This article will be highlighting the key takeaways from Mia Falstein-Rush’s presentation surrounding the festival experience, especially the first half of her presentation. With Mia’s extensive involvement in areas of operations and programming, her perspective was invaluable in aiding with the processes in which we are currently undertaking as a team for our festival. Furthermore, her personal narrative allowed me to critically examine my own professional brand and how I will be proceeding with my career.

From the outset you could see that her approach to engaging with festivals was wide reaching. She attested to the opportunities available to those who wish to enter a career in film festivals. This included getting involved with festival volunteering. She stated that by partaking in volunteering you can gain in-depth operational perspectives of film festivals.

Mia said one of the core premises of engaging in film festivals included the belief in the power of film as a medium. In that it truly has the ability to change and shape the world. Film festivals can create value added experiences for audiences; this can include unique screening experiences, festival events, networking, community building, and recognition for filmmakers.

Mia believed that film festivals were a catalyst for changing the landscape ‘on’ and ‘off’ the screen. This ultimately led to the conception of her first film festival, ‘Seen & Heard Melbourne’. This festival highlighted the discrepancies between men and women in the film industry. Including the lack of women behind the camera; especially in roles such as directors, producers and writers. Because of this discrepancy she was able to formulate the festival ‘why’. In other words how curators must frame their own core values to that of the  festivals mission and values.