Ridgefield, CT is well known throughout the state and beyond for it's amazing offerings of arts and culture from The Aldrich Museum to the Ridgefield Playhouse, and the newly opened Prospector Theater.
Next year, Ridgefield's art scene will be getting an even bigger boost with the first ever Ridgefield Film Festival.
The entire concept was coordinated by local playwright and theatre director turned screenwriter, Joanne Hudson. I had the honor of interviewing Joanne about the upcoming Ridgefield Film Festival.
1. Describe how the idea of bringing a film festival to Ridgefield came together
When I moved to Ridgefield, six years ago, I couldn't help but notice what an arts minded town it is. (I was producing a theatre festival at the time.) The town's beauty and walk-ability, coupled with institutions like the Aldrich Museum, The Playhouse and the amazing library right on Main Street is what attracted us, moving up from NYC, and what I felt would attract visitors from around the world. Most of my friends are either theatre practitioners or filmmakers and so after attending a festival last Fall in NYC, where one of my friend's films was shown, I thought Ridgefield could do as well or better. I began shopping the idea around and I really have to thank Alison Greeley of the Ridgefield Arts Council, because the minute I mentioned it to her (at one of the Arts Council's Generator events) she grabbed my hand and whisked me off to introduce me to folks who wanted to help. And a few months later, here we are.
2. Why do you feel it's important for Ridgefield to have a film festival?
Ridgefield is a very smart and sophisticated town. Film is a medium that transcends differences through storytelling. I believe, as intellectuals with means, we have a role to play in expanding the way people see and encounter the world. Bringing films and filmmakers here, with different perspectives and experiences from around the globe, will make us closer and, in so doing, make us better people. I'm very excited that our festival will give the community the opportunity to screen and choose the films we will see in our festival.
3. When the festival begins in May, where can film buffs see the submitted films?
The festival will be a town-wide event! So far, we have The Ridgefield Library, The Aldrich Museum, The Ridgefield Playhouse and The Garden Of Ideas on board as venues and we welcome more. Each film we choose will be curated towards its venue. We seek to show films in unique and inspired ways in settings that will enhance the experience for both filmmaker and audience. Any venues possessing the proper A/V equipment and wishing to participate in the festival should get in touch via email at info@riff.website
It's very exciting to see submissions from all over the world. To date we have: 58 submissions from over 20 countries. All I can say, so far, is that we will be a truly international festival and that there will be some eye openers.
5. Aside from showing films, what other events do you plan to have for the festival next year?
We're still in the planning stages, but ideas include: panel discussions on craft with some accomplished filmmakers: to include actors, directors, editors, composers, etc., workshops on different aspects of filmmaking and film appreciation may be held at the library, and of course parties. Feed-A-Filmmaker, a roving potluck, will provide sustenance and hospitality to our visiting filmmakers at the homes of community members, and our awards ceremony will be held on the Saturday night of the festival at The Ridgefield Playhouse, after which the Grand Jury Prize winning film will be shown.
Another aspect of our festival that makes us unique are community screeners. Screeners who sign up with the festival can pre-screen and review (according to a set of guidelines) films in the library's technology lab (as well as at home) from now through January.
- To sign up to be a screener email info@riff.website
- Anyone with knowledge and experience in the craft of filmmaking who wishes to volunteer to share their knowledge should get in touch at info@riff.website. Or though our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ridgefieldindependentfilmfestival
- If you're a filmmaker and want to submit a film to the Ridgefield Film Festival, go to https://filmfreeway.com/festival/RidgefieldIndependentFilmFestival where you can find more info on how many submissions have already come through as well as deadlines on when to submit your projects!