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Here's a report from the Independent Feature Film Market

Here's just a quick report from the Independent Feature Film Market. It'd be nice to hear from some of you others that attended, just in case there was a jewel to be found in the mix. Here ya go....

Here some scoop from the 20th IFFM (Independent Feature Film Market), which was held 09/18 - 09/25 1998 at the Angelica in NY. The IFFM is a market for independent filmmakers trying to sell their product. They have 6 Categories. Finished features, documentaries, short films up to 30 minutes, short films over 30 minutes, works in progress and screenplays. You see everything from professionally produced features with name cast - to the worst piece of crap hobby video, bumped up to 35mm, that you'll ever see.

It was an absolute zoo, where everyone with a purple badge (filmmakers), was trying to chase down everyone with an orange badge (buyers, distributors), to pitch their film or script or whatever. You could actually smell the desperation, coming from the guys who produced their films by mortgaging their grandmother's house or maxing out their 8 credit cards.

I watched approximately 30% of films, and there was very little good stuff, but here my favorites, that might have a chance of someday coming to a theater near you:

In the feature category there was The Underground Comedy Movie, which as I hear got a European distribution deal. It spoofs everything from Baywatch to The Godfather - The Godmother - and has cameos by Joey Butofuco and Slash.

Nothing But The Truth, a funny feature Documentary about the OJ trial got interest from the buyer's and was the only docu that I saw.

I also read only one script, (I heard the guy turned down 60 grand for it, cause he wants to direct himself - STUPID), Ordinary Madness, an adaptation of Charles Bukowski material, which was very funny. I say this: It involves a living dildo and a fuckmachine. Or in Hollywood terms: John Waters meets Quentin Tarantino.

In the works in progress category I liked The Room the best. I hope someone will help them finish it, cause I want to see the rest. It's a goth, myth, weirdo film, where the characters search for the secret of PHYFUTIMA, (I don't know either, but I want to find out) with well done special efx, and good actors.

There were tons of good and bad short films (as I hear) which nobody will ever see unless you go to film festivals. I saw only two and didn't like them.

As for the bad films: I don't want to name names, the guys who make a film with no money have it hard enough. Great effort guy's, maybe next year.

James Gordon

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