Boys of Summer Book - Entry #143

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

March 1, 2006 - Bob

Walnut Creek, CA

The Boys have been invited to the Phoenix Film Festival! It takes place the last week of March – also the last week of spring training for baseball (which takes place in the Phoenix area). How perfect is that?

They’re a very good festival, top 25 according to their festival director. He went on to say he was confident we’d be getting more calls and interest after our screening there.

I’m not waiting around, though. I’ll use this info to let all the festivals we’ve applied to what’s going on. Festivals seem to go one of two ways:

1) They need your premiere -- the absolute first screening OR
2) They need another festival’s (or insider source) approval of you.

So it’s not just screening, but screening successfully that makes the following festivals possible. From what I understand many festival directors to talk to one another in making their decisions.

I have several contacts in baseball and in the Phoenix area I’ll be hitting up to help with the PR. A strong showing here could lead to national attention as all eyes are turning toward baseball now anyway.

I wish we could have found a way to get to Mumbai for the screening there, but there’s just no money flowing in that direction. It’s odd to have the film screening without us. Apparently it’s playing on opening night as part of the red carpet premiere.

As it’s proud director/parent, I send it off in the mail and wish it luck!

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #141

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

February 1, 2006 - Bob
Walnut Creek, CA

Even though Sundance, in and of itself, was a bust for us, there are a number of positive things happening.

Mike O’Leary, our contact from Phoenix has helped us with a contact at Harkins Theaters (the local chain there). I pitched the film to them with the idea of having a week-long screening during spring training and they are considering it. As baseball zealots across the country travel to Arizona for spring training, there is an excellent built in audience at that time who could take the story of the film with them back to their home market (opening up more screenings across the country).

I’ve also sent out 100 invites to various production/distribution companies in Los Angeles. Even if we get a little bit of interest, maybe someone will send one of their unpaid interns an hour (depending on traffic) east to check out out little film.

The mo' is rolling forward!
e-mail invite:

Subject: Boys of Summer in Riverside International Film Festival

Here's the details:

Tuesday, Feb. 21 6:30 PM
Location: University Village Theater 4226 Highland Pl, Riverside, CA 92506
Cost: $8 adults, $5 students

We are an official entry, with the prize being help in doing a digital to film transfer (huge help -- big cost) -- so please invite lots of people!
Feb. 10, 2006
Further Acceptance!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Your Documentary has been accepted for the Sport Movies & TV – 1st Mumbai International FICTS Festival.

Organized in the heart of world’s biggest film Industry BOLLYWOOD (in Mumbai, INDIA) where close to 1000 films are made every year, “Sport Movies & TV – 1st Mumbai International FICTS Festival” gives an opportunity for the filmmakers to come and interact with this throbbing film Industry to network and collaborate to jointly make more films.

The high turnout expected (all shows are likely to be packed) at the Festival will have a dynamic mix of Industry professional viz. FILM FINANCIERS, PRODUCERS, DIRECTORS, FILM STARS and regular film buffs thereby providing opportunities to be seen around and mingle with the best.

At stake are Golden Ten Awards and Silver Ten Awards for BEST FILMS / SHORT FILMS / DOCUMENTARIES in each category. The winning
films / Documentaries will get a direct entry in the Milan edition of the Festival, which takes place every year in October in Milan, Italy to compete for for the Guirlande d' Honneur worth thousands of Euros.

Films are to be judged by a top Jury comprising Professionals from the world of Cinema, Advertising, Sports and Media. There will be ample opportunities for filmmaker such as you, to interact and promote your film with many stalwarts of Bollywood, ranging from the field of direction, production to distribution. Filmmakers also get a chance to mingle with the biggest Indian and International stars at the Grand Awards & Closing Ceremony Night & Party where the stars will come out to celebrate this grand event. The topline Media will be there to witness the Winners from each category.