A few more thoughts on SXSW, to answer some questions I've gotten via e-mail. The main thing people have been wondering is how SXSW stacks up to "real" fests, like Sundance, Cannes, New York, Toronto, Berlin, Venice, Telluride.

It doesn't. Yet. But it's making progress. Slowly.

Both SXSW and the Austin Film Festival suffer from similar problems. Ego is a big one of them. Lack of cooperation is another. They would be well-served if they'd lose the chips on their respective shoulders and work together. If they coordinated their efforts, Austin would be blessed by two _real_ film fests a lot sooner than we will otherwise. Why can't we all just get along?

Honestly, the closest we've come to having a "real" film fest was last fall's Austin Film Festival. It had startlingly strong programming. But it is still a bit disorganized, and could use some help in the human relations department. I hear from more than a few people high up in La-La land who have really gotten rubbed the wrong way from this fest, and word is spreading. Not a good thing. But I digress...

Back to SXSW. They seemed marginally better organized than in years past -- but then, they're built on the foundation of the SXSW music fest (check out www.sxsw.com), which has been around for a long time, so they don't really have any excuse not to be running a tight ship. Given that, they still have a long way to go.

One thing that really troubled me this year was that their "narrative competition" included only eight films. EIGHT?! And they wonder why they aren't being taken more seriously.

Another thing that concerns me is the chorus of rumblings I hear about the inner workings of the fest. Many past and present filmmakers (including some award-winners) felt totally ignored by fest organizers and staff once they got into town, as if SXSW was uninterested in forging long-time relationships. Once invited guests arrived (having paid their own way, natch), more than a few seemed to be abandoned. So much for southern hospitality. There is also a strong perception that SXSW is far more interested in promoting itself (and those involved) than the films and filmmakers who are invited to attend -- save for a handful of marquee names. I've heard this opinion expressed over and over again.

Now, if I'd only heard this from one or two disgruntled filmmakers, I wouldn't bother to raise the issue. But I've heard it from a lot of people, many of whom I have enormous respect for. And since no one else had really touched on this yet, I felt it might be constructive for me to do so. And while I don't presume to have all the answers, I do have a few hypothetical questions to pass along, courtesy of several ponderous people.

What would you think if one (or more) people directly involved with running the festival just happened to have their film (or films) appear on the program? Would that be appropriate? What if, while talking to the press on behalf of the fest, one of these people is asked "which films have got the buzz?," to which he/she responds by plugging his/her own film -- without any sort of disclaimer regarding their involvment with it. Would that be professional? Meanwhile, what if some other filmmakers submitted worthwhile films that were turned down without having even been looked at -- except to read the names on the label? Would that be ethical?

Hmmm... Perhaps we should all take a moment.

...

I will say this. Both film fests, from an attendee's point of view, are a steal. (I'm not talking about the conferences, though -- strictly the film fests.) At SXSW this year, you could go see all the movies you wanted (except "The Newton Boys") for $45 if you were willing to accept waiting in long lines and being turned away at a few screenings (i.e. "Frat House," gosh darn it). All things considered, not a bad deal. But personally, I'd rather pay a tad more and have a guaranteed seat if I showed up by quarter till the screening, and not have to stand in line in the rain for an hour, only to be eventually turned away because someone didn't know how to count.

Maybe I'm spoiled, and I shouldn't complain. But, then, that's the only way things ever improve, isn't it? And there's certainly room for improvement.

Check back in a few years, and Austin just might be a major hub on the film fest circuit.

Maybe.

Robogeek (who aspires to be Jeffrey Falcon's sidekick someday) reads feedback sent to robogeek@hotmail.com, and entertains guests at http://www.hotwired.com/members/profile/robogeek/