So yesterday my crew and I had our 48 hour film screened at The Directors Guild of America & we were all so excited about it. On the website they made the festival look insanely prestigious and we had had made the top 16 which seemed like a big deal to us at the time. We got there and had a panel & CEO Richard Botto of stage 32 was there speaking to the young film makers in the audience. He spoke about festivals & particularly sketchy film festivals & how they take so much money from young film makers bc It can look like a big opportunity for them. As long as they have a good professional looking website right? Wrong unfortunately... So then the awards ceremony starts and the 48 hour staff could not keep an organized show for their lives. They kept messing up the screening for nominees and when the CEO of the 48 hour festival went on stage to announce best director he announced best actor which was already called right before that. So after the 3 and a half hours of watching mostly horrible films there was about 10 people left in the theater. Nobody came back on stage to announce the peoples choice award! or the second runner up award. Which was so clearly stated on the 48hr site. So I guess there isn't an award for that anymore?? They didn't even come up and thank everyone for coming. Anyway things didn't get heated until after the event when we had to ask a staff member where the after party was because apparently It was an off location after party which was never stated ANYWHERE in the prior emails or on the website. The staff member didn't even know so she had to ask somebody else which is when they told us that afterparty will be at Skybar on Sunset. It was late but we were determined to go because we were a little skeptical about the festival but the after party was where we would pass out business cards and hopefully make some connections. Also me and my 5 friends all paid almost $80 extra to get a VIP ticket which got us closer seating, and a ticket into the after party which included a free drink. We finally find parking and get inside Skybar and obviously they don't let any of us into the party because we are all under 21. They never told us that when we purchased the way more expensive tickets! and It's a Student Festival! We were all really looking to make those connections and I'm sure many other people were too. So then we get the CEO of the 48 hour film project to come over and talk with us. (Fransecco Vitaly) He comes over and tells us we cannot get in and that he's sorry but that's how it works. Then we asked him for a refund and to show us where on the website it says the after party is at Skybar. we pull up the site for him and he cannot show us where any of that information is because I'm positive it was never there. At this point we just wanted a refund for the difference between the VIP tickets and the GA tickets ($82) The man was so rude and he just walked away while we were trying to talk to him. We asked the bouncer to ask him to come back but he then declined. Our night was over and it was honestly an embarrassment for the many family members my friends and I brought out. And for us as well. I wouldn't be writing this if it was just me who was hurt. I can't imagine the feelings from more than half the crowd who all flew out from all around the world. It seem's the more festivals I get into the more I'm just getting scammed into seeing my film on the big screen and simply taking home a certificate. If anyone read this thanks for sticking to the end and hearing my thoughts. I really hope this doesn't happen to more filmmakers like myself.
Anything Goes : 48 Film Project SCANDAL by Carter Dawson
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1 person likes this
that's straight up bullshit. Surprising that DGA building and their officers would assemble a scam festival.
Just dumb to have a student festival and then have an after party at a bar.
Dear friend.
First of all, you need to know in which festival you did participate.
We are not the 48 hour festival, nor the 48-hour film, and we are the 48FILM Project and the 48 ISFF festival. So you are a little confused still.
But to accusing us writing lies and wrongful information regarding our staff and associates are at least unethical on your part.
But still, I can understand the youth of your aggressiveness.
First of all, it was stated on our website and on eventbright.com which you are purchasing your tickets.
* to attend the after awards party at the SKYBAR you need to be 21+, and an ID is required to enter the party.
One of the worst feelings for filmmakers is the disappointment that surrounds the opening of a dreaded rejection from a film festival. Many of us feel that festivals are the key to our success and growth as filmmakers so naturally, when we don’t get accepted, it can be a tough pill to swallow. It is not the same with us. For us, everyone is a winner even by creating a short film. Moreover to be able to screen his short in a prestigious venue, like the house of the more significant directors of our times. The Directors Guild of America.
