In 2013, standup comedian Josh Paget started the New Urbanism Film Festival in Los Angeles. He paired short films about hyper-local issues, such as public art or transportation, with a panel of experts who discussed the community’s needs with the audience after each film screening.
By the second year of the festival, now called the Better Cities Film Festival, it was clear that other cities wanted to use the power of film to help revitalize and improve their hometowns. The BCFF has since moved their own homebase to Detroit, where they just held their 10th annual flagship festival in October.
But communities all over the U.S. continue to invite the BCFF to host screenings in their towns, and this November, it will be Frederick’s turn, thanks to the Downtown Frederick Partnership.
The Frederick program will be 90 minutes and will feature short films from all over the world.
72 Hours talked with festival director Josh Paget and the Downtown Frederick Partnership associate director Leeann Crews ahead of the event.
Can you briefly explain what the Better Cities Film Festival is?
Josh Paget: Community building but in communities across the world. Our hope is that we can have a civilized and informed conversation instead of isolated ideas. It also helps allies in the community find each other.
For example, I once got a call for a screening in Salt Lake City. A day later, I got another call from Salt Lake City, from someone else. I asked if they knew the person who had called me earlier. They didn’t! These organizations didn’t even know about each other. They had never collaborated before. I said, ‘You guys have to meet!’
Who makes and submits films like these?
Paget: Lots of different kinds of people. There’s a film from Spokane, Washington. Part of their organization’s community engagement plan was to hire a company to make a video about their work, so the video lives on their website, but outside of their circle, we can learn from them and the work they do.
Can you give an example of a film that screened this year in Detroit?
Paget: We had a great film by an Academy Award-winning director. She made a film about a small town in Iowa. It’s the story of a grocery store that had been in the same family for four generations. When it burns down, it devastates the whole community, because now it’s a food desert. Everyone in the town now has to drive 35 minutes away for groceries. It’s beautifully shot and a very powerful story.
What do you think makes a good city?
Paget: We’re seeking to make better cities. The more people who are involved, the more viewpoints, we all benefit. Our focus is on storytelling, and we want to give our platform to them.
When a community organization wants to hold a screening in their city, what happens first?
Paget: We discuss their ongoing issues. For the Downtown Frederick Partnership, I selected 30 to 40 films from our library of over 700 films.
Leeann Crews: It was very hard to pick just 15. Some are a little wonky, like about parking ordinances. Some are fun, creative and inspiring. There are films about a range of topics. There’s one from Auckland and big cities like L.A. to communities smaller than Frederick.
Why should people come out for this?
Crews: It’s equal parts film event and community event. You don’t have to be a planning nerd to enjoy it. Curious about downtown? Love downtown? You will get something out of it. We’re calling it “a night of ideas.” We’re excited by the potential and idea generation. We don’t have a plan but want people excited and engaged about real, specific plans. Everyone should have a voice.
What are your hopes for this event?
Crews: I hope this event gets people excited about the future of downtown Frederick. By sharing inspiring stories from around the world, we want attendees to start dreaming and thinking about what they would like to see here at home.
This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
Dawn Morgan Neary is a freelance journalist from Tampa, Florida, and currently resides in Mount Airy with her large blended family. She holds an MFA in film and electronic media from American University and teaches in the GED/ESL programs at Frederick Community College.
Better Cities Film Festival
When: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., show starts at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 Where: New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick Tickets: $10 Info: weinbergcenter.org/shows/better-cities-film-festival All ages are welcome. Ticket includes complimentary snacks and beverages. Beer and wine available for purchase.
