Sunday, September 28, 2014
"Make it once a year! 2-years is a bit long."
"Will it be screened again? A one-time screening is too few."
"Make it 2 weeks! 1 week is too short."
These are examples of feedback we heard. Along with the outpouring of positive reviews and commendations every day, the Organising Committee was really humbled over the past week.
When work started one year ago, we could never have envisioned the kind of support that the community gave us. A 97% ticket sales record was unprecedented in previous editions of the film festival, it certainly gave us a very encouraging determination to continue our cause and bring the festival back in September 2016.
I will never forget the happiness I felt over the one week. Despite being in the committee, I have to admit that at the beginning stages of the preparations, I wasn't too confident in the eventual ticket sales. It became an unfounded worry, because our Official Selection spoke for itself. Just halfway through the Film Festival, we've already had people telling us in person "Thanks for the selection this year. All the films were great!". Feedback forms were filled with positive reviews. Many others also wanted to be part of the event mailing list. Out of 14 screenings, 11 were screened at full house. It's just wow.
Even our Event Merchandise (T-shirts and Blankets) flew off the shelves. T-shirts ran out even before the last day. Blankets, too, were totally sold out with 2 screenings to go. Even our cutlery set (pay-as-you-wish) were fully taken by the end of the last screening. This certainly surprised most, if not all, of us.
With the dedication of merits at the end of the event, I'm already looking forward to the next edition. We hope more film-makers will be making such thought-provoking films and that we'd have the opportunity to bring them into Singapore again. It's really been fun, joyful and memorable.
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I doubt they'll see this, but here's some Special Thanks to:
-Everyone who bought tickets and supported the festival. I'm humbled by your great support.
-Everyone who bought merchandise. I've never expected T-shirts and Blankets to sell so well.
-Film-makers of all the 16 great productions that we've selected. I've caught 13 of them, and each of them made me think and contemplate much.
-Volunteers at the event, for their selfless time, effort and contributions.
-All donors, sponsors and people who made this possible, including photographers, media support, Shaw Lido and various Buddhist temples and Buddhist centres.
-The rest of the committee for the one-year preparations and hard work.
If you hadn't join us over the last 3 editions, please don't miss it again in 2016!
人生是黑白的.
10:19 PM <3
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