(case study: DTFF)
Attending a film festival for the first time can be overwhelming! There are so many films to see, where do you start? How to navigate the many film screenings, events, parties? It’s almost enough to throw popcorn in the air and give up before it’s even begun. But, don’t worry. There is a method to every hectic situation, and after years of constant festival hopping, here is a collection of tried and true rules to get you through the madness and still have fun … and with Doha Tribeca Film Festival around the corner, take in these guidelines and even if this is your first fest, you’ll festival hop through DTFF like a pro!
1. Strategize. Ok. DTFF opens in 3 days and you’ve just picked up the Film Guide with 40+ films with multiple screenings at multiple times, in multiple venues. And they all look so good. Where do you start? … At a local coffee shop. Clear one afternoon and with pen in hand start circling the ‘must-sees’ and ‘maybes’ (and even cross out the ‘not-this-times’ if there are any) as you sip a cappuccino. Simplify. Take it slow. Be organized. For a geek like me, I also come armed with post-it notes and highlighters… but for a first-timer, one writing device may work just fine!
2. During the Festival, absolutely no films can be seen that are not participating in the Fest. A friend of mine asked if I’d like to go to a film that has been running at a local theatre for the past month (both friend + film will remain nameless). My look of horror was enough to stop her mid-question. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take a Hollywood film any day but not during DTFF. Other films will be around after the Festival, but these gems may not.
3. Don’t limit yourself only to screenings. “But it’s a film festival,” you say. Well, there will be plenty of other offerings to take in. For the film professional, there is the industry side of things – pitch sessions, business meetings – where all the meet-and-greet and schmoozing is done; for the general public, there are parties, film talks and other events. DTFF doesn’t disappoint in this category. Take in one of the Doha Talks – for QR 20, listen to Robert Dinero chat about the ‘Meet the Fockers’ franchise and get a sneak peak at the latest edition, or listen to Rachid Bouchareb discuss the making of ‘Hors La Loi’, or for aspiring filmmakers, learn more about the nuts-and-bolts of filmmaking in the Gulf or about guerilla distribution strategies. Keep both eyes out and open for these additional events!
4. Take advantage of the free events. If you’re on a budget or not, keep an eye out for *free* because usually all festivals have free and fun offerings. DTFF has the Katara Open-Air Theatre, which looks stunning with its outdoor 2000-seat capacity. Attending the Opening Night film ‘Hors de la Loi’ here will be a true film experience and listening to a live performance by the Qatar Philharmonic of Nitin Sawhney-composed score for ‘A Throw of Dice’ – simply put, Wow. Both nights will be light on the wallet, but abuzz with excitement. At quick glance, there are other free events during DTFF. Find the ones that pique your interest and enjoy.
5. Be selective: Take into consideration countries of origin. While it is important to support local talent – and I suggest you do! – also consider not filling up your film slate with all films from your respective region. Why you ask? Because you’ll probably have access to these films in the near future. They are strong pieces and will most likely show up on television or at a theatre near you; however, a documentary from the Republic of Congo or a feature film from New Zealand may not. It’s all about distribution. If a film gets Middle East distribution (possibly through those industry meetings mentioned earlier), it may hit Qatar cinemas soon. But unfortunately, some films never get that much-deserved break. There have been countless of poignant films that I’ve had the chance to see at film fests that have then disappeared from mainstream access. When living in Toronto, Canada, my general rule was to not see too many films from the city or country (well, unless I was supporting a fellow filmmaker, or … well… there are always exceptions…), because sure enough, it would end up on Canadian TV or in theatres within the year.
6. Be selective: Diversify! Following with #5, think about this. You have a wide selection of films from a variety of countries. Sample. Taste. Be adventurous. Watch a French film one night and a Lebanese film the next. Travel to China, Egypt or Sweden all in one day. There are also fiction feature narratives, documentaries – and never underestimate the power of a short film. As DTFF says, Film is Life. So, experience global lives through film.
7. Look out for directors and actors in attendance. One of the main thrills of film festivals is to attend a screening with a filmmaker or actors in attendance. One, you get to see a great film, two, you get to hear from the director live. Post-screening Q&As are a must-experience.
8. Plan solo. Now some people may disagree with me here, but I believe that festival planning should start as a solo-planning endeavour. This does not mean that you should not discuss with friends, but I recommend that you use these guidelines to choose your screenings and events that are your ‘must-attends’ and then have the convos with friends. It’s much simpler! A five-person ‘what films should we see’ attempt could be a disaster! So, make your sched, share, and meet up when it works, but don’t be shy to attend screenings by yourself. You’ll meet new people, you’ll see what you want to see, and socializing – well, that’s what the parties are for!
9. Have fun. The point of all of this is for you to have fun and experience film! Trust me, it’ll be nothing short of super enriching. And with the 2010 DTFF film slate, you may find yourself overwrought with an emotion in one film, and laugh yourself silly in another. You may dive deep into a topic you knew very little of and relate to a stranger on screen in another.
10. Get involved early: Be a volunteer! If come festival time, you find yourself wishing you knew more, earlier, next year, you can. Film festivals universally are largely successful due to the film enthusiasts who support them. Volunteers are truly at the heart of these fests. As a volunteer, you can support something you love while learning the inside scoop as it happens. Meet other film fans, connect with the local film community and of course, be privy to the perks given to volunteers. DTFF is no exception – support was so overwhelming that the volunteer deadline had to be extended to respond to the demand – now that’s a statement for the love of film!
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