Hello friends! It's been almost an entire month since I last posted and as you can guess, it's due to the fact that I've been beyond busy producing Duluth, MN's first-ever international film + music festival. We were incredibly ambitious to execute a 5-day film and music festival within a 6-month time frame. We faced many challenges that I know could have been avoided had there been an additional 6 months to alleviate some pressure, but alas that was not the case and it's definitely something (among many) we know is needed on a foundational level.Nevertheless, it was only possible because of the hard work of everyone involved. The Sound Unseen team is a tiny operation and it's almost unbelievable that Rick and I drove up to Duluth EVERY week since the beginning of January. We've gotten to know and become a part of a new community and now feel like we've got a home away from home, no matter where we are. It's awesome.
To have everyone converge to Duluth after six months of our team working remotely from across the country (Steve lives in Brooklyn and Adam in Seattle, WA), along with our slew of festival volunteers, visiting filmmakers, jurors and of course all the artists included in our line-up -- it was surreal that our festival had actually arrived.
Another sort of "monumental" thing happened as well, on May 29th, I officially joined the Dirty Thirty Club. I bid farewell to my 10 wild years spent in my twenties...and what a time that was! I think I can say that I do feel different - I no longer have as much patience for things I used to (men, jobs, bullshit), can define more clearly what I want/don't want and look at people in their early 20's with a smidge of disdain. Kidding! When I was in my early 20's, I was so immersed in the L.A. scene and running around with blinders on - just "doing", not really "thinking" and living life as though it revolved around me. Man, those were the days! I feel like I'm exactly where I need to be emotionally speaking and look forward to the next 10 years with these sharpened eyes and experienced soles.
Back to the festival -- I honestly can say that although it was nerve-wracking, I did find time to enjoy it while it lasted. We couldn't have asked for better visiting filmmakers, jurors and a really awesome volunteer team. Seriously. Although I wish some events and films were better attended, the festival seemed to be well-received and we were given enormous feedback that will be taken into serious consideration for next year. The community of Duluth is truly a perfect place for our festival and we do want to come back again next year -- this time, better equipped with more time, more sponsorship and perhaps a different time of year.
(I get an afternoon free and visit Gooseberry Falls)
(Gooseberry Falls - you can surprisingly get up close...VERY close)
(a tiny bud getting ready to bloom)
(A slice of Peace)
(Pulling off to visit Stoney Point, which you'll see below)
(Stoney Point on the shores of Lake Superior)
I want to take the time to thank everyone who has been instrumental in making this festival possible -- the entire Sound Unseen team, our partners and sponsors in Duluth, my many friends who either drove me around, volunteered or helped me edit, our web and poster designers, our many advisors and mentors and of course, the entire music and art community of Duluth. Thank you so much for giving Sound Unseen a new home! We look forward to coming back again next year, this time much BIGGER and STRONGER! I'm in the midst of editing the MANY photographs that were taken during the festival which will soon be posted on our website (http://soundunseenduluth.com) -- so make sure to visit our Gallery soon!
(a tiny bud getting ready to bloom)
(Do you like my hiking attire? I do!)
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