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Placid Film Festival Reconfiguring Itself Story by Casey
Ryan Vock
For the last five years, Lake Placid has experienced an influx of tourism during the month of June, but not because of its popular attractions—the mountainous terrain, rugged bike trails, and the Olympic memories. The crowds are not hunters, fishermen, ski bums, thrill-seeking sports nuts, or maple syrup aficionados. They are movie-buffs, coming to Lake Placid with a mission: to view independent and foreign films at the nationally acclaimed Lake Placid Film Festival. This summer, however, those folks won't be coming. There will be no flock of film critics, aspiring producers, directors, and scriptwriters traveling to the mountains. To the dismay of many, this year's festival, ranked by indieWIRE as one of the best film festivals in the country, has been canceled due to a lack of funding. "We do not have the resources to present a first-class event this June as we have done in the past," Adirondack Film Society Chairman Nelson Page explained in a press release. The Film Society directs and organizes the event. They have attracted many famous guests in the past, such as actor Matthew Modine, actress Kyra Sedgwick, screenwriter John Sayles, and Oscar-nominated Martin Scorsese. "The Lake Placid Film Festival has been a premiere cultural event for the community of Lake Placid," Nini Hadjis said
Kathleen Carroll, Artistic Director of the Film Society, said the festival would have never started without the enthusiastic support of the local residents. She said their energy and commitment, both as workers and patrons, helped bring the festival to life. Carroll is one of the society's founding members. Other members include novelist Russell Banks and sculptor Naj Wikoff, who is also head of the Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities. "The Lake Placid Film Festival has been a premiere cultural event for the community of Lake Placid," film society managing director Nini Hadjis said. Last year, about 4,200 tickets to films were purchased. In 2003, 6,000 were sold to eager movie-lovers. "[This year] we were not able to raise the required funds," she explained. The projected goal was $200,000. The festival itself typically screens more than 60 films, which are mostly held at the historic Palace Theater. Some films are also held at the Hilton. With festival passes draped around their necks, people stroll between the different events going on. The festival typically includes many different panels and forums for writers, actors, and directors where certain topics can be openly discussed. In the past, they have held special events, like the Silent Film Festival, in the tradition of the first films ever produced. They have also offered master-level classes for students enrolled in film schools. Hadjis said that even though the festival will not happen this year, the Film Society is still making plans for special screenings and programs to be held in the late summer and fall. Hadjis says the cancellation is a disappointment, but she acknowledges that delaying for more thorough preparation is a good decision. "This gives us a chance to rebuild, plan, and fundraise throughout the year," Hadjis explained.
"This gives us a chance to rebuild, plan, and fundraise throughout the year," Hadjis explained. She said the same people and places will probably sponsor the festival again in the future, as long as the Film Society can raise the funds to hold it. Sponsors in 2004 included companies like Amtrak, Kodak, Michelob, and Dewar's. James McKenna, director and CEO of the Lake Placid/Essex County Chamber of "It takes a number of years to cultivate an image and an appeal," he explained. "This break may affect the festival's growth." McKenna said the festival has yet to become a major economic contributor to Lake Placid, but acknowledges that it is an event the Chamber of Commerce definitely wants to encourage. "There is some economic activity that will be missed due to the festival's absence," he explained. "That is a good time of the year for Lake Placid to grow. The festival broadens our cultural activities, bringing in a different kind of tourism." Jonathan James of Plattsburgh attended the festival in 2002 and in 2004. "As a fan of independent films, this [the cancellation] is very disappointing," James said. "There are so few chances to see good indie and foreign films in our region without driving to Burlington or Montreal." James thinks it was nice to have something so exquisite in northern New York. He said the highlight of last year's festival was John Favreau's conversation with renowned film director Martin Scorsese. The two men sat in front of an audience and talked about directing, writing, inspiration, and a slew of other topics. The interview was taped and televised by the Independent Film Channel.
"It's not every day in the North Country that you are able to listen to someone like that speak," James said. "It's a shame because it may have a negative effect on the festival being planned for next year." Hopefully that will not be the case. The Adirondack Film Society is determined to put on an even more impressive festival in 2006. Perhaps the festival will establish a new reputation then. But for now, the vast number of film fanatics hoping for a midsummer binge will have to cancel their hotel reservations and tell the baby-sitter the deal is off. There will be no entering the Adirondacks this June. They will just have to wait until next year.
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"We wanted to build a concept where people who are passionate about films can come together and learn from each other," -Russell Banks on founding the society Five Program Areas of the Adirondack Film Society
Adirondack Film Festival Advisory Board
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