Final Journal

Through this internship I have learned so much. I have learned the ins and outs of a film festival and how much preparation it takes to select films out of hundreds of submissions. I also learned what to look for when choosing a film to be in a film festival. Making sure the production quality and acting  is great, as well as it fitting in with the message the festival is trying to bring. I was able to meet great people who were willing to teach me and help me. I am thankful for the opportunity and would suggest this to anything interested in the film festival industry.

Journal 7

For the past week,  I have been researching partners for their Cinematters Festival that will begin in the middle of January. The Cinematters Festival is a social justice festival, bringing light to certain issues.  When doing this research,  I started by looking at other film festivals and their partners. Also, I read what each film was about and searched for any companies that were interested in the topics the films discussed. After I gathered all the information, I applied it to a spreadsheet and shared it. Other than that I have not did a lot because my supervisor is out the office. If anyone is interested in going to the Cinematters Festival here is more information: https://jccmanhattan.org/arts-film/film/cinematters

Journal 6

Last week Tuesday,  for the film festival I was in charge of opening the doors and letting the guest inside the auditorium for the screening of MUNA, a TV series. This series is about a Palestinian-Israeli photographer living in Tel Aviv, is on the verge of success. As the military operation in Gaza escalates, Muna is confronted with the complexity of her identity and relationships.  Then Thursday was the closing night of the 2019 Other Israel Film Festival. For the last night there was a red carpet, food, drinks, and a lot of special guest. The staff did not have me do as much as for the other two screening I participate in.  The only task I had was picking up the director of the film from her hotel and bring her to JCC Manhattan.  Her name is Ruth Walk and she came all the way from Israel to be apart the festival and present her film.

Journal 5

Tomorrow JCC's Other Israel festival is screening two episodes of Asylum City directed by Eitan Zur. This show is about a young social activist is found dead, and the main suspect is an asylum seeker who was seen leaving her apartment. The police officer who leads the murder investigation unravels a complex world of crime and corruption. Again I will be assisting with the set on the this screening and staying longer than I did before, directing people to there seats and more.  

Journal 4

Some days I am able to work from home. When I do, I am usually working or updating on excel sheets and researching more films that can be considered for one of their film festivals.  Other days I update information on their websites and checking for any errors. I am so happy I have this option.

Journal 3

Today is the opening night of JCC's Other Israel Festival. This festival focuses on Israeli and Palestinian societies and underrepresented  populations in Israel. As an intern, I have been running a lot of errands. This include set running to several stores to get certain items and setting up stations and food. For the opening film they are screening Advocate directed by Philippe Bellaiche and Rachel Leah Jones. This documentary is about a Jewish-Israeli lawyer who has represented political prisoners for nearly 50 years. In her tireless quest for justice, she defends Palestinians—from feminists to fundamentalists and nonviolent demonstrators to armed militants.  Also, this will be my first time attending a film festival which I am really excited about. Some other things they doing today are watching more submissions for their ReelAbilities Festival for 2020. This festival focuses on individuals with disabilities and their stories. Most on these films are heartbreaking but extremely informative .

Journal 2

This week I have been watching film submissions for Martin Luther King Jr. week for their CineMatters Film Festival.  This festival is all about bring light on social justice issue across the America. Some films focused on Voters Oppression, environmental issue in poor and colored communities, and how is it to be a Muslim in America. Many of these documentaries were very informative and I believe they will be to others. Once I finished watching all the submissions, I had a meeting with who is in charge of MLK week. She asked me what I thought about the films, which I liked the least and the most. 

Journal 1

So far I am really enjoying my internship at JCC Manhattan.  JCC Manhattan is a Jewish Community Center were they have programs, activities, and classes for all ages, as well a theatre.  Everyone there is friendly and helpful. As a film festival intern, it if my first time dealing with film festivals and learning how they are organized.  Since I started I have being reviewing tons of submission for their festivals as well as researching film. Other things I have done are reaching out to some directors to see if they want to participate in the film festivals they have. I have learned how to use ScreenSlate and and FilmFreeWay. Overall I am happy I am an intern there.