FILM: FEASTING AT THE FESTIVALS -
Reposted from aXis Magazine, October 2003
By: Katharine Leis
Contrary to popular belief, there are more film festivals in the world besides Sundance and Cannes (is it “cans” or “cawns?”… ). I found out on September 13th that one such festival is right here in Florida, and is known as the MIFF. No, it doesn’t mean that anyone is peeved, rather it stands for the Melbourne Independent Filmmaker’s Festival.
I took my program and t-shirt and entered theatre number
two. In front of me was a huge screen, and plush red
stadium seating. Now, I’ve heard of film festivals in smaller
cities. I’ve heard they are held in bars sometimes or in
run-down old theaters where the posters cover the
“condemned” signs.
This was not the case here at all, folks...
I was truly impressed.
I watched several short movies over the next two and a half
hours. They were each introduced by Jeff of the 3 Boys
Productions, and were all really fantastic. I’m not just
saying that. I’ve also heard that some fests show five
minute pieces in black and white with blips and flashes
of buffalo running and nuclear bombs going off. Then they
sip cappuccinos afterward in their black turtlenecks and
slanted berets and talk about how profound they were
while a jazz band bedazzabeebops in the corner.
The movies I saw were stories. Real stories. Some were animated, like “Snow From China.” With all the beauty of a gagillion dollar Disney flick, this French Film managed to tell a beautiful story without any dialogue at all. There were movies from Sweden, Iran, Argentina, and of course the USA.
James Best, veteran Hollywood actor who has worked with Jerry Lewis, Paul Newman, Burt Reynolds, and scores of others in his fifty-odd year movie career was also there. You may also recognize him as Rosco P. Coltrane from the TV show “The Dukes of Hazzard.” He liked the festival so much as the guest of honor last year that he decided to come out again this year.
Directors Michael Baumgarten and Alexander Pelet
Narbonne were also guest speakers at the not-so-
roundtable.
The speakers each took turns at the mic, and
candidly told stories of how they got to be where
they are today. It was really interesting…it wasn’t
a seminar or a lecture, just hard working and
talented people talking about their experiences…
plus they were all really nice to boot.
More films were shown after the talks were over,
but I pulled aside the Sullivan brothers to ask them
a few more questions about their movie, the festival,
the elusive 3 Boys, and Melbourne.
Paul told me that he first learned of the Melbourne Festival in 2000, when two of his short movies were accepted for screening. He attended, and had so much fun that although he did not have a film entered for the 2002 festival, he returned anyway. For his first feature film, of all the places in the world to shoot, Paul decided on Melbourne, Florida because of his experiences with MIFF.
Now, rumor has it that Florida is more of a location than a production center. Not so says Ted. Hiring most of the crew from Melbourne and Orlando, Ted said that the crew here was “easily the best I’ve ever worked with- - by far.” He went on to say that “…if we have a shoot in Montana, I’d want to fly them out there.” Yowsa.
The crew included Orlando gaffer Mike Walsh, key grip Andy Klapp, and close to forty others who worked professionally and diligently on the 25 day shoot. The brothers agreed that without Florida, they would not have been able to make their movie. From the courtesy of the city residents, to their cooperation, assistance and overall excitement shown to the filmmakers, Paul and Ted had nothing but love for Florida. When asked if they would consider shooting another movie in Florida, the two replied, “in a heartbeat.” Not quite in unison, but close.
dollars. Maybe forty if you include the tape.” He also told me that the MIFF had arranged for special hotel rates at the Quality Suites Ocean Front for out-of-towners. He said even the hotel staff were excited about the festival, and that the whole experience was so great, he will definitely return next year.
So let’s recap here to this point. Every single person is nice and every single person I’ve spoken to loves the festival. Are we in the Twilight Zone?
I soon cornered Bob Lizek, one of the original 3 Boys in 3 Boys Productions. I asked him how the festival started, and he said it began some six years ago when the 3 Boys shot and completed a short movie. When it was all done, they decided to throw a party. Well that was so much fun that they decided to do it again, but this time to invite people from all over the world. What he then told me about the support from the city just blew me away. The theatre, specifically Rob Kurrus, donated two screens to the festival. Bill Williams from A Cut Above Video transferred all of the video selections to Beta at no cost so that they could be screened at the festival (usually, filmmakers must pay out of their own pockets for the transfers if they want their videos screened). All of the food for the VIP party was donated and voluntarily staffed by local restaurants. The programs (which were phenomenal) were printed for free by GraphX Printing. The beer for the party was donated by Indian River Brewing Company, and the administrative costs were paid for by 3 Boys Productions themselves. Now here’s the real kicker…every cent earned by the festival goes to two charities. The charities are; Unconditional Love, a non-profit HIV+ patient treatment center, and Yellow Umbrella, a non-profit child abuse prevention program. I nudged myself as I was standing beside myself, amazed at what a large group of genuinely good people I’d come across.
The evening events were held at the beautiful 497 seat Henegar
Center for the Arts. Under a crystal chandelier, guests were
greeted and led into the reception hall. The food was fantastic,
a wide variety of gourmet and casual dishes, and again the
volunteers from each restaurant displayed that same friendly
spirit and hospitality that makes Melbourne a favorite city for
all those who visit. Local musicians Robin and Eddy sang on
stage as guests made their way into the theatre. It was there
that I spoke with the guest of honor, Patrick Gallo. Patrick was
more than happy to sing the praises of the MIFF. He didn’t
actually sing, but I’m sure he could have if he tried. He said
that he was very happy to be a part of it, let alone to be the
guest of honor.
The films that evening were also from around the world and from right here in Florida. The audience award winner, “Time and Again” by Todd Thompson, was shot in Orlando last fall. Todd told me that “…there is no better payoff for a filmmaker than to showcase his work than at a festival as positive and enriching as the one here.”
The other award given, the Crystal Apple peer award, also went to a Florida Filmmaker. Andy Lalino of Metropol Productions received the award for his horror short movie entitled “Filthy.” Andy also was thrilled to be a part of the MIFF.
Well, that was it. I was officially sold. I can honestly say that the MIFF is incredible. With 65 short films, 5 features, and 6 previews, there was no shortage of entertainment. Dare to beat the low ticket prices…$6.50 for an entire day of movies and speakers at the Oaks, and $30 for a VIP ticket at the Henegar Center which included the best dinner, beer, and wine I’ve had all year, live entertainment and two more hours of outstanding films including the world premiere screening of the preview for “First Time Caller.”
Though I was only able to make it out on Saturday, I heard from many people that I missed some fun times on Thursday and Friday. Thursday featured films shown at last year’s festival in an outdoor kickoff party at Da Kine Diego’s Bamboo Theater. Friday was at the Oaks, with a “late night underground” where the horror movies of the festival were shown. This portion of the festival included an indoor beer garden sponsored by the Indian River Brewing Company.
To top it off, all the money went to good causes and the people were the nicest I’ve ever met.
To the 3 Boys, Terry, Pat, Bob, and Jeff, if I were wearing a hat it would be off to you. It’s one thing to talk about starting something, but it’s another to plan, organize, fund, work, and smile to see it through.
Though I complain too much that time flies, I can’t wait until next year.
For a recap and links regarding MIFF 2003, and for MIFF 2004 info, please visit the official MIFF site at: http://3boysproductions.com.
