Lawrence’s longest-running film festival returns with an array of comedies, documentaries and experimental pieces. Chat with organizer Mark von Schlemmer, who has been at the helm of the Harvest of Arts fest for the last 16 years.

Moderator

Greetings chatty types, I’m Jon Niccum, Entertainment Editor of the Journal-World, and I’ll be moderating this chat. Please welcome Mark von Schlemmer, who is the founder of the Harvest of Arts Film Festival, now in its 16th year.

Mark von Schlemmer

hey! Good to be here Jon!

Moderator

How is Harvest of Arts different from other regional festivals?

Mark von Schlemmer

Well . . . it’s free! That’s one of the big differences . . . also it is non-competitive . . . it’s just a viewing of films and they are all local.

ChristyLittle

What do you anticipate will be some of the highlights at the festival — do any returning directors or writing teams come to mind?

Mark von Schlemmer

Well, this year, I will have close to 30 films in the festival. it’ll be just over 2 hours long (The Granada has given me a little extra time this year since they have DJ event happening afterwards not a full band). There are several returning directors . . . Patrick Rea has a couple pieces in it this year and there’s slightly less blood and gore in his works, so that’s different.
Also, there’s a amazing film by Bruce Branit (KU Alum from the Art Dept.) that will open some eyes.

crosswalker

Has a festival entry ever gone on to achieve widespread notoriety?

Mark von Schlemmer

Well . . . filmmakers have gone on to make pretty exciting other films. Short films only have so much “notoriety” that they can get, really. But I’ve seen several high school filmmakers go on to make feature films, etc. Alec Joler and Ethan Shaftel come to mind . . . they just premiered their feature recently i believe.

Moderator

What’s the most unusual entry you received this year?

Mark von Schlemmer

There are two short “found film” experimental pieces from Michael Myer in KC this year . . . literally film he found in various places that he pieces together in . . . interesting ways. there’s also a pretty radical piece by experimental filmmaker Rossana Jeran that is, let’s say, critical of the reasons behind the Iraq war.

Pippi

Has your recent brush with chain-saw related death affected what you look for in short films?

Mark von Schlemmer

There are no chain saws in films this year (thanks to Patrick Rea for going different directions), but no, my recent literal brush with a chain saw has not left me radically different, nor radically differently associated with horror films, thankfully.

Moderator

Do you ever get something submitted that you will not include in the festival?

Mark von Schlemmer

Oh sure, I always get many more films than I can use. The easiest way to not be included is to submit a really long film. With only about 2 hours to film, this is very much a SHORT film festival. There is one 12 minute film, but that’s the longest this year and most are much shorter – the converse is submit a very very short film and I can ususally make time for it . . . but even I have some quality standards.

Moderator

Anything special planned this year at the actual festival?

Mark von Schlemmer

Films films and more films! I may squeeze in 30 this year, a new record! And the Granada has their popcorn machine working again, so there will be free popcorn. And I’ve just completed my own little creative part of the festival – my Festival Open – 50 seconds of my own creativity to welcome the audience. Maybe some surprises in the pre-show entertainment that starts up at 6:40pm on Saturday . . . old movie clips and drive-in trailer type stuff.

ChristyLittle

Do you get mostly local entries in the festival, or do they come from other parts of the U.S.?

Mark von Schlemmer

No, one of the few guidelines I follow is that this is an “area” film festival. Now, I loosely define this, so anyone who grew up here or went to school here or has Kansas or has strong midwest connnections qualifies, but I dont’ advertise outside this area and i’ve turned down work in thepast that someone sent from the coast on a whim. the spirit behind the festival is the work of your friends and neighbors shared among friends and neighbors (KC neighbors, Topeka or Wichita neighbors too!).

Moderator

Is Lawrence starting to develop more of a cinematic reputation?

Mark von Schlemmer

Definitely. Between the film schools (KU and UMKC), this whole area is a burgeoningly fertile film stew! Also the affordability of the technology (cameras and especially editing) has really increased the quality of filmmaking in this area. that and our increasingly mediated society keeps the creative film juices flowing!

Pippi

Kenneth Branagh: Great Shakespearean director or greatest Shakespearean director?

Mark von Schlemmer

As long as he stays away from American accents (see Dead Again) and I’ll give him both (laurence Olivier aside). But kenneth does NOT have a lawrence connection, unless you have something to reveal Pippi?) so he can not submit to the festival.

Moderator

Any final thoughts about the film festival?

Mark von Schlemmer

I’m excited! The number of well-made quality films this year is higher than ever. I always include some low end “home-made” films as well, but this year that gap is smaller than ever. And there’s a litle of everything this year – political, thrillers, cuteness, love, marbles . . . just lots of things – if you dont’ like one, than wait a few minutes and there will be something radically different to enjoy. Lots of music videos this year, too, which is nice to tie into the local music scene!

Moderator

Thanks to Mark von Schlemmer for chatting with us today. The 16th Annual Harvest of Arts Film Festival takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Granada, 1020 Mass. The event is free and open to the public.