Katra Film Series was created to discover new filmmakers and provide a dedicated launching pad for their careers. When we started back in 2012 we noticed how closed-knit and clubby the industry was. You had to know someone to get in the door. The goal was to kick the doors wide open for everyone… You want to be a filmmaker? Cool, come out to katra, have a drink, check out a friends film, meet other filmmakers and be inspired… and that’s what it was… People would walk through our doors and be inspired and motivated to create.
2) Why did you choose the word ‘Katra’ as the name? Does it hold a particular meaning in the Latino community or is it just something you came up with?
Katra is the name of the eponymous lounge where we started the festival before moving to the Alamo Drafthouse Theater in NY. Katra has no meaning in the latino community. The screening lounge was located in the basement of a hookah bar in the Bowery section of Manhattan so it had this underground appeal like you’re discovering something cool and new. The lights go dark and you’re witnessingsomething that’s never before seen… you were literally witnessing history there… A lot of these earlyfilmmakers and actors who screened with us are now producing, directing or starring in theatrical films, TV series, documentaries for Netflix, HBO, Showtime, Amazon Prime, Hulu, you name it.
3) Did you face any issues while initially starting the festival or has it been a smooth run?
When we first started we had a lot of ups and downs, had our good days, bad days, and we just figured things out by talking to the filmmakers and asking them directly what they wanted and what they were looking for in a festival, what’s the best way to support them…at the end of the day it’s all about the filmmakers and giving them the best possible experience. So after hearing some horror stories, we became laser-focused and committed in supporting their efforts in the best possible way. As a filmmaker myself I know how hard and challenging this industry is, so that always stuck in the back of my mind when running the festival. How could we make it better? How can we scale and grow and remain true to our mission of providing genuine opportunities for filmmakers to take them to the next level?
4) How do you go about choosing the panelists?
The panelists are people that we’ve met or connected with over the years. One of the great things about film festivals is that you’ll never know who you are going to meet or be seated with in a theater. Sometimes you meet people who are willing to help and support you. It’s all about building relationships at festivals. We love meeting new people and learning about what they do.
5) Do you and your team find it easier to run the virtual & drive-in festivals or to manage the offline version of it?
Every version of the festival is different and comes with its own set of challenges and hurdles. Covid has been hard for everyone. No doubt about it. In the interim we’ve able to partner with drive-in community screenings, team up with organizations and studio spaces that have allowed us to continue on. We just stay committed and focused on providing the best experience for the filmmakers and their supporters.
6) Who all can participate in this festival or who is it open to?
The festival is open to all filmmakers from around the world. We shine a spotlight on all voices, ethnicities, people regardless of race, age, orientation, color. We don’t discriminate. We love good stories. That’s all that matters.
7) Could you elaborate on your sister fest as well and how it is different from ‘Katra’?
Our sister festivals are different in that that they focus on a particular niche. With New Faces New Voices we highlight underrepresented filmmakers that Hollywood and the mainstream often ignores— Filmmakers of color, women filmmakers, LGBTQ+ and non-binary filmmakers, disabled filmmakers, military veterans. With World Webfest Mania we focus on web content that normally lives or is specifically made for the internet crowd and they want a wider audience who are more in tune with independent filmmaking and quality storytelling.
8) Is there a particular reason why you chose to screen a mainstream movie like ‘Toy Story 4’ instead of an indie to kick off the drive-in that was held?
We thought it would be good idea to have a family friendly film be part of the drive-in because school is back in session and families are spending more time together. It’s been a tough year for many people and we wanted to offer something the entire family could enjoy together.
9) Is there a particular reason why Latino filmmakers don’t get the recognition they deserve in the film fraternity?
You said it yourself, it’s a fraternity, the gatekeepers are not letting us in. We keep banging on the door but no one is answering…so we have to take the bull by the horns ourselves…
10) What needs to change in the fraternity in order for them to get their due recognition?
Let us lead… Just take a risk and let us run the show for once. That’s all. As a matter of fact that’s one of the reasons I’m launching the new Katra Latinx Film Festival. If they don’t wanna recognize our talents, we’ll do it ourselves. And, as the old saying goes, if you build it they will come. It’s only a matter of time…
The sister festival ‘New Faces New Voices’ now runs three nights in its fall season on October 23 – 25 and will be accessible via NFNV’s parent organization Katra Film Series’ channel on Footprint.TV. Tickets can be booked online ($10 per night) here: https://www.footprint.tv/channel/katra-film-series-13766
For more details on how to enter or savour the content at the ‘Katra Film Series’, head on over to: https://katrafilmseries.com/