Reasons I wanted to start Transfiguration International Film Festival:

  • I love curation and it is something I am genuinely passionate about. I think sometimes good curation and context is make-or-break for some work.

  • I spend so much time every year programming for Slamdance and finding new work I love through various avenues, that I have a ridiculously big backlog of films and filmmakers I love, and I want to do something to showcase them.

  • I have been watching independent and experimental film for over 15 years, and as such have a lot of favorite artists, and favorite films, that I feel have gone unrecognized, which makes me sad.

  • I think more directors should be making a conscious effort to curate and program work they like, because I believe curation is stronger when someone has their own artistic point of view.

  • I think the traditional film festival format is getting stale, and there should be more attempts to make it interesting.

It doesn’t mean anything in this era to say “just put it online”. All distribution methods are suppressed, controlled, monitored and corporatized. It’s getting harder and harder for work that breaks the mold to be seen even in what used to be “nontraditional distribution”. The internet is completely different now than it was even 4 years ago, and I don’t believe art can truly thrive here, and at the very least needs real-life components to allow for thoughtful engagement with work + avenues to discover new work. I’m saying this as someone who makes my living from posting my art online!

So it’s up to us to make a counterculture with our bare hands. In my opinion the way this happens is if more people are encouraged to make art and film, both thru seeing a diverse interesting selection, and knowing there’s avenues for their work to be seen.

For me- counterculture in 2024 is going to look different than it has before. A counterculture I support is going to be sincere, empathetic, encouraging, based in fostering community.

No more algorithms, no more AI, no more networking, snooty job hunting and corporate ass kissing, no more gate keeping.. Wake up ! ! !

Let’s be worldwide people, let’s start giving a shit, and wake up from the bad dream! ! ! OK? ? ?