FILM FESTIVAL RENDEZVOUS WITH MADNESS

Film Festival Rendezvous with Madness

Film Festival Rendezvous with Madness

Introduction

My research project aim is to investigate how the charity film festival Rendezvous with Madness (RWM) focuses on the topic of mental health awareness, generates funding and media coverage. The subject of mental health as a festival theme has stemmed from personal curiosity as to whether the human mind is capable of expressing itself visually. Is the film a transcend-able medium, accessible to everyone? Within my research, I will explore the morals and ethics of the question; to what extent can a film festival be seen as an appropriate way to fund raise? Is this a suitable vehicle for a charity to generate awareness when considering the financial investment? The RWM is the longest running festival to focus on the topic of mental health and is an appropriate example to focus my investigation. Based in Toronto, Canada and founded in 1993 by director Lisa Brown, RMW was established for many years within the festival circuit. RWM's partner/parent company; Workman Arts (WA) is an “award winning and pioneering mental health and arts company” (www.rendezvouswithmadness.com/industry). Does being a successful business, as well as a charitable organization corrupt its purpose? “The festival is not a space for the display of films but rather an organization with its own (business) agenda.” (Lordanova & Rhyne, 2009, 184). By investigating the funding of RWM festival, if its finances are justifiable and how the success of the festival can be measured, I hope to answer the above questions.

Discussion

I interviewed Lisa Brown; the director and co-founder of RWM, and asked her some direct questions, as regards to operations and funding of the festival each year. Her responses, though short, have greatly aided my investigation. Other sources I've used include the official festival website as well as online articles such as the Journal of Medicine in Movies. Social networking websites and blogs such as Facebook and Yahoo Q&A enabled me to ask the general public for their responses in regards to the moral questions I was posing and enabled me to get a societal view.

A non-profit organization as defined by investorwords is "an incorporated organization which exists for educational or charitable reasons, and from which its shareholders or trustees do not benefit financially. Any money earned must be retained by the organization, and used for its own expenses, operations, and programmes". RWM is recognized as a non-profit company by the Toronto government and council who extend an annual grant (an undisclosed sum). The aim of RWM is to showcase as many films on the subject of mental health, inspiring awareness within its audience and generating funding for their associated charities such as Rendezvous in the Classroom (RIC). RWM was founded in 1993 by the company Workman Arts (WA). WA is the parent company and key financial partner in the festival's funding and according to an article featured in the Toronto Film Scene "a multidisciplinary arts organization that supports artists who struggle with mental illness and addiction in furthering ...