Attending last year's edition of the Disposable Film Festival (DFF) proved to be a delightful eye-opening experience. Without a doubt, it was the deciding factor in my purchasing an iPhone. Once I knew what could be done with it, I was eager to start playing. If DFF got an old codger like me motivated, imagine how it inspires young media makers?! Playfulness is the spirit presiding over DFF, which provides its annual forum of the year's best "disposable" films, free workshops to advance the disposable genre, and festive parties to socialize with the cast and crew. In the spirit of collaboration and egalitarian access, DFF deserves being dubbed by Moviemaker magazine as "one of the coolest film festivals."
Recounting territory covered by my conversation with DFF festival co-founder and Director Carlton Evans, DFF was created in 2007 to celebrate the artistic potential of disposable video—short films made on non-professional devices such as cell phones, pocket cameras and handycams, webcams, and other readily available video capture devices. DFF hosts traditional theater and outdoor "Bike-In" screenings, competitions, filmmaking workshops and other events to showcase the best work within the disposable genre. DFF premieres each year in San Francisco before traveling to cities across the country and internationally.The fifth edition of DFF will be held March 22-March 25, 2012. In addition to screenings of films made on everything from cell phones to web cams, this year's festival offers panel discussions and workshops with topics such as knowing your music/video licensing rights and social action and disposable filmmaking. There will also be a competitive shorts program, guest speakers, multimedia performances and plenty of after parties. A "Geek" event will showcase the latest and greatest gadgets, accessories, sites and apps for the disposable filmmaker. DFF Travels will screen the year's best travel video submissions.
"The number and quality of entries this year surpassed anything we've seen before," said festival co-founder and Director Carlton Evans. "People across the globe are finding themselves empowered through new inexpensive video technologies. And they're using them to tell their stories."
"We're absolutely bursting at the seams with new programs and screenings based on the collection of interesting trends we are seeing in the submissions and other amazing disposable film online," said Associate Director Katie Gillum.
The year's festival opens on the heels of a year filled with new partnerships and exciting events. Highlights included a "Best of the Fest" screening at Slamdance, a partnership with Practice Fusion and health-related film contest, a co-presentation of user-generated feature-length documentary Life In A Day [covered by Evening Class correspondent Dominic Mercurio], Bike-Ins and international screenings.DFF 2012 kicks off with its Competitive Shorts Night at its sophomore premiere at the famous Castro Theater, March 22 at 8:00 PM. All films will be rated by an expert panel of judges [including, yours truly], and fans can vote for their favorites during the Audience Choice Award.
Among the workshops offered this year are those for youth hosted by TILT whose mission it is to teach young people—who are typically underrepresented and misrepresented in media—the fundamentals of movie-making and media literacy through hands on training in video production.
Guest speakers at DFF 2012 include iPhone animator Sascha Ciezata and Ted Hope who's produced such blockbuster films as Towelhead, Adventureland and The Savages.
The festival will wrap with two educational panels. Lights, Camera, Social Action! will focus on advocacy and Disposable Filmmaker 101 will show fans how to prep, shoot, edit and share a disposable film. Here's all the festival details:
Thursday, March 22: 8:00PMOpening Night at The Castro
The Castro Theater: 429 Castro St.
TICKETS: Buy now: $14 RSVP: Facebook
Join DFF for the fifth annual opening night screening of the year's best disposable short films in the lavish Castro Theater. Yes, the organist will be there! Opening night has sold out every year, so grab your tickets before they sell out. They would love to save you a seat. Afterparty at The Lookout.
Following the premiere, DFF has a weekend full of events that are free to anyone who's curious and creative. But space is very limited, so RSVP to save your spot before the events fill up.
Friday, March 23: 5:00PMKnow Your Rights
Hotel Rex: 562 Sutter St. RSVP: Eventbrite
How do you legally use music and footage from other sources? At this panel on music/video licensing, discover what is available and how to decide how others use your work. Free!
Friday, March 23: 7:00PMInsight from Ted Hope
Hotel Rex: 562 Sutter St. RSVP: Eventbrite
How do great films get made? Get insight from Ted Hope, America's leading independent producer, who will be speaking about what makes a project great both in terms of artistic innovation and financial viability. Free!
Saturday, March 24: 11:30AM
Mobile Filmmaking
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building)
Learn the ins and outs of producing media using mobile devices. This workshop is for ages 13 to 20. Free!
Saturday, March 24: 2:30PM
Young People Make Films
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building)
An engaging panel discussion with young media producers and media organizations. Free!
Saturday, March 24: 4:00PMMeet Sascha Ciezata
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building) RSVP: Eventbrite
iPhone animator Sascha Ciezata became an instant internet success. He received acclaim from such greats as David Lynch until an obscure group removed his film from the internet. We'll be screening this banned classic and speaking with the filmmaker, as well as screening some of his other incredible work. Free!
Saturday, March 24: 8pmDFF Rocks!
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building) RSVP: Eventbrite
A night of the best disposable music videos and tunes by DJ Matt Haze. Free! Brought to you by Vimeo Music Store. This event is open to partiers 21 and over only.
Sunday, March 25: 12:00 noonLights, Camera, Social Action!
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building) RSVP: Eventbrite
A panel on disposable film and change: activists, educators, and non-profits discuss how disposable film is spurring social change. Free!
Sunday, March 25: 2:00PMDisposable Film 101
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building) RSVP: Eventbrite
Learn the tips and tricks of disposable storytelling, shooting, editing, and distribution from Vimeo Video School's Dan Hayek! Free!
Sunday, March 25: 5:00PMDFF Geek
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building) RSVP: Eventbrite
Discover the latest and greatest gadgets, accessories, sites and apps for the disposable filmmaker at this one of a kind indie expo. Presented by BoomGrip, a steadycam for your mobile device with dozens of hacks and uses. Free!
Sunday, March 25: 7:00PMDFF Travels
Typekit Headquarters: 2601 Mission Street at 22nd (Top of the US Bank building) RSVP: Eventbrite
Not your uncle's travel slide show! Come celebrate closing night with a selection of the year's best travel videos, presented by AirBnB. Wine courtesy of Avalon Winery. This event is open to partiers 21 and over only. Free!
