The LOS ANGELES DECEMBER 8 2016 FEEDBACK Film Festival was a night that I personally will always remember. Our first venture to the West Coast was indeed a success because the audience was terrific with their comments and the films were solid all around. That said, it was an education. The next time we hit LA we will make sure that the cinema is filled to capacity.
The theme of the festival was “Attempting to belong”.
All the of the films had a story or situation that was about a character who was attempting to belong to a group or situation. The irony of this theme was that was what we were attempting to do in the city of Los Angeles: belong!
This was a showcase of 7 distinct short films made from all corners of the United States. Films with shoe string budgets and films with budgets in the hundreds of thousands. Films in the genres of Western, Comedy, Romance, Action, Thriller, Sci-Fi, and Musical.
I wasn’t feeling very good the night before but didn’t think nothing of it. Then I awoke the day of the festival in a full fledged sweat. I officially had the flu. I managed to get through the day and moderated the festival without a major crisis. I did screw up the opening because I couldn’t breath very well, but the audience forgave me because of the solid lineup of films.
The Los Angeles audience was terrific. They all seemed to be really taken with the films we showcased. This was a risky festival lineup for us because all the films are hard to categorize in a conventional box. I was worried for many reasons before this festival began – but it turned out that I had nothing to worry about at all.
I so appreciated this night and all of the work my Los Angeles crew of camera operators and volunteers put into it. This will be a festival that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. The gamble of going to Los Angeles paid off and the reason for its success was the filmmakers and the amazing audience. As a former California Governor once said: “I’ll be back!”
– Matthew Toffolo
AUDIENCE FESTIVAL AWARDS
Best Film: MARTY: A WILD WEST NEVERLAND
Best Performances: MARTY: A WILD WEST NEVERLAND
Best Cinematography: HELIO
Best Music: The music from ENCORE
WATCH AUDIENCE FEEDBACK VIDEOS:
MARTY: A WILD WEST NEVERLAND, 16min., USA, Fantasy/Adventure
HEY YOU, IT’S ME, 8min., USA, Webseries/Comedy
WHEN STRANGERS TOUCH YOUR HAIR, 7min., Drama
HELIO, 20min., USA, Sci-Fi/Action
ORANGE YOU GONNA DANCE WITH ME?, 3min., Comedy/Romance
HEAD SPACE, 5min, Drama/Thriller
ENCORE, 10min, Drama/MusicalWatch FEEDBACK Videos:
Los Angeles feedback film festival 