Now in it’s 3rd year, The Online New England Film Festival offers a slate of short films, all with a connection to the region. The festival begins streaming the 20 short films online, for free, today. Four of the selected filmmakers share their thoughts on the difficulty of producing short films and, in particular, the changing landscape of the shorts market and the challenges of finding an audience for the form.
Alfred Thomas Catalfo’s “Bighorn”
The Online New England Film Festival begins today, but for many of the filmmakers involved, the process of marketing their films and submitting them to festivals began long ago. Daniel Persitz was invited to the festival after his short, Alex’s Halloween (starring Jane Lynch), played at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and 13 other fests across the country. For other filmmakers, this festival is just the beginning, but all agree that its format is unique.
“I see it as a good model for a festival of the future,” says Alfred Thomas Catalfo, director of Bighorn. Persitz echoes the sentiment. “Modern audiences have become so computer savvy and watch so much content online, so I think it’s a great idea to have a festival that caters to that kind of viewing experience,” he says. “I’m really excited to be involved with a festival that’s trying something new and addressing the huge technological change that’s happening out there.” For two-time festival invitee Shawn Harmon, director of Rootbound, however, “it lacks that audience feel. There is something so satisfying about hearing 30 plus people laugh right when you wanted them to.” Still, Harmon recognizes the advantages of curating a film festival online. “A lot of people who might not take the time to get out of the house and drive 30 minutes or more to a theater-based festival could be more easily inclined to make a few clicks to get to this online festival,” he says. “I think it’s great for shorts.” Read more…
Film Capsule 