In reply to jonnie3430 and Offwidth
I'm pretty sure 'achieved'it isn't the term you intended? That suggests thats what they have aimed to do?
...most students can afford to drink for week after week...but not put something aside if they really want to do something?
...the cost of about 8 AV resourced venues (with staff) throughout Kendal running for 4 days that allows anybody to create there own programme of films on a drop in basis and then go to specific lecture events has a significant cost I'm sure. The whole set up is a Community Interest Company, not there run as a private venture to make money for any shareholders directors like other events, it is there to provide the greatest choice to most number of people. It is subsidised so it could be even more expensive to attend.
For the cost of 1.5 DVDS, you can if you wish watch back to back over 70 films... in the order you want (more or less) in the 13 themed film groups repeating 6 times through the festival between 9.30 and 11.00 at night. That is way better value than something like Reel to Rock.
In reply to Offwidth:
I suppose it all depends on perspective...
I had a film in there this year, my first, it took 800 hours of work, done in 6 weeks on a budget of £65 a week. I pay £25 to enter, in fact my friend did because I couldn't afford to. At times I have skipped meals for 1-2 days to afford to continue it. It was supposed to have been a short but to do justice to what unfurled in front of me as I started making it took it to 25 minutes. Technically its inept but the narrative and content is worth its weight, some of the content should be in the climbing community rather than filed in some BBC archive.
So it gets accepted for screening and its all exciting and then you turn up to present your film at the 1st of the screenings (you get asked to do it which, i think is a good idea) and you suddenly think...f**kit i'm taking this home i dont know if i want all these people who i dont know to pour scorn on it. Making a film is a very personal, emotional and stressful journey...mine was trying to be true to the climbing grandfathers, fathers and husbands of surviving relatives. You cant afford to get it wrong. Some people reading this will empathise with it some will think thats a load of bollocks ...to find out it might be worth trying. Its worth it... I have never had so much fun out of climbing in 30 years.
I didn't get to see many films as I was also an Andy Perkins volunteer munchkin for the first time also introducing other films but its strange that because something doesn't suit your taste it must be crap?...my favourites were 'I believe i can fly' and 'feel the hill'. My mate thought 'feel the hill' was the worst film in the festival. Personally, I avoid long films without good reviews as they are usually made to satisfy sponsors or egos.
At the end of the day I think you get out of the festival what you put in...just like life I guess.
As for Climbing Hardware and DVD's
I'm pretty sure the vendors with trade stands know what sells...I suspect you are a minority shopper in that respect?