Well now, lemme tell ya ’bout this here Humboldt Film Festival. I ain’t no fancy film critic or nothin’, but I reckon I can tell ya what’s what.
What is this Humboldt thing anyway?
Folks keep talkin’ ’bout this Humboldt Film Festival. Sounds like a big to-do, ya know? They say it’s the oldest one of them student-run film festivals in the whole wide world. Been goin’ on for donkey’s years, I tell ya. Started way back in ’67, some folks say. Imagine that! My grandpappy wasn’t even born yet… or maybe he was, I can’t rightly recall.
Anyways, they show all sorts of short films there. Not them long, drawn-out ones that make ya fall asleep in the theater. These here are the quick and punchy kind. Independent films, they call ’em. Alternative, too. Means they ain’t made by them big Hollywood studios, I reckon.
Where and when’s this shindig happenin’?
Well, it all goes down in a place called Humboldt County. Never been there myself, but I hear it’s mighty purdy. They have it at a place called the Minor Theatre, in a town named Arcata. Sounds fancy, don’t it? They usually have it in April, from what I gather. Some years it’s all online, on that there inter-web thingy. Other years, ya can go in person and watch the movies right there on the big screen.
I heard tell that this year, the 57th one, is comin’ up soon. Folks is gettin’ all excited about it. They say tickets are ’bout $12, which ain’t too bad, I suppose. Less than a good chicken dinner, that’s for sure.
- They show all kinds of movies, not just them shoot-’em-up ones.
- It’s a big deal for the students, seein’ as they run the whole shebang.
- Lots of folks come from all over to watch these here films.
What’s so special about it?
Now, I ain’t seen none of these films myself, but folks say they’re real good. They win awards and stuff. Must be somethin’ special ’bout ’em. And it ain’t just about the movies, ya know. It’s about the whole experience. Gettin’ together with other folks who love films, sharin’ a laugh, maybe sheddin’ a tear or two. It’s a community thing, ya see.
I seen some pictures online, on that Insta-gram thing the young’uns are always yappin’ ’bout. Looks like they have all sorts of folks there. Young, old, and in-between. All kinds of people comin’ together to celebrate these here films.
Why should ya care?
Well, I reckon it’s important to support these kinds of things. These young filmmakers, they’re tryin’ to tell stories, ya know? And stories is important. They teach us about the world, about ourselves, about each other. And these independent films, they ain’t afraid to be different. They ain’t afraid to take risks. And that’s somethin’ to be admired, I tell ya.
So, if you ever find yourself in Humboldt County in April, maybe go check out this here film festival. Ya might just see somethin’ ya like. And even if ya don’t, well, at least ya can say ya been there, done that. And that’s worth somethin’, ain’t it?
It’s a festival run by the students. Them young folks puttin’ in the hard work, bless their hearts. It ain’t easy puttin’ on a show like that, ya know. Gotta find the films, gotta get the theater, gotta sell the tickets. It’s a whole lot of work.
But they do it, year after year. Cause they love films, and they want to share that love with the world. And that’s a mighty fine thing, if ya ask me.
So next time ya hear someone talkin’ ’bout the Humboldt Film Festival, ya know a little somethin’ ’bout it. It ain’t just some fancy-pants event for the highfalutin folks. It’s for everyone. It’s for folks who love stories, for folks who love films, for folks who love gettin’ together and havin’ a good time.
And that’s all there is to it, I reckon. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go feed the chickens.
Tags：[Humboldt Film Festival, film festival, student film festival, independent film, short film, Arcata, Humboldt County, Minor Theatre, alternative film, cinema, movie]
