Blog posting written by Jennifer Barish, Communication Management & Design ‘14, FLEFF intern, Skokie, IL

On Thursday, March 29^th  Cinemapolis will screen The Upstate Filmmaker’s Showcase, Volume 1. Curated by Ithaca College Professor, John Scott, the screening presents a unique collaboration between local filmmakers.

Scott is excited to see his work “in context with others,” and will present two short pieces featuring adaptations of Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry. Currently in the process of developing a more long form documentary on Pulitzer Prize winner, Elizabeth Bishop, he hopes to eventually integrate the shorter films into a larger project.

“The work as a whole” is a microtopia according to Professor Scott. It’s “uncommon,” he explained, that community filmmakers can come together to view and discuss each other’s work. The event is small, low budget, and a one-time opportunity to collectively discuss this array of locally grown film.

After speaking with Professor Scott, I learned that festivals provide a platform for “authentic feedback.” Packed with passionate, like-minded audiences, a festival screening can be energetic and unpredictable  "I never really know what my movie is until I screen it [at a festival],” Scott told me.

Being in a room full of people talking, discussing, questioning, and collaborating is unlike any other movie-going experience, and the festival environment can connect you back to the core reason "why you made the film in the first place."