Hobnobben Film Festival Review
After 13 movies and a handful of other events, my time at the inaugural Hobnobben Film Festival came to a close Sunday evening. It was a long, full weekend made enjoyable by a bustling and energetic community of film lovers coming together to champion a shared passion for the movies. Cinema Center Executive Director Jonah Crismore noted “how far along we’ve come” on opening night. I couldn’t agree more. Independent theaters across the country are on a steep decline, but if you managed to make it out to Hobnobben this past weekend, you’d see that’s not the case in Fort Wayne. Before Thursday night’s showing, Bill Brown, President of the Downtown Improvement District, addressed the sold-out crowd. Brown talked about Cinema Center’s role in the resurgence of the area, as well as the importance of continued support for the city’s only locally run movie house. On his involvement with Hobnobben Brown said, “[Crismore] had me with Film Festival,” followed by the applause of everyone in the theater. You could hear and feel the outpouring of support. As is the case for any inaugural event, Hobnobben had a few minor hiccups that were swiftly and carefully fixed along the way. The voting process was incredibly awkward for passholders like myself during the first two days. Rather than cast a silent ballot, I was asked if I’d like to vote for each film upon exiting. Saying “no thanks” or “yes please” felt out-of-place. My biggest issue came down to the steep $200 price tag for festival passes (which granted access to any and all events). General admission tickets were $10 and the awards ceremony was $15. I saw as many films as time afforded me, but when you do the math, I basically paid an extra $55 to get into movies 20 minutes early even though that never mattered. Had I attended the most events possible over the course of the four days, the numbers still don’t add up. I was happy to pay though, especially considering the surprising quality of movies the Cinema Center was able to schedule through partnerships and outside sponsors. Crismore mentioned that he and his staff had traveled to other established festivals across the country to help build Hobnobben, particularly drawing inspiration from Michigan’s Traverse City Film Festival. What I think worked best about Fort Wayne’s first film festival is that it urged moviegoers to stay downtown and walk around. You could swing by the block party and try Mad Anthony Brewing’s very own Hobnobben Shandy (a welcome cool down in the weekend’s blistering heat). Friday night found moviegoers pulling up chairs at the Arts United Plaza for a free outdoor screening...
Hobnobben Film Festival
The Hobnobben Film Festival, a multi-day, multi-verse event, will be the first of its kind in Fort Wayne. We have never had a film festival before and I had the chance to interview Jonah Crismore, executive director of Cinema Center, about the Hobnobben festivities. In celebration of Cinema Center’s 40th anniversary, Jonah hopes that this festival will highlight major talent in our city and inspire others to make and submit future films. For filmmakers on the fence about submitting a film to Hobnobben, Jonah says just “do it”. There are many categories ranging from social justice documentaries to low-budget zombie films. Jonah states that he would like to see this festival be a platform for a filmmaker’s career to begin. Cinema Center, in partnership with Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne and the University of Saint Francis, will be screening short and feature length films shot by Fort Wayne locals. The venues for this festival include Cinema Center, Arts United Center, Arts United Parkview Physicians Group, ArtsLab Theater, and the University of Saint Francis Performing Arts Center. It will take place from June 16 to June 19, 2016. In addition to featuring local filmmaker’s work, there will also be panel discussions, meet and greet opportunities, and Q+A sessions. He hopes to help educate the audience over the process of filmmaking and make them active and aware film viewer. Hobnobben Film Festival is looking for volunteers to help make this festival a success! Email volunteer@hobnobben.org to fill out an application. Don’t miss Northeast Indiana’s first BIG film...
Cinema Center and Artlink Contemporary Gallery Partner to Present Artament
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Artament is back for its 11th annual season, and as always, it’s worth checking out! We’re extra excited this year, because Artlink Contemporary Gallery and Cinema Center are working together to co-host this spectacular event full of food, fun, and art. Proceeds will go to both organizations, and we could not be more stoked to participate in a fun night that benefits two great leaders in local art! Guests will begin their evening at Artlink Contemporary Gallery, enjoying hanging art from local artists. There will be live bidding on locally designed hanging ornaments, along with a photo booth, yummy food and a cash bar courtesy of JK O’Donnell’s, and live music from Hope Arthur. After the event, guests can head over to Cinema Center and enjoy a special film screening. Film, food, photo booth, art, and an auction; seriously, there’s something for everyone. Even if you’re not an expert in local art — or any kind of art — it’s a great place to get your feet wet. The laid back, fun atmosphere Artament provides is the perfect opportunity for newbies to involve themselves in the local art community. Amber Foster, Executive Director at Artlink, encourages everyone to attend, especially if you’re looking to broaden your experience with local art. “Artament is the perfect event for those new to the art scene. Attendees will witness a diverse representation of our local art scene, as well as mingle with veterans and newbies to the art scene alike. There is definitely something for everyone at this event, and of course, it supports two amazing organizations.” The partnership between Artlink and Cinema Center for this fundraising event is an exciting indication of the direction the local art community is taking. Support for local art is gaining momentum in Fort Wayne, a result of the shift in thought by community leaders, who now recognize art’s central role in in both the quality of life and placemaking in our city, says Foster. Both Amber Foster and Jonah Crismore, Executive Director of Cinema Center, agree that the collaboration between organizations in the art community should be more of a rule than an exception. “I hope Cinema Center’s partnership with Artlink on Artament proves to be the model and rule, not the exception, and more arts organizations collaborate on fundraising effort,” says Crismore. “Through cooperation and planning, the events are strengthened, the organizations are strengthened, and most importantly, the greater community is strengthened.” The event takes place this Saturday, November 21, from 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through Cinema Center 260.426.3456, at Artlink, 260.424.7195, or online. Tickets are $20...
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