5th Annual No Budget Film Festival
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| NBFF's Golden Pig stauettes being prepped for the festivities |
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| Omnipresent marquee letters |
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of being a part of cARTel's No Budget Film Festival, whose makers also bring Brokechella to Los Angeles. With this year being their fifth anniversary of the event, it was my first time attending, as well as participating in some behind-the-scenes action, giving me an opportunity to experience each day of the festival and a bit beforehand.
The Golden Pig, which serves as the trophy given to the winning entries in the form of a piggy bank, is the mascot of NBFF, ironically standing for the 'constraints' in which the film submissions must be made: without a budget and without exceeding eight minutes in length. But the seeming limitations are just the opposite, as they provide an atmosphere in which creativity thrives, in true independence.
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| Triangle lot |
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| Gettin' styled |
Centered around the main venue at Mack Sennett Sudious, most 'off-campus' activities took place nearby in the same Los Feliz/Silver Lake neighborhood, with a few exceptions. The studio itself was a treat for me to discover as a long-standing player in the history of Hollywood film making. Serving the industry since 1916 and seeing many incarnations, the refurbished hidden landmark reopened in 2012 and is perfectly designed inside, giving both a spacious, fully-equipped feel with yet a warm and cushy vibe that hits just the right note. NBFF made good use of the loungey green rooms, encouraging guests to mingle and sample an array of products from various sponsors and services from stylists.
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| Punch (*look for the red door...) |
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| Vortex Immersion Dome at Los Angeles Center Studios |
Pre-fest events included the Filmmaker Mixer at the wonderful concept speakeasy bar, Punch, in Pasadena and the Industry Meet & Greet held at the Creative Artists Lab. Opening Night set the reels in motion at the Vortex Immersion Dome located within the Los Angeles Center Studios' grounds in the heart of downtown.
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| Hilary is the littlest one! |
I was able to catch a batch of cARTel Selects films (which allows for a small budget and a varying running time) and the program that included Grand Jury Prize winner, This Is Not The End, by first time filmmaker, Hilary Campbell, who started off the week promoting her film with buttons featuring a photo of her with her siblings, building interest that added to the feeling that welled up in my heart when I finally saw her poignant film. Every film in these screenings was an amuse bouche that satisfied my eyes, ears and soul, while simultaneously leaving me with many questions.
Attendees also enjoyed industry-themed Fireside Chats, Shitty Jobs improv and a particularly relevant workshop, Film Hacks, which amazed many with the clever 5 Second Films' demonstration of using a model cop car in filming that they were able to make look life-sized in the finished product... And much more!
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| Screenings•Parties•Workshops•Karaoke•Pigs |
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| NBFF's motto |
Hands positioned ready for high-fives, representing the celebration of No Budget Film Festival's five years, were often seen in photo ops and were apropos as the fest was a true success!