REVIEW: Saratoga Film Showcase Celebrates Community and Collaboration in Successful Debut
01/17 - 01/18, Saratoga Springs
All photos by Joe Putrock
The inaugural Saratoga Film Showcase recently took place last weekend, marking a vibrant celebration of creative expression and community spirit that left participants and organizers alike filled with gratitude and pride. Event organizer, Spencer Sherry, expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming support received from the local community and highlighted the collaborative efforts that brought the festival to life.
The conception of the film showcase began last year during a lunch meeting with Terese Russell and Jessie House, where the trio discussed the potential of local organizations to convene meaningful cultural events. Inspired by this vision, they began to explore the logistics of organizing a film festival together. As the event progressed, their commitment transformed into action, attracting sponsors, establishing a media presence, and orchestrating a smooth operation on the day of the festival.
Saratoga Arts played a crucial role in supporting Sherry’s efforts, providing a framework that allowed for innovation in the local arts scene. Sherry conveyed his gratitude to the organization, noting its commitment to fostering programming that enriches the community. He further credited the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs for their support, which enabled him to execute his vision for the event.
The film showcase also received vital assistance from Discover Saratoga, particularly from film commissioner MacKenzie Zarzycki. Just a month before their flagship event, Zarzycki and her team stepped up to ensure that the film showcase would offer a valuable experience for all attendees.
Gary “Sly” Fox, owner of Putnam Place, generously opened the venue to host the festival. He exemplified enthusiasm for the arts and his community, creating an inviting atmosphere that made the event a success. Sherry expressed excitement about returning to Putnam Place for future events.
Joe Masher, owner of Scene One, was another pivotal player in the film showcase's success. Despite unexpected challenges, Masher demonstrated a commitment to problem-solving that underscored his role as a community leader. His quick agreement to host the event was crucial in facilitating its execution.
The Saratoga Film Showcase's production costs were significantly offset thanks to the support of numerous sponsors, effectively making the festival possible without a hefty budget. Sherry noted that this generosity instilled a sense of pride in the community and a belief in the potential for future endeavors.
Lauren Leddy also played an essential organizational role for the showcase. Her contributions helped streamline various aspects of the festival, allowing for a more focused approach to its execution.
Lastly, Sherry expressed heartfelt gratitude to all filmmakers, panelists, and artists who participated in the showcase, as well as to the 518 Film Network for their welcoming spirit.
“I wholeheartedly want to thank every filmmaker, panelist, and artist that trusted me with their time and work, as well as the 518 Film Network who made everyone who lives outside our community feel immediately welcome. I’m so proud to have curated this showcase; the compliments I’ve received on behalf of your creations have been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.”
The festival ran Friday and Saturday, with a meet and greet reception at Walt Whitman, followed by a screening of several shorts at Putnam Place and a Q&A with writers and directors who created those shorts. Saturday was a screening of Paint, starring Owen Wilson, which was filmed right here in the Capital Region,
Paint’s director, Brit McAdams, even came all the way out from Los Angeles to answer questions and bring awareness to the arts community and share his experiences.
“We curated art by 17 filmmakers and hosted 11 of them, heard from six wonderful panelists, and welcomed over 200 audience members over the course of the event.” Sherry said.
Metroland Now proudly sponsored the event which, not only celebrated artistic talent but also raised over $11,000 in donations, particularly due to a large contribution from Saratoga Living owner Tony Ianniello, for Camp Stomping Ground: an organization dedicated to making art accessible for future generations.
As the curtain fell on the first edition of the Saratoga Film Showcase, Sherry was left with a sense of overwhelming gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought the event to life, eagerly anticipating the next year's festivities.
For updates and continued recognition of the upcoming year’s participants, the Saratoga Film Showcase can be followed on Instagram @saratogafilmshowcase_.
For more on Camp Stomping Ground go to www.campstompingground.org.
All Photos by Joe Putrock
