9th Annual Big MiniDV Festival Sets Records
Festival goers had a lot to cheer for on November 12 and 13, 2010, as the 9th Annual Big MiniDV Festival
set attendance records at Long Island University-Brooklyn.
“We packed the house and the crowds loved it,” festival associate director Ken Cohen said. “These films
and the audiences that saw them were a great match.”
From comedy (Tiara Colon’s Dude, Can I Borrow Your Car?) to family drama (Traci-Ann Gibson’s Dream
Away), there was something for most film tastes.
Events got rolling on Friday night with the Opening Film, Best Short Documentary winner My Life:
Living with Autism with director Jon Michael Shink in attendance, followed by Best Experimental, Lost
Property, and its director Piboon Thongtanyong.
Screenwriting panelist Chris Walker described his experience as “lots of fun,” while feature documentary
Bang the Party got a standing ovation from a capacity crowd.
With classic cartoon animator Ken Kimmelman, who screened his films Thomas Comma and
Brushstrokes, many audience members found new works and genres to appreciate.
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan producer Adam Brightman shared his working knowledge of the
budgeting process in the industry workshop (presented by Movie Magic Budgeting) to a room full of
attentive – and participatory – filmmakers.
The Closing Film was Best Short Narrative winner Harvey Cole, which was presented by co-writer and
producer Nina Summermatter and star St.John McKay.
In all, for all the events in this year’s Big MiniDV Festival, organizers estimate about 500 audience
members attended. It’s double last year’s draw and a great sign that things are moving forward to next
year’s 10th Annual Big MiniDV Festival.
LIU Media Arts Blog 