Films Hit Festivals Trying to Create Buzz Without a Crowd

"I don't know when you dream of releasing your movie it's at a drive-in. But I never dreamed that my first movie would be an all-black western set in Philly"

Director and Producer Ricky Staub, a 37-year-old white filmmaker comments about the struggle but also the beauty of seeing his first movie at the drive ins due to the pandemic. 

"Everyone told me the best part of finishing your movie was when you started going to the festivals".

Due to the corona virus pandemic, the only options he has to screen his premiere movie Concrete Cowboy, is a hybrid screening in Canada and everywhere around the world as virtual.

With lost opportunities of being noticed and enjoying the traditional cocktail parties and red carpet, movies are becoming harder to be seen by distributors now that the video-on-demand market is becoming rapidly popular.

"The eventized nature of what festivals are and what they do, from building momentum around a film and often a filmmaker, make what we do possible"  Explaining the importance of how Festivals play an important role to an artists career and especially their work. Film Festivals can also be symbolized as a birth and celebration to new and young voices. 

Although it is a shame, Mr. Elba also says "you have to shape shift" and try to adapt to the new changes before they can pass us up of our opportunties. 

 

 

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