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RANTING & RAVING
And so, it is time to let you know what’s next in my life…
I am now the new Director of the FIU Miami Film Festival. Our 18th annual festival will take place in February of 2002. You’re all invited.
So what does this mean? Why do I want this job? Why did Florida International University, the presenting body of the festival, want me? Good questions.
Simply put, for me this is an opportunity to support and promote worthy films and filmmakers on a whole new level. As a journalist, it is my job to keep a certain distance and to be as unbiased as possible in how I approach the films I cover. As a festival director, I can throw objectivity out the window. I can embrace my passion for film and bring it to a community that is, I think, ready to embrace a wider range of film.
And about the community… you may know that I am from Miami. I grew up here on Miami Beach and went to High School in Coconut Grove. I have watched this town evolve into a real city, while it has retained its remarkable sense of ethnic diversity. I have seen under built areas grow overcrowded and the unhip become the ultra hip. But even more than that, it is the kind of city that is perfect for a major film international festival. Miami in February… bet you’re ready to pack your bags now. Add to that great films… and a great 10-day party… and special events that you can’t experience anywhere else… well, it will take a couple of years for this festival to be everything I dream of it being. But the foundation is here.
Of course, none of this is a cakewalk. There is a lot of hard work and passion required to make even the simplest event happen. And simple is not really my thing. The team already in place at FIU, newcomers, part-timers, volunteers and lots and lots of advisors are going to have to come together to create small pockets of magic as I build the festival of my dreams. The intimacy of Telluride… the local embrace of Toronto… the industry importance of Sundance… the fun of Cannes… etc., etc., etc.
There are so many great elements at so many great festivals… but there is only one Miami. And that’s my greatest challenge. To create a festival that has all the passion, all the diversity, all the fun of Miami.
How will these affect The Hot Button? I really don’t know yet. It is clear that I will have to give up some of the journalistic freedom that has been the hallmark of this column. It would be unfair to expect distributors and filmmakers to embrace me as a festival director with the THB Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads. On the other hand, I do think that there is a way to continue to cover the industry without covering every little thing that I find interesting. Additionally, I expect that I will start a weekly column about building the film festival on the festival web site. (It’s at www.miamifilmfestival.com and will be evolving soon.)
And so, it is on to a new adventure. You know I’m going to do everything I can to bring you all along.
E ME: Whaddya think?
