True/False Film Fest!

The basics:

http://truefalse.org/about/welcome

Who started it and who runs it:

It was created by Paul Sturtz and David Wilson. Jeremy Brown is the Managing Director and Business Manager.

The Mission:

“The True/False Film Fest exists to champion the best new nonfiction filmmaking. Our goal is to promote art, dialogue and deepen our community’s understanding of each other and the world at large. We do not select film primarily for their topic, nor do we advocate for or against the subject matter of our films. Rather, we hope to present a program that, in totality, challenges viewers to think critically about both the content of the films and their own assumptions.”

I liked the last sentence of this mission statement, I think that Visions should include something in ours about creating an open-minded undergrad film festival that allows fresh, new and still-studying filmmakers to present films that challenge and inspire other filmmakers. The films shown at Visions embody the future of film as they come from the newest generation of filmmakers.

How does the mission statement compare to films shown?

The festival shows non-fiction films on topics ranging from politics to personal peeks into people’s lives….

Where is the event?

Columbia, MO

When?

Feb. 27^th through March 2^nd

How do you submit?

Via Without a Box or snail mail

When are deadlines?

Early- August 7^th

Regular - September 25^th

Late – November 6^th

Without a box extended deadline – November 13^th

Cost:

Early: Features $25 Shorts $15

Regular: Features: $30 Shorts: $20

Late: Features: $50 Shorts: $30

Without a Box extended Deadline:  Features: $60 Shorts: $40

Who’s eligible to enter and what are the guidelines:

“The True/False film fest is open to all works of non-fiction cinema. We also encourage chimeric works that straddle the line between non-fiction and fiction.”

Is there a student Category?

No student category, but it is open to any work of non-fiction – so presumably, a student could enter with the same chance of being featured.

Formats for Jurying:

DVD (NTSC) for hard copies and Vimeo, Without a Box

Exhibition Formats:

HDCAM

How many Films screened last year?

40 films, 16 shorts

How long is a typical shorts block or paper presentation?

75 to 80 minutes

How many screened per block?

4-5 shorts

How many people register to attend, is there a cost?

4,200 the first year and 43,762 this past year.

Passes range from $700 to $25; $300 dollars of the most expensive pass is considered a charity donation to the festival (tax deductible) The cheapest is an entry fee to a 5k which enters you to win a lux pass for the following year and gives you a $5 ticket to screen the True Life Fund Film of the year.

Who Sponsors:

The local hero section seemed to the primary section that would be pertinent to Visions. It’s the 2,000 sponsorship and features Cinema St. Louis. Businesses seem to be the primary sponsors of this festival with over 40 in the local hero section alone. When going through it, my primary thought was Fuzzy Peach. Hospitality could potentially see if the Fuzzy Peach or place like them would like to sponsor the festival and possibly offer refreshments. The Hallmark Channel was a Super Sponsor, which is clearly not someone we could potentially target. Have we ever tried to get PBS’s attention? Also I was thinking we could potentially give out coupons in gift bags for sponsors... not sure if this has been done in the past. 

Sponsorship levels:

Super sponsors (25,000): On screen bumpers played before every film, posters, recognition with link to site in newsletters, print ads in Columbia Daily Tribune, print ads in Inside Columbia,  radio spots, television spots, stage mentions, link to website on True/False.org, opportunity to distribute promotional products, Ad in T/F program, 12 lux pass.

Silver Sponsors (15,000): print ads in Columbia Daily Tribune, print ads in Inside Columbia,  radio spots, television spots, stage mentions, link to website on True/False.org, opportunity to distribute promotional products, Ad in T/F program,8 lux pass.

Lux sponsors (10,000): opportunity to distribute promotional products, Ad in T/F program, 6 lux pass.

Simple (5,000): opportunity to distribute promotional products, Ad in T/F program, 4 lux pass.

Local Hero (2,000): opportunity to distribute promotional products, Ad in T/F program, 2 lux pass.

Customized options are available at the Super, Silver, and Lux levels.

Kickstarter or Indigogo:

No, although it is it’s 11^th year and it has grown significantly, so it may have used it if it was just now forming. 

Donors get a mention and a letter to help donors receive tax deductions.

Non Traditional:

They feature concerts, panel discussions that feature discussions that seem like conference-esque discussions.

Branching out:

It seems to primarily feature dark room run of the mill screenings. It’s a documentary film festival.

Website Layout:

Excellent,  I flew through these questions with ease because the website gets you where you want to go. Much like the Visions page now, it features drop tabs at the top that get you to the info you need.

Is the Layout Difficult:

No

Can you find the info via homepage or link on homepage:

Yes

Aesthetically what catches your eye?

White font against blue background is very easy on the eyes. It’s very simple in a positive way – never becomes overwhelming.

The primary design is featured at the top which works great because you see something aesthetically pleasing during the overview and once you get to the section you need where you will be distracted looking for that anyway, it’s gone – therefore, the site never becomes distracting.

Aesthetically what doesn’t fit in?

There’s actually nothing that “doesn’t fit in.” The sites only downfall is that it’s almost too simple to the point that it doesn’t do justice to the excitement of a film festival. However, if the primary goal is to give information this works.

Information?

The website answers every question asked except how many people attend, which is just the right amount of information. The pages are never too busy! Great wesite!

Same/Different?

I would maybe… maybe add a little more character to the site’s page, it feels a little dry. Also, if I were a sponsor I would be highly disappointed with the sponsor’s page!  However, the navigation is flawless!

In terms of our website, I think we implement a lot of the things that works for True/False already. I think we could use a darker backdrop color - I noticed that darker colors and lighter fonts were easier on the eyes- for me atleast. Also our "About" is a little too far down the page.