Hi-

Has anyone planned/directed a film festival before? If so, how did you establish it? How much labor is actually entailed?

I am very intrested in creating one for high school students in my community. Any advise will be appreciated.

I did one each semester for my college. It's labor intensive, but if you have enough people working for you, you can divide and conquer.

I'd be happy to answer any more specific questions.

Joren

Well, in my area this is not a "localized" festival catered for high school students. Not only do I want this to be an opportunity for aspiring film makers to expose their talents, but to also meet peers in our area that share the same passion for film.
With this in mind, I think that I need to find some type of sponsor. Here are a few ideas: contact a film festival catered for high school students and see if they are willing to bring it to NJ; contact a state college; contact a privately owned local cinema; find someone who's in the industry and is willing to donate their time (I do not see this happening though); my latest idea is to contact the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission. Which one do you think is my most successful option? Any other ideas?
After I find my sponsor (as in funding), I am guessing I need to find a venue. If the sponsor is a college than hopefully their facilities will be used; if not I am thinking a local cinema. After this, I am guessing that I have to "create" the festival--"The Write-Up." When that's done I need to advertise; then when the films submitted I’d need to screen them...AND AHHH I KNOW THIS PROCESS WILL NOT ACTUALLLY OCCUR LIKE THIS. I NEED REALISTIC GUIDANCE. I HAVE A TENDENCY TO NOT BE REALISTIC!

I'd suggest you figure out how much money you'll need before you go for sponsorship. If it's for high school students, why not host it at a high school? Finding a suitable venue that has the proper equipment to display videos to a large audience is probably the toughest (or most expensive) part of the process. Unless, you can convince a art-house movie theater to close for an evening and show your festival (charging admission, of course)–but they rarely have a digital projector. You'll also need a graphic designer to do posters (call for entries and for the show) and a program, etc. Figure out reasonably how many posters and other forms of advertisements you will have, and where you will advertise.

Then, now that you have a plan, take that to potential sponsors. Local businesses that cater to high school kids will probably be your best bet. Also, big business like Pepsi has been known to give money to put up huge, ugly banners. Being that you haven't done this before, it's going to be tough. I suggest you figure out how to do this as cheap as possible, maybe even putting some of your own money up front. Then, document the hell out of the festival for next time. Take pictures and count heads. Take this information to potential sponsors for the next time. Remember, sponsors don't want to just give you money, they want something in return. Make sure they think they are getting what they want.

Best luck
Joren


www.JorenClark.com || The Wallet @ ReWind

Rachel... I also live in New Jersey and would be veru interested in being a part of this.

I live in Old Bridge... How far is that from you?

DO you have AOL or AIM?>

Lets talk

Drew,

We should definitely talk because there is no way that I will be able to execute this festival on my own. At the moment, I have many ideas, but not enough help. My aol/aim screen name is tipo87.

-Rachel

Have all the submits on Video. Advertise it for a LONG while so all the kids can have tiem to make them. Submit fee of 10 bucks perfilm. the grandprize is the cash of all the submits. Voting will be done by the Kids themsilves.

Have ur old highschool sponser it on a weekend. or whenever is a good time and get the kids there. have a few computer projectors in like 5 diffrent rooms playing the films all day. at the end vote and win.

my 30 sec. truth of how u could do it.

-nota bra