2017 Visions Film Festival Response

This years Visions Film Festival was one I will remember forever. I was so excited to see Felix Thompson’s film King Jack (2015) and have the opportunity to meet the director. The fact that his film was picked up by Netflix is so wonderful for an independent filmmaker. I thought the film was very refreshing. The coming of age story can relate to many of us, especially those in rough surroundings. I think what I enjoyed most was knowing that I could meet the director and see what he says about his approach and conceptualization. I’ve only worked with one other independent filmmaker before, so having the opportunity to see the director in person is rare, and I wanted to make sure I got the most from his responses.

Unfortunately, I had class and work that Friday so I was only able to attend two blocks on Friday, but they were the blocks I was looking forward to most- the video race screening and the visionary panel.

This was my second year attending visions so I was looking forward to seeing this year’s video race submissions. I was so entertained by what my fellow students could make in a short amount of time. I didn’t want to critique anybody’s work because of the limitations they were given, but as a viewer, you can absolutely see the stylistic differences between the groups. I am always interested in seeing my classmate’s productions.

I think what stuck with me the most was the visionary panel. To think each panel member was in the exact same spot as me was very encouraging. It is hard not to get a little nervous when you think about the vast future ahead of you. But some of the questions they were given really humanized them in my eyes. If they can get where they are starting from where I am, then I can do the same. They even told us about how they got there and who helped them along the way, some of which were professors that I have had and were in the room with us.

Each panel member was in a different place occupationally. One was a VFX editor for Disney, Felix Thompson recently directed his first film, and others were either currently working on productions, involved with distribution or freelance. I think what I took away from the 2017 Visions Film Festival was knowing the opportunities I have that are at my fingertips, and the drive it takes to get there. I see from the visionary panel that no one got where they are without hard work and making sacrifices. It is the same reaction I got from the 2016 festival, I am so motivated to see what I could do with my life and where the future would take me. If I don’t make it on the visionary panel in the next few years, I have a feeling I would know a former fellow student who would be.