The 19th Annual Topanga Film Festival Oct 17-20
Yes we Cannes! With the 19th Topanga Film Festival (TFF) program being finalized and set to be announced on October 7, some 300 filmmakers are nervously waiting to find out if their movie will be selected.
Around 70 will be chosen, including narrative (full length feature film), documentaries, experimental, and short films. Because the TFF has become a big deal on the film festival circuit, it’s considered an honor to have your film selected as part of the program.
TFF’s director of programming and the festival emcee, Adam Roberts, has lived in Topanga since 2007. Adam says his Topanga roots are deep. His son, River Roberts, 18, went to Topanga Elementary and is a graduate of Manzanita.
There are seven core members of the programming team and every film submitted gets watched all the way through. Adam said, “We are a discerning bunch and fiercely democratic. I am the director of programming but the team makes the decisions together. There’s always a consensus. We talk things through.”
Because so many films are submitted and that’s a lot of viewing time, others whose opinion Adam trusts may be asked to watch some of them and recommend. Or not.
Adam has this advice for filmmakers who want to capture the programmers’ attention. “Start with a good story, then do everything you can to execute the telling of that story well. You can do that on an array of budgets. If it’s a story that we feel is underrepresented in the media then that can play in the filmmaker’s favor and we give it a little more room to be imperfect.”
The standard of the films shown at TFF is high. As the world finds itself without a script, the theme for filmmakers for the 19th Topanga Film Festival is “The Revolution Will Be Improvised!”
“Films we think play into that theme on some level, we’ll have a little bit of extra interest in,” said Adam. “At the same time, our umbrella is always large. If it’s a compelling film, a well told story, it doesn’t overtly have to be about revolution or improvisation.”
Phoebe Sarason, a visual artist, performer and writer, is head of the TFF jury and one of the programmers. Adam and Phoebe both joined as core members of TFF two years ago. This is their third year in the thick of it. Participating in TFF is one of Phoebe’s favorite things she’s involved with in her busy life. “The TFF community has such a wonderful, incredible spirit,” she said. “It’s eclectic but we’re all aiming for the same thing.”
“TFF plays into the spirit of independent filmmaking. Sometimes you can look at a film and think, ok, I kinda like some things. Of course, they might not be up to big Hollywood standards but the spirit behind it, the quality and individuality that comes through is something that will capture our interest.
“We respect the tremendous work, passion, commitment and financial hardship that filmmakers encounter. The conversation around art, communication and the need for the telling of important stories is our guiding light.”
For Adam, being involved with TFF is about sharing opinions and ideas about film and brings a community connection that everyone has come to value. “As we go through the trenches of producing the festival, there’s also a touch of trauma bonding,” said Adam. “I don’t always agree with the jury’s decisions but I respect them and it sparks debate and discussion about the films.”
Nominated as “one of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world” by Filmmaker Magazine, Topanga Film Festival showcases films that challenge convention and tell stories that inspire new and original ways of seeing, understanding, and being in the world.”
Phoebe said, “This year the amount of organization, coordination and teamwork seems to have coalesced even more and we’re a stronger, more efficient team than ever. We aim to become a larger film festival and have aspirations to share what we do with a wider audience.”
Next year will be the 20th Topanga Film Festival. “Everyone is excited about that,” said Adam. “We want to take the 20th TFF to another level.”
The main ways to support TFF and maintain the high standard are to buy tickets to see the films, volunteer, or donate. Adam said, “We can always use financial support. We are volunteer driven but there are a few positions that have to be paid and we always gratefully receive donations. Volunteers get to participate in making this magical event happen, see some of the films after their shift has finished and they are invited to the after parties.”
As with previous TFFs, films are being shown at Froggy’s or Corazon in Topanga. There will be Q & A’s with some filmmakers after their films are shown.
TFF has secured the film The Monk and the Gun for opening night. If his schedule allows, the director, Oscar nominated Pawo Choyning Dorji, will attend for a Q & A after the screening.
The film is set in 2006 as Bhutan prepares to hold its first democratic election. Film critic Pete Hammond says of The Monk and the Gun, “the director shows the difficulties of changing a society whose pure and lovely innocence stands in the way of political revolution.”
Adam Roberts promises the 19th Topanga Film Festival will bring connectivity and joy. “Not a violent revolution, but a revolution of community, common ground, and creativity.”
The full program will be announced on the TFF website on October 7, along with screening times, panels and social events. To volunteer, buy tickets, and see the program (after October 7) visit topangafilminstitute.org The full TFF program will be published in the October 18 issue of Topanga New Times.
