Burbank International Film Festival (BIFF)

The Burbank International Film Festival is an independent film festival, specializing in support of indie filmmakers. The following is an interview with Burbank International Film Festival executive producers Adrian Iniguez and Brandon Scott Kurtz.

KNOCKERS– Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to join us in this interview this evening!

BRANDON– No problem, thanks for the interview.

K– It’s our pleasure. Tell us a little bit about the Burbank International Film Festival.

ADRIAN– The Burbank International Film Festival is a GREAT non-profit organization that I am proud to be a part of. BIFF is in its 3rd year of existence in the city of Burbank, “The Entertainment Capital of the World”

B– oh and we have been named on two different sites as one of the top 10 script competitions. 

K– That’s pretty impressive! What are some of the submission categories?

B– Feature Films, Feature Foreign Films, Feature Animations (new category), Short Films, Social Conscious Documentaries, Music Videos, Commercials, Webisodes, and similar short categories. We want to see all genres as well from Horror to Western, Comedy to Drama, Sci-Fi to Superhero.

K– Sounds like you have something to offer for everyone!

B– We like to be extremely diverse. personally I enjoy all types of movies so the more diverse the better. We are even looking to open a 3d category we had one 3d film last year

K– What separates your festival from other independent film festivals?

A– we truly are an INTERNATIONAL film festival. We strive on having indie foreign entries from around the world and here in the US. This year we had filmmakers attend from Japan, Australia, Finland, Europe, South America, Canada and Mexico. Although our title says “International“, we still focus on our LOCAL filmmakers. We try and make the attendees feel like family before and during the event. The film makers have 100% access to the 3 of us (producers) to discuss any matter that needs attention.

K– Sounds pretty hip. So, we’ve been hearing that the Burbank International Film Festival is becoming known for it’s support towards independent filmmakers. Would you say this is accurate?

B– Yes, we try to support the indie filmmaker as a non-profit. We know what the filmmakers go through and how every dollar counts.

K– Are you filmmakers yourselves?

B– I have worked in the industry in Los Angeles in the Grip and Electric departments as well as the camera department. I have been a still photographer since 1993 and produced a small student music video. I worked on numerous student and indie film sets as well as working on larger budget pictures.

A– No, I am an architect. But as an architect, I have had to create 3d animation walk-thrus of buildings and surrounding elements. The “films” ranged from 5 minutes to 60 minutes of images and music that had to be edited together.

K– What is your role with the BIFF?

A– I am 1 of 3 Executive Producers of the film festival along with Brandon Kurtz and Robert Whitell. My responsibility ranges from Programming Coordinator to Event and Space planner of the venues, liaison between the City of Burbank and BIFF, and much more. Its safe to say I wear different hats for the film festival as well.

B– Aside from executive producer, I wear many hats for BIFF. I handle a majority of the design work for BIFF as well as help bring in sponsors, network and play a major role in executing the event. During the off season I handle a majority of the correspondence with the filmmakers who are submitting their films, as well as distributing the films to various judges who rate the films on a scale range based on production value, editing, acting, storyline, consistency and make note of what pictures should be up for awards in their category or genre. I also run my own design and printing company while I am not working for BIFF.

K– Would you be so kind as to briefly highlight the advantages that independent filmmakers will enjoy by entering their work into film festivals, and even more specifically, the BIFF?

B– Each filmmaker should take advantage of film festivals; being an official selection at multiple film festivals gives a film their badges of honor. It means it is a well traveled film with a good response. A lot of distribution companies visit film festivals to pick up films and bring them into the mainstream. Filmmakers who win in their categories here at BIFF not only get an award and Laurel, we have sponsors that give us Film Stock, Software, Services and more which we then give to the filmmakers. So filmmakers get their projects viewed by a large audience and they have the ability to win thousands of dollars in software or services. We also see films that have followings and end up filling the theater just on buzz alone. The most important thing a filmmaker should remember is to help the film festivals by gaining press about their film and the play dates. Promote Promote Promote! Also, it is Burbank’s 100th year and the city is pumping up all local events. We really want to make this year something special!

K– I agree, film festivals can be extremely advantageous for up and coming, as well as veteran filmmakers. So what can indie filmmakers expect while attending the BIFF?

A– The filmmaker can expect a fun filled busy week of non-stop events. We had seminars for the film makers with the some of the most recognized names in the film industry. We had Tom Holman, Steve Welke and Lugh Powers for example. We also had a Music Festival that featured 29 bands that played throughoutt the week and an entire day of only music for the filmmakers and community to enjoy .

K– Would you say it is possible to score a distribution deal at BIFF?

A– It’s a great feeling to walk through the DVD section of say a Best Buy and see a film that screened at BIFF. Just yesterday I was browsing NETFLIX and saw another movie that we screened. We also have our filmmakers send us updates on how their films are doing.

B– Anything is possible, it all depends on how each filmmaker uses their time at the festival we certainly invite distribution companies and give them passes.

K– Are there guest/celebrity speakers in attendance at your festival?

A– We had sooo many this year! Mark Rydell, Barry Primus, Harland Williams, just to name a few.

K– What advice would you give to young filmmakers looking to get their movie to the masses?

B– Budget for film submission fees, always follow directions, and make sure your film plays before you send it out. Also, make sure you set it for the right region. Send your DVD in a case, don’t just throw your disc in an envelope. This is your project, your baby, make sure you package it like it is something you care about. Also help the film festivals by donating time, promoting your film to the markets of viewers who will show up to the see the film. Some of the filmmakers that stick out in my mind from 2010 are the ones who made it a point to approach us and talk to us about their experiences, not just at our festival but at others as well. When we hear about things they liked or disliked at festivals they visited, we are able to adapt a few of those things.

K– Are you currently registered with WithoutABox?

A– Yes, we are.

K– Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about yourself or the Burbank International Film Festival?

B– We not only have films and seminars. Last year we had 29 indie musicians perform. We plan on having more music in 2011 as well! BIFF just recently sat on a panel with other film festival producers at Video Symphony’s Pizza and Post which we now are involved in. So we have monthly Pizza and Post events and we have a Legendary Bingo Event coming up in February.

K– Well, Brandon, Adrian, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. The Burbank International Film Festival sure sounds like a great time.

B– Thank you for the interview and it was our pleasure to talk to you about the festival!

For more information on the Burbank International Film Festival, you can check out their website here: BIFF Official Website

Also, check out Brandon Scott Kurtz’s photography by following this link.