Welcome to a Frenzied Season

I open this blog at a time the nation transitions to a new president, the economy is in constant flux, I've only recently moved to a new city to become the Artistic Director for the Nashville Film Festival - preparing to celebrate its 40th Anniversary April 16-23, 2009.

But, this ain't politics (as much as that always intrigues me); this is movies.

And the frenzy of this season is awards season.

I'm not here to predict (check out the links in the blogs I'm following for that). I will complain (a lot, because those of us who love movies will always complain about such things) and I'll comment about awards season, because, really - I've been doing that for decades. Those who have known me know the strange path that had led me to the position I currently hold. It involved an alternative to the Oscars begun in 1994 (and featured in In Touch magazine, at one point). It involved an unsuccessful film series sponsored by those Oscar alternatives. This eventually led to the foundation of the Indianapolis International Film Festival, and after five years at the helm there, to my move to the Nashville Film Festival.

Obviously, the one thing that remained consistent throughout that time was my love and passion for cinema.

So, the following weeks, months, and years worth of posts will be made up of my opinions, thoughts, and whines & moans about cinema: Awards, screening processes, behind-the-scenes festival work, the occasional bit of catty gossip (because as much as we like to pretend we're above it, none of us are) - but it will all center around film.

So, enough with the introductions. You'll get to know me more throughout the posts and through my recommendations, and such (oh, and there will be recommendations).

Let's get on with it.