Being a movie fan is more than just catching the latest, most popular blockbuster that hits the theatre. It’s about immersing yourself in a variety of films. Some will be great. Most will be awful, but by viewing them one can learn a lot about the art of filmmaking. However, when you live in a smaller market, you are not always exposed to independent film, especially documentaries. But becoming involved in a local film festival can give you the opportunity to see films that may never hit the big screen. Every film festival needs screeners - people that watch submitted films and then rate them. You don’t have to hold a film degree from NYU to do this. You simply have to be a fan of movies. For the past three years I have been a documentary screener for the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival here in Birmingham. I have seen a lot of horrible films, but I have also seen some great ones. And I am constantly learning about people, issues, cultures, and events that I never knew existing, which is pretty enlightening. If you are a fan of movies and want to see more than what Hollywood is turning out, volunteer at a film festival. It’s definitely worth the time.
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