I don't even know where to start! This is also my first experience with a festival since my feature premiered at Cannes almost a decade ago. This was quite an experience. Kent Film Festival comes as a high reccomendation in one of the books that I read about festivals. I wish I could remember which one. It came so highly reccomended in this book, that I wrote it on a napkin beachside in Kauai on vacation with my husband... came home and entered it right away.
First off, Kent, CT is an amazing town lined with talls trees, stately houses, and almost cookie-cutter churches with high steeples that look like something out of an old movie. The town is small, the people are warm and friendly, and the whole town is abuzz about the festival. Flags are everywhere, signs are everywhere, postcards line the counters in the coffee shops.
Almost right off, we met Frank and Patrice, the founders of the festival... fun-loving, bright, caring, enthusiastic, beautiful people. Everywhere we turned, staff greeted us and were enthusiastic about our movie. They all had seen it, they all knew of it, and they all were so positive and warm.
There were a lot of movies here, a lot of top-rated competition. We settled into chairs in one of the theaters and watched short after short, and some features too. We were overcome by the quality of the films, the enthusiasm of the filmmakers, the huge number of filmmakers and cast in attendance, and again, Frank and Patrice cheering on the filmmakers whether it be in the hallways, at the nightly receptions, or during the Q&A's.
So for our first festival with Tick Tock, we couldn't have found a better place. We won one of the top awards for Tick Tock for Best Short Cinematography (only one of two awards in our category - quite an honor considering this was a very full short program with incredible stuff!)
We are flying back to Los Angeles on our own plane, so it's taking us a couple of days.
Although we are playing in New Zealand next week, Hawaii the following week, and we just got accepted into Manhattan FF for July, our local Los Angeles Premiere is yet to be decided.
Filmmakers, enter this festival. Don't miss it. Filmmaker friendly, Cast and Crews present and available to not just meet but get to know, high quality selections (almost intimidating some of the stuff was so good), great receptions, parties, and then there's Frank and Patrice... Real gems... accessible, polite, friendly, great hosts.
Tracey Birdsall-Smith
Producer/Actor, Tick Tock
Pacific Coast Entertainment, Inc.
Dear Frank and Patrice,
I travelled with Iranian nomads, went on an acid trip with British adolescents and visited with some very familiar faces in Queens... and I never left Connecticut! Thank you for the opportunity to show my film at the Kent Film Festival and for the honor you bestowed upon it. It was a wonderful experience!
Best,
Lori Petchers, Filmmaker, "Mezzanotte Obscura"
Hey, Frank & Patrice!
I wanted to give you both a second to breathe before bombarding you with my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the KFF and everything you do. I know it's an enormous amount of work and to do it 5 years in a row is a testimony to your dedication to film and filmmakers everywhere. This year's KFF was the best one yet, and I'm delighted to have been included.
It was great to meet Todd & Anita, too, which couldn't have happened without you. So many awesome people!
I'm especially awed and humbled by the Sleeping Giant award -- I can't thank you enough.
With warmest of all warm fuzzies,
Peace & respect,
Joy E. Reed, Filmmaker, "OUTCOMES"
Dear Frank and Patrice,
I just wanted to thank you for including FUNNY BUSINESS in your Kent Film Festival line-up. We had such a lovely time last weekend. The setting was great, the crowd was supportive and lovely, and the video equipment was probably the best I've seen so far! The film really looked good up there. So thank you for that especially!
I know you are both "tuckered out" and hopefully have had a chance to rest just a little. Keep up the wonderful work! Filmmakers like me are MOST appreciative.
Best,
Lyda
Lyda
Ely, Filmmaker, "Funny Business"
Hi Frank,
I can't tell you how impressed I was by your festival. Every film I saw was top notch and the workshop I attended was wonderful.
Kent itself it so beautiful, and I visited the falls. I congratulate you and Patrice for creating a terrific film festival. You're great people.
Thanks so much for inviting Side by Each, we are proud to have been a part of something great.
All best Wishes
Rich Allen, Filmmaker, "Side by Each"
Frank and Patrice
Thank you for again creating a wonderful event here in Kent and providing much-needed LIFE and drawing in people from the OUTSIDE!
Look forward to paddling down the river when I return..
with gratitude
Norm Mosher
Hello Frank & Patrice!
