My Interview With Barbara Morgan

1. How many entries did they get this year? For films make sure to ask them to distinguish between features and shorts.

A.     They received over 3,500 film entries, but she could not go into specifics about features/shorts or how many screenplays were received. I am awaiting an email from her or one of her staff members regarding exact numbers. She also could not go into detail about the pre-screening and scoring process for film entries. She advised me to email her those series of questions and I am awaiting her response. 

2. How many films do they aim to screen each year? How many papers/presentations do they accept? Again, for films make sure to ask them to distinguish between features and shorts.

A.      They aim to screen around 180 films and consider every screenplay/teleplay entry (based first on formatting and other criteria). Out of those 180, there are usually around 80 features screened.

3, 4, & 5. What is their pre-screening process?

A.      For screenplays/teleplays: Each year, Austin Film Festival assembles a panel of influential industry judges to read and determine the Semifinalists, Finalists, and winners of this year’s competition. The list of 2013 judges can be seen via the link: http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/submit/screenplayandteleplay/judges/

 6. How do they score entries? Do they use a scoring template/rubric? Are there scoring 

guidelines?

 7. Do you have a jury after the pre-screening process has ended?

A.      Yes, there is a separate jury to score the films up for competition. They consist of established members of the film industry.  

8. How far in advance do they send out their call for entries? How do entries typically roll in? Early? Late? In waves?

A.      An announcement from Bears Fonte was made on the last day of the festival in 2012. They do not waste any time and entries usually pick up later in the year, but seem to come in waves early or late. 

9. How many paid employees do they have each year? How many volunteers?

A.     The Austin Film/Screenplay Festival and Conference employs 11 people full-time and contract 10 employees for the week-long event. They contract about 30 people for year-round events, such as their television show and local screening events. (ex. Made in Texas Family Series; An Evening of Texas Shorts)
 

10. Do you use specific programming, trafficking, budgeting software? Do you like it?

A.     No, they do not use any budgeting software or specific program.

11. What community outreach do you do outside of your festival season to keep your event on the public's radar and/or to raise funds? (Workshops, mini-festivals, fundraiser dinners, etc.)

 A.     They hold some kind of event (screening, fundraiser) about every 10 days throughout the year. They have a strong youth program, and their television show is aired on 140 PBS stations. In addition, they keep strong relationships with local museums, the ballet, schools, and Goodwill. They also have a community partnership with the American Institute of Architects.

 12. Do you give out swag bags to visiting filmmakers? Presenters? Guests? If so, what type of items do you include in those bags?

A.      All people who attend get some kind of a gift bag (sponsors bag depending on the level of sponsorship). There is a VIP bag also given to special guests (celebrities, distinguished filmmakers/writers), along with gift baskets for those special guests. The bags/baskets contain mostly food and drink--mostly because there is little time for leisure activities during the festival (massage coupons, ext.). So most gifts pertain directly to the festival.  

13. Do presenter/filmmaker pay registration to attend?

A.     Each filmmaker/presenter gets their choice of 2 free badges, plus 10 tickets in all for family, friends, or colleagues. The number of tickets (10) never changes, even if the person has more than one entry in the festival. It is free for finalist screenwriters to attend, and semi-finalists receive the option to purchase a discounted badge.     

14. Are you able to provide presenters/filmmakers with funds to cover travel or lodging?

A.     Honorable guests get discounts and free travel/lodging, otherwise they usually will not make the trip. Other filmmakers/writers/guests usually have to pay for themselves. 

15. What "perks" do your filmmakers/scholars enjoy at your festival/conference? What else do you encourage them to do while they're in town? (Free dinners, tours, exclusive activities...in Wilm, we'd try to take them to the beach, Screen Gems tour, etc.)

A.    Perks would include everything that is included in their badge purchase, which they get a choice of. This includes gaining access to all parties/events as well as panels/screenings. 

16. Do you have special donor perks during the event? Or how do you thank them?

A.     All "perks" are included in their sponsorship package, and vary depending on the amount of the donation. 

17 & 18. What do they wish they had done differently or better when they were first starting out? What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

A.     She says that she would have dedicated so much more time to coming up with a concrete funding/budgeting plan. She also advised our festival to have a set plan for fundraising, and never get into the habit of being "hopeful" about funds or budgeting. She actually advised that we should not set ourselves up like a typical non-profit organization with that kind of hopeful mindset. We should spend lots of time and effort on the budget. A great soundbite from her was "ticket sales do not justify your existence." Another great piece of advice was for us to always take into account the amount of man hours each task will take, and the people who may be "flaky" in attempts to complete a task in the easiest way possible. Lastly, have a sort of "bravado" about your festivals mission, and use that bravado for all fundraising and public relation endeavors.