FEEDBACK LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL – Highlights from the Wednesday December 7, 2016 event.

The LOS ANGELES DECEMBER 7 2016 FEEDBACK Film Festival was indeed a success. Our first venture to the West Coast had its internal conflicts, but all that mattered was the final product – showcasing the best of short films to a large audience and then doing our trademark audience feedback talk.

The theme of the festival was “Misguided Mentors”.

This was a special festival because it was a showcase of the best of United States short films from the last year.

NOTE: In over 150 festival events, this was the first time ever that we showcased all films only from the United States.

I stated in my opening to the Los Angeles crowd that this was a festival that was programmed by two Canadians (myself, and Kierston Drier). Our goal on the first night was to show films that are about how we, “the outsider looking from above”, see the United States today. We feel that we succeeded by showcasing 6 distinct short from the USA from every corner of the nation in the genres of Drama, Comedy, Documentary, History, Western, and Musical.

The Los Angeles audience was terrific. I could tell right away that this was a different crowd than our usual Toronto audience. These were people who respected the craft of independent filmmaking and every single comment was respectful to the filmmakers and the film itself. Perhaps the first festival I ever moderated that did not have one judgemental comment about any of the films.

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: ATOMIC COUPLE!

Best Performances: THE LOT

Best Cinematography: A FEW RUBBER BANDS MORE

Best Music: The music from ATOMIC COUPLE!

WATCH AUDIENCE FEEDBACK VIDEOS:

THE LOT, 15min., USA, Drama WATCH Audience FEEDBACK A FEW RUBBER BANDS MORE, 5min., USA, Comedy/Western WATCH Audience FEEDBACK

ATOMIC COUPLE!, 15min., USA, Comedy/History WATCH Audience FEEDBACK MUD SLINGERS, 7min., USA, Documentary WATCH Audience FEEDBACK

TWO GIRLS, ONE CUP: A STORY OF CHRISTMAS, 5min., USA, Comedy WATCH Audience FEEDBACK A SENSE OF SOUND, 25min., USA, Drama WATCH Audience FEEDBACK WATCH AUDIENCE FEEDBACK VIDEOS: