SBIFF Schedule Set
The Indy A&E Blog has the skinny on the Film Festival.
Last year, we had a lot of complaints like we don't need the film fest -- I say we do. If you think you don't like it -- go to a few movies! It's improved dramtically under Roger Durling's tutelage....
Last year, we had a lot of complaints like we don't need the film fest -- I say we do. If you think you don't like it -- go to a few movies! It's improved dramtically under Roger Durling's tutelage....
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 1/03/2007 04:00:00 PM
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11 Comments:
"If you think you don't like it -- go to a few movies!"
Or, stay home, walk another block of State Stret, don't bother us, we're busy watching good movies.
The Film Festival used to be about Santa Barbara...now it's just about enticing Lincoln and American Express to dump $50,000 sponsorships. But, if you're a local, you could still get in on the sponsorship level at about $15,000.
Roger's turned it around...yeah, but alot of people can't take his "antics."
The Santa Barbara Film Fest is good for the community.
Many people come from around the world to enjoy Santa Barbara and it's great winter weather. It brings in much needed revenue and fills the hotels and restaurants.
People in the community need emplyment and the Fest helps.
It's a NOT for locals event. Just a toursim venue. Best to stay home till it's over.
OK Folks---a Film Fest is a FIlm Fest---Cannes, Sundance, Santa Barbara, whatever---locals can benefit, can attend, etc but the focus is on the film industry---why should it be any different here?
The duplicitousness of those who shun and condemn the SBIFF yet probably enjoy renting films or consider themselves 'cultured' is really tiresome. Go, don't go---who CARES?? I'm glad for the focus on SB, the benefit to local merchants, and, while I can't afford the high-ticket films, I choose a few I want to see and go see them. Get over it whiners.
I like the SB Film Festival, on balance. The costs to the community are negligible, and the economic benefits are appreciable. Admittedly it doesn't cater well to locals and attracts some oddballs, but that makes life interesting. I've actually travelled to other film fests in the past, and it's really nice and convenient to have one to enjoy here at home.
I actually preferred the entirety of our hometown when 20 years ago the downtown section of State Street was described as dull and "rolled up the sidewalks."
Yet the movers and shakers of far, far away places such as Montecito and Hope Ranch as well as the larger community decided that this "town" should become a regional "City." With many improper multi thousand dollar campaign bribes, it did not take long to pursuade city hall to "develope" this 24/7 365 rambuncious, alcoholic and gas guzzlig economy for the anti-environmental and ordinary masses.
Regarding the Film Festival, I've only attended 1 movie in all the "fests" years. I've never clamored to see a Star at a glamorous function.
Still from what I know about the Festival and the druthers of many other idiotic "community events" I would not want to deny snowbirds searching for less chilling climes, while filling the pockets of city hall, hotelers and merchants.
I, too, like the SBIFF --- EXCEPT for the prices. Other than the out of reach of most people passes (so expensive ($500? for films, $1,500? for others) they're not even listed) the ticket prices have crept up to $43 for a packet of 4 and $106 for a packet of 10 tickets -- what kind of "handling" is required to justify that $6?!
Reluctantly, I shall pass (different kind of pass) on any more than one or two films, not able to justify that ticket price. I used to love to go to the documentaries and other films which had no other chance of being seeing.
As for the cost to the community, I believe the city gives $50,000 to the SB film festival --- that is definitely money that could be (and, imo, should be) given to more needy causes than a celebration for the affluent. Agreed there is definite benefit to the hotels, Bacara, Biltmore, city motels, and to State Street (that section) shops. (The shops that really need the help are in the upper part of State Street around the further-delayed Granada.
The Granada Affordable Housing and Homeless shelter area needs all the help it can get. Money better spent there than on the FFEST
Sorry for the shameless self-promotion, but I believe it fits the nature of the current posts. My documentary "Quantum Hoops" was accepted into this years SBIFF. I am a UCSB Film Studies graduate ('93) so I add a little "local flavor" to the event. If that's not enough, 20 year UCSB professor Joe Zasadzinski and former Caltech professor and current Santa Barbara resident Fred Anson are featured in the documentary (they both played basketball for Caltech).
I believe there are other films in the fest that are considered "local" as well. In other words, I get the sense that there is a little something for everybody.
$50,000 from the city to the fest in return for a couple of million dollars in revenue for city businesses and prestige makes it worth it.
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