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Kristofer Rommel is a local independent filmmaker who created the Derby City Film Festival. This Saturday, November 14th, he is hosting the Kentucky Film and Music Festival which showcases documentary films with a music theme from filmmakers in the state of Kentucky. The film fest will begin at 11am at the Clifton Arts Center and go into the evening with bands performing. I managed to speak with him about the fest. What is your background in film? KR: Theater background. Directing, writing, and producing. B.A. Theater Murray State and Associates in Business and Associates in Paralegal. In regards to film I'm self-taught. The problem I have with film schools is that you pay $30,000 to go and make a short film. I made my short film “Road Signs” when I was 22. After I made my first I started my own production company and have won 8 national awards. My last film, “Someday I Suppose” was made in 2005. How was this started? KR: Originally applied for the Al Smith Fellowship. They put out a call for submissions from non-profit organizations. Cindy and I wrote a proposal but it got turned down. We then proposed a 'documentary' only festival and we tied in with music and the weekend was available. We wanted to showcase indie music as well as films. How does this compare to other festivals? KR: Documentaries seems to have a wider appeal than say the Asian film fest. Documentaries seem to be subject-oriented as opposed to catering to a smaller group of people. You don't see too many non-Jewish people at the Jewish film fest, or too many white people at an Asian film fest, or too many straight people at the lesbian and gay film fest. We wanted to get all: black, white, 18-55, etc. to come. Who is involved in this festival? KR: Myself and wife Ashley, the Clifton Center, John Gage, and Cindy Agleberg of the Clifton Arts Center. Who is sponsoring this event? KR: Crave Cafe on Frankfort Ave, they'll be selling food during the festival. Mom's Music. Heine Bros. BBC Taproom. Were any of the films judged? KR: No. Because of the limited time and proposal submission... I put out my own call to filmmakers I knew. We're hoping to get films that not only are films from Kentucky filmmakers but those tied to music. What are the categories? KR: None. Just from a Kentucky filmmaker or on a Kentucky-related subject. How many films will be shown? KR: Seven. Why should people attend? KR: First and foremost you'll help support the growing film community in Louisville. The second you'll be supporting filmmakers from Kentucky. You'll be seeing what filmmakers in Kentucky are doing, the quality of films. You'll be able to hear great music from the area. There are guitar, drum, and studio workshops. If people don't want to watch a film, they can go attend a workshop or listen to a band. There's a lot to do for a Saturday in Louisville. What was the first movie that got you interested in movies? KR: “Terminator 2” I remember reading the article in Premiere Magazine. June 1991. I just graduated middle school and was on a trip to Florida. It was interesting because the article talked about the technical side of the film. I've always been a technical, behind-the-scenes person. What's your favorite movie? KR: “South Park: The Movie” or “The Matrix.” “South Park” more for musical aspect and “Matrix” because it's one of the greatest sci-fi films in the post-”Star Wars” era. Least favorite movie? KR: “Van Helsing.” Typifies everything that's wrong with Hollywood -that much money, press, etc. There's nothing entertaining about that. It's just a bad movie. There are others -worst story, worst acting- but this is bad overall. If you were stuck on an island with one movie, what would it be? KR: “Aliens.” It's not the greatest, but for some reason I can watch it. If there's nothing else on TV, I will always watch that. Any final thoughts? KR: It should be really fun. I think it'll showcase if you want to come see and know where Kentucky stands at least in regards to doc films, this will be a good chance to do it. There is a wide variety. One is on an obscure musician, one is a concert film, etc. No green-screen or effects; just technique to tell a story. To see where Kentucky stands on a national level. One final note: the Kentucky Film and Music Festival is one of four film fests associated with the Clifton Arts Center. The other three are Derby City Film Festival in February, Wonderfest Film Festival in April, and an African-American Film Festival this summer. To recap: Kentucky Film and Music Festival Saturday, November 14, 2009. Doors open at 10. First film, workshop, and music at 11am. Clifton Arts Center on 2117 Payne Street Tickets are: Day pass: $15, Evening Pass: $12, Whole Day Pass: $25 For more information on the Kentucky Film and Music Festival, check out their website at: Clifton Arts Center/KY Film and Music Or e-mail Kristofer Rommel at derbycityfilmfest@yahoo.com Be sure to listen to Derby City Film Chat on Blogtalk Radio at: Derby City Film Chat

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