DOVER — Residents and innkeepers praised the work of organizers of the eighth annual Independent Television and Film Festival, held from Sept. 26 to 28 in Dover and Wilmington, saying the event showed the Deerfield Valley at its best and drew plaudits from participating filmmakers.
They also hoped the festival would return in 2014. Ticket sales reportedly fell short of the 1,000 organizers had said they'd hoped for.
That said, Selectboard members and others observed at the Oct. 1 meeting that filmmakers reported that this venue, ITVFest's new home, was better than any they had been to in Los Angeles.
Many attendees noted on Twitter and Facebook, as well as plain old letters, that Dover is clean and neat, home to friendly people, and graced with cooperative weather.
Draft meeting minutes recorded the following partial impressions:
• “Appreciated the opportunity to host the ITV fest in the Valley.”
• “Perfect place for a film festival and how well it was done.”
• “Owe it to the visitors to give the film festival another chance here.”
• “Excitement was contagious; question and answer periods were first-class.”
• “Parallel with Sundance Film Festival, which has been going strong for 30 years, is undeniable.”
• “Commended Phil Gilpin Jr. for his extraordinary efforts on this project.”
• “Independent of Mount Snow, many events have come and gone; refreshing to have used the venues and Valley Trail.”
• “Interaction with actors, directors, producers was always positive; they were thrilled to be here; a treat for all who attended.”
ITVFest was founded in 2006 by television producers Adam and Jenny Tesler. This year, ITVFest moved out of Los Angeles and made its new home in what its website calls “the quaint mountain town” of Dover.
“This move to the East Coast focuses the festival away from the bright city lights and directly on what its true purpose is: showcasing the world's best independent talent,” ITVFest said.
“I was thrilled,” said ITVFest organizer Phil Gilpin Jr. in published reports. “I think it was a huge success.”
Earlier, Gilpin told The Commons, “This is a one-time chance for the valley to retain this event permanently. It all has to come together.”
The fest was planned to draw an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 creators of the moving image (artists, writers, producers, and other film-industry types) and those who appreciate the fast-changing medium to the Deerfield Valley to watch 58 films, Web videos, and television shows for their first public screenings, for panel discussions, awards, and even a jazz concert.
The festival offered panels with a full slate of speakers on such topics as “The Great Merging: Teleweb and Weblevision,” “Independent Art in the 21st Century,” “The Business of Acting in the Digital Age,” and “Being Funny to Pay the Bills.”