AV News 197 - August 2014
A n A u s s ie in G a rd a , Ita ly
Barb Butler AV-AAPS SSAPS
I travelled to beautiful Garda, from Melbourne, for the 2nd
Citta di Garda International AV Festival, a little unsure of
myself as I have just a very basic understanding of Italian,
but with smiles and hand gestures it all seems to work.
One cannot help but be impressed by the venue,
Palazzo Rudini Carlotti - with its adjacent FIAF Gallery of
fine photographic art and views to the lakeside.
The three judges arrived, Christine
President
Festival
Mathon,
International de l’Image France,
Fulvio Merlak BFI AFIAP, Honourable
President of FIAF and Lorenzo De
Francesco
AV-BFI,
Director
of
Audiovisual Service FIAP.
Just a final check of systems, a warm welcome from Lorenzo de Francesco
and it was down to business with 93 AVs to be viewed. The program ran
perfectly, and as usual, being an AV enthusiast, I was completely absorbed. I
was at a disadvantage with many sequences, not knowing either French or
Italian, but it is true that so much can be told and understood with pictures.
However, it did make me think that in future I really should add subtitles if
entering work in a European festival. It helps the audience even if the judges
don't need it.
I was particularly interested in the way this Festival was judged, firstly by
having each judge look at the work in their own time and giving preliminary
marks. Then on judging day those marks were projected and the audience
could see those marks change as the judges discussed and reconsidered their
marks. Each sequence was given much careful consideration which I thought
was very refreshing. Then, of course, further discussion took place in private
before the awards were finalised. I have long felt that AVs with their many
facets need more time to be appreciated, and this seems to be a good way to
do that.
The 93 AVs kept me interested all through, with a variety of topics, but I did
notice considerably more of a political nature and those dealing with situations
of conflict than we would normally see in Australia. There were very few in both
the Humour and Natural History categories, as is the case in Australia.
So to sum up. I spent a very enjoyable time at the Festival and greatly
enjoyed the opportunity to meet friendly people, especially Christine and
Lorenzo, both of whom I had corresponded with previously. BUT - where were
the audience? I am still surprised at how few people came to enjoy 2-1/2 days
of amazing AVs in such stunning surroundings.
I guess we in Australia are used to travelling great distances.
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