Blog posting written by Yukino Kondo, Exploratory, ’14, FLEFF Intern, Tokyo, Japan.

We have three weeks to until the opening events of FLEFF!

Before spring break, I had the opportunity to interview a fellow FLEFF intern and friend, Justina Koffie.

Justina is a sophomore and a MLK scholar. She is a health sciences major. During our free time, I always see her attacking organic chemistry problems. Whenever I look at her, she inspires in me  the desire to work harder and be the best that I can be.

What have you done for FLEFF so far and what have you learned from it?

“One of the first assignments I was given at FLEFF was to help sell out the house for Albert Maysles' film Gimme Shelter.

I figured it would be difficult because the screening was the same day as SuperBowl Sunday. To complete this task I used a lot of the information in class to find the target audience. I invited friends who would be interested in the screening.

Turns out it was a huge success and we sold out the house!

What I didn't know about FLEFF was that the festival is HUGE in Asia and India. I also didn't know that while the festival is about the environment, the environment could be anything from  a social to any type of cultural environment.

Through FLEFF, I learned it takes a lot of marketing, creative thinking, and man-power. Behind the scenes we need a good amount of these three forces to have the festival running smoothly.”

Spring break is unfortunately not over and this means, FLEFF is coming up soon.

I hope all of you are excited. And I hope the excitement will overshadow the disappointing snowy weather of Ithaca.

What have you learned so far about FLEFF?

Blog posting by Shea Lynch, Documentary Studies and Production '14, FLEFF Intern, Glens Falls, New York

It is now spring break for all Ithaca College students. I am currently watching Lost in my room in my sleeveless shirt.

I interviewed Emily Potts a few days ago, FLEFF Intern and team leader.

Who are you?

"I am Emily Potts. I am from Southwick, Massachusetts and I am a Junior Park student at Ithaca College.

For the first two years of college, I attended Springfield Technical Community College, and received my associates degree in Digital Media Production.

This is only my second semester at IC, but I already love it here."

Can you share your FLEFF experience with our blog readers?

"Currently I am a team leader for FLEFF and it has been a unique learning experience being immersed in the planning of a film festival. It is fascinating to know how the film industry works regarding getting films and artists for an event.

Perhaps my favorite FLEFF experience so far was attending several of Albert Maysles' documentary screenings, and having the chance to talk with him afterwards. Being able to interact with such brilliant artists is an invaluable opportunity to share and listen to ideas."

I hope everyone has a great spring break and make sure to sign up for mini-courses and buy FLEFF passes!

Question of the Blog: What are you doing for spring break?

Blog posting written by Matthew Reis, Cinema and Photography, '13, FLEFF Intern

Hello FLEFF sponsors, participants and guests. My name is Matthew R. Reis. I want to welcome you to the “Intern Voices” blog.

So, a little bit about me:  I am a sophomore Cinema & Photography major with a minor in Art History. I write for “The Ithacan,” Ithaca College’s award winning newspaper. I specialize in reviewing films, art installations, and previewing upcoming plays. I also am involved with Ithaca College Television and the Art History Society here on campus. When I am not working with groups on campus, I enjoy promoting media literacy, following current events, reading, and playing video games on campus.

Getting off campus is even better.

There are some things I really enjoy doing in town. I love going to the movies. Ithaca has a large amount of movie theaters existing in a relatively small area. Cinemapolis the home of FLEFF, Cornell Cinema and Regal Cinemas are all great places to go and enjoy film.

Here are a few more things I like about Ithaca: its acceptance of alternative lifestyles, the wealth of community owned businesses, and an vibrant, engaging art scene.

So why did I want to work with FLEFF?
 
I find that all forms of media have the potential to be more than just commodities a person rents or buys. Media is transformative and can bring small issues to the forefront of today’s complex world.

So the simple answer is this: I became an intern to prove that media can change lives. Additionally, being a part of FLEFF is an exciting experience. So many people from all walks of life, in places all around the world, are effected by what takes place at FLEFF.

I am honored and proud to be a small part of this festival's continued growth and success.

When I applied to be a FLEFF intern, I had two goals: to learn more about the nuts-and-bolts of the film industry and to network.

I met both of these goals in just over a month--and discovered new goals to strive for. 

The vast array of networking opportunities available to interns is another substantial perk of FLEFF. So far, I have met and talked to a variety of artists, including documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles and emerging media artist/college professor Evan Meaney, a 2007 IC graduate. 

Plus: I enjoy collaborating with my fellow interns and working together towards a much better future.

