Post-IFFLA/Award Hangover
At IFFLA, I met a lot of people – from film makers to IT professionals to students to nobodies. But of all the people that I found, the organizers were the ones with the biggest heart. No I am not saying it because my film was selected or whether it won, it’s a fact. Its interesting to note that almost all, present in the committee, were from a ‘non-filmy’ background. Bankers, IT professionals, Clerks, students comprised what is called as the “IFFLA STAFF”. Being my first time in LA, none of them made me feel like a stranger in a strange land. It was like a family picnic there. Discussions ranged from films to philosophy to science etc.
I have learnt a lot from my visit there. I met industry professionals, who are good only at talking and nothing else. I met people who aren’t looking at your talent or the talent pool, but only at enhancing their image at the festival. I met people who talk to you because you’re film is playing, and then cease to know you when you say you’re a ‘short film maker’. I met people who don’t remember meeting you a second before an hour long one on one session. And I know that this is not a scenario one would find only at IFFLA – it’s a worldwide festival phenomenon. But I am just stating the truth because people out there who think that ‘festivals help you network’ – it doesn’t. I had been to one more festival prior to IFFLA, a much more large scale and lavish, “Sundance Film Festival” earlier in the year with the crew of “The Pool”. That is a much more a ‘mechanical fest’ with people just wanting to stick to you because you’re associated with a film.
I never thought that my film would win even the ‘audience award’, let alone the ‘Jury award’. I was happy that my film got selected out of the thousands that get sent. I took the decision of going to IFFLA, without any financial aid from my family. I just wanted to be a part of the festival that my film was a part of. Like in the case of my film, I used up all the money I had, in the flight tickets and for expenses I would incur during my stay there. I am broke right now, but this is not a post on my ‘financial condition’. It’s about my view on my trip to IFFLA.
I was told to ‘network’, ‘be at my best behavior with distributors/financers’ etc. I don’t know how the industry functions, how to lure financers or distributors. Hell I went for the ‘one on one sessions’ with no copies of my films nor any visiting cards (I lost the visiting card box during travel). Everyone was at their best promoting their film and the ideas that they had for future scripts. I went there to know and observe how all this works. Being the youngest film maker, works to your advantage because you are pampered and taken care of. But the disadvantage is that no one takes you seriously. Fair enough, I wont debate on anything. For me going to the parties is something that I never indulge in. I went to feel the atmosphere at these parties.
As the festival neared its end, it became very depressing to think that you’re going to go back to the real world afterwards and be in deeper pressure. Despite repeated “You’ll be coming back next year for sure”, “We’ll await your film”; I somehow feel that I goofed up. I made the film with no intentions of it being selected at festivals or something. Now that it has won the prestigious award, I am under pressure to excel again. I am working with the same team to make another short film and I was being confronted with the same questions when we were discussing the concept – “Is this GRAND JURY material?”. We never thought of this when we were drafting the initial script for “Tea Break”. I don’t know, I just want to make a film concering something that I strongly believe in. The fact still hasn’t settled in that I won an award. And I hope it stays that way.
Sorry. The post is quite disconnected in parts. Just wanted to get it out; a pretty introspective second post to mark my arrival on PFC.
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The best thing you have done so far is make a film, send it to film festivals and follow up by attending it. The impact and returns of this hard work - both making a film and the followup - will fetch high yields. The impact may not be felt right now, but it will… just keep making movies. And you’ll keep learning after each movie after each festival visit. Look back at this post 5 years down the line and you’ll have the biggest of laughs.
You are someone who’s movies I’ll be keeping an eye on.
You are on the right track, and you are doing good kiddo! Yes the “going broke” thingy is some wierd part of that whole package. No one escapes that. Me included. Chin up and go out and meet the PFC Gang in Bombay, if you need some power charged morale boosters
A very interesting reflection of your visit Srinivas. Out of everything that I read, there is only one thing that makes me a little uncomfortable, and that is you wondering whether your next project is Grand Jury Material. It should be of no consequence. Awards may happen, may not. Fest selections may happen, they may not. The important thing is you continue telling the stories you want to tell, that are important to you. And you tell them in the most effective way you feel. Never try to calibrate your film for a fest selection or award. “Tea Break” had honesty written all over it, and from interacting with you on a personal level, that honesty translates itself from your personality. Let that honestly drive you as a storyteller. Looking forward to your next.
@Vijay: Yeah I remember you telling me about the ‘festival film-making funda’. Thats what Ive mentioned - that I dont want to make a film with the notion that it will be going to a festival. There’s a bit of dissonance on my part, which I hope gets solved.
@OZ: Thanks a lot for your words. I hope we all look back at our posts and have a hearty laugh. Maybe at your place in OC
srinivas, oz and vijay have covered it all.. but allow me to chime in and say “consequences be damned”. your passion is to make films, and for that reason and that reason only, you should concentrate on just that. you’ve achieved things which most people only talk about doing.. which is impressive, to say the least.
please do continue making films.. indian cinema needs youngsters like you to make such films. and you always have the support of us at PFC.
Hey Srini(if i can call u so)…the post may be disconnected but it made lot of sense.Forget all that networking,visiting cards,grand jury things. its all about ur honest stories ya.when r u screening the movie for us ya…the lesser mortals!!
Srinivas…very nice heartfelt post.I I agree with Vijay & OZ…just make storiesfilms that you want to…not what juries would cghhose…Its a trap. lot of us fall into…
I have a friend here…he has been talking of making short films for 32 years…everytime he has a idea he talks about Cannes more than the short film itself.Guess what he hansnt made a short in last 2 years. Its ashame because he can make go
od shorts… he just gets looks at it as some kinda career move…
I would suggest that you comepletyely delete all the expectations & stuff from your head & go back to where you were when you were making TEABEREAK. Forget that you made TABREAK. eaBreak. Think you just want to make a short.It will be hard . Good luck.
Meanwhile we are waiting for your next GrandJury film…