Blog posting written by Dorothea Hinman, Cinema and Photography '15, FLEFF blogger, Rochester, NY

When asked to reflect upon my FLEFF experience thus far, I don't know where to start. 

So far, I've had to the opportunity to interview and write about significant and influential artist, participate in countless flash mobs, Skype with international names such as Enrico Aditjondro, talk to fellow filmmakers at Cinemapolis about FLEFF and work with a close knit group of fellow bloggers.

And that's only what I've done so far.

The festival is coming up in about a month, but this Sunday, March 3rd, is the Upstate Filmmakers Showcase at Cinemapolis! The lineup was just released, check it out here! After that we will continue preparations for the festival from April 1st to April 7th. Only time will tell exactly what I have to look forward to, but if it's anything like the past two months, it will be engaging, fruitful, and flat out enjoyable. 

With all these things I have been engaged in, I have hardly had time to look back and realize how much more knowledgable about FLEFF. This time last year I heard whisperings of FLEFF from my friends and from the various social medias college students take advantage of. Little did I know that in a year I would be an important part of the blogging team, constantly receiving updates about the festival and assignments to push it out. I now feel as though I am part of something much bigger, and yet it still feels very personal and intimate. 

My time in festivals has been full of excitement, speed, social media, and conversations. I cannot wait to see what else I see in the coming months! What have you learned from FLEFF?

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

Although FLEFF is just a little over a month away, there is so much that has yet to happen. And there is so much to be excited for. At this point in my FLEFF-tastic journey, I have had a lot to reflect upon.

One of these upcoming events in particular is the Upstate Filmmaker's Showcase premiering at downtown Ithaca's independent art cinema, Cinemapolis. On March 3rd, the entire staff will come together and converge with fellow audience members consisting of local professors, other interns, and of course, the entire Ithaca community. 

People will converge. Ideas will collide. And conversation will occur.

Because isn't that what festivals are all about anyway?

Of course there are other very exciting events that the interns have been preparing for, including our efforts to revamp urban exploration in a new was using the Derive app and our positive stories that we will be covering through an exciting partnership with EngageMedia. But we will save these for later. In the meantime, let us reflect.

My role as a Social Media Manager has truly allowed me to ascertain a newfound perspective towards the idea of film festivals, and FLEFF was the perfect vehicle to explore this attitude. Festivals are fast-paced, and the only way to respond to this celerity is through the ability to adapt. You have to be pliable. The fellow interns and bloggers have understood this, and they are all so willing and eager to contribute to the festival's success.

And what a successful festival it is going to be.

Working with their enthusiasm has given me the passion to work harder, strive to serve as a positive role model, and also have a lot of fun on this journey!

What can you take away from your own FLEFF-tastic experiences?

Blog posting written by Chloe Wilson, Television-Radio ’14, FLEFF Intern, Ashland, Massachusetts.

Getting excited for the FLEFF March 3rd Kickoff Screening? I know I am! I'm even more excited for the screening after getting the chance to speak with Karen Rodriguez, the curator for this year's screening.  Read on to learn about the purpose of the screening, the filmmakers you can expect to meet, and the works you can expect to see!

Chloe Wilson: For those who aren't very familiar with FLEFF, can you give a quick description about what this year's Kickoff Screening is for?

Karen Rodriguez: This screening is for two things.  It starts the FLEFF season is comprised of films that have already been screened at FLEFF in the past years and that are made by local filmmakers. The second reason is that it’s a also a fundraiser for Cinemapolis.  The theater is in the process of transitioning to digital projection and we’re helping to raise money for them for their purchases of new digital projectors.

CW: Are the filmmakers from the entirety of upstate New York or specifically Ithaca?

KR: Some of them are faculty at IC, some of them are faculty at other colleges in the areas - like Hobart and William Smith Colleges.  It’s an opportunity to highlight local filmmakers and to get the FLEFF season off to a start.

CW: As the curator of this year's screening, can you tell me about your role in organizing this event?

KR: As the curator, I look at work and talk to people about what is new, what do they have available to be screened. Then once I have a list of potential films, I try to choose films that work together and that compliment each other as well as show diversity in the subject matter and also in the approach.  Then I coordinate information and such – working with the filmmakers and figuring out how to get the files from them to Cinemapolis.  I also contacted Leah Shafer and I asked her to moderate the discussion after the screening.

CW: Each year, FLEFF has a new theme, and this year it's mobilities.  Does the Kickoff Screening also have a theme?

KR: I didn’t choose a theme for the screening.  I think there are some approaches or stylistic approaches that have emerged from this group and I think there’s a strong emphasis on the visual overall, but there is no explicit theme.

Blog posting written by Chloe Wilson, Television-Radio '14, FLEFF Blogger, Ashland, Massachusetts.

Hello, FLEFFers!

My name is Chloe Wilson, and I'm excited to be back blogging with FLEFF for the second year in a row!

I'm a junior television-radio major with a concentration in scriptwriting.  I also have a triple minor in history, legal studies, and the honors program.

I grew up in Ashland, Massachusetts - the original home of the Boston Marathon!  I'm not athletic by any means, but I live close enough to the marathon route that I can walk outside of my house, set up a lawn chair, and cheer for all the marathoners running by.

Even though I grew up just outside of Boston, I'm a New Yorker at heart.  I spent my last summer interning at Viacom in NYC while simultaneously working with a small non-profit.  As much as I love media, I also love giving back to my community.

I consider the Ithaca area (and the surrounding Finger Lakes) my community.  As a college student, I feel like I'm always mobile - travelling home for break, travelling to Syracuse to visit friends, travelling back to Ithaca for the new semester - and I'm excited to explore the idea of mobility in film and new media.

This year, FLEFF begins with a Kick-Off Screening on March 3rd.  It's an Upstate Filmmakers showcase, featuring artists such as Carol Jennings, John Scott, and Jason Harrington. (Seeing as my birthday is March 2nd, it's like a belated present for me!)

The FLEFF schedule hasn't been announced yet, but I can't wait for the Kick-Off Screening.  What are you excited about for this year's FLEFF?