By David Sparks (BFF 2019, Bates Class of 2020) When signing up and petitioning for Film Festival Studies, I didn’t know exactly what to expect from the course. I had gotten a taste of what the Bates Film Festival would be like during my sophomore year at Bates when I attended a few screenings. At the time I first walked …

By Jim Stevens (BFF 2019, Bates Class of 2020) I am extremely thankful that I decided to sign up for the class that allowed us to participate in, and plan all aspects of the Bates Film Festival. Through my four years here at Bates, I have never done this sort of meaningful, real-world work that we were able to do …

By Isaiah Saunders (BFF 2019, Bates Class of 2021) So, what is the Bates Film Festival? The Bates Film Festival is truthfully one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been a part of. This past fall (2019), Bates hosted its second Film Festival right here on campus – attracting greater participation from students and the community than the …

By Kody Greenhalgh (BFF 2019, Bates Class of 2020) I had an amazing experience working with the Bates Film Festival team in the fall semester of 2019 at Bates College. Professor Cavallero and my classmates did a great job coordinating and organizing this film festival, and as a result, there was a successful week showing off numerous documentaries, short films, …

By Michael Jones (BFF ’19, Bates Class of 2020) The Bates Film Festival is an experience that one may never see coming in their lifetime, especially if they’re coming from a background enveloped in preconceptions about this non-Hollywood style of theatre. De Valck hits the nail on the head with common personal precognitions and for many in regards to thought …

By Daniella Pascucci (BFF 2019, Bates Class of 2020) If you don’t know much about film festivals, this blog will help you understand not only how they’re a fundamental way for filmmakers to express their views on the world but also how festival are immersed in film production and distribution. Film festivals play a significant role as another channel of …

By Will Holland (BFF 2019, Bates Class of 2020)             The collective body of the audience is the foundation upon which a successful film festival is built. The audience creates the demand and popularity for such events to occur, as well as fiscal income from ticket sales and leveraged attendance for sponsorships. Without audience attendance, there would be no demand for …

By Eleanor Shields (BFF 2019, Bates Class of 2020) As one of the four student participants in the Bates Film Festival “Short Term Innovative Pedagogy and Course (re)Design Program” (STIP), I received the unique opportunity to visit the International Film Festival – Boston (IFFB) in May 2019. Our group, consisting of myself (‘20), Abel Ramirez (‘20), Victoria Arjoon (‘19), and …

By Nicky Meyerson (BFF 2019; Bates Class of 2020) The Bates Film Festival (BFF) was a rewarding experience like none other. Whether through the process of watching and selecting our films for our lineup or organizing various events to push attendance, the Bates Film Festival was an incredibly unique experience that allowed for real, hands-on work and gave us, the …

By Teagan Ladner (BFF 2019; Bates Class of 2021) Planning of the Festival I think it is worth considering quality over quantity when it comes to programming films. I feel like we tried to jam a lot of films into a short amount of time, and because we had so many films, I don’t feel we could give them the …