Blog posting written by Isabel Galupo, Cinema and Photography '14, Towson, MD

Jon Reis, a local Ithaca photographer, visited our FLEFF class tonight to discuss the local financial considerations behind hosting a film festival. 

While he told us about his personal passion for supporting local artists and gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the local finances behind FLEFF, he indadvertedly gave us an invaluable piece of advice: always do what you love. 

At the beginning of his talk, Mr. Reis told us that he was a Sociology major in college...but he always loved photography.

In order to break into the the photography field, he got a job at the local paper. He admitted that the minimum wage pay wasn't that great, but he didn't mind because he was lucky enough to get a job doing what he loved.

Now, as a professional photographer, he has married these two interests and takes photographs that serve as visual social commentaries on American culture. 

Mr. Reis-- along with many of the filmmakers, musicians, and intellectuals involved with FLEFF-- has managed to find a way to integrate his multiple, seemingly conflicting interests into his livelihood. 

FLEFF is a space-- a microtopia, perhaps-- that brings together passionate, dedicated creators to live their truths, much as Mr. Reis has. It is a space that can inspire other artists and thinkers to do the same. 

Are you doing what you love?