The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary as the longest-running all-documentary film festival in the United States. This year's festival kicks off on Friday, October 8th with CITIZEN ASHE about tennis legend Arthur Ashe and closes on October 16th with JULIA about the celebrity chef Julia Childs. In between you'll find some of the best documentary films from Arkansas and around the world.
For more information and the full schedule visit: www.hsdfi.org.
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Kody Ford: Jennifer, thank you for being here today.
Jennifer Gerber: Thank you for having me.
KF:Hey, it's always great to have friends at ACS on to come and chat about all the great things they're doing. And you know, today we're here to talk about hot Springs documentary film festival, but first, before we get started on that, I want to congratulate you about the big news. You're getting your feature funded. Could you tell us about that real quick before we get started?
JG:We're absolutely. This project is called, has been beauty queen and I've been working on it for, I can't even believe I'm going to say this for almost 10 years. I started writing the script when I was in graduate school at Columbia University. And when I, when I graduated from film school, I decided to move back to Arkansas to make this movie and it's taken, it's taken a really long time to get to this point. Development is a long process. COVID added another year of delays. But we're so honestly it's one of those things that you look back and you realize, oh, maybe that time created the right conditions for the film to be made. Like it will be in the place that it's heading right now. So yeah, we're, we're working with the Bentonville film festival and the bill they'll foundation to bring this, this film into fruition and, you know, we're still working through timelines and a few details, but we've got a ton of momentum and I'm, I feel very hopeful that the film will be, we'll be rolling cameras in the near future.
KF:That's amazing. I remember you telling me just a rough pitch of the idea, like maybe 2014 or something 2015, like a long time ago.
JG:That's when I moved back to Arkansas. So yeah, that's and I was, I was like, here, I'm gonna make this movie and here we are in 2021.
KF:Yeah, definitely. Now with that, I mean, have you been working with producers or other writers or is it just kind of been you along the way? How's that Paul?
JG:Yeah, it's been a, it's been a really involved process. I do have a co-writer who is also from Arkansas, Samuel Brett Williams. And we actually grew up together. I knew him as a kid all the way through high school, but we lost touch. And then I reconnect with him in New York. Cause he had a play that was off Broadway that was set in hot Springs. I was like, what is this? Who's this, who's this playwright from hot Springs here in New York. So I went to the show and was blown away by his writing and by like by his talent and we've been creative partners ever since. So he he's a co-writer on the script and we have quite a few other projects in the works as well.
KF:Oh, that's awesome. Well, I'm excited to hear more about, you know, everything and when you get going, maybe if we could stop by and take a few behind the scenes photos hanging out on set one day or something. Okay. Yeah. I'd love to do it. And then, you know, of course once it's done whatever that is, you know, come back and talk to us all about the process, but Awesome. But getting down to business here while we're here today, talk about the 30th anniversary of the hot Springs documentary film festival, which, I mean, that's huge. It's a, it's a documentary festival and it's been around for three decades, like that's wild. And to my understanding, it was the original documentary film festival in the US.
JG:So we are the longest running all-documentary film festival in North America. So there have been others that have been formed around the, you know, along, along the way, but we have withstood all the tests of time to, to make it to our 30th anniversary this year. So we're really probably honored that we, we have the luxury of hosting this w you know, world renowned festival, right in our backyard here in hot Springs. That's really special.
KF:What do you think the secret has been for this longevity for Hot Springs?
JG:Yeah, it's a great question. And I think it has a lot to do with our community. Hot Springs is a very it's a very artist driven town. They, they love, they love art. They love cinema, you know, it w it was sort of burst out of the, around the movement when the art galleries and gallery walks were starting to form here in hot Springs, too. And so there was sort of this momentum of artists coming together, stepping away from the busy hub, you know, like life in big cities, getting away to a place where you can really recharge rejuvenate and make your art in a peaceful, peaceful, and inspiring environment. And I think, I think that that is actually a really key ingredient to our festival. And when I, when our filmmakers come, I think that they pick up on that too. Most of them makers tell us that, you know, when they, they, most, most of them lockers will be by the time they reached our festival in October, they've been touring the world with their films for maybe eight to nine months.
So there can be really tired by the time they get to our festival in October, but they w we hear it over and over again that they, they feel rejuvenated in hot Springs, but, you know, they get to go to the hot bats. They get to hike, they get to be in a place where they just get to let their guard down and relax and enjoy, enjoy their peers and their films, and just get to celebrate their own film on the screen with an audience that just shows them so much love. So, I mean, that's, I think that's, what's made us last as long as we have is that people have a really meaningful time at our festival. And I think it has a lot to do with our place.
KF:There is something really magical about that week that it's like occasionally other events I've been to you know, here in Arkansas capture that, but you got to sustain it for a full week. And I guess it is the perfect time of year. I mean, anytime, like up here in Fayetteville, it's, the fall is magical. It's the same way down in hot Springs. You guys have similar terrain. So if you've got more legs, which is cool. So yeah, it is a fantastic thing. And I'm excited. Like I haven't been in a couple of years. I definitely to make it down there this year. I am curious when you were growing up in hot Springs, did you ever attend it?
JG:I did. My first experience at the festival was in high school, and I was part of a field trip that our school brought us in to see a film. And I, I have to acknowledge that that was the first time that I ever even thought about filmmaking, like filmmaking in general, or that filmmaking could be a job. And I really do credit that as, as a moment in my life. That is part, part of the reason why I'm a filmmaker now, because, you know, I wouldn't have seen that, our thought that as a, as a possible option for myself without, without the festival. And, you know, when you, you see films that really speak to you and means something to you, and you get to hear the filmmaker talk about the process, why they made the movie, it sparked something in someone like me.
And I know that we've seen that with a lot of other, other, other audience members. And so that was my first experience. And it's really cool to be on this side of it now. You know, I've been a teacher, a lot of my life. I was a university professor. I still really love teaching. And so I really love looking, creating that same moment for the next generation. When, when we, I really love our educational programs, I put a lot of heart and soul into that. And seeing those students walk in the door, I'm like, where's the next student that's going to see discover their future that they don't know about. And so we certainly seen that happen over the years and that's how it happened for me.
KF:Yeah. I mean, you know, ACS, we're all about watch, learn, make, and it's tried to create those moments like you had when you were growing up. And you mentioned these educational programs. Are those the ones that you have done with low-key arts? Is that like the partnership?
JG:Yeah. So I've been teaching dumb programs all around the, all over the place and was fortunate to work with the teen lab for girls, with Arkansas, since I last summer, it was really, really wonderful. And, but what I'm working on mostly now is I, I, I run the assumption to projection. They'll make you program at low key arts. And then this year we, we, the two organizations merged to host the, our first ever hot Springs documentary film making boot camp. And so we, we actually have our first doc lab where we'll have some short films that have come out of that program. Most of which were shot here in Arkansas, that will premiere at our festival. So this is some to do a documentary class. It's a very different way of the program is very different production compared to narrative, but it was, it was a really meaningful experience. And I can't wait to share these stories of their audience. Cause I think they're gonna really they're really going to connect to them cause they're about people in places that they know and love. And they're going to get to see a really in depth perspective on the stories,
KF:What are the ages? Is it strictly like ninth, 10th, 11th grade, or...
JG:We, you know, I used to only teach middle school and high school and a couple of years ago I decided to just remove the age restrictions. And it is wide open. So we have, in some of my classes, I've had students young as 12 or 13 and as old as 70. And it's actually so beautiful to see just different generations coming together to tell their stories. I find that that no matter where you are in life, that when you're telling him making a film for the first time, you're all kind of starting from the same place. And there's, there's sort of this bonding that happens within the class. And it's been really beautiful to see the friendships that have formed in this group that are, you know, decades apart in age, but right there next to each other, making, making the films,
KF:I think that's really cool. I would love it. You know, I've just kind of mentioned this in the past that I would love to, you know, we can start doing more at ACS. That's an all ages thing because it's great to talk to that next generation. But what about the older generations who didn't have that? Because it blows my mind that things kids have access to now that like when we were growing up, like was, would have been hundreds of thousands of dollars, you know, it's nuts.
JG:Yeah. It would have been unimaginable for me as a high school student to be able to try to figure out how to make a movie. And now you can, you can do it on your phone. And so it is a very different time, but it's been so fun about the, the Y the broad age range is I don't know, like each generation has something to teach the other and we see that and it's been, it's been really, I don't know. I really get a lot out of that group of watching, watching them, you know, cause making a stone for the first time is, is hard, no matter how old you are. And so they're like if everyone's sort of level, no matter what their age is, and they all just get, get in there together and figure it out. And it's, it's really beautiful.
KF:They're all starting on the ground floor and learning that. How do you know how many films we'll be screening up from this program?
JG:Yeah. So we'll have eight films this year in the festival. There'll be coming from the documentary boot camp and we're so proud of them.
KF:Yeah. Well, that's awesome. I'm excited to see some of those. Yeah. So let's talk a little bit about, you've been here as director nine years, eight years.
JG:So this is my fifth year in leadership, but I've been involved with my night's festival to work. Yeah, yeah, no, it's okay. I it's, it's amazing. I can't believe it's almost vanilla. But I started, I, I moved to Arkansas from, from New York and the week I landed in town, it was a documentary film festival. And I was like, oh yeah, I forgot about that. That's awesome. So I literally just walked down the street and was like, how can I help? And I got signed up to be a projectionist, and that was the best way to enter the festival. Cause I love, I love tech anyway, I'm very into like the tech setups and how to do that better than also was a chance to see a ton of films and meet a lot of filmmakers because when they want to do like a sound check, I got to be there and meet them and, and, and start that conversation.
JG:And I think the most, the thing that really grabbed me that first year is I had been in New York and Debra Granik is one of like all-star filmmakers. She did winter's bone and I've just been like, oh my gosh, I love her so much. And I've been trying to get a meeting with her when I was in New York. Like for years I land in hot Springs and she's here showing her movies. So then I got to like actually like spend a day talking to her. And I was like, this is what makes this festival so special that suddenly people that are completely unattainable are just standing right in front of you, like in line to go see a movie and you can just start a conversation with them. So that is something I think that makes our festival so great. And we've definitely tried to maintain that year after year that we won't allow that, that interaction to happen.
KF:And you guys have had some big names. I met George is George Takei from Star Trek. I met him. You guys had Werner Herzog once, right? Yeah. It does any stories of that experience or everyone seems like everybody who's ever met him has a Herzog story.
JG: Yeah. So my last moment with him, it was such a magical moment having him here in town. He's so genuine and just pure in every possible way. Really, I mean, he was surrounded by people everywhere. He went and still was never rushed. She just let, let himself take time to talk to people. But my personal favorite moment was it was right at the end of his, his stay here, or at least I think he was going to dinner with some sort of people that I, I was making drink, got in the car. And I was waiting on central avenue outside of the Mount Millie visitor center waiting for his ride. And we're standing there and this young kid like maybe like 19 or 20 and not someone you would is not one of our festival attendees definitely has no idea for Bernard sockets walks up to you.
JG:I think holding his hands, like he’s hiding something in his hands. And he says, he says, hi. He was like, nervous shaking. I'm like, oh, here we go. Another person coming up to talk to him for nerds. And he comes up to us and he says I'm really nervous. I just have a question. Can I ask your opinion? And we're like, okay, it's just myself and burden talk on the side of the street. And he says, I'm about to propose to my girlfriend, what should I say that I was like, this is magical. I was just like, oh my gosh, this is really happening. Where's the camera. I got to hear what he's going to say. And so him and burner worked out this like proposal street and then this kid just went down. I think they were at like a gangster museum. It was first, he was like doing a tour. He's going to go meet her when she came out. And then I don't think he'll ever know who, how legendary that advice. I Wish I could remember. I can't believe like I really don't remember. I was so overwhelmed by it all, but it was a really, it was a really stunning moment. I was just like only in Hot Springs and this definitely has no idea.
KF:That's hilarious. I heard, you know, he was on The Mandolorian and the first season for a few episodes and I heard he's the reason baby Yoda was an actual puppet and not CGI. Apparently they were do it, shooting it originally with the puppet is like the stand in and Favreau was going to swap it out. And her side called him a coward for not using the puppet. So like he kept the puppet in and this is how we have the baby Yoda everybody loves from that show.
JG:I guess he was right.
KF:He called it. You know, you can't argue it, but yeah, that's funny who are some others that some other great moments you've had over the years.
JG:Oh, there's so, so many. Yeah, let me think. I mean, we've been so blessed to have so many incredible artists. Let me think. I mean, I can tell you one of my favorite moments was I think it was in 19, I can't remember 2018 or 2019. We had this film called the runner and it was a, it was about an athlete from Sudan who basically she was an Olympic runner and, but was a refugee in the United States and basically had to run in the Olympics without a country. He was in a situation where we didn't have a country that identify with, and it was this really telling her story of resilience and overcoming all unbelievable obstacles. And we screened. And so we had gore the runner and the Olympic athlete with us in hot Springs. And we showed this film to our high school students.
JG:And so we had about 400 athletes from around the city that were all in attendance to see this movie. And when, when the movie was over, I don't think they realized he was going to be there. And so as soon as I'm moving this over and the credits are rolling, we turn the lights on and he starts walking down the center aisle and the kids will lift out. They were like standing, cheering, crying, like it was so emotionally 500 kids or 400 kids just like, like you would have thought, like, I don't know, I'm trying to think of who they would find them that excited about. Like Justin Bieber will say probably that would give them that excitement. But they flipped out and it was just this really powerful moment where I think he saw the impact of the story. He got to see it directly on these young people.
Cause the film really follows kind of as a high school kid and how he transitioned from the high school athlete barely spoke English and you know, in like Connecticut and the became a world class athlete. And so it was just one of those stories that really, really struck a chord. And some of the kids were like, we have a, we have a pep rally today, will you come? And he was like, sure. So then he followed them all back to their high school and then spoke at the pep rally. And it was just one of those moments. I was like, this is why we do this. Like, festivals are so hard. The work is, is unbelievable. It's thankless. You just like, you just do it because you know, it's gonna pay off in the end. And that's one of those moments where you're like, oh yeah, that paid off. That was like so meaningful. And I still think back that to me, that was one of my favorite moments that I, that I was part of making happen. And I didn't notice them turn out that way, but I'm just so happy that it did.
KF:And I think to get sincere emotions out of high school kids when they're so worried about looking cool, that's a pretty awesome moment.
JG:Yeah, absolutely. And they just, they just loved him and I, it was a beautiful moment and I love the, we can, you know, it's, what's really powerful. I think about a film festival is obviously there's all kinds of incredible stories out there that we can watch at home. But when you're at a festival, you can watch it live with an audience and then meet either members of the film and the storytellers. It just brings, it brings us the story off the screen and into real life. And I think it makes that connection even, or whatever the theme of the story is, or a little more, more impactful because of that connection, that human connection.
KF:And last year were you guys strictly streaming for the films?
JG:So we, we were, I would say like 98% of all virtual, we, we have hosted three drive-ins that were obviously in person. And then we added a new series last year as a result of COVID. That, that was also had an in-person component. You know, we were just, I'm sure I know everybody felt the burden of last year and we're still in it. I mean, we're not out of it at all, but there was, there was a particular enrollment last year where it was, it was like just starting to realize that the mental health of myself and everyone around me is like, we're all struggling. We're dealing with like, well, will the grocery, if I go to the grocery store, will it kill me? My grandma, like these fears that are unbelievable and they're real and they're everywhere. And so we started a new program last year to focus on mental health.
JG:And we so we had parts that were in person where we had hikes, we have meditations, we had yoga, we had bike rides. And it was really meaningful because we were able to bring people to go to the Netherlands to watch the movies, but to just say, Hey, I see you, we're all in this together. Let's do something to make our day, a little bit righter and enjoy the beautiful nature of our awesome town. And so that, that wellness series was a real hit last year and will now become a permanent part of our programming.
KF:That's really cool. I wasn't even aware of that part. That's I like it. I like it. And maybe we should start jogging and you know, when we do Filmland, There we go. It's going to be outside. So we just run around the park for a while. Do laps.
JG: Yeah. There you go.
KF:Well, let's talk about, you know, in this time you've been directors five years, how have you changed? What sort of changes did you bring to the table during that time?
JG:Well, there was a lot that was already working, but the festival. So for, for me, I think it was mostly ways to just improve what was already there. And, and I think we've seen that we've seen a lot of growth in our audience. We've seen a lot of, we've seen a lot of growth in our programming, I think as well. I think the main thing that probably I've been able to bring to the table is a lot of industry focus. We've really ramped up our industry programs. We've, we've been, we posted labs for first time. Filmmakers, two of them will be spreading at our festival this year. We've done a lot of new industry round tables and really created a lot of opportunities for the, the industry professionals and the emerging filmmakers to connect so that they're not missing each other at our event.
And even when we did it virtually last year, we did a lot of networking opportunities over zoom that we're actually really successful. And so we're really proud of the way that we're able to support emerging filmmakers and try to hopefully get them to their next phase of their career. And obviously we're just one piece of their journey, but what we wanna, if we have a chance to make an impact, we want to really, we really strive for that. And then I would say the biggest impact I've personally been, I'm just really passionate about is our educational program. We start by starting the documentary boot camp, really growing our student programs. It's, it's really kind of our core of our work or what our weekdays look like now are all about students for. And then and I think that that's just been, it's been impactful, rewarding, and I, you know, I hope to see more of those young people become part of our festival for the, you know, for years to come
KF:Well, I have totally lost it. I'll have to edit this part out. You know, I, yeah, the educational aspects of it, I think are really incredible. And in terms of oh, one question I have for you is how, how many entries do you guys usually get a year? Do you know, off stuff?
JG:Yeah. Yeah. We, we ultimately review about 1100 full hundred movies, about 1100 are submitted and the rest of our solicitations. But yeah, about 1200 films and this year that will result to about 35 features. So it's tough. It's tough to make our program. There's a lot of really, really amazing films that won't be there and it's not because I'm not awesome. We're just, you know, we're looking at a holistic program and not everything can fit, but we're very lucky to have a lot of filmmakers that put us on the we're on their radar. They, and they, they are incorporating us into their festival planning.
KF:And do you usually keep a select number of spots available for Arkansas filmmakers or is it just sort of very on the quality and quantity of,
JG:Well, yeah, we, it's not an over an exact spot, but we are carefully watching those Arkansas films from the beginning. We, we want to create a spotlight for our Arkansas storytellers. And so year to year it's different how however many Arkansas we receive, but every single one of them is special to us. And we take a lot of time to look at it and figure out how we would best program.
KF: So, you know, this year you're bringing back the wellness aspect, which is going to be amazing. What are some things we can expect? Anything new or any events you can announce?
JG:Yes. I think our festival is going to feel very different this year. The biggest change is in our venue. We, for the last, I think nine years, we posted all of our screenings of the Arlington Hotel. We've loved the Arlington. It's been such a beautiful backdrop to our festival. But as a filmmaker, I really was missing the, the movie theater experience. It's your movie theater. So we will actually returning to our birthplace at the Malco Theater and the central theater downtown hot Springs. So we're really excited about that. And we'll still incorporate a lot of the Arlington into our planning. We have a lot of events there. Our guests are going to be staying there. So we certainly are not cutting them out. We're just putting where the screenings are going to happen, but that's really going to change the entire nature of the festival.
JG:So it's been a really intense year to, to to just rethink all of our logistics, but I think it's going to be worth it. And it's been, it's been a really fun challenge. So that's definitely the biggest change. I think if anyone's attended our festival, they're going to have to just kind of approach it with open, open heart and mind. But I think they're going to, like, it got a lot of fun things in store for them. And then in terms of the films, I mean, this is going to be an absolutely incredible year. Our opening night film will be it's it's called citizen apps and it's about the tennis player, Arthur Ashe. And it's by the filmmaker, Sam Pollard, who directed if anyone saw it last year, Emma MLK, FBI, the doc, the documentary that screen with us and has done very well with awards last year.
And I think he has a good shot at an Oscar nomination with this film in the near future. And then our closing nights film, it's called Juliet it's about Julia Childs and it is just the most heartwarming. I think our audience is going to love. They're going to leave the room hungry and full of full of love for her. And it's by the directors who did RBG. So we just have some really high caliber, high caliber talent at our festival. And stories that I think are really going to speak speak to our community. You know, we have stories that really challenge there. We have some really challenging stories. We can live in a challenging time. And so we're going to take some, some, some social issues and take them, face them, head on with some stories that are really gonna cause us to pause and think about some things in our world.
But we're also going to balance that with some levity and entertainment and just the joy, cinema and opportunity. So there's a real, there's a real range of films in our program. And of course we're partnering with Arkansas and the society for the film, the first step which features van Jones and his an unwavering commitment to criminal justice reform. And it's a really important story. I know that Arkansas society will be doing a panel and then we will be hosting the screening live at our festival on October 10th. So we're really excited to see that partnership take place. And it's a really powerful moment. I look forward to sharing our audience's feedback.
KF:Yeah, we're really excited to do it. And I hope maybe, you know, if this goes, well, we can keep doing things throughout the year because I know just in terms of the programming that I do year round, I would love to come and do a screening or two in hot Springs at some point in the next year. I think it'd be a lot of fun if we could team up on something.
JG:I would love nothing more. We should definitely do that.
KF:All right. Well, we'll talk about that another time, but is there anything else about this year's festival you would like to talk about?
JG:Let me think that's a good question. I mean, there's so much to say we will be making their announcements here in about two weeks. And I think it's just a really special year as we're still navigating COVID, but we're finding ways to do it safely. And I, you know, I just encourage people to check out our program, find a film that, that speaks to them and just give it a try, whether it's at home on the virtual platform or, or in the theater with us, we look forward to sharing the stories that we'll be putting forward in October
KF:And, you know, being a couple of weeks out from the festival can people still get tickets online? Can you get them at the door typically? How's that going to work?
JG:Yeah. So there's a lot of different ways to attend. We have various passes that will give you different range of access from all access where you can attend every party, every panel, every film and, or you can buy an individual ticket to any, any event as well. They will be, you know, available up until the day as long as they're not sold out. And, but we encourage everyone to buy ahead. We are going to be really watching our capacity because of COVID. So we do encourage people if they want to see a film, go ahead and reserve it ahead of time so that we can make sure there's a space for them.
KF:How many screens are there at the Malco?
JG:How many screens or movies?
KF:Theaters, I mean, is it just one big theater? I've never actually been in it.
JG:So at what point is it used to actually have two screens, but since next all blade renovated it, he said he's done a beautiful job. And so he took out the dividing wall. So it's one large theater. So people have two screens, but one at the Malcolm theater and one of the central theater, it's a little feel similar to our program. The way we used to always have two movies, basically running simultaneously. They're just a couple blocks apart.
KF:Okay. Yeah. That's good to know then. So one last thing, social media website, how can people,
JG:Yes, our website is HSDFI.org, and we're also on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. So we can make all of our announcements on all of those platforms. So if you stay tuned, you'll see everything that we're up to. Thanks for being here. Thank you so much. This is a pleasure.