I grew up outgoing, but have grown steadily more introverted as I've gotten older—a sort of reverse social bloom that began somewhere in my early thirties, as I settled in to how I prefer to navigate the world.
For this reason I find industry mixers a bit of a mixed bag. It's the type of gathering that tugs at both of these disparate aspects of my personality. So as I walk into a room of semi-familiar faces, like last night's Cinequest soirée, my inner Lampshade and Wallflower immediately begin to fumble for supremacy.
Thankfully my business partner and relentless confidant, Michael Afendakis, has no such social quandaries. Within moments of entering the milling fray, he appears before me with a bottle of champagne and several glasses. When I note that there are only two of us, Michael gestures sweepingly to the people around us, popping the thin, socio-prophylactic bubble Wallflower had apparently blown up around Me-And-Mine upon arrival.
"See," he announces, "here's Lori Triolo-! I'm sure Lori would like a glass of champagne..."
Lori is one of the producers of "Lost Solace", by all accounts one of the buzz-worthiest films at Cinequest this year, and one of Atta's social touchstones since we met her earlier in the festival. We also chat with Owen Thomas (friend-of-Atta-Squirrel and voice-over-extraordinaire, who's motion comic "Mono" is featured in the Barco Escape Shorts), Pamela Ann Berry (Product Ninja at Atomos), and several other fine folk...
One thing I keep hearing about Cinequest is the festival's culture of inclusivity—a genuine sense that the organizers and filmmakers want to connect in some fundamental way with the work, with the art that may come of that work, and with one another.
Last night was that for me. For the first time, amidst the hubbub of screenings and meetings and slightly-overwhelming social what-not, I found myself simply appreciating being a filmmaker amongst filmmakers.
It was a welcome disarming, by a charming group of people, in an open atmosphere diligently cultivated by our hosts. And I’d like to thank everyone for all of it.
And Michael for the champers.
Which didn’t hurt.
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