Thank you for another great year at the Kent Film Festival! My family and I had a wonderful time attending the screenings and meeting other filmmakers! It is so inspiring to be around so many other people doing the same thing.
Congratulations on another successful event!!
Alexa DiCambio, Filmmaker, "Outside the Supermarket"
Hello,
I wanted to thank you for a wonderful Sunday of film and discussion. My daughter and I viewed "Tibet in Song" first and left the Town Hall in tears. I returned to see "Soul of a People" and Block Six and was blown away!
Wonderful job! I can't wait until next year.
Sincerely,
Sandy and Amy Johnson
W. Cornwall and New Milford, CT.
Dear Patrice and Frank:
I want to congratulate you on another successful festival. I was able to attend more films of different kinds this year and the quality was excellent across the board. You also succeeded in arranging events where there was genuine access to the filmmakers who were responsive and seemed genuinely delighted to be there.
I want to wish you all the best for the future. The economic development report you had done was highly positive and will provide an excellent basis for future planning. It was an astute move to establish that documentation of your contribution to the community.
Great job!
Dick
Richard J. Scaldini, Ph.D.
President
Dearest Treece and Frank,
I just wanted to let you know what a truly wonderful day I had at Kent Film Festival. From where I stood it was stellar watching the two of you with the hard work having been done and the time for outreach. You both handled the spotlight with warmth and class.
I also wanted you to know how much I appreciated the VIP treatment you have given us in the past five years. I personally felt like royalty prancing around all the wonderful filmmakers you have given a special forum and voice to.
Hopefully this was NOT the last of the Kent FIlm Festival, but if for some reason it was, I can only tell you what a great ride it has been for me and that I will remember it always. I am proud to know and love the both of you.
Ronnie (a longtime friend)
Hi Patrice:
Just wanted to send along a hearty thank-you from both Helaine and myself. We had a great time and can only hope the other fests are this supportive and fun.
Thanks again,
matt roshkow, filmmaker, The Jacket
festival2009
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Galterio:
My family and I would like to thank you for such an amazing experience at the festival. This is our first film festival and we enjoyed it to the fullest. The filmmakers were recognized and you and your wife are so kind and down to earth. I only hope other festival experience will be the same.
God bless you and the Kent Film Festival. May it keep growing every year and last for an eternity.
Again, thank you for your kindness.
Sincerely,
Ranses & Meghan Rodriguez & family.
Hi Patrice & Frank,
I so enjoyed meeting you both and attending the festival; it was fantastic.
Thank you very much.
And I'm very much looking forward to next year.
Thanks very much,
Jan Cox, Chronogram
Congratulations on a resounding success with the Festival.
Congratulations also to you and Frank on being summoned to the state capitol for the recognition you truly deserve,
Best,
Shelly Frome, Author
wow! thanks Frank! really appreciate the support and encouragement from everyone involved in the festival. It means a lot. You guys did a great job putting it on. So nice to have this event in Kent-man, I miss that town! sorry I missed the sat. party, but I will be sure to be there next year for all 4 days.
thanks again.
peace
-ian kennedy, Filmmaker, "Lost in America"
Hi Patrice and Frank,
The festival was fantastic. My wife and I had a great time and watched a bunch of wonderful films. Everyone was extremely nice and welcoming. I had some pretty terrific reactions towards my movie, which felt really nice.
Very Best,
Peter Parlegreco, Filmmaker, "Rescued"
What a wonderful thing you and Frank do. This truly was one of the most memorable festivals I've attended. Thank you for the acceptance, thank you for the award, and thank you for the hospitality. And of course my thanks to the Kent crew. Everyone I met who worked for the festival was nothing but friendly and helpful.
Warm regards,
Dan Masucci, Filmmaker, "Against the WInd"
I can't thank you enough!
Looking forward,
Colin Bannon, Filmmaker, "Freezer Burn"
Dear Patrice and Frank,
Eli and I enjoyed ourselves so much last Saturday. We were very moved by one of the shorts and especially On Paper Wings. Also, I wanted to CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR GOVERNOR'S AWARD!!!!!!! I am sooooo happy for you. I hope to proudly be there to see you accept.
