At a typical film festival, there’s only going to be a certain amount of films you can get to. There’s usually multiple venues, there’s showtimes that run parallel to one another, and honestly, if all you do is watch films, I feel like you’re going to drive yourself mad. That is part of why the 2022 Sundance Film Festival was a struggle for me; while I don’t regret covering it at all, watching so many films in such rapid succession just wears me down anymore, especially when it’s all in front of my computer screen. Last year, when the Renegade Film Festival returned, it was my return to fully in-person film festivals, and boy did I need it. But, even in a single location, there are times when you need to take a break, and walk around. And so, some blocks of films were missed, although some of that was due to work obligations, as well.
This year, Renegade marked my first film festival of the year after skipping out on Sundance. I did not anticipate watching everything the 2-day schedule had to offer, but by the time the awards were given out on Saturday night, every film had passed my eyes (well, most of them; I’ll discuss that on the podcast), and in my third year covering the festival, this one solidified its status as a mainstay in my schedule for years to come.
I’ve mentioned practically every time I get to talk about Renegade that part of what makes it special is the sense of community that founder Vanessa Ionta Wright has cultivated over the years, but honestly, it’s what has made Renegade stand out from every other film festival I’ve covered. That all of it takes place at Marietta’s The Strand theatre is part of that, but the festival’s programming casts a wide net when it comes to whom is welcome, and from where. Yes, the name changed from Women in Horror to Renegade, but horror is still the primary genre we’ll experience all weekend, so the filmmakers all have a lot of the same appreciations when it comes to genre. The horror community is expansive, and the genre has always been one of the most progressive when it comes to smuggling in ideas that other film genres would have to approach head on. That’s what you’ll see a lot throughout the weekend at Renegade, and it doesn’t matter how the film approaches its subject- most of the time, it’s interesting, and the filmmakers whom show up are more than willing to talk about their films, and other films, whether it’s in the Q&A afterwards, or in between screening blocks or at the end-of-day mixer.
No film festivals are ever going to be the same, whether you’re comparing Sundance to Atlanta or Renegade to Fantasia Fest or any other combination of those fests, and that doesn’t just go for one festival to another, but the festivals themselves year-in and year-out. Part of what’s distinguished some of those was the online presence that was necessary due to the pandemic, but even each Renegade Film Festival has been different. In 2020, there was 2 1/2 days of screenings. In 2022, there were 3 days. This year, there was only two. Most of the screening blocks are short films, with a few features spread out. This year, there were six features and six short film blocks. That’s part of why I felt able to watch everything at Renegade in 2023; bringing snacks to keep me full, and not having to eat a big meal was a big part of it. Plus, I honestly- if given the chance- would not want to miss a thing in this festival’s program; there are gems throughout the festival, and that was very much the case this year. Of the 49 films shown during the festival, only one was just not that good, and even that one has an asterisk as to whether that’s a genuine film or not, and each block had at least one short film I kind of loved, and several had multiple great films. The general consensus of the festival among people I talked to was that this was a great year of programming on Vanessa’s part, and I cannot really argue with that.
What about the films themselves? I’ll discuss those more on the podcast, as well as share some interviews with you. This was about sharing some thoughts on the experience of the festival as I wrap up my third year attending. Renegade continues to be an experience like no other among film festivals, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
2023 Renegade Film Festival – The Reviews
“Retro Freaks”
“Stag”
“Give Me an A” (at In Their Own League)
“The Once & Future Smash” & “End Zone 2” (YouTube Quick Take)
“Spookt”
“Black Lake” Director’s Cut” (at In Their Own League)
Sonic Cinema to Cover the 2023 Renegade Film Festival
Thanks for listening,
Brian Skutle
www.sonic-cinema.com
