All Posts Tagged With: "hotdocs"

Exit Ruch

July 11th, 2008 • Agnes Varnum • Comments Off • Related Posts • Tags

I was stunned to see a message from International Documentary Association Executive Director Sandra Ruch that as of today she has resigned her position. Ruch has been at the helm of the organization since I first dipped my toes in the documentary pool that I have since fallen into completely. She has helped the organization remain relevant and vital during hard times for documentary and for nonprofit film organizations, so I’m more than bummed to hear that she is moving on. Board president diane estelle Vicari will serve as interim ED. Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll take on the post.

Despite my woe, I’m sending my very best wishes to Sandra as she explores new ventures. She is leaving the on a high note, and it will be exciting to see what she comes up with next in her career. (Pictured: me with Sandra and diane estelle at Hot Docs 2007. Photo by Joel Heller.)

iW: Can Michael Moore Save the Theatrical Nonfiction Market?

March 4th, 2008 • Agnes Varnum • 1 comment • Related Posts • Tags

Anthony Kaufman polled industry folks about ’s announced Doc Night plan in his excellent indieWIRE article today. “Reactions to the plan are largely split between documentary filmmakers, who welcome any initiative that helps get their work out to the world, and industry insiders, who are skeptical about the plan’s feasibility and disturbed by what they see as a further ghettoization of the documentary form.”

As I was reading the article, I was feeling like some of us (myself included) come across as quite snarky about the whole thing. I can’t hold back when it comes to Moore; in a typical fashion, he couldn’t bother to comment for Anthony’s article, which just adds fuel to my snark about the man. But as Thom Powers says at the end of the article, “When you have a curated event, you’re building a relationship with the audience. When they have a couple of good experiences, then they don’t have to be sold on each title individually.” I was a season pass holder for Thom’s excellent Stranger Than Fiction series in New York and would gladly promote something similar in cities across America.

International Documentary Challenge

January 7th, 2008 • Agnes Varnum • 1 comment • Related Posts • Tags

doc_challenge_08.jpgI didn’t really get the chance to blog about the International Documentary Challenge as I wanted to after seeing the finalists at HotDocs last April. I’ve taken part in timed film challenges before and while it was entertaining, the work seemed, well, rushed. But the short docs that resulted from this challenge were lovely to watch and a nice glimpse at future feature makers. Today marks the opening of registration to participate this year. If you like the challenge idea and want to get your work seen at a major international documentary festival, here is your chance! Best of luck.

Meet Me at HotDocs

April 17th, 2007 • Agnes Varnum • 4 comments • Related Posts • Tags

I’ll be in from Sunday, April 22 to 26 at Hot Docs. I’m covering the festival for Documentary, so expect a post from me in the e-zine, and then later in summer in the magazine.

Also, I have great news to report: I will be taking over the monthly documentary column at indieWIRE.com! My first crack at it will arrive in your inbox while I’m at , so expect some additional nuggets from in my May column, in which I’ll be tackling the topic of international co-production. As for April, well you’ll just have to hold your breath until April 26 to find out.

Drop me a link from the Contact page above if you will be at Hot Docs, or if you want to send me any information about your film (either in the fest, TDF or the Market) beforehand. I’ll also be there for First Run/Icarus Films, so if any of you are licensing doc content, we should talk!