Ithaca and the greater Central New York region are lucky to have a plethora of artists, activists, and hard working people contributing FLEFF. Without these people, FLEFF would have a decidedly weaker foundation. And, my college experience would be much less fulfilling.

Along with fellow interns, I have already helped with FLEFF’s ad campaign. On February 6, 2011, also known as Super Bowl Sunday, we held our first event. We managed to sell out a screening of Gimme Shelter. Mr. Maysles, one of the directors of the film, was on hand to answer any questions the audience had about his 41-year-old classic. Hopefully, this strong start will carry over into FLEFF week.

It only takes one person to go to a festival and come away with a variety of new ideas, opinions, and stories to share.

So why not come out to Ithaca, New York in April and experience FLEEF, a different environment for yourself?

Just be sure to dress warmly.

Blog posting written by Lindsay Harrop, Cinema & Photography '13, FLEFF Intern, McMinnville, Oregon

Hello FLEFF following world! Welcome to our FLEFF blog! To start things off, my name is Lindsay Harrop. I am currently a sophomore Cinema & Photography major at Ithaca College with a concentration in Screenwriting and a Politics minor.

I grew up in beautiful McMinnville, Oregon and came to Ithaca for the Park School of Communications. A bonus of living here is that - and this might be hard to believe - I love the cold! It only rains at home so I have a lot of fun with the snow and sub-freezing temperatures.

On campus I am a Leadership Scholar, Resident Assistant, Vice-President of the Writing for Production Association in Park and a delegate of the Ithaca College Model United Nations Team.

Beyond the cocurricular sphere, I love to travel both internationally and around the US. Some of my favorite places are Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica and the National Mall at midnight in Washington DC. A few other things I enjoy are white water kayaking, Pacific Northwest coffee, talking politics and, of course, watching movies.

I was first attracted to FLEFF because it represents a fusion of my two central passions - film and politics. Something I love about movies is that they are capable of transcending cultures in a way few other mediums can. A movie could be about Thai farmers, shot by a French film crew, financed by a British company and then screened in America while simultaneously evolving and remaining consistent for each group involved.

Moreover, movies are unique for their ability to encapsulate human experiences as they occur while capturing the deeper emotional tones that are lost in a news broadcast or quick TV snippet.

As an individual filmmaker and member of the FLEFF team, my goal is to do just that – drawing the audience’s eyes to the corners of the world that are most often overlooked and encouraging people to think critically about their place in the global community.

We've already had our first FLEFF event of 2011 with the spectacular Albert Maysles sharing his innovative features Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens and Salesman with the Ithaca community. His visit kicked off some great discussions here and I’m really looking forward to all the other upcoming events. What FLEFF moments are you excited for?

Blog posting written by Shawn Steiner, Film and Photography ’14, FLEFF Blogger, Elkridge, Maryland

Welcome to the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival! I’m Shawn Steiner and I am among the interns who will be bringing you the scoops, behind-the-scenes, profiles, and Q & A’s throughout the festival. I hope you will be joining us here and at Cinemapolis during these fun times.

Here at Ithaca College I am a first-year student majoring in Film and Photography with a minor in Writing. It’s a pretty far distance from my home in Elkridge, Maryland, but believe it or not I love the weather up north. Also, the school itself is fun! I am fortunate enough to be using 4x5 view cameras, a 16mm Bolex, and spend hours in the darkroom with my film. It’s amazing. Also, I'm able to work on ICTV shows such as Panorama and go out and shoot profiles of interesting events and people.

Things like FLEFF are adding to my love of Ithaca. Through these events I have had the opportunity to see and talk to numerous people I never would have seen otherwise. Just a couple weeks ago I saw Albert Maysles and his documentary Gimme Shelter at a sold out screening at Cinemapolis as the opening event of FLEFF and it was amazing.

As a film and photography major seeing all these films and people has been just a great opportunity to learn. Which I believe ties greatly into the idea of FLEFF.

FLEFF is an environmental film festival, “a different environment” from other types of festivals. It is here to teach as we are here to learn. And there is always something that we can learn from others.

We aim to bring together as many people from as many different backgrounds to do as many different activities as possible. I was surprised to hear that there were so many new media artists, musicians, and others along with the filmmakers coming to the event as well. Even that one of our partners is a venue for music, Delilah's on Cayuga.

This is one huge experience everyone should learn from because the environment isn’t just the trees outside. It includes society, the people, the arts, and all the other happenings of the world. But perhaps most importantly with this festival, we are to have fun.

I’m having a lot of fun so far, so why don’t you come join us? FLEFF isn’t just a week in April, it has already begun.