One Millennial. One Baby Boomer. Two totally different perspectives. Perspectives that cross not only generations – but styles, tastes, passions, interests, and impressions.
What goes on at high level film summits? Which film festivals are worth going to? What type of films were each one of these festivals catering to? How did they treat the film makers & screenplay writers who were invited? Did the audiences have a blast? Was a festival a real showcase for international independent films, or just a networking party to give awards to their friends? Well, now you’ll know the answers to all these questions, and much, much more…!
Today we report from Grapevine Texas over the Grapevine Film Festival:
We were first introduced to Brett Bentman when we started seeing his mind-blowing film Umbra being screened at nearly every film festival we attended a few years back. Actually, why try to describe it? Click on the link below and check it out. You’ll see why it is one of those films you know you are going to watch several times while you are watching it. It’s that complex. It’s that type of film that even before it finishes you will say, “…wait a minute!”
Click HERE or the image to see Brett Bentman’s film Umbra:
So when we heard he and his lovely wife Tiffany were teaming up to do a film festival in Grapevine Texas, well, we already knew it was going to be great.
Grapevine, Texas? That’s a small town in between Dallas and Fort Worth. Yes, yes, we know, when you think of a ‘small Texas town’ you think of this (which is an actual shot of one of the main streets):
However, Grapevine is also a town of high sophistication and charm that looks like this:
Now this mixture of charm and sophistication leads us to another concept and word that jumps out about every aspect of the Grapevine Film Festival: CLASS. Now we’re not speaking of class as in Marx and Lenin as in working class, elite class or bourgeoisie, we’re talking about FIRST class as when you get the very seats on an airplane…or train. Really, look at all the samples of wine one was able to sample at the opening mixer, and the hors d’oeuvres were the best we’ve experienced anywhere.
If you look closely on those wine glasses, you’ll see the name of the winery is Umbra. (We’ll let Brett tell you the story of that similarity.) But the class continues. Look at the fabulous theater this event is held. Check out the recognition statues for the winners, which we must say is pretty impressive for a first time festival (a list of the fist year’s recipients are below as well).
Of course all these things are fantastic and make for a wonderful experience at any film festival, however that one thing difficult to measure are the people. And this festival has great people on both ends – those putting off and supporting the festival – and those attending the festival as filmmakers and moviegoers. The Q & A was educational and insightful, the networking environment was relaxed, fun, intimate and facilitated. For a first year festival we were totally impressed and can’t wait to see the next one, we’re sure you will too.
To enter your film, go to: https://filmfreeway.com/GrapevineFIlmFestival
James Christopher jokes around about being serious.