Experience Attending a Film Fest

My becoming involved as a volunteer for a film festival came quite by accident. The first film fest I ever volunteered for was the Palm Beach film fest. I was watching a film showing, at the time, in Florida Atlantic University as one of the guests when there was a bit of a commotion outside the viewing room. I quietly went outside to see if I could help and to notify them that their conversations could be heard inside the room showing the film.

As it turned out the person that had volunteered for that day did not show up. They were in dire need of a volunteer to work the next four hours in his place and there was no one that could be found. They asked if I could work two hours and I agreed. The two hours became almost five as there was no one that could be found to help me. By the time I finshed working all the films and activities were over for that day. I asked if there were discounted tickets for the volunteers for the upcoming party event but the answer was no.
That was my first experience of volunteering in a film fest, had it been my last, I never would have known how wonderful it could be.

I attended the Delray film fest that same year and though I was only a guest I was treated like royalty. There was always space in the films and classes I chose and the volunteers and staff were accommodating and warm. The following year I joined in as a volunteer.

The people I worked with, both supervisors and those volunteering for the first time were as social and excited as I was. All volunteers, depending on how many hours they contribute, are invited to the films and parties. Everyone I worked with was supportive and encouraging.

The films were much better than I thought they would be. Though the party I attended was fantastic, with chefs from the best restaurants and dancing music for all to enjoy, the classes were my favorite, I attended as many of them as I could.

The classes fill up fast, but I have noticed the class that seems the most crowded is the class on casting. While this is not my favorite seminar it is not too difficult to understand why this particular topic would encourage many to attend. The room filled to it's full capacity with many students and fans that were interested in participating and learning more on how they can be among those casted in upcoming films.

These are seminars offered to the public free of charge, conducted by professional experienced directors, actors, producers, and writers. One can learn how to be the creator of a sucessful film now, more then ever before.
I enjoyed the playwriting class the best and bought the book the instructor had written. The following year I found out he was giving another lecture at that year's film fest and signed up to volunteer again.

That was my beginning in experiencing the best of the best when it comes to the art and creation of film making.

The sixth annual Delray Beach film fest, now renamed Downtown Boca film fest, starts this year on April 9, 2011 and runs through to April 17, 2011. Having attended as a guest, and then working as a volunteer in the Delray film, fest for several years now, I have come to appreciate the art of film and the festivals. The experience of watching the variety of films in the contests has been both educational and wonderful. I especially enjoy meeting the artists that put the various projects together.

Attending or volunteering for a film fest is an educational exciting experience anyone who loves films should look into. No mater where you may live it is almost certain there is some film fest nearby. For those interested in tickets or volunteering for the upcoming Delray Boca Film Fest there is information for everyone about everything you ever wanted to know about this film fest on their site 1

1 Downtown Boca Raton film fest