KC FILM FEST 2013

Kansas City Film Fest

April 10-14, 2013

I decided last year that I would get a pass for the entire KC Film Fest. I had a great time in just the few films I was able to see and the seminars I attended. As this year approached I followed through and bought Sherri and I both Gold Passes for the Festival. Sherri, unfortunately had to work for some of the days and other commitments did intrude, but I was able to go all 5 days and see around 30 features and shorts. That is a lot of movie watching!

Wednesday

On the first day of the Fest I actually saw my favorite film. "Lost on Purpose". It is a feature and set on a rural dairy farm. The story was good, and I really enjoyed the sound of the film. They completely got summer in the country. I also watched a short program and my favorites here were "Death of Shadows" and "What about us?" Finished the day with another documentary feature, "Hit and Stay" about Vietnam war protesters.

Thursday

Only got to see one thing on this day. We had to go to see Isaac (nephew) in a play. Sherri did get off work early and got to come. We say "Heartland, Portrait of Survival" about the Joplin tornado. It was well made and we both liked it a lot. More on this to come.

Friday

Two more short programs. Heartland Narratives and Midwestern Tales. "Blind Sight" and "Nooner" were my two favorites from the first and "Into Thick Air" in the second. Probably my favorite short of the Festival. Very funny. We then had Volleyball to go to, so a short Friday evening.

Saturday

Well I was hoping to go to some seminars or workshops this morning but the format changed from last year and the educational seminars were reserved for young film makers. I, instead, went to see "Summer Children", a film made in 1964 and then lost until it's restoration by the original Producer and Cinematographer. I spent some time talking to Jack Robinette after and later at the Festival. Then after lunch with Sherri it was back to see another short program, Random Relationships. My favorite here was "Paper People" and Sherri's was "Stalled". Next up was "One Small Hitch". It was a well done romantic comedy that we both liked a lot. Then... Experimental and Animation. Sherri made it through the first 4. The 15 min film of time lapse of Tokyo sent her to the bar. She did miss some cute animated shorts. My favorite was "Green Acres". After that and a couple of cocktails at the after party (Bronies were there) home for sleep!

Sunday

Started the day off with "It's a Disaster!" Brunch. This was one of the few times the system kinda let us down. It was $15 above the price of our passes to go to the brunch. For that you get a "free" mimosa. Still had to pay for your food. Kinda missed the mark there. we liked the movie but they need to revisit something like this for next year. We then actually skipped the next session as it was 75 degrees outside and we had some lunch. Ended up our films with The Lighter Side or short films. I think our favorite here was "Thumb" or "Saving the Human Race" (the only zombie film of the festival. We had great fun at the awards program but were dissapointed by how few of the winners were actually there to receive their awards. (It did get us to the after party quicker though). The party was a blast, we made connections and enjoyed talking to all the film makers in a casual setting. 

Kind of the highlight for me was Andrew, the film maker who brought his short "Papa Pinata" , and I went with him on a flying trip before the award ceremony to take his picture with the big Pinata at Power and Light. 

Great fun, lots of memories and I am already looking forward to next year.