Major film showcase with more
than a passing nod to docs. Range of activity, organizing and facilities (up
until this year). John Wildman and has staff are first rate.
Industry: "A good screening
opportunity in LA - don’t get much bang but if you can get a few journalists in
to see the film, always helpful. To be fair, the film selection gets
better and better and I respect that they tried new things this year.
Don’t know how it panned out with the free public tickets, but liked the
idea. They were very accommodating in trying to travel an international
filmmaker. They offered vouchers but only out of European hubs – but
appreciated the effort. Not a lot of business happening but another good
screening opportunity for those who need people (acad members) to see films on
the big screen."
Our coverage of Birmingham Sidewalk Festival here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "You wouldn't think anything happens in Birmingham, and maybe it
doesn't, but for one outstanding weekend it seems like the town was built for
you. Great hospitality. There were field trips for filmmakers and
the after parties were delightfully strange (80s hair rock bands, rappers,
rooftop dance parties, arcade games…) Leisurely atmosphere with eclectic
programming. A very nice and unique regional weekend film festival."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: AN ALTERNATIVE TO SLITTING YOUR WRISTS, ART & COPY, HERB AND DOROTHY, IN A DREAM, NOT YOUR TYPICAL BIGFOOT MOVIE, PRODIGAL SONS, TRINIDAD, THE WRECKING CREW, YOUSSOU NDOUR: I BRING WHAT I LOVE
Our coverage of Cleveland here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "Nice folks, put me up in a good hotel for two nights. Generated a bit of
press and some interest from libraries for screenings. Together with the local
NPR station they also organized a nice cocktail reception at a cool local bar
with live music. Got to meet some interested fans that way.
Industry: "fine regional festival, but not a must in terms of
Dallas International Film Festival (formerly AFI Dallas)
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: ART & COPY, THE COVE, FOOD, INC., ROUGH AUNTIES, WHATEVER IT TAKES, PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI, THE GARDEN, VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR
Our coverage of Dallas here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "Really great. Clearly they have
a lot of money which means flights/accommodation/travel for filmmakers, have
great parties and huge cash prizes. There are also local audiences hungry
for interesting films. I think it's poised to be a 1st tier fest.
Filmmaker: "Good.
Nice balance between big corporate sponsors and indie origins. Not a
market."
Industry: "they paid
all of my expenses, but I wouldn't go back. A free room at the W is not worth a
weekend of total disorganization."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: BIG RIVER MAN, CON ARTIST, DIRTY OIL, HOW TO FOLD A FLAG, MY NEIGHBOR, MY KILLER, SCHMATTA: RAGS TO RICHES TO RAGS, WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY
Our coverage of Hamptons here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "Nicest
staff all around."
Filmmaker: "An audience fest,
not an industry festival but a very interesting audience. If you’re
looking to screen for a bit of a posher audience than you might never get to
come to your film in NY, may happen here (of course depending on the film).
They covered hotel three nights, jitney ticket and offered plane ticket."
Filmmaker: "a little
too much star wattage on display and docs get lost in the glare."
Industry: "Good for docs - can give a lift but no sales are likely to happen there."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: ART & COPY, BEST WORST MOVIE, CRUDE, FOOD, INC., FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES, HERB AND DOROTHY, MINE, OF ALL THE THINGS, PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI, SHOUTING FIRE: STORIES FROM THE EDGE OF FREE SPEECH, TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION, THE WAY WE GET BY, WE LIVE IN PUBLIC, WILLIAM KUNTSLER: DISTURBING THE UNIVERSE, WINNEBAGO MAN
Our coverage of IFF Boston here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "As a filmmaker, I was treated like royalty at IFFBoston. Flight paid for, a nice hotel room, etc. My only complaint is that they aren't sponsored by Redbones, because visiting that restaurant can take a toll on one's wallet, if they obsess over it as much as I do. Great programming, an intimate atmosphere. My only gripe with this fest is that they should try to have a late-night spot where giddy filmmakers can reconvene. Boston shuts down at 1am and almost every year I've attended people have had to cram themselves into someone's hotel room to keep the socializing alive. I feel like this would be a HUGE help, even if there wasn't a stacked bar or something. BYOB is fine too. Just somewhere that people can comfortably stay awake into the wee hours."
Filmmaker: "nice
people. had a good experience here with (my film) because it was a
local story. so i'm biased. but the press was very open and willing to write
again and again about the film."
Filmmaker: "tried hard, good
turnout. They care."
