JMS: Where are you from?
MB: Born and raised in Denver Colorado. Two years in Vancouver, BC and Wellington New Zealand where I first became interested in film after reading a Doors biography “No One Here Gets Out Alive.”
JMS: What is your background in the film world?
MB: Studied film at CU Boulder. I made short student films. Wrote three screenplays, produced one long-ass feature film “Document” which I finished last year.
JMS: Why did you all choose Crested Butte for a film festival?
MB: We wanted to get out of Boulder. We also drove all the way to Vancouver Island looking for a place to live but settled on CB once we learned there was no longer a film festival there and because we always liked it and because Telluride already has three film festivals at present count.
JMS: What was the “Eureka moment’” when you both KNEW you had to create this?
MB: When we were talking to CU chum Sue Wallace who runs the CB Wildflower Festival. She’s the one who told us there was no longer a film fest in CB. When she said that the frickin’ light bulbs went off and we talked about it the whole way home, for four and a half hours all the way to Boulder. And that was in November and in the snow.
JMS: Have there been film festivals in CB before?
MB: Yes, REEL FEST-a festival of short films existed there for ten years until 2007. Before that the miners and the Serbo-Croatians used to show some 16mm stuff in their cabins, I was told.
JMS: Tell us about the film line up and the film makers?
MB: Ohmigod, may I say this is such a great line up of films? To name some-Films from Sundance, from Cannes. Academy Award winning films. Narratives, docs, shorts, animation, outdoor adventure, a kids program, mountain biking flicks, ski flicks, something for everyone, and many films that absolutely just level you through the power of their content. MISS REPRESENTATION for instance: a film about media’s portrayal of women. It’s harrowing for both sexes (and that means everyone in the world :)
JMS: How many films are there at the CB FilmFest?
MB: Right now, a few too many :) Something like fifty-seven or so different films. They run from 48 seconds to over two hours. Great stuff, in seven different languages too.
JMS: What is special about this festival?
MB: Besides the fact that we created it…? It’s the quality of films. Someone said, “You hand-picked all the best films!” We did. Now we need people to come see them. Also the fact that it’s in Crested Butte, and it’s amazingly beautiful there, and the town is only 84 square blocks, and that you can park your car there, get a room, and not need to drive for four days. That kind of stuff is important to me. But it’s really about quality of films. These all are just such amazing quality. And some real emotional stuff for people who like to be that way and really FEEL stuff. At times it’s like a constant gutting.
JMS: How were films solicited and chosen?
MB: Oh, we went after a few that we had seen and heard of. Others were sent to us. We had a few “miracle” arrivals. Saw some things at other festivals. Knew some folks. Mostly there were a lot of surprises and things we’d seen elsewhere. Then we passed them all on to our Selection Committee in CB.
JMS: Are there still tickets available? How much does it cost?
MB: Umm, last I heard there were still a few tickets available. No! There are tons of tickets left. They’re all available at the door and cost $10 a pop. Of course if you buy a VIP Pass for $130 that’s a lot better deal. In which you get to come free to something like five parties over the weekend. CB is kind of a festive place, so lots of parties. We do need volunteers and they get a free t-shirt and free movies on Monday the day after the Fest. All can be done on our website cbfilmfest.org and people say it’s good to “like” us on Facebook, but being as old as I am I’ve yet to see the benefits.
JMS: What has been the easiest aspect of putting on the CB Film Fest?
MB: Answering these questions-and knowing a great film when I see it and experience it-which happens over and over again.
JMS: What is your wife’s favorite film of all time?
MB: Jen loves, “Baraka.” For me-a lot of the films that are showing at the Festival-FUEL, BAG IT, REVANCHE, FROM THE GROUND UP, BACK TO LIFE, really too numerous to mention, but they are in the schedule.
Michael’s favorite films not at the Festival: ONCE WERE WARRIORS, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE,
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