Filmfestivals.com welcomes movie pros, festival organizers, journalists, movie creators, movie fans and all festival-goers around the world, and invites them to share experiences and information, use the pro tools and data bases, and have fun. Following is interview with the website’s editor and co-founder Bruno Chatelin.
Tell us about the website?
We were the first directory of film festival even before google, and then we added information and became portal and now it is social network. It is considered a community platform for film and festivals where you can register free and promote your works. We have one of the biggest film data with more than 12,5000 subscribers and roughly 120,000 visitors every year. In short, it is nonstop film festival and we are here to create connection between filmmakers and festivals.
What are your responsibilities?
I am marketing expert. I help producers to enter the festivals and become visible. There are at least 10,000 festivals that we connect filmmakers to. We have partners from Cannes, Berlin and many other festivals. We also try to get connected to their markets.
Are you interested in having partners from Iran?
Sure. We love to. Iranian directors can visit our site and register freely and then we find out the real professional ones from the fakes. They can promote anything they want and our selection committee chooses the best. And then we introduce them to festivals and this introduction part needs to be paid.
How do you see the quality of festival?
This edition is well-organized. The quality of guests is very good. I think the quality of selections is also very good. Market is very good initiative. I am impressed. Ideal venue. Location is fantastic. Well-organized. Conference and panel very satisfying.
How come you decided to come to Iran?
I am happy that I can help Iranian filmmakers. I am going to open talk about ways of connecting filmmakers to festivals across the world.
Your comparison of Fajr and others?
I think not all festivals are the same. I do not think festivals should be equal. There is lack of awareness about Iran in the world. I think good films can increase that awareness. Festivals of Iran are not known in the world and I am trying to discover it and I have realized that it is high-level and it is a pity that no good information is given globally about it. Not all festivals have market, but your festival has one of the greatest markets and I think it is a big advantage.
Any idea about co-productions?
Making co-productions is necessary for increasing the awareness about Iran cinema and I think the more co-productions you have, the better you can tell the world about yourself.
What will you do in coming days?
I will try to find filmmakers so that I can connect them to different festivals.
Your last sentence?
Tehran puts new tent pole on the festival circle: Must visit.
Presided over by Reza Mirkarimi, the 35th edition of Fajr International Film Festival is presently underway in Tehran until 28 April.