Industry: "Good for docs and good for positioning and local press."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: 45365, 21 BELOW, ART & COPY, BOY INTERRUPTED, P-STAR RISING, POP STAR ON ICE, PRODIGAL SONS, THE WAY WE GET BY, THE WINDMILL MOVIE
Our coverage of Newport here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "If you liked Murder She Wrote and are prepared to attend some high
brow New England afterparties, then this is it. We had a magnificent
time. Attendance at the screenings could have been better, but the
hospitality and local flavor of this seemingly small festival was overwhelming."
Filmmaker: "I remember great parties in mansions, cute venues. Paid for hotel and train I think.
Filmmaker: "Very nice people. we got 'put up' with some locals. that was weird. had a 4 mile walk to the venues. too long. would have rather been put up in a shitty hotel nearby. another place with so much money, the locals feel like a different species and the filmmakers and films are just passing through for their entertainment."
Filmmaker: "Newport deals with a B&B situation for many attending filmmakers, which has gotten some into trouble, but the quaintness of the environment and great programming makes it a really wonderful weekend fest."
Industry: "seems to be
back on track in terms of festival staff and organization. why this isn't an
industry stop during the year is beyond me. great programming."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, BLESSED IS THE MATCH, HERB AND DOROTHY, INFINITE SPACE: THE ARCHITECTURE OF JOHN LAUTNER, LIVING IN EMERGENCY: STORIES OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS, PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL, PRODIGAL SONS, VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR, VISUAL ACOUSTICS: THE MODERNISM OF JULIUS SHULMAN, WALT & EL GRUPO
Our coverage of Palm Springs here.
They said:
Filmmaker:
"Unlike most Film Festivals (as
opposed to Doc Festivals), I felt that people were genuinely interested in us
and documentary. Alissa Simon is such a nice person and the audiences were all
excellent.
Filmmaker: "very well run fest. paid for all; great hotel, nice break from L.A.; good audience"
Industry: "Very low key – feels
more audience though I know they think industry people are there. I think
just that awards ceremony is industry heavy because its situated in the heart
of awards season, but at the daily screenings feels very casual, low key.
Not a lot of business happening but another good screening opportunity
for those who need people (acad members) to see films on the big screen."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: GARBAGE DREAMS, TALHOTBLOND, ART & COPY, CITY OF BORDERS, THE COVE, FOOD, INC., THE GARDEN, GOTTA DANCE, LITTLE JOE, PRODIGAL SONS, WE LIVE IN PUBLIC, THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
Our coverage of Seattle here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "I like Seattle, they take care of filmmakers."
Filmmaker: "nice fest, no real
center to it, so no connection/community"
Filmmaker: "Seattle's always nice
but a little lonely for directors, as it runs so long you may not see another
filmmaker!"
Slamdance
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: GRAPHIC SEXUAL HORROR, SECOND SIGHT, SMILE TIL IT HURTS: THE UP WITH PEOPLE STORY, ZOMBIE GIRL: THE MOVIE
Our coverage of Slamdance here.
They said:
Filmmaker: "I really liked Slamdance when we screened there a few years ago. Useful to launch our film in the US, we actually had more inquiries after Slamdance than after Sundance, and had a distributor come to our screening. Not the best organisation. Lower-key but fun."Filmmaker: "Friendliest programmers ever."
I believe the Atlanta Film Festival should be on this list.
Posted by: Paula | December 15, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Thanks to the filmmakers and industry that gave feedback on IFFBoston and helped us make this list. One of the filmmaker comments gave me kudos for the success of our festival and the way it is run. I just want to take this opportunity to point out that there are a number of people who work every bit as hard as me to make IFFBoston what it is, primarily the core staff of Brian Tamm, Nancy Campbell, Christine Harbaugh, Dan McCallum, Judy Wong, and Tania Lemos Eskin.
We are very proud to be listed in the company of such a strong group of film festivals.
Adam Roffman
Program Director
Independent Film Festival of Boston
April 21-28, 2009
@IFFBoston
@adamroffman
Posted by: Adam Roffman | December 16, 2009 at 01:21 PM
You are really missing something if you don't include the "360/365 Film Fest" in Rochester, N.Y. (formerly known as the High Falls Rochester International Film Fest).
I know, I know, lots of old out-dated jokes about Rochester-- but now it's a very hip town for music, jazz in particular (home of Eastman School of Music & many clubs & festivals), & photography & film (home of George Eastman House's International Film Collection & huge amounts of technology, galleries & new film industries).
This year the "360/365 Film Festival" in Rochester, N.Y. will begin April 27th & run through May 2nd.
I just bought my annual All-Fest Pass. Hope to see you all there!
Posted by: Barb Blaisdell | January 13, 2011 at 08:27 AM