Mondo Party Blast

May 27, 2009
Hong Kong Reception
This was a smallish gathering at Boom Noodle, where I have never been before. I arrived and was met by Nancy Kennedy (SIFF Director of Development), who handed me a ticket and said “Your first drink is on SIFF!” Ah, for those days of non-stop boozing…but a drink ticket is still welcome. I opted for a cranberry kaze, which was quite tasty.

Then an array of food was set out, all of it good. Chilled tofu; salmon; various salads; little tacos with something I couldn’t identify; a delicious bean dip.

It was a small-scale event — wisely, because of the size of the space — and I actually spent most of my time sitting and talking with this year’s head of PR (or, officially, “Communications Manager”) Ted Fry, who also bought me a second kaze; most welcome. A photographer took many photos of the food spread before people tucked into it. A camera crew hovered, filming Carl Spence. Deb Person was also at hand. SIFF is apparently going well, with no appreciable downturn in ticket sales.

The only other excitement is that I managed to acquire a program.

May 28, 2009
“Gay-la”

This party followed the screening of Patrik Age 1.5, which I did not see. It was at Neighbors, where I hadn’t been in some years. It used to be a gay bar. It supposedly still is, but now attracts more of what they called a “mixed” crowd, because there is no other dance club on Capitol Hill. A young girlie and her gang (none of whom looked old enough to be in a 21-and-over establishment to my jaded eye) told me it was her favorite place to dance “because they play all the new music.”

I arrived and got my drink tickets. I made the mistake of getting one of the “SIFF Cocktails,” this one called a Sunshine Cooler, I think. It had rum (there’s a rum sponsor this year you see), and was too sweet for my tastes — even though the next drink I got was a rum and coke! There was healthy food set up, pitas from the Pita Pit (thoughtfully labeled as to what they were), and various salads.

Music was playing at a comfortable level, but they soon kicked up the bass, unfortunately. There also weren’t that many in attendance. One passholder told me she’d actually missed the end of the movie she’d been seeing to get here on time as last year there was a line around the door waiting to get in. No problem with that this year… I chatted to some passholders and met a few new ones. Chatted to the ever amenable Ted Fry, and Jason Plourde of Three Dollar Bill Cinema, who regaled us with tales of attending the Cannes Film Festival. The young girlie mentioned above insisted I come on the dance floor with her (she couldn’t persuade her friends to follow), so who was I to refuse. The event, unlike other SIFF parties was open to the public, you just had to pay to get in. I debated buying another drink, but stepped outside instead. Was told by the smokers outside that things would probably pick up “around 11:30 or so.” As it was only 10:30, I decided to depart. I heard later that things never really did “pick up,” though Passholder Poppe burned up the dance floor.

May 29, 2009
Alternate Cinema Party

This was a late night party, not starting until 10:30 pm. I was a bit worried there might be a replay of last night when I arrived to a lightly populated, quiet Northwest Film Forum, but things soon picked up. Little food: little bread and pita, hummus, cheese. Beer and wine was available with a donation requested.

Met Kathy Fennessy and Passholder Bill on arrival; Bill graciously paid for the first round of drinks. Saw singer (and current Antioch student) Mia Boyle. Spoke with Jason P. again, as well as programmers Justine Barda and Maryna Ajaja. Also someone from guest relations (forgot the name), bemoaning the fact that press is banned from the Hospitality Suite (unless invited); it was always a good way to chat with folks about their movies. There was a DJ and go-go dancers in mini skirts frugging on the stairwell; fun! In the “food room” (the smaller theater) I chatted with Jacqueline Brennan, director of the short Botnik!, which I didn’t see. On mentioning music we listened to, I said I’d recently been getting into Howlin’ Wolf, which prompted a lively discussion on the blues and how the older recording techniques and quality made the music sound quite spooky.

I would’ve hung out longer, but I work on the weekends and didn’t want to stay out too late.

May 31, 2009
SIFF Shorts Awards

I nearly missed this party, as it was at 11 pm. Which would’ve been a shame as I had a great time! This party had the best food to date. Pita and hummus of course. Also big fat strawberries, with chocolate to dip them in, and other fruit. Some meats and cheeses. Three different pasta dishes. And all the wine and champagne you could drink!

The main event was the announcing of the awards: Narrative Grand Jury Prize, Short Term 12, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Special Jury Prizes to Lowland Fell, directed by Michael Kinirons and Next Floor, directed by Denis Villeuneueve, Animation Grand Jury Prize, Photograph of Jesus, directed by Laurie Hill, Documentary Grand Jury Prize, The Herd, directed by Ken Wardrop.

Confirmed with Programming Manager Beth Barrett that she is indeed the voice for the “35 Club” promo film. Met one of the shorts jurists, John Jeffcoat through Peggy Case, who I knew back where there was a “women in cinema” type group in Seattle. She also produced The Immaculate Conception of Little Drizzle. It was good to catch up. Noticed that Carl Spence and Deb Person have taken the time to drop in at every party. Chatted with Passholders Bic, Poppe, and Brian. Had a long talk with a Brit director Cristian Solimeno, whose short Love was in the Fest. All visiting directors I’ve talked to have been dazzled by the size of SIFF and pleased to be able to have the time to check out other films. Louie (The Cove) Psihoyos said “It’s not a film festival, it’s a film season.” Learned there had been some confusion about the music event at Neumo’s following Icons Among Us on Sat. Passholders thought they’d be able to get in, but they couldn’t (without paying). While apparently a table of food specially earmarked for SIFF-ees languished inside.

By the end, waitstaff was going around the room dispensing champagne, so it was easy to have a glass or two more than you wanted. Meaning everyone was in a merry mood. I ended up staying till after one.