Film Studies students in the Faculty of Communication and Culture are learning what it takes to launch, promote and coordinate a film festival, while connecting with the Calgary film community and working towards course credit."We're learning how festivals get funding, who the audiences are, the relationship between big international festivals and small local ones as well as why some festivals do badly and some are a success," says Sarah Windsor a fourth year film studies student.
As a part of Film Studies 441, festival organizers participate as guest speakers once per week and students will volunteer with one of Calgary's film festivals this winter.
"Cathy McKee, a festival director, was the first guest speaker in our class," says second year student Emma Levine. "She was so enthusiastic and the festival was an opportunity with so much potential, I signed up to volunteer right away."
Both Levine and Windsor will volunteer with the Reel Fun Film Festival, which runs February 12 to 23. Windsor will run the festival's puppet building table where kids can make their own puppets, while Levine has been contacting media outlets in the areas surrounding Calgary to promote the festival.
Levine says the Reel Fun Film Festival evolved because there was a need for a festival of film that families could enjoy. Reel Fun is for people aged 4 - 94, but don't be fooled into thinking family-friendly film means run of the mill cartoons. The festival screens engaging child appropriate films as well as films with themes adults will find of interest.
"The reason that a festival begins either gives it credibility or holds it back," says Windsor. "If a festival starts as part of a political statement, often it doesn't expand. But, festivals that find their niche and bring in great films without being limited by their mandate can be successful."
Levine adds that this festival focuses on films that can be emotionally moving without being graphic or violent. The screenings and other activities are designed to build kids' appreciation for film
"One of the screenings has to do with making kids less scared of subtitled films," she says. "They've hired a reader to announce the subtitles. This way kids can realize it's not that hard to read and watch at the same time and they can get over some of the intimidation around it.
"More than watching movies, the Reel Fun Film Festival runs interactive booths and workshops where kids and others can explore movie make-up, sound editing, clay animation and even make their own films. For more information visit: www.reelfunfilmfest.com/