Best,
Amy Wynn, Executive Director, NW Arts Council
Hi Frank and Patrice,
I just wanted to thank you again for an absolutely wonderful experience at the Kent Film Festival. I just arrived back in Portland after a week in New York, and my weekend in Kent was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Thanks for working so hard to get people to my screening. I really enjoyed the Q&A afterwards, and I'm just so happy I came! (Oh, and a huge thanks for steering the guys from Connecticut Public Television in my direction!) Please pass my thanks on to Hugh, as well. I had a great time talking with him, and I appreciate that he was able to drive me to and from the train station.
Is there any chance that you have a photo of me receiving the award? It seemed like there were about 15 people taking photos at that ceremony, and I'm just wondering if you would have any of those. I would love to show my mom a photo of me with Lynne Redgrave and the two of you.
Thank you again, and I'll definitely spread the word about your great festival,
Ilana Sol, Filmmaker, "On Paper WIngs"
festival2008
"thanks again for including 'jeffrey' in the kent film festival. we all had a great time at the screenings. congratulations on your 3rd year and we look forward to seeing you again next year.
congratulations!"
best,
michael neithardt, Filmmaker, "jeffrey"
"Thank you very much for the hospitality and great time at this year's festival! My actors and I were very impressed with your colossal efforts. Your hard work has truly paid off. Thank you so much, and I will definitely be submitting to you next year!"
Best regards,
Jared M. Gordon, Filmmaker,
"I'm very happy to meet you and friendly staff at the festival. Everything was really great at the festival and undoubtedly, the prize was such a big suprise to have with the first festival. Kent Film Festival was my first film festival PLUS with a great first Reward which made me very exhilarated and encouraged to make more films. In the future, Kent Film Festival always will be a very first festival to submit my future films. I will never forget my first prize and your hospitality.
Thank you very much for everything."
HAKKI SUBENTEKIN, Filmmaker
"Thank you both for such a fine event again this year and for allowing me to be a small part of this. I had a wonderful time, met great and interesting people, and was enriched by the experience. Your passion and commitment to the event and the art of film just shine."
Every blessing,
Pamela Deaver
Flower Empowerment
"I had a GREAT time. Thank you and Frank for inviting me to participate. The trajectory of the Kent Film Festival is clearly celestial. I can't wait to reminisce about how cool it was in the "early days"."
Yours truly,
George Norfleet
Film Division Director
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
"Thank you for making our weekend at the Kent Film Festival 2008 a special one. We enjoyed the whole event. You guys are wonderful. Continued success!"
Be well,
Anthony Taristano, Filmmaker
"I just want to thank you again. The award and it's proudly displayed in our living room. It feels more like a good luck charm than an award because things have been looking up. We're getting into other festivals with Cornelius and I feel if you guys never would've given us the chance then those doors wouldn't have opened."
Thank you!
Giovanny Blanco, Filmmaker
"A slightly belated thank you for a wonderful film festival. We were so impressed with the growth of the festival and appreciative of your hard work."
All the best,
Carol Lenz
"The Kent Film Festival is one I look forward to every year. Frank and Patrice are excellent hosts. Located in an absolutely beautiful region of New England, the festival is a hidden gem that represents all things good about film festivals: an enthusiastic audience, engaging and entertaining films, talented filmmakers, and informative guests and workshops, all in the delightfully cozy town of Kent, CT. The festival and community has a really warm, comfortable feel, and there is a lot to see and do in just a couple of days. Always worth it."
Brian Schwarz, Fimmaker
"My experience at the Kent Film Fest was perfect. The screenings were packed and the crowds appreciative and knowledgeable. Frank and Patrice are so relaxed (unheard of for fest organizers!) and accommodating that the whole experience felt more like visiting favorite cousins for a weekend bbq."
Vinnie Angel, THE ORANGE THIEF
" My experience at the Kent Film Festival this year was even more rewarding than the first year. I was invited to give a workshop this year in addition to screening my short film at the festival. The workshop was more enjoyable than I could have imagined, and I met great people, both in the film industry and out. The turnout was amazing at the festival and it will surely grow with each passing year." Alexander Echevarria Filmmaker "Our experience at the Kent Film Festival was a lovely one. The setting of Kent was beautiful and everyone was very welcoming and warm. We were thrilled and honored to be presented Best Short Film by Lynn Redgrave."
Cynthia Leigh Heim
Co-Producer "Down In The Mouth"