Today’s Gothamist Interview is with one of my favorite people, and I’m not just saying that because she was once my boss (and quite possibly will be again). Nancy Schafer is a Co-managing Director and Programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival. She had the misfortune of encountering me when I volunteered to work at the first festival and divine providence (or carelessness) placed me in her “screenings” volunteer pool. From that point on, I’ve hounded her consistently about how the festival really should hire me year-round. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make me unique.
Nancy has a job I envy since a large part of it is programming a festival with hundreds of films. From the end of the summer until March, she and the other programmers of the festival travel to other film festivals around to the world as well as watch tapes/DVDs/special screenings of films trying to get into Tribeca. Even though a majority of the films she watches are most likely crap, somehow I’ve managed to make it through 33 years watching a ton of shit and never become tired of doing so.
And by the way: if you are a young minority filmmaker, you should go read Nancy’s interview and then follow the link over to the Tribeca Film Institute web sight. The submission process for next year’s edition of Tribeca All Access “Connects” — which aims to bring minority filmmakers together with industry professionals to help with their projects in various stages of development and production — is now open. TAA was a huge hit among its participants during its inaugural event at last year’s festival. I’m sure this year will be even better for those involved.
Out of Focus 