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Patrick Schweiss |
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An Interview with Patrick Schweiss, Executive
Director of the Sedona Film Festival
By M. Saldivia-Berglund,
PhD
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Sedona.biz
On June 27
the Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop hosted a one night
only sneak-preview of the new release "Peaceful Warrior." The film
is based on Dan Millman’s novel The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
starring Nick Nolte and introducing young actor Scott Mechlowicz.
The movie was
sold out with an expectant audience overflowing theaters 1 and
2. Patrick Schweiss, the Executive Director of the Sedona Film
Festival, was in the midst of hosting about 300+ people who attended
the screening, exuding a gregarious personality, natural high
spirits and a good sense of humor.
Patrick
opened the evening by requesting an applause of appreciation to the
courageous firefighters of the Brins Fire. The Sedona public
instantly granted his request clapping cheerfully and exhaling loud
"woahs!" This demonstration of solidarity and gratitude made
everyone feel comfortable, and a sense of kindred spirits filled the
theater.
After
watching “Peaceful Warrior” I felt deeply inspired and grateful to
be alive. It is an extraordinary film about human endurance, will
power, and humility. A great event to kick off the “Spiritual Cinema
Series” and the “Second Tuesdays Cinema Series” and “Free Summer
Cine-Talks” that will be hosted by the Sedona International Film
Festival at the Harkins Theaters this summer.
This cinema
event provided the perfect backdrop to meet and interview Patrick
Schweiss. As Executive Director, he is responsible for the
marketing, advertising and public relations for the Festival, and
also heads several committees that are the Festival's foundation.
M.S-B:
Patrick, how long have you been working as the Festival's Executive
Director?
P.S.:
I took the position in July of 2004 after working at the Sedona Red
Rock News for just more than 12 years.
(Sedona Red
Rock News is owned by Larson Newspapers — a family-owned newspaper
business that also publishes the Camp Verde Journal and the
Cottonwood Journal Extra, as well as a variety of specialty
publications. Patrick began in the advertising department and spent
his last 7 years as the production supervisor.)
M.S-B:
What is the Festival's mission?
P.S.:
Our [mission is] to bring the best in independent film to Sedona and
the area and, through that, bring educational opportunities with
workshops, post-film discussions, filmmaker Q&A’s and more. Our
actual mission statement sums it up best: “Bringing people together
to broaden the understanding and celebrate the power of independent
film through cinema and the Sedona experience.”
M.S-B:
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
P.S.:
I enjoy hearing the reaction from the audiences when we bring in a
film that really hits home with them. It is very satisfying as films
have the power to change lives, influence thought and take you to a
different place. Plus, I truly enjoy working with the filmmakers who
are so grateful to have a place to show their films. Also, tracking
down the great films and inviting them to our festival is great fun,
too. Basically, you could say I enjoy all aspects of this job.
M.S-B:
How do you select a movie for the Festival? What is what you look
for in a film? Is there a common denominator in the selection of
movies? Is there a selection committee?
P.S.:
We have a film selection and screening committee of about 30 people.
Every film must be seen by at least 3 people at separate times. We
receive more than 900 submissions that we narrow down to about 125
that show at the festival. Each film is rated by each screener in
eight categories (script, acting, directing, cinematography, sound,
production design, editing and overall suitability to the festival).
Plus there is room for written evaluations. Then, the film selection
co-chairs, Sheila Jackman and Sagan Lewis, and I evaluate the
findings and watch the films ourselves and make the final selections
based on what the committee has said.
In addition,
we actively solicit great films from other festivals, studios and
filmmakers that are getting great “buzz” in the industry or the film
festival circuit. We go after the award-winners as well as ones of
particular genres that would be beneficial to have in our festival.
M.S-B:
I understand there are some awards that the Festival bestows to
filmmakers. Can you elaborate on this?
P.S.:
We give out both Audience Choice Awards and Directors Choice Awards
in all categories: Feature Film, Documentary, Short Films,
Animation, International Films and Student Films. In addition, we
will give out Ensemble Cast Awards and Screenwriting Awards when
something really special comes along.
