It’s time.
When I started to plan for 2020, I considered having a new logo designed with the phrase “Lucky Number 7” to mark the 7th Annual NYC Web Fest. That was at the end of last year. At the time, there were only whisperings of a virus in China, and hardly anybody in the Western World was really paying attention.
By April, borders were closed, children were home from school, and productions shut down. New York became the epicentre of Covid-19 and the world was gripped in fear. I had recently returned from visiting South Africa, my birthplace, for the first time in 15 years. To go from the “high” of family reunion and (what felt like) such a promising future to nearly complete solitude in a few weeks was almost too much to bear. There was nothing left to do but postpone everything indefinitely.
I was not going to have a festival this year. I figured the effects of the pandemic would have depleted everyone emotionally & financially. It wasn’t until the protests that followed George Floyd’s death that I became inspired to fight for myself and my business. I am continuously thanked by filmmakers of color and the LGBTQ community for creating this space in the first place. As a woman of color born in Cape Town, it truly means a lot.
I’m sure many of you have seen the brands & media outlets who have vowed to support more black owned businesses and check themselves for any anti-racist behaviors in the past. Some of these companies have ignored our press releases and have not given myself nor this festival the shine we deserve. So I decided to go for it. We have nothing but time anyway – and even though we will not be together physically in November, we can still cheer each other on virtually.
Of course, NYC Web Fest is nothing without a solid team. For the 3rd year in a row, Lindsay Pugh will serve as our Program Director and I couldn’t be more grateful. Not only does Lindsay have an awesome eye for content, she has the calm demeanor I so desperately need when putting this festival together. Super indebted to web designer Liv Martens, who got the submissions ready for 2020, there are so many moving parts to running a business – I cannot do it alone!
New this year is Robert Watson, creator of the web series A Gay Victorian Affair which was nominated at our 2018 festival. Robert, who lives in Toronto, has come on as head of Social Media Marketing. Also from Toronto, Krista Hosvepian, will co-produce our Virtual Awards Ceremony and will also serve on the jury. Accompanying Lindsay in the Programming Department is Zerelda Rodriguez, a fellow South African who will serve as Programming Consultant. Please also join me in welcoming MelimeL who will serve as both graphic & web designer.
One of the reasons I decided to go ahead with a virtual festival is because I recently covered one! I had an awesome time covering the We Are One: A Global Film Festival that took place on YouTube for the No Rest for The Weekend Podcast. You can check out my recap with host Jason Godbey either on audio or video.
I won’t lie, writing this has me very emotional. Not just with gratitude that my festival will see another year. but because we will not be together (physically) this November. But we have great plans to make the online experience feel like it’s a networking event, not just one long Zoom call. And hey, if this year connects us all globally without having to fly to New York, or even get out of bed (or puts pants on!) then maybe it IS a lucky year after all.
Cheers to the 7th Annual NYC Web Fest!
Stay safe & love to all.
Lauren Atkins
Founder, NYC Web Fest