Pre-Production for PFF by Kyley Warren
Managing a world-renowned film festival is no small feat. Every day, our team of film aficionados is forging new paths and brainstorming fresh ideas, with the common goal of cultivating an 11-day festival that is not only better than prior years, but one that also continues to celebrate the extraordinary, creative talents of daring filmmakers and artists – both on a local and international scale. Now, we’re offering our loyal fans a ‘behind the scenes’ look at some of the exciting developments that are taking place through our team in preparation for the 2019 Phoenix Film Festival, which is slated to take over the Valley this April.
Each year, aspiring creatives from around the world will send their masterpieces to us, in the hopes of being considered for a spot in the festival lineup. Our team has the opportunity to bear witness to imaginative greatness, as we are often bombarded by unique features that have been developed and produced by true trailblazers. Though there is certainly no shortage of great films, our festival accepts only the best. Rejection letters have officially been sent out to filmmakers whose work did not make the cut for this year’s lineup. While it’s often difficult to qualify a creative’s work as either “worthy” or “unworthy” of inclusion within a festival, it’s an inevitable part of the job. Fortunately, it means that we are one step closer to releasing the official schedule for the 2019 Phoenix Film Festival. And to all those whose creative efforts might now feel strained because of this rejection, just remember Scarlett O’Hara’s famed final line from Gone with the Wind: “After all, tomorrow is another day.” A single body of work cannot define an artist’s career, so continue to push forward and challenge your boundaries as a visionary.
On a more positive note, the team behind the Phoenix Film Festival is now boasting the likes of a few new faces. As the festival continues to grow, so must the team behind it. This season, we have taken on a number of interns, with each one possessing an unparalleled love for great cinema and a borderline-unhealthy knowledge of witty quotes courtesy of cinematic classics. Here’s looking at you, Pulp Fiction. These interns have a number of different tasks and obligations – with everything from creating website content to working the actual festival in April. It takes a village to manage a film festival – or at least in this case, a group of film nerds who are simply passionate about great movies. Regardless, we’re looking forward to training the next generation of media professionals and seeing their individual visions take shape in the exciting season that lies ahead!
