Downey film festival postponed as organizer considers options
Image courtesy Glennfest
“We’ll meet again, some sunny day.” Vera Lynn encouraged a war-weary England with the song in WWII. Stephen Colbert made a 15 -minute star-studded lingering farewell of it. Now Glenn Stephens is promising with these words that he has only postponed, not cancelled, Downey’s free film festival, Glennfest.
“Every year we’ve celebrated the number of years as our theme,” he said. “This year, ‘9 Luft Balloons’ stands for nine years since our first festival, and that was my birthday present to the City of Downey, for my October birthday. This year we’ve postponed it, but the ninth annual Glennfest Film Festival is going to happen before Year 10 arrives.”
Glenn is planning on the weekend before Thanksgiving for an opening. He has two options, a drive-in set-up, or live theatre showings, and the choice depends on which COVID-19 tier Los Angeles Country finds itself in. Red Tier means movie theatres can open up at 25% capacity (no more than 100).
“The Epic Lounge is ready, if limited, live attendance is allowed,” Glenn said, “with our signature free popcorn and soft drinks. There’s a screen, and a bar and restaurant, LA Buns, on the premises. And The Downey Theatre is fully-equipped and can accommodate us with a limited audience.”
There are plans for a gala and public receptions with social distancing and masks, for donors and sponsors and presenters, and appearances by authors, directors and actors. Discussions for everyone. Glenn wants to preserve the live theatre-going experience.
“With six full-length movies plus short films, one feature a day would give Downey movie lovers a seven-day film festival,” Glenn said.
Alternatively, if indoor enclosed gatherings are still banned, Glenn is developing the idea of drive-in showings. He has the resources to arrange the sound system using the FM radios in cars, and he could build a frame to brace a large screen, finished with special non-reflective paint he bought from the only dealer, in Northern California. Light would not reflect back from the projector on that.
The mayor of Downey, Blanca Pacheco, is holding “Drive-In Movies with the Mayor” at the Downey Adult School where a drive-in movie area has been constructed, modeled after Rick Rodriguez’s popular “Movie with the Mayor” on the lawn of the Columbia space center.
“We have to narrow it down to that, or other available parking lots,” Glenn said. “Churches, schools, that aren’t being utilized during the pandemic would be great for a drive-in. State regulations limit the number of cars per screening. And food trucks are not allowed, but food can be delivered to the car. As always, attendance at our movies is free of charge.”
“We’ve got a special interest film,” said Glenn, “for kids and young adults with special needs, called ‘Racetime.’ It’s a lively animated French film that’s dubbed in English, so the kids don’t have to try to read subtitles on the screen. We encourage parents and care-givers to accompany each child and we give free refreshments for the kids and young adults.
“There’s a non-profit association in Downey, The Estrellas Brillantes, that assists persons of any age with special needs” said Glenn. “They’ll all turn out each year for the screenings. They’ll love the movie.”
The group was formed to encourage those with special needs to socialize by using art. They fill the gap that government programs don’t address.
The film for special needs kids is presented by Union SEIU, Local 721 ADA
Caucus, and Assemblymember Cristina Garcia is an avid supporter. “She also helps us with presenting films about empowering women,” Glenn said. “The full-length feature, ‘This Changes Everything,’ about the me-too movement, is a good example, about women in the movie industry confronting bullying and harassment.”
Presenters and sponsors are important categories of donors, and Glenn welcomes help with paying all the costs associated with the Festival. He can be contacted at glenn@Glennfest.com by anyone who wants to contribute funds or volunteer their time. Glenn also needs an assistant to keep him on track, as he’s that busy.
“Glennfest 2020 is going to happen,” Glenn said. “Look for the announcement of firm dates and places and times. We’ll be back when it’s safe, some sunny day.”