Swimming in Film Festivals

     Besides working and making $$$ to cover my expenses for film festivals, all I have been focused on is finishing Drowningand getting it out there. Since it is 95% finished, so I've already started sending rough cuts out to film festivals. It's a lot of work:  burning DVDs, making dvd covers(I wish I was in China, then I can hire someone and do all this for me),  signing up for film festivals(EXPENSIVE! avg. film festival costs $30, and if I do about 30 each(w/2 films), 60x30=$1800, BOOM!)  That's just the entry fee, if I get in, I fly there(plane ticket avg. $200 roundtrip + expenses). This is why I couldn't make it out the Malta and England ones I got in =/. People say pimping ain't easy, I say being a filmmaker ain't. We gotta go out make films w/our own money, and then PAY MORE to get recognized for them, holy cow! No wonder so many filmmakers quit; they're broke! Here's a few pictures to show you my "office" and my prep:

Double time: 1 spitting out DVD, 1 printing.   Mailing out festival entries, this is only 1st batch.

     For filmmakers, festivals are where your films are recognized and you gain credibility as well as receive accolades. Imagine you made a film and no one knows about it, what was the whole point of making your film? So your friends can watch it? The goal is to be recognized by a panel of people who KNOW film and say your film is legit, and if a lot of these film critics say your film is good, then the public will begin knowing your name and getting "famous". Most of the film festivals don't have awards; just being selected is a big deal. For example, most US film festivals will receive about 300-400 submissions from all over the world (mainly North America), and they can only pick about 30-40 to showcase in their festivals. It's a huge competition and getting "officially selected" is therefore a big deal. The better your film, the more likely you'll get in the tier 1 film festivals that are recognized worldwide: Cannes in France, Toronto in Canada, Sundance in USA, Golden Horse in HK, and so on. I think it'll have to be my first feature film that has a chance to get into any of these big time film festivals. The average budget for films that get in these film festivals are quite high; esp. the feature length ones.

Cut, fold, slip into DVD covers. WORK!          Just designed a temp. Drowning cover for now.

     For 600, I signed up for mostly tier 2 film festivals that are medium size and relatively well known, I still signed up for the big ones, but obviously I knew the chances were slim. For a 1st film, my goal was to get in a few relatively well known festivals and gain some notches under my belt and meet more filmmakers/industry people at these events as well as gain support from the audience/festival people. Most importantly, I was getting my name out there, and I think I've achieved that in the past few months. However, with Drowning as my 2nd film, the expectations are higher. Drowning is a narrative and contains a complete story behind it, so therefore it will no longer be considered as a "oh, that was a cool looking little piece about an English teacher in Shanghai, I felt that one", 600 was never judged as a narrative because it wasn't; it was pure feel and style that it gained any merit at all, plus some people relating to it.

My buddies came to support in Austin.    My biggest support(I know I'm lucky): mom & pops.

     I think showing 600to an American audience had a drawback simply because most people here can't relate to it. But the audience that did relate to the film, all loved it and made sure I knew they did after the showing. The contrast is quite huge when I showed it in Asia. Especially in an ex-pat crowd, it was a TOTALLY different dynamic.

     I remember the feeling that night at the 5th Shanghai Short Film Festivalafter my film just finished showing when I eavesdropped on two older gentleman talking about 600. One guy said "man, that movie about the English teacher, that's my life right there." and his buddy answered "yeah... me too. Man..." and it was a beautiful moment because the two of them just sat there in silence, sighed and contemplating. I went up to the two of them, with tears in my eyes, I told them they had made my day. I also told them the reason I made this film was to portray the lifestyle people like them. They were deeply touched and we had a warm close conversation after that. After that moment, my new life was decided before I knew it. With two trophies in my hand, we celebrated with my friend Mai Ling at a restaurant and I went home thinking about a lot of things. That night changed my life forever and I am here today doing what I do because of that night.

     It's crazy to think that was July, 2007 and so much time has passed. Things have changed, and life has been mundane since those Shanghai nights. But I hang on knowing I'm sacrificing now for the grander plan in the future. I have to pay my dues before I am ready for the big time, I still chase happiness everyday but somewhere inside me, my heart yearns the day I start my feature. Anyone that truly knows me knows that I want to get things done quick, 600took 2 weeks, Drowning took 6 months. I hated the waiting part, but I learned a lot during the 6 months about every facet of film making. The best advice I got when I was in Shanghai is "slow down, you'll get there, but it takes time". I personally hate to wait, but I know I must wait. Everyday I learn and crawl a little closer to that big day. For all that, I'll deal and put up with all the BS & frustration that comes along w/being a filmmaker cause I know it'll pay off. The most important thing is having the confidence knowing you WILL get there; that sheer will power is the only thing us filmmakers have sometimes. And it's always sad when your will doesn't last and reality comes crashing down on you. Just like when all of us thought we'd be playing in the NBA, and one day we wake up and realize we never will; it's the worst feeling and I hope I will never have to face that. Dream on playas!

P.S~ I wanted to thank everyone that's been supporting me in the past few months: from friends to people I've met at film festivals, and the online community, fellow filmmakers, and festival directors, without you guys, I wouldn't still be motivated to keep going. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Look out for Drowning on DVD + new JamesFeng.com website both dropping within a month.