Tallahassee Film Festival
This initiative aims to showcase our talent in the film industry by establishing an annual film festival that will harness the creativity of university students and others that excel in production, cinematography, acting, directing and everything in between. The initiative also hopes to attract visitors to Tallahassee, giving the area an opportunity to highlight its assets.
In addition to local community volunteers, the film fest team is working with the Dean of Florida State’s prestigious Film School , prominent members of the Hollywood circle, the Challenger Learning Center, the Tallahassee Film Society, the state film commissioner, the Governor’s Office and leading experts in the film industry to evaluate best practices and coordinate Tallahassee’s first annual film festival May 15-17, 2008.
The film fest team has spent that past year developing a timeline and coordinating logistics, lodging, security, marketing, screening venues, celebrity involvement and sponsors. They have also spent countless hours viewing film entries. They recently launched a Web site (www.tallahasseefilmfestival.com) and formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization as well.
As for the event itself, the film fest team will host a premier and a welcome reception on opening night – Thursday, May 15, 2008. On Friday and Saturday, the event will feature screenings at various venues around town, and specifically in the Gaines Street corridor. Seminars, workshops and “meet and greets” will be tied into the festival, along with after-parties at partnering bars and restaurants. The event will culminate on Saturday, May 17, 2008 with an evening gala and awards ceremony called It’s a Wrap!
24-Hour Film Contest: In conjunction with the film festival, the film fest team will host a 24-hour film contest for anyone who wishes to participate. Filmmakers will compete for cash and trophies, as well as a chance to be recognized on tallahassee.com and at the It’s a Wrap! party on Saturday, May 17. For complete contest rules, click here.
To read the most recent film festival press release, click here.
If you would like to serve on the film fest team or have ideas for how to help it succeed, please leave a comment below or e-mail kccitallahassee@gmail.com. For more information, visit http://tallahasseefilmfestial.com or e-mail info@tallahasseefilmfestival.com.
We are in desperate need of funding for this initiative! If you have any leads or connections to potential public or private funding sources, please e-mail us at kccitallahassee@gmail.com. The size and success of this event heavily depends on the extent of our resources. Thanks for your help!
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1.
Mike Wright | April 22, 2007 at 10:31 am
This is a great idea that could grow into an exciting annual event. It could help to highlight the Film program at FSU which has developed into a spectacular program. This along with the Seven Days event could help to put us on the regional calendar for cultural events.
2.
bonita_girl | June 25, 2007 at 2:51 pm
A social network built around like minded film enthusiasts would serve you well. User Generated Content, audience voting, sharing of Best Practices, Do’s and Don’t, FAQ’s, etc – all could be delivered through your website – quickly and affordably.
I’d like to talk with someone if there is interest in this approach. Respond back and I’ll get in touch.
3.
bonita_girl | June 25, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Mike,
Seven Nights event sound interesting. What is it?
4.
Ivette Marques | June 25, 2007 at 3:36 pm
I think the Tallahassee Film Festival will be a great event with longevity that could bring more culture and diversity to the area. It is a step in the right direction and will hopefully put Tallahassee on the map and continue to attract and retain young professionals to our city.
5.
D. Caldwell | July 13, 2007 at 11:40 am
Another festival will not put Tallahassee on the map. Outside of your film school, you do not have the existing industry infrastructural support to build your film business. Work on that before you celebrate. If the real goal is another community festival to bring people together to party, then move ahead, but don’t mislead people by promising somthing that will not be dellivered. I am frankly surprised that this is a part of a Knight Intitiative. Others I have seen bring long lasting impact to their communities. This, outside of the “improved perception” and “weekend of visitors” hoped for, does not. By the way, I am a film producer (not in Tallahassee) and have participated in many such festivals. This is not meant to discourage your efforts if they are to build and support a film industry for your area. You have a lot to offer. A festival won’t do that.
6.
DG | July 17, 2007 at 7:49 am
bonita_girl: Seven Days of Opening Nights is a cultural event put on annually. They usually round up some pretty great performers for it.
http://www.fsu.edu/~artsfest/index.htm
7.
Pace Allen, Jr. | July 22, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Suggested Name for Tallahassee’s Film Festival:
“You should see the Pictures” Film Festival
See video link to honor Daniel Chaires. During the interview, his father Captian Chaires, said “You should see the pictures of the children….” Daniel died defending our freedom and fighting for freedom for the people of Iraq. He lived in Chairs, just east of Tallahassee. Our veterans should be remembered.
“You should see the Pictures.”
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=12316007
Pace Allen, Jr., Florida attorney, C.P.A., Tallahassee Native
Mobile: 556.0709
founder: http://www.justsingfreedom.org
http://www.taxteaparty.com
8.
Betsy | September 15, 2007 at 10:50 pm
As a young professional in Tallahassee who enjoys cultural activities, I think it is wonderful that KCCI is planning establish an annual film festival. Following are a few things to consider.
Seek out local and national event experts. Locally, seek counsel and work closely with the 7 Days of Opening Nights team to learn from their successes and mistakes. 7 Days didn’t evolve overnight to the organization and crowd pleaser that it is today. Check out and talk to event organizers, etc. from other popular film festivals such as Toronto and Sundance (http://www.tiffg.ca/ or (http://festival.sundance.org/2006/utilities/volunteers.aspx).
Promote the event. Work closely with the Tallahassee Area CVB and VISIT FLORIDA to promote this unique event locally, regionally and nationally. If the event is taking place in May, then you need to start promoting ASAP if you want to secure coverage in magazines. You would be surprised the people that will travel to visit an event like this – even if it is the first year. Work with the CVB to see if local hotels, airlines, businesses will put together film festival travel packages and make sure the packages are promoted. Link to popular blogs – even niche businesses like Delta SkyMiles have blogs. There have got to be tons of film-oriented blogs and internet sites out there as well. It’s all about spreading the word – from calling for films or simply volunteers to publicizing the event. Work with local organizations to promote this as well – Access Tallahassee, Network of Young Professionals, etc.
Its wonderful you are already working with the Dean at FSU’s film school. Be sure to also tap into the alumni from the school that are still living in the greater Tallahassee area.
Just a few thoughts. I’m really glad that I stumbled across the web site. Keep up the great work.
9.
Sarah | October 4, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I was wondering if volunteers were still needed to help with the film festival. I am an English major at FSU that has a real appreciation and interest in films. If volunteers are still needed, what areas need the most help? Any information would be well received!
10.
Judy Bailey | January 8, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I am so excited to hear about this!!! We have just moved back to Tallahassee from Sarasota, FL which has a terriffic FIlm Festival that has been going on for years now. My 17 year old son has been talking a film program in his high school and it focused on the film industry as his career path. What can he do to get involved with this wonderful project!!!!
Very excited!!!
Judy
11.
kccitallahassee | January 9, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Hi Judy,
We’re so glad you’re as excited as we are! Just have your son e-mail kccitallahassee@gmail.com and we’ll connect him to the film fest team leaders who can fill him in on how he can get involved.
Thanks!
12.
Whitley | January 27, 2008 at 8:14 am
I really think this is cool and I am looking for something to participate in Tallahassee. I would love get involved wtih this event. I told my sister about it and she told me I should go for it. Can follow the link as well?