So...

FilmFest DC

not only is this an endorsement of the festival, but a chance to do a major serious rant against the festival.

according to DC's City Paper its looking like this year might be it's last:

Filmfest D.C. Will Probably End After This Year

City Paper article by Jonathan L. Fischer

The head of the annual Filmfest D.C. said last spring that the annual event was on the brink of shutting down. Today, a press release makes it official: This year's 28th Filmfest D.C. will probably be its last.

Last year, the festival's director, Tony Gittens, told the Washington Post that because of rising expenses and shrinking funds, the 2013 festival could be the final one. The festival has managed to make it work for one more year, Gittens tells Arts Desk, but "unless we get an incredible amount of contributions to push for next year...this could be it."

Currently, Filmfest D.C. is projecting a $250,000 funding deficit for a 2015 festival, Gittens says. "We have pulled together everything we have to mount this year's festival. For next year's festival we won't have those resources."

The 2014 festival is funded through a combination of ticket sales, city and foundation grants, and individual donations. The festival also exhausted its reserve for this year's festival, Gittens says, and board members increased their usual donations. Still, this year's version will have to cut some costs: Gittens says it may use one fewer venue; its employees, including three full-timers and a number of seasonal staffers, will see pay cuts; and the festival will probably fly in fewer guests.

Last year, when Gittens went public with the festival financial woes, he hoped more city and individual funding would emerge. And while donors have been generous this year, the city's arts commission actually decreased its contribution to Filmfest D.C. "I think we've done due diligence to make people aware of our situation," he says, including approaching councilmembers and the mayor's office. He says the festival's costs have increased over the years while its funding has shrunk. (Those costs include airfare for guests, printing, and renting theaters, although Gittens praises Landmark, which runs E Street Cinema, for supporting the festival by decreasing its rental fees.)

As for a white-knight donor that could help Filmfest make up for its $250,000 shortfall: "My board reminds me there's always a possibility. No one's stepped us as yet," Gittens says.

While Gittens says the festival remains committed to promoting film within D.C., for now he's exhausted his funding options. "There's only so much we can do," he says. "There's no more we can do."

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so, a lot of factors are in play here, mostly the city itself but there are some underlining issues here that myself and other folk I've talked with agree upon. Tony Gitten's role of director and his approach to the festival, not willing to change anything that he thinks is a success (and apparently isn't) and specifically the programming are serious flaws. The festival's structure needs to change and unfortunately Mr. Gittens pride and arrogance will not falter or change either. His 'mom and pop' directing of the festival is a detriment and is proving that it might be its undoing.

Washington DC should and deserves an annual film festival. Gitten's though has proven he is not ideal for his position and that a fresh start with a new director might be what the festival needs.

end of rant.

bummed that this is the final year, I plan on hitting a few of the screenings.

I volunteered last year, counting ballots and working will call, didn't know about the problems going on.