By: Tammy Austin
Sometimes when I meander through the OLLI list of classes I see something entirely unexpected. The 2023 Spring Catalog had that surprise. They were offering the Sedona International Film Festival.
Just a few years earlier I had only by chance attended the Boulder Film Festival. I was nearly certain that my friends would love this similar Sedona offering as much as I had my first festival. Little did I know the value add of this being offered through OLLI. Since that first year, even more friends are now joining us.
We packed the car, honestly I overpacked the car, and we made our way north from Phoenix. I have been to Sedona many times. But that first glimpse of those stunning red rock hills fills most with complete awe. About another fifteen minutes going up 89-A, you’re inside a canyon of jagged red rock mountains. It only gets more beautiful the further you make your way in. Now add the lovely surprise of a dusting of snow.
I cannot say I was entirely shocked to learn that most attendees were seeing 4-6 films. For whatever reason, my friends and I dove in headfirst: four films each day over each of our three days. If the truth be told, it was a bit exhausting but still exhilarating in some wild crazy committed way. We didn’t even know that we had become groupies. Every year we say we will do fewer films and every year we do just as many, but go up a day earlier. Like I said….old lady groupies!
Our gang of about 20-25 assembled at a nearby hotel which offers a hot breakfast. Each morning between films we were led by the deft, cerebral and articulate Dr. Kevin Sandler, Director of Film Studies at ASU. Kevin (as he offers to us for ease) has a way of listening first and then through research, and a deep understanding of the hows and whys of filmmaking, helps us to see things entirely beyond our mind’s grasp. Many of us have expressed that this richness follows us after the festival. Our view has been altered, widened. In short…we have learned a few things.
Kevin was joined by Jared Swerzenski, OLLI’s Director, who assists in keeping us organized and supports whatever needs arise. SIFF (as we affectionately now call the festival) was first pitched to OLLI by Jared…..and as they say, the rest is history.
Most films offer a talkback with either writers, directors, or subjects about whom the film has been written. There are some party offerings which are filled with creatives. There are even filmmaking workshops. One that I particularly enjoyed was about procuring funding across multiple sources. Even Arizona has some budget for this purpose.
We all come from different backgrounds. Think…..lively…..not quite combative….but opinions are expressed. It helps to get out of our own heads and explore other perspectives. The group humbles me and my friends. Each attendee has their own perspective, informed by their diverse range of knowledge and life experience.
The Sedona Film Festival started in 1995 as just a three day festival. Now over its nine days each year, somewhere between 10,000-15,000 people descend on Sedona. The whole town is abuzz, so reservations are a must.
If you venture out to local coffee shops and the like, you are likely to have conversations and overhear things…well it is Sedona. Think chakras, energy fields and a whole lot more! The locals run the gamut and will talk to you about anything and everything! Imagine a ukulele playing singer songwriter at 9:00 in the morning. One cannot make this up!
Patrick Schweiss is the SIFF Executive Director now for 21 years. Imagine the most organized, problem solver on his feet, passionate person. Now add to this your favorite animated theater friend from high school. You got it, Patrick is a stunningly talented fundraiser and communicator, with a galant can do attitude in the face of whatever is thrown at him. How he does all that he does makes me keep looking around for his body double. He even took the time to welcome our group and answer all of our festival questions at our hotel breakfast.
Over 1,500 films were reviewed, and about 150 made the cut. They are from every genre, many countries, varied in length and subject matter. We had the opportunity to vote after each film, and at the festival's end there were published awards. From various film festivals where an offering consistently is a favorite, it may even get picked up by a streaming service.
You can expect to be informed deeply, occasionally shocked, brought to tears, and often just entertained.
If you decide to join us, you may come away with a deeper understanding of us as a species on this planet. It may even change how you see yourself and feel your place in our diverse world.