M.S-B:
What are the main highlights of the Sedona International Film
Festival, in your opinion?
P.S.:
The main highlights of our festival are the films and getting to
interact with the filmmakers and celebrities. It is a very special
five days when you can rub elbows with the people both in front of
and behind the camera. It creates an experience like no other. We
have gala parties, workshops, discussions and many other
opportunities to mingle with the industry folks. It is a magical
cinematic experience!
(The Sedona
International Film Festival & Workshop recently announced its call
for submissions for the 13th Annual festival, February 28 - March 4,
2007. The five-day festival features more than 125 films, including
features, documentaries, foreign films, shorts, animation and
student films. Filmmakers and audiences from around the world have
heralded Sedona's festival as one of their favorites. The Festival
Workshop, founded by Academy Award winner Frank Warner, brings
award-winning, industry professionals to Sedona to teach, inspire
and share their knowledge with the next generation of filmmakers.
This year's topic is "Distribution and Marketing" and will feature a
panel of experts from independent and major motion picture studios.
)
M.S-B:
What is the vision for the future?
P.S.:
Our vision for the future is to expand the festival into a week-long
celebration of Cinema, which we are coming close to doing in 2007.
We are expanding to five full days of film plus two preview nights.
We also will be expanding our yearlong events and bringing in more
workshops, seminars and discussions during the off-season. Mainly,
our vision is to continue to grow and expand to become the biggest
and best festival we can possibly be while continuing to bring great
films and great filmmakers to Sedona.
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A Glance at "Summer
Tuesday Cinema Series: Five Straight Weeks of Outstanding
Films"
The first film of the “Five Straight Weeks of Incredible Film
Events” organized by the Sedona International Film Festival on
June 27th was "Peaceful Warrior."
Patrick described some of the exciting summer events to come: "Two weeks from tonight, July 11, is our second Tuesday
Cinema Series. It kicks off five straight Tuesdays of events that we
are hosting. It's very fun and three of those are free! How much fun
is that?"
Dark Night
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“On
Tuesday July 11 is Night of Israeli Films, sponsored by the Jewish
community of Sedona for which we are very grateful. It will feature
three Israeli short films, wonderful films. That's a regular second
Tuesday so regular prices apply,” he explained. Patrick said that
the Festival is instituting a new policy that will allow Film
Sedona Members to buy their tickets early: “honor your membership
and avoid those lines out there, we love to have you”—he emphasized.
One of the highlights of the Sedona Film Festival this year is
the grant they received from the City of Sedona. The grant allowed
them to do free summer Cine-Talks: “we got incredible films that are
absolutely free and in this theater we have 272 seats on a first
come first served.”
“On July 18 we feature ‘Crossing Arizona’ which is an
incredible powerful documentary on the border crossing issue. It’s
the most balanced horrible documentary that you’ve ever seen, and
the filmmaker from Tucson will be here,” he remarked.
The next free Tuesday of Cine-Talk is July 25th.
“Hate Crime,” released by local filmmakers Tommy Stovall and Marc
Sterling (who will be in attendance for a discussion) will be
featured. Read review of "Hate Crime."
And on Tuesday August 1st will feature “The War
Within,” an astonishing film about a suicide bomber. Read review of "The War Within."
Regular prices apply for Tuesday August 8th “Herbie
Hancock: Possibilities.” This is a Herbie Hancock documentary that
features a wonderful gallery of renowned musicians. Also showing
will be “The Cole Nobody Knows” by Clay Walker, and an animated
short film by Cathy Karol.
After making a number of other interesting announcements,
such as the Spiritual Cinema Series that will take place in July (“Peaceful
Warrior" being one of them), Patrick closes his introduction by
announcing that Nick Nolte will be there for a session of questions
and answers. And that was a real treat that the Sedona Film Festival
reserved that night for the audience.
Getting to meet celebrities and filmmakers is one of the many
excellent advantages in attending the Sedona Film Festival. For
information call (928)282.1177, or visit:
www.SedonaFilmFestival.com
Read Sedona.biz movie review: Peaceful
Warrior
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