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Writer's pictureDesoni Cooper

Film Festivals: Diverse Content

By Desoni Cooper, Documentary Studies and Production with a minor in Finance, '22, FLEFF Blogger Intern, Brentwood, New York


Everything I assumed about film festivals was a complete fallacy.


Prior to becoming a FLEFF blogger, I believed film festivals were a celebration for cinema. I thought people go to film festivals to showcase their films, compete for prestigious awards, and network with industry professionals to become big in Hollywood.


Though this is partly true, film festivals are more than presenting films. It’s about interacting with various ideas and interacting with global audiences.


Engaging in diverse conversations is a huge facet at film festivals. Cindy Hing-Yuk Wong, a professor at Staten Island City College, described in her book Film Festivals: Culture, People, and Power on the Global Screen that film festivals are a place for discussion and debate. Wong pointed out saying, “Film festivals create and participate in public spheres of discussion through global media … while catalyzing debates over issues ranging from technical achievements to human rights and sexual identities.”


Having contentious discussions is not something I expected to transpire. Of course, I knew attendees would socialize with one another but as a way to gain connections with industry professionals.


Likewise, film festivals are realms for uniting the international sphere as a way to highlight cinematic content that differs from America’s Hollywood. FLEFF, for example, exemplifies my assertion because it exhibits media that’s not only film. The festival will have opera singers, spoken word artists, a multi-talented orchestra, there will also be films showcased that are restricted in some countries. FLEFF website, under FLEFF FAST FACTS, verifies my statement by stating,

More Than A Film Festival, Programming Spans A Range Of Arts And Intellectual Engagements: Films, Concerts, Silent Film/Live Music, New Media, Installation, Fine Arts, Performance, Journalism, Activism, Researchers,
Festival Features A Diverse Range Of Activities Both Large And Small: Film Screenings, Concerts, Lectures, Online Exhibitions, Workshops, Q and A[s] With Guests, Moderated Discussions, Master Classes, Meet Ups, Working Labs, Parties, Industry Talks.

Certainly, film festivals are more than an event for showcasing innovative films. It is also an opportunity to immerse in meaningful and challenging conversations that open your mind up to new possibilities. Similarly, it is a chance to experience global cinema whether it’s through film, lectures, music, poetry, and so on.

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