FILM FESTIVALS FAQ

All you ever wanted to know about Film Festivals. Have a question that hasn't been answered? Ask us.

Q: What is a Film Festival?

A: "Film Festival" has become a household term. When considering longstanding festivals such as The Festival de Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival, a visual picture of snapping flash bulbs, movie stars, and movie premieres begins to emerge. But that is precisely where the similarities end. All film festivals internationally are different. Some select and show films that they believe audiences will enjoy. Others are an actual competition where filmmakers compete for awards and prizes or to be "discovered". Most, such as those mentioned above, are a combination of both. But a film festival can be so much more: an opportunity to learn about films and how they are made, to socialize with audience members, cast, crew, and filmmakers, and of course, to achieve exposure or even barter deals for the distribution of films.

There is perhaps one huge difference between a film festival versus heading down to your local cinemaplex with a bag of popcorn to catch the latest huge budget film. A film festival is a "live" event, where the audience and the film's creators meet to celebrate cinema.

Q: What is a true international film festival?

A: At Lakedance, we, much like our host town of Sandpoint, Idaho, believe in doing things a little differently. We believe in a celebration of the exciting outside-the-box films being made internationally today, mostly by filmmakers independent of the Hollywood studio system. At a film festival like Lakedance, you have a chance to see fresh films, some of which have never been seen before, from countries around the globe. A true international film festival is a chance to experience a large amount of culture and non-mainstream filmmaking in a short amount of time, making for a terrific experience.

Some of the interesting things to experience in international films are cultures captured on film - what's life like in London? Sydney? Kolkata? How do films from Japan and South Africa differ from what films we make in the United States? How are they the same?

More than just simply enjoying these wonderful films, however, audience members get a chance to meet these filmmakers, hear the compelling story behind the film, and ask questions about it. Additional events can encompass the entire town, with filmmaker and industry veteran panel discussions, workshops, parties, gala dinners and much more.

It is also very important, as well, to reward those films which are superb for that years festival - hence an awards presentation over multiple categories. At Lakedance, we present over 15 awards on stage on Saturday evening at the end of the festival. After all, if a film festival didn't present awards, it would only be a "festival of films".

At Lakedance, a film "festival" is exactly what it sounds like, a fun filled week of high caliber cultured entertainment and socializing.

Q: Have I ever seen an "Independent" film?

A: Have you ever seen One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest? The Graduate? Monty Python and the Holy Grail? To Kill a Mockingbird? Pulp Fiction? Crash? Sideways?

All of these independent films and many more have become so popular they are not often differentiated from other cinema by describing them as "indies", but they are! All it comes down to is, does the film have financial support from a major studio? If the answer is no, then it is independently produced, and therefore an indie. While it is true that because a film that is independently produced can be freed of having to "appeal to the masses" like a studio film must, it doesn't have to. So while often times indie films are seen to be cutting edge, or outside-the-box, those do not completely determine a film's independent status - only the financial backing of the film does.

Q: How are the films chosen that play at Lakedance?

A: At any film festival, there is a specific criteria of what that festival wants to show to its audience. Lakedance shows films that are made with quality performances and storytelling for narrative films and highly intriguing and captivating documentaries. By keeping the criteria to that only and only basic technical requirements, Lakedance showcases a high quality slate of films, with budgets ranging from pocket change to millions.

Q: How are the films judged for Lakedance?

A: Lakedance has a ten point judging sytem based on categories and have at least four judges judge each and every film.

Q: How does Lakedance schedule its films?

A: Lakedance schedules films in blocks - roughly 2-3 hours apiece. Theming is based towards a particular audience and not solely from the genre of the film. Aside from the films themselves, filmmakers from around the globe will present their films on stage and be available for questions. This means you get a lot of bang for your buck.