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The Ohio Independent Film Festival kicks off Thursday, Nov. 6 |
If so, now’s your chance to discover the festival – and a
ton of amazing films. The event kicks off this Thursday, Nov. 6, at Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore 7
in Euclid , Ohio .
We recently sat down with Peter
Balint, executive director of the OIFF to learn more about the event.
Peter Balint: The
Ohio Independent Film Festival has brought independent film to Cleveland for more than 20 years! We accept
submissions from around the world in all genres including feature length
narratives and documentaries, as well as shorts, animations, micro shorts and
short docs.
MMM: What's the history
of the OIFF?
PB: Independent Pictures is the
parent organization of OIFF. The nonprofit is dedicated to building a strong
independent film community in Northeast Ohio
by bringing artists, industry experts and audience members together through
exhibition, education and networking events. The film festival is one way we
fulfill the mission.
The Off-Hollywood Flick Fest accepted its first film
submissions in 1992 and held its first screenings in 1993 in a small storefront
in Tremont. The name subsequently changed to The Ohio Independent Film Festival
and the venue is now a proper theater with all the amenities you would expect
to find.
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'Project Ice' is one of more than 10 feature films and 40 shorts screened as part of the OIFF 2014. The William Kleinart documentary reveals the role ice played in the evolution of the Great Lakes. |
PB: Over the
course of four days, we will
show 10 feature films and over 40 shorts. This is a bit more than we have
shown in the past, and we have expanded our show times to accommodate this
welcomed growth.
MMM: When is it and how
can I get tickets?
PB: Most people
will buy tickets at the door
(so make sure you arrive early), but you can also purchase tickets ahead of
time at www.ohiofilms.com. Also, if you plan on attending a few shows and love
supporting independent film, please consider a VIP
Access Pass which is also available on our website.
MMM: Will the filmmakers
be there? Is there a chance to meet them? Do you do any Q&A?
PB: Yes, some of
our filmmakers will be present. We welcome the opportunity for the audience to
participate in Q&A and meet the filmmakers afterwards. The film Project:
Ice will have an extensive panel afterwards in which local industry experts
will discuss issues related to the content of the film
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There's always a good chance you'll meet the filmmakers at the OIFF. Maybe even Joseph Grasso of 'The Umbrella Man' |
PB: For one, you
can see what else is out there. Our films were selected by a committee who
found them worthy of screening. This will give you a good idea of what we are
looking for as an industry.
Beyond the technical side of filmmaking, this is a wonderful
networking opportunity to meet the veterans as well as the up-and-comers. We
always recommend bringing business cards or other promotional materials because
you will undoubtedly meet up with others who may, at some point, be able to
offer help or guidance in the filmmaking realm.
MMM: Where are the films
shown?
PB: We are proudly
partnered with Atlas
Cinemas Lakeshore 7 to bring our films to you in the best possible way.
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Catch Max Miller's 'GoodBoys,' a hysterical short that wowed Cleveland State University Film Festival judges. They awarded it Best Picture. |
They also go beyond the call of duty when working on
premieres or special events with Cleveland
filmmakers.
MMM: If someone wants to
volunteer, how can they do that?
PB: OIFF would
not exist without the gracious help from volunteers. And we don’t like to brag,
but we have the best! Anyone can help; please visit our web site for
volunteer opportunities.
MMM: When is the
festival?
PB: Our festival
runs November 6th through the 9th. Opening times vary so please check the
website for times and shows.
MMM: What will I
experience at this festival that I can't experience at any other festival?
PB: This year we
have more local films than ever before. We didn’t accept them because they were
local but because they stood up with some of the others films from around the
world.
We also like to bill our event as a networking opportunity.
If an attendee puts in a bit of effort, they will surely walk away with a few
new names and connections.
As our mission states, we are interested in building a
strong film community in Cleveland
and this extends to makers and lovers of independent cinema.
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