Programme of Short Film Conference 2017:
14.00-15.00 – 5 THINGS WRONG WITH YOUR FILM FESTIVAL (Debate)
Open to everyone.
A recent online article entitled “15 Things Wrong With Your Short Film” rose the ire of some filmmakers. Not so much due to the content but to the fact that it was yet another in a long line of articles telling filmmakers what they might be doing wrong. Just where were the articles telling film festivals what they did wrong?
In the spirit of fair play, the Short Film Conference will hold an event entitled “Five* things wrong with your short film festival” (*We realise the original article had 15, we have chosen five simply because of time restrictions) and examine some of the criticisms levelled at events from filmmakers, industry players and – indeed – festivals themselves.
This will not be an exercise in singling out individual events and people – instead it is meant to allow film festivals to engage in some reflection on the things that we do whilst talking honestly about the problems that we face nowadays.
With a panel consisting of filmmakers and festival representatives the discussion will no doubt be a heated yet positive look at the world of short film festivals.
Speakers: Rich Warren (Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival), Sven Schwarz (Hamburg International Short Film Festival), Jing Haase (Nordisk Panorama Film Festival), Douwe Dijkstra (director), Wouter Jansen (Go Short – International Short Film Festival Nijmegen), Gunhild Enger (director)
Moderator: Laurence Boyce (International Short Film Festival Sleepwalkers)
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15.15-16.15 – HOW EXCLUSIVE IS YOUR FESTIVAL? (Table discussion)
Open to everyone.
Why do some festivals have premiere requirements? What is the impact on other festivals? How does your festival change once you’re Oscar-accredited? How does a festival get Academy Award-accredited in the first place? Why would you strive for that? And finally: what about short films that are available online?
In this roundtable discussion a few key-speakers (programmers, festival directors) will shed a light on their experience within the short film world, regarding the question of exclusivity. Anyone in the audience is recommended to participate in the Q&A that follows.
Speakers: Mauro Gervasini (Venice Film Festival), Zita Carvalhosa (São Paulo International Short Film Festival), Seigo Tono (Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia), Theo Tsappos (Swedish Film Institute)
Moderator: Jacopo Chessa (Italian Short Film Center)
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16.30-17.30 THE SHORT FILM WORLD & FILM JOURNALISM – MAKING TWO WORLDS WORK TOGETHER (Lecture)
Open to SFC-members only.
Journalism/film criticism has long been an established and important part of the film festival world. Yet many magazines are not interested in taking stories about short films and – despite the internet – outlets for many established journalists are shrinking. With that in mind just how are short film festivals approaching their relationships with film critics and journalists? With a product that many outlets won’t write about?
Laurence Boyce is both a journalist and the head of programme of International Short Film Festival Sleepwalkers and has seen both sides of the coin when it comes to the relationship between the press and the short film festivals world. He has written about short film festivals for trade magazines as well as specialist publications and Cineuropa Shorts, of which he is the editor.
In his talk, Laurence will explore the needs and wants of both journalists and festivals and examine the pitfalls he faces as a film journalist when specialising in short film. He will give practical advice on how to gain interest from trade magazines as well go through the kind of information that a journalist and critic needs to be able to make the best use of a festival they attend. He will also reflect on his past as a press officer for numerous major festivals and examine past relationships with the press world.
This talk will prove invaluable for any festival wanting to improve its relationship with the press and learn more about how to target its information to get the best coverage it can.
Speaker: Laurence Boyce (International Short Film Festival Sleepwalkers, Cineuropa Shorts)
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17.30-18.00 – SHORT FILM CONFERENCE – GENERAL ASSEMBLEE
Open to SFC-members only.
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18.15-19.00 – NETWORKING DRINKS + ANNOUNCEMENT: WINNER OF THE SHORT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Open to everyone.
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19.30-22.00 – NETWORKING DINNER @ THE SALVATION JANE PUB
Open to SFC-members only.
Location lectures & assemblee: Maison de la Culture, Salle Gripel, Boulevard François Mitterrand 71. / Location dinner: The Salvation Jane Pub, Rue Terrasse 14.
See you there!