🎬 SIFF Stories with Megan Leonard: Picking the Best Flicks

Exploring Washington State with Megan Leonard: Film, Karaoke, and Festival Insights
Are you ready to dive deep into the world of film festivals, short films, and the art of movie selection? Meet Megan Leonard, a programmer for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). Grab your popcorn, (Megan prefers Red Vines) settle in, and let's explore the captivating world of film with Megan Leonard.
Discovering Megan's Film Journey
Megan Leonard takes us on a journey through her film career, from growing up in Olympia, Washington, to her role as a programming coordinator at SIFF. After initially studying engineering, she followed her passion for film and landed a programming intern position at SIFF, paving the way for her current career. Megan shares insights into her upbringing, her switch to film at Seattle University, and her progression within SIFF, giving us a glimpse into her profound love for movies from a young age.
Programming Films: A Puzzle and Game of Tetris
Lets delve into the intricacies of programming films for a festival, much like a puzzle and a game of Tetris. Learn about the challenges of accommodating the preferences of multiple programmers, finding suitable venues for each film, and creating the best viewing experience for audiences and filmmakers. Megan's expertise shines as she explains the process of scheduling films to maximize the impact of each screening and enhance the overall festival experience.
Festival Insights: Submissions and Selection Process
Megan enlightens us about the Seattle International Film Festival's annual submission process, which entails receiving over 3,000 submissions, each of which is viewed at least once. She explains the meticulous process of sorting submissions on the Film Freeway platform and assigning them to programmers who have an interest in a particular cinema type. This provides every submission with the opportunity to shine, showcasing the inclusive and dedicated approach of the festival's programming team. From the strategic venue selection based on the visual demands of films to the comprehensive and inclusive approach of the selection process, Megan's insights offer a nuanced understanding of the meticulous curation that goes into creating a rich and varied cinematic experience for festival-goers.
Red Vines and Rainier Beer
We learn about Megan's go to movie watching snacks. As you can imagine she has had her fill of popcorn. Megan's interesting way of drinking beer in the theater is something you need to hear to believe.
If you are into film and film festivals you will love listening to Megan. If you are a filmmaker you will learn some insights that may help you get your next project into a film festival. If you just like to hear someone who is passionate about what they are doing you will love learning more about Megan Leonard. Tune in.

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