The Rendezvous International Film, Music and Gaming Festival combines all three elements for a one-of-a-kind experience!
RANDY BOWMAN CEO/CHAIR OF THE RENDEZVOUS FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
How does the infusion of Music set your festival apart from other film festivals?
Adding Music makes us an entertainment festival, which opens up all sorts of exciting opportunities to incorporate music throughout the Rendezvous with concerts as well as other venues including music videos. We have Actually added a 3rd Part to the Rendezvous Festival: Interactive Gaming (Designed for the Independent Gamer). By combining all three of these entertainment Elements together we are able to integrate and this makes us only the 2nd Festival in the U.S to include all of these mediums and the Largest Florida Entertainment Festival.
Do you have a favorite film that has showcased at your Festival?
There are many films that have stood out to me that we have been fortunate enough to screen at our festival over the years, but if I had to pick out of all of those, I would have to say it is a Short called "God of Love" by Luke Matheny. We showed this film back in 2011, a day before it won the Oscar for best Short. Since then we have grown a relationship with the Writer/Director Luke Matheny and his Mother is a member of our Festival.
Is there something in particular that you look for in submissions? Or are there multiple factors?
There are multiple factors that we look for in a submission and they are uniform throughout all categories both in US and International as well as Short, Feature, and Documentary. Each film is looked at and Judged by a 8 member Film Selection Committee. They Rate each film using a 10 Step Scoring process: Originality/Creativity, Direction, Writing, Cinematography, Performance, Production Value, Pacing, Structure, and Sound/Music.
What is your goal for your festival?
For everyone to have a positive experience, to enjoy the work of independent Film Makers/Gamers, and Musicians from around the world and for these artists to be able to present their work to audiences that they would not otherwise be able to. Also we provide a space where artists, investors, Industry Insiders and Film, Music and Gaming Lovers can all meet and cultivate relationships.
Do you have an interesting story or memory that has taken place during a past festival?
I have many great Memory and stories I could share during my 5 years with the festival. Most recently would be in January the festival worked with a NYU Student, Kiara C. Jones in the making of her first feature film, which was filmed locally in Jacksonville and Fernandina. The film took 17 days to shoot, several months to edit, premiered in NY City in Sept, and this coming Monday Dec 8th at 8pm it will be making its TV premier on BET. Be sure to catch "Christmas Wedding Baby," you will get to see several members of the Rendezvous Festival and some of the amazing venues we are lucky enough to use as well as catch a wonderful new Christmas Movie by a up and coming new director.
How is your festival received locally on Amelia Island?
The festival is well received, receiving support from local businesses, the owners of fantastic venues and the volunteers who help bring everything together. The Festival draws in around 10,000 people, some from the community and others from all over the world and this year we have expanded from 4 days to 9 days which will hopefully provide an even greater economic impact for the community.
Where do you see or would like to see your Festival in 5 years?
Tripling in size and becoming a mayor player with the larger film festivals like Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca.