The 24th Titanic International Film Festival kicks off today. We sat down with Allan Sorensen, the program manager of the event.
Buster’s Mal Heart Directed by Sarah Adina Smith
I think the audience usually don’t realize how much work is put into organizing such festivals. How long does it actually take to arrange everything?
You definitely have to start at least half a year in advance. First comes the planning part: how big selection you want to present, what will be the frame of the festival, etc. And then you watch a lot of movies!
The Age of Shadows Directed by Kim DzsiunHow do you select the films?
Well, it’s a big question. First, you decide about the sections, then find the films that fit into those. It’s crucial to have the framework, because that will be the basis of the festival. Year by year, we have returning sections: we have our In Competition, Festival Favourites, American Independents, Asian Winds, The Dark Side and Titanic Dox.
What are you most looking forward to screen this year?
For me, Asian moves are very important, because you don’t get to see much of them in Hungary during the year. So, I’m very proud of the fact that we get to bring those films closer to the local audience as well. But you know, I watch close to a hundred movies and obviously, there comes the point when you have to kill your darlings. There are 34 movies in the programme that I love and support, I wouldn’t be able to pick a favourite as I believe that they will all offer something valuable to the audience. There are some unique pictures, like the documentaries David Lynch: The Art Life, and the one by Jim Jarmusch, Gimme Danger, both having one screening only.
Gimme Danger by Jim Jarmusch