Film Festival Secrets

She’s not the only person I’ve heard that from. I’ve heard that from a lot of former telluride film festival staff and volunteers.

It is sad when film festivals loose their appreciation of the people that make their events successful. As a festival director, I will ensure that all my appreciation for my staff and volunteers will be known.

Well done Jennifer for telling it how it is How cool is that! Pretty obvious this was a last resort for her and her love for her work. I hope someone out there gives her a better festival job that doesnt involve working for users.

Unfortunately, non-profits, no matter how worthy and well with well-meaning the purpose, are some of the most worst places to work or volunteer. Nasty politics, personal agendas, low pay, big work loads .. with a few folks making a lot … on the backs of the workers. Jennifer really speaks for many people. You girl!! The world needs more whistle blowers and truth tellers.

We at BUFF had a tough year in 2010. We lost a major cash sponsor. It meant that the festival directors went without our meager stipend and we weren’t able to fly in as many filmmakers, but we would never skimp on food or swag for volunteers as well as the party we throw to honor them. We are all hurting right now, it’s important to continue to appreciate your unpaid volunteers (though we are all unpaid at BUFF) and to put on a smiley face for the filmmakers and audience. If you can’t do that, it’s not worth running the fest.

Amman demonstrates fearless integrity and courage for speaking truth to power. I love Telluride FF, but how can anyone argue with her heartfelt regard, or analysis? Entrenched and huge egos, and sadly the arts “non-profit” arena foster turf battles – not much different than the “for-profit” world, and trouble for all, behind the scenes, as it’s so often the case the wealthy walk away scot clean, on the backs of the mules which they can replace on a dime. I’m sick of the self-annointed and affluent who push aside the workers and and the creatives who make these endeavors even possible. It’s the era we live in, where the know-nothings are prevailing in the public discourse of ideas and cultural development. Somethin’s gotta change. Film and the “festivals” should not be gilding the already privileged.

Bottom line: treat your volunteers with respect

Wow! This a very bad year for no breakfast for TFF volunteers!
“Baked in Telluride,” the main brekkie place where attendees
could grab a quick pastry or egg sandwich burned to the ground back in February! It’s coming back, but not until next year! This
would’ve been the alternative spot for those 450 volunteers to turn to since they won’t have anything to eat first thing in the
morning; otherwise it’s pretty much a sit down breakfast at the
“Chop House” or “Sophio’s” and now they have to pay for it, plus
tip! My wife and I stepped aside from our duties about four years
ago. Actually, we were treated quite well, but several of our fellow
volunteers had to endure somewhat brutal verbal behavior, so much so that we found them in tears a few times before the festival even started! Really an ugly feeling as we were about
to begin a new festival! Many of the mid-level staff just have no
clue as to how to handle their sudden, but brief period of power!
In fact, it’s kind of amusing to see them in town after the festival
when all that power has been stripped and they seem lost! No one
to yell at till next year! It’s a creepy feeling not to have a human
resources department to air out some issues with! Several of our
friends who had worked with us for many years left the same time
we did for the same reason! Thank-you so much Jennifer for coming forward on this!