Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor –

The San Antonio Film Festival is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year. It’s a big milestone for you personally.

It’s very exciting! Yet it doesn’t feel like 25 years. I started this one when I was 22 and I still feel 20-ish (laughs), but very grateful and thankful. You saw our volunteers at work (in a room at San Antonio College). It’s an all-volunteer staff and they make the festival happen. What they do is what I used to do by myself! Being able to delegate, trust me, it’s very nice.

What motivated you to start the San Antonio Film Festival?

Back then I was going to school here at San Antonio College and I made an experimental short film, and it was fun. I entered it into (the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s) CineFestival but only one person watched it – the projectionist. I didn’t understand how the whole system worked, I didn’t know that I had to do the marketing and tell people about it. I just thought the place would be full. Later, I was invited to screen the same film at the San Diego Latino Film Festival and it was completely different. The room was full and I received a lot of applause. The festival was well attended. That’s where I got the bug. I thought I could do same thing (organize a fest) in San Antonio!

Who chooses what will be presented at the SA Film Festival?

We used to have a group of people who were all filmmakers and the festival winner would be this really far-out movie and people at the festival would ask, “What was that movie about?” (laughs) Now we have a group of 20 judges across the U.S., people who are simply movie lovers and watch a lot of movies.

You must have seen hundreds and hundreds of movies. Do you want to mention some favorites?

Oh, yes! I love movies. I watch movies every day. “On the Water Front” is just a wonderful movie. I really loved and related to “400 Blows,” and also loved “Saturday Night Fever,” a gorgeous film.

What is your favorite movie theater in San Antonio?

My kitchen, at home.

How often do you go to Hollywood?

Every year, sometimes twice a year. We usually have a cocktail party and people from the movie industry come to our party hosted by our friends in Hollywood. Those who come are interested in participating in the festival. They want to travel to San Antonio. They think we have cows and horses over here. It’s fun for them to come and experience what we do.

Which recent arts-related development(s) in San Antonio, do you consider important?

The city has been focusing on the arts. Public art and especially murals are everywhere. Regular people can see them and appreciate them. A kid who knows nothing about art may go ‘Wow, that’s something that speaks to me!’ And we love the Tobin Center; it’s a beautiful place. Out-of-town festival attendees absolutely love it.

What do you like most about San Antonio and what would like to change if you could?

I like tacos! And I love the environment; people are friendly here, for the most part. As for change, I think we should have a train system. The city needs better transportation.

What’s your idea of a good time?

Hanging out with my wife, being with family. Also teaching. I have a passion for teaching. I’ve been teaching high school students for 18 years. And, of course, doing this festival.

What do you fear the most?

That’s a good question… hmm. Being bored, I guess. But I am never bored. Oh, I am afraid of bugs! (laughs)

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I sometimes get nervous around people, strangers. It sounds so crazy but that’s something I need to work on.

In addition to movies, what is important to you?

Changing the world! And that’s what movies do. They bring different worlds to people who have never experienced them; they expose viewers to new ideas. As a child I could see these different worlds. I wasn’t a reader; I grew up with a TV set.

Speaking of being a child, what did your parents do for you that you are grateful for?

My dad took us to the Drive-in to watch “Star Wars.” I am grateful for that, and going to the movies all the time as a child.

And then he asked me a question: Are you going to come to the festival?

For festival information see story in News and Commentary