For more than 10 years I have presided over 48FILM Project, and had the pleasure for more than 30 years through my career of meeting some of the world’s most exciting and entertaining people in this business. Young or veteran, aspiring or established filmmakers were bursting with energy, passion, and talent.
To be in my position to have been touched by so many makes my job, entirely just, the best in the whole damn world.
Unfortunately, some filmmakers never spend any time researching the profile of the festival they are submitting to and then complain bitterly of why they weren’t selected.
Every year at every festival something goes wrong. It’s part of screening at a festival. Even very reputable festival and competitions such as the Oscars, mistakes are hard to avoid. (Who don't remember last year when they gave the Award to a wrong nominee who then had to give it back to the right winner?)
I tried to communicate with you at the party and kindly explained to you the rules and regulation to attend the party. That is the federal law, people under 21yo not to enter a bar or a venue that is offering alcohol.
Unfortunately when I was trying to communicate you were extorsion to write bad reviews for us, cursing, yelling and continuously interrupt me without listening what I have to say, or to offer you. I walked away as always do when I'm dealing with unpolite people like you.
But still, I do not hold lousy feeling in my heart. You are very young, and I'm pretty sure you've learned your lessons like all of us in your age.
The 48FILM Project and the 48 ISFF (Independent Short Film Festival) Screening & Awards ceremony at the Directors Guild of America it was an inspiring success! Thanks to our very talented filmmakers from all over the globe who inspire us each year.
Good luck to you, and wishing you the best in the future!
here is also on our official website.
1 person likes this
Look Mr. Vitaly, at that point my crew and I didn't even want to get into your afterparty because you and your friends were pretty much the ONLY ones there. All that talk about connections with "hollywood film moguls" However, It seems as if you got to the bar before anyone else and forgot to announce the last awards of your OWN festival! Runner up, Second Runner up, and Peoples choice Award. Why were these never called!? It's the only reason we sat through the last 2 acts! Which were over an hour each! & obviously peoples choice is picked at the end! But instead of announcing any awards, they closed the screen, turned off the lights and left us in an EMPTY theatre with the only option to leave the festival. The sad truth is we were all really mistreated by the CEO of the 48, and not just my crew.
2 people like this
Thats a long walk from DGA building to Skybar. Or $40 parking.
Thank you for showing you real level! People now are able to judge you accordingly.
1 person likes this
You're taking tons of money from hundreds of young unwealthy film makers! Most of which had to fly out with false hope & end up empty promises. So people can judge me as the will. And hopefully some will see that your festival is not all that it's cut out to be.
As a two time competitor in the 48Film project, I can safely say that I never felt scammed or cheated. As far as people spending a lot of money flying in, I can fully understand that as I come from Montreal, but I made that decision to spend the money to fly out.
As far as this being a student festival, I do not know where you heard this from. It’s always been advertised as any level, anyone around the world can try, competition. Which at the end of the day is what this competition is about. Bringing everyone from all walks of life together to compete and have a good time. It’s an equal opportunity challenge for everyone.
That’s just my 2 cents, I saw the post and felt the need to defend a competition that has treated me well. Through this competition I have met and became friends with some very unique and great people. I wish you luck in the future Carter.
1 person likes this
I appreciate that and honestly that’s all we hoped would come out of this competition. However there was no time set for us to meet anyone else attending the festival except for the afterparty but about 80% the crowd had left before the last act of films. Either way we truly felt cheated putting beside the fact it was a great experience making the film & watching it on the big screen.
4 people like this
I'm going to have to side with Carter. How many film festivals are about making money for the festival owner/organizers? As well as an opportunity to make a name for themselves.
3 people like this
Carter Dawson You were short-changed by this film fest & you had the courage to post about it. Bravo. Do NOT give up your dreams because of a speed-bump. Good luck to you. May the next experience be advantageous.
2 people like this
Thanks for posting, filmmakers beware!