Business screen magazine (1946)

comment Festivals Are not the Same Editor's Note: The following comment was written by J. W. Anderson, ciniirman of the U.S. Industrial Film Festival in response to Stanford Sohel's "Parado.x" column dealing with film festivals in our January issue. J. W. Anderson has extensive experience in industrial film production, both as a sponsor and producer. He has served as judge and advisor for numerous film festivals, having just completed the chairmanship of the second annual Public Relations Society of America Film Festival. He is the creator and director of the U.S. Industrial Film Festival, now approaching Its 4th annual competition. An article in the January issue <if Bu.siNESs ScRii N sought to take to task certain aspects of film festival management. In many ways it reminded us as typical of the cynics who proclaimed, after the 196X Democratic National Convention in Chicago, thai all Chicago cops are irresponsible bullies. Others draw equally broad conclusions when they say that all black people are lazy and shiftless, it's a "paradox" to note, however, that there are over 3<J(J black millionaires in the I nited States and that recently a couple of Chicago c«>ps were cited for brav 22 cry. Ihis clearly illustrates that all Chicago cops arc not the same just as all black people are not the same. Citing these men for bra\ery was an example of the recognition and honor that humans have sought from their fellow man and coveted for centuries. Such recognition may be simply a pat on the back for a job well done or it may be a Nobel Prize, a Pulit/er Prize, an Oscar or even a Purple Heart. To the recipient, it is a mark of success, a job well done, a symbol of achievement. It should be clearly noted that film festivals are not all the same either, and we are fortunate to have some very good ones in the U.S. Festivals provide an important function by creating an opportunity for the producer or sponsor to improve the quality of his standards of production excellence through competitive comparison. Festivals provide an ideal basis for advertising and publicity campaigns for the recpient and they work! This was pointed out in one of the more positive areas of the article when the writer stated that ". . . the only ad which ever paid off in direct inquiries and sales was one in which I listed all the films I had written that year along with all the awards at national and international film festivals wim by those films." I know personally of film contracts that have been let because the producer's work was first brought to the attentii>n of the sponsor through festival recognition. At the U.S. Industrial Film Festival, we frequently receive letters and calls from potential sponsors requesting reeommendatii>n of a producer for a forthci>ming film. Our reply is to furnish a copy of the current list of winners. Poleiilial sponsors seek to evaluate a producer's credentials ami festival awards form an important cornerstone of these credentials. F-"estival judges came in for st)me criticism in the article but isn't it interesting to note how truly good films such as Why Man Creates which the author mentioned, consistently win high honors in festival after festival? Judges must be capable and attentive in order for them to frequently select the same film as tops from the many hundreds entered in numerous unrelated events. They do not make the selections merely on a films track record either. As an example, even Why Man Creates was relegated to a secondary position behind the Netherlands-produced Vision of a Reality in the 1969 U.S. Industrial Film Festival. Really fine films do stand out and invariably are highly honored b\ these independent judging groups as evidenced by the records attained by such modern day classics as Subject: Packaging, Micro. Imagination 10, Monument to a Dream, A Fable, etc. In judging a film, there are many factors that contribute to its recognition, but each element of creativity is but a part of the most important factor — effectiveness. Therefore judging forms should be structured to stress this point. A gi)od judging form is the result of years of experience and along with carefully prepared instructions, will pro[vrly guide the judges. Our judging form is reviewed yearly by our board of advisors to be certain it is as perfect as we can make it. A committee reviewing the selections of a sub-committee is another commendable check employed in evaluating films. But remember, judges are not tiKt unlike an audience. If a film di>es not attract their immediate attention and hold it, in all probability it will fail to hold the attention of the audience, too. Festivals have made a substantial contribution to the film industry by .illowing cross pollination of ideas an(,l lertili/ation of creative thinking. Exchanges of ideas are a necessary and desirable stimulus. Do not shut yourself off fri>m such an exchange. This is the very reason you read BusiNiss Scriin. Get involved in festivals for they can bring successful rewards through recognition. Success breeds success and festival recognition cm build jirofitable businesses. BUSINESS SCREEN,