Thanks for Noticing

Talk about a feel-good couple of days. So many of the gals who got our email thanked us. And while 'thanks' is not why we're doing this, 'thanks' sure makes us feel like we're doing something good.

Here are what some of you said. Thanks back at you.
Susan


What a delight to get such a thoughtful, generous e-mail from a film festival programmer! I truly admire your commitment to your mandate andn not only to recognizing and honoring the work of funny broads, but to maintaining the caring nature requisite for women to support women in this industry. It is beyond rare.

(What's beyond rare? Raw? Sushi? There's a joke here, but I digress...)

thanks so much for the nice email. you have no idea how cool it is just to have someone say hey we got your film we may even watch it!!!

(Not watch it? That's a sad thought. Rest assured, we watch them all.)


Thanks for your warm and informative e-mail. ROCK ON!

(Don't mention it. Okay, mention it. Thanks for taking the time to reply)

I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for the kind letter you sent to fellow filmmakers and screenwriters last week. It was a much appreciated email. :)

And here's a letter we really appreciated for its balanced view of the whole process of festival selection.

Dear Susan,

Thank you so much! What a great email. I truly appreciate it. I always want festivals to at least acknowledge and thank me for my submission (I find it amazing that some festivals cash your check and never acknowledge you in any way -- all I want is just two words -- thank you) but your email went above and beyond that. Just to acknowledge what a lot of work it is to write a screenplay, never mind making a whole film -- well that speaks volumes to me.

Of course I'm hoping so much to be included in your festival but I won't take it personally if not selected. Another filmmaker and I have compared notes and found that while we both go accepted and rejected to some of the same festivals, that there were some festivals he got in that I didn't and vice versa. It made me realize it didn't mean one of our films was "better" than the other, just that the selection process is so subjective and one film that may work for one festival or impress some screeners, may not do as well for another festival or other screeners. I don't think a film exists that everyone likes.

I don't want to ramble on because I know you have tons of work to do and don't need to be spending time reading emails! Which leads me to say thank you for putting all your heart and soul into this festival to make it happen. I appreciate that greatly. And thank you for offering to speak to us about our films, whether we are selected or not. It tells me that you are truly passionate about filmmaking and that you just want to help us make the best films we can.

Well, happy screening and best wishes in putting together the festival!