Blog posting written by Erica Moriarty, Documentary Studies and Production ’16, FLEFF Intern, Houston, Texas 

“Stories are at the core of understanding people.”

Liz Miller’s words during the Transmedia Workshop stuck with me during the entire week of FLEFF. Now more than a week later, I find myself still reflecting on her words. In fact, she defined my entire festival experience in such a simple sentence.

During the festival, I met more filmmakers and scholars than I ever could have met on my own. I spoke with people working on projects in China, Indonesia, Korea and more. I watched films from around the world. Most importantly, I learned so many people’s stories.

For something that I had no clue what to expect going into it, I’m certain that FLEFF and the stories I heard will soon define my first year of college. After Liz’s presentation and the sessions with other guests, I now know why I chose to do FLEFF. I know why I chose my major of Documentary Studies. I even know why I’m going into a career where so many people keep saying, “You won’t make any money.”

The reason why is bigger than just a pretty film on a big screen. It’s not about money or prestige. It’s about hearing people’s stories and sharing them for others to hear as well. It’s about understanding and creating change where it needs to be created. 

Blog post written by Amber Thibault, Cinema and Photography ’15, FLEFF Intern, Lewiston, Maine.

"Small. Sustainable. Scalable." I advised to my friend as she fumbled over her research paper.

I've found myself using this motto almost daily but has proven to be especially useful in my academic life. Whenever I tackle a research assignment or group project, my natural instinct is to think big. While thinking big has it's time and place, projects and research can become cumbersome and overwhelming if they aren't eventually scaled down.

I can also see how this model will be helpful in my future. Leading groups and organizing events becomes much more manageable with a small and sustainable mindset. However, it's not an excuse for doing less than your best. It's a way to motivate oneself and one's team towards tackling specific approaches to accomplish set goals.

I also appreciate the first-hand look FLEFF has given me into the inner workings of planning and executing such a large gathering. Such an occasion requires a lot of time and and participation and there were many people who poured their blood, sweat and tears into making FLEFF a success.

Some note-worthy people include:

Dr. Tanya Saunders, assistant provost of Ithaca College and executive producer of FLEFF

Dr. Tom Shevory, co-director of FLEFF, and

Dr. Patricia Zimmermann, co-director of FLEFF and mentor during my exploration of the festival process. 

I’d also like to give a shout out to Jonathan Morello and my fellow blogging staff for being a great group of people to work with. Every time I entered our staff meeting room and circled around the long, round table covered with multicolored quarter sheets and that meeting’s agenda, I felt like we could accomplish anything. Thanks for creating such a professional and positive environment. My festival experience wouldn’t have been the same without you guys. 

Isn’t great to be a part of a hard working team?

 Blog post written by Kristen Tomkowid, Journalism '15, Poughkeepsie, NY

With an 18-credit course load this semester, it was a nice break having the FLEFF class once a week as it was more focused on hands-on learning and doing rather than lectures and homework.

Through the class, I learned a lot about the festival circuit and history of film festivals. It was a very enlightening class, but I mostly enjoyed when we actually blogged. Interviewing people involved with FLEFF and writing about the upcoming films and speakers was what I gained the most out of. I was actually surprised we didn't do more of it, but I guess we did have to learn at some point.

I was also surprised by the variety of films at the festival. I didn't go to any of them last year so I also really didn't know what to expect. They really did embody "A Different Environment" as they were from all over the world, from Indonesia to Africa to America, and they encompassed many topics from fracking to the music industry to silent movies from the 1920's. There was quite a range for the movies, so there was something for everyone.

I am happy I was a part of FLEFF. It was great experience with blogging and working with a film festival and I also learned a few things through the months. Overall, it was a good time.

 Blog posting written by Andrew Ronald, Film, Photography & Visual Arts '15, Mahopac NY, Social Media Manager

This 16th annual Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival has come and gone, and let me just say it was such a powerful experience.

Being a blogger has allowed me to develop my own voice, communicate my own thoughts, and fully immerse in the festival's program.

And what a program it was.

The events were transcending. The flash mobs were interactive and well-received. The festival was educational.

I explored different cultures, met high-profile artists and professionals, and collaborated with a refreshingly positive team of enthusiastic individuals.

To say the least, mobilities was the perfect theme for the festival, because the experience was truly moving.

Blog posting by Chloe Wilson, Television-Radio '14, Ashland Massachusetts, Festival Blogger

It’s hard to believe that FLEFF was only a week ago. It’s such a jam-packed week so, for me, it takes a long time to process all of the things I learned and all of the environments I became of part of.

FLEFF’s theme of mobilities stuck out to me this year.  It seemed that every event I attended transported me to a new culture, a new lifestyle, a new environment.  During this year’s FLEFF, I was a globetrotter. 

I travelled to the lands of South America with Dr. Phil McMichael’s talk about food sovereignty and the “global hunger games.”  I wove through the stories of Ugandan folklore when I spoke with Dominica Dipio about her film “Crafting the Bamasaba.” I was transported back to the Middle Ages with the amazing Carmina Burana performance. At Cinemapolis, I flitted between South Korea, China, Pakstan, and even upstate New York.

This has been my third time participating in FLEFF – my second as a blogger.  It seems that, no matter how many FLEFFs I attend, I will always keep learning.  Which, if you think about it, makes complete sense, since one of FLEFF’s goals is to promote interdisciplinary learning.

I had a lot of favorite moments from FLEFF this year.  What were some of yours?