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Society & Culture

#24 – What Makes FilmFest DC Survive 39 Years? | Tony Gittens

podcast April 24, 2025

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Founder and director Tony Gittens returns with the inside story of steering the Washington DC International Film Festival—now in its 39th year—through last-minute venue shake-ups, budget poker with distributors, and a mission that never changes: bring global cinema to everyone in the nation’s capital.

  • Losing a flagship theater six weeks out—and the scramble to secure a new home without busting the budget
  • Balancing buzz titles, “one-for-me” risk picks, and community favorites (yes, even punk docs)
  • Negotiating film rights like a rug merchant—sticker prices are just an opening offer
  • Expanding access—busing seniors, screening in prisons, signing films for deaf patrons
  • Year 40’s wish list: a stable venue and the joy to keep going

Curious how his perspective has evolved? Catch Tony’s 2024 interview here → https://share.transistor.fm/s/25813f0d

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

  • Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
  • Edited by Daniel Alexis
  • Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

  • Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
  • Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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