Film Festival Recap #3
So we went to bed around 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning hoping for a really good night's sleep. We were all exhausted and we'd only made it through the first day.
About two hours later, we were awoken to noises. Inspite of the exhaustion, Jesse sat up with a start. What was that?
No, it couldn't be.
Yes, it was.
There was a loud rattling coming from our door and we realized someone was vigorously jostling our door handle.
As if the crickets, the dirt, the shorted out lights, the broken alarm clock, the partially broken door latch, and the lack of hot water wasn't enough, someone was now trying to get into our room at 3 a.m. in the morning.
Jesse quickly made a beeline for the door and looked out the peephole. Seeing no one, he waited for a few moments. Sure enough, a man slowly emerged from the room directly across the hall and crept up to the door next to us and vigorously attempted to open that door.
Jesse had had enough and went to call security. We waited and waited for security, but they never came. We were unsure of what to do next. We wanted to pack up and leave right then and there but we didn't really know where to go in an unfamiliar town at 3 a.m.
After a little while, we decided to just put tables and chairs in front of our door and try to get some more sleep.
We didn't wake up until almost 8:30 a.m. and realized there would be no way we'd make it in time for the first session. Oh well!
After a slower morning getting around, we finally made it to the Festival at 10:30 a.m., just in time to visit the vendor hall and then go to see our friends' movie Opportunity again (Jesse hadn't gotten to see it the day before and we really wanted him to be able to do so).
Before their movie could start playing, though, the fire alarm went off and so everyone had to evacuate the building. We were one of the first families out and it was quite the sight to see a hoard of confused people pouring out of the building.
Filmmakers discussing their films after the audience viewing
Within minutes, the all-clear was given (thankfully!) and we piled back in and greatly enjoyed viewing Opportunity again.
We took a leisurely lunch as a family (Jesse even surprised me with a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon - talk about delicious!) and then spent some time walking on the RiverWalk before heading back inside for more films.
Look at me! How cute am I?
Er, at least, I thought we were going to be watching films. I had planned to take Kathrynne and Kaitlynn to the Young Filmmakers hour of films but I read the room numbers wrong and we ended up in the Introduction to Prizewinning Photography session. Since I know nothing about photography, I found this session absolutely fascinating and from the short while I was able to sit in on it, I picked up lots of great tips.
Jesse involved in an animated discussion with some of the Haydens
Of course, I couldn't concentrate as much because right before the session started, I looked down to find Kaitlynn had proceeded to spit up everywhere all over my nice starched, collared shirt. And we're talking everywhere - including all in my hair, too. Lots of baby wipes later, I managed to look presentable enough again so I put Kaitlynn in the sling and hoped the stains on my shirt wouldn't be too terribly obvious after it dried. Ah, life with littles!
The last film of the day we were hoping to catch was Heartstrings. Since it was packed out the day before and they weren't letting anyone else in, we made sure that we got in this time. (Thanks in part to Mrs. Hayden and Nathan saving us seats!). We very much enjoyed this film and were especially impressed by the fact that it was directed by two young men who aren't even over the age of 18! If your family loves good films with God-honoring messages, you'll definitely enjoy this one! Check out the trailer here.
Kathrynne loved exploring the balcony staircase!
We caught a quick bite to eat and then arrived back in time to get a good seat before the award ceremonies began. There was an aura of anticipation in the air everywhere wondering who would be announced as the winners of the Film Festival.
Before any winners were announced, though, we were first treated to some beautiful harp music by the Botkin sisters, among other things.
And then the awards began being handed out. Among all of the events of the award ceremony, I was especially touched by the award given for the Best Documentary.
From the press release:
Kathrynne enjoyed practicing her Annie Oakley skills
Around 11:30 p.m., most everything was torn down and packed up and a whole group of us headed out to dinner. Apparently, this is an annual last night of the film festival tradition and they were kind enough to invite us newcomers along this time.
Our group continued to grow and grow until by 12:30 p.m., we had over 50 people from the Film Festival at the restaurant. And what a great time we had!
I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard or enjoyed such wonderful fellowship. Our table had about five discussions going at once and there was no way I could keep up with them all. But I especially appreciated having a chance to chat with Phillip Bradrick (and hear all about his courtship with Katie Valenti!) and a chance to talk with Lydia Hayden (and Susanna, too!).
Nathaniel Darnell brought down the house with his hilarious rendition of the famed "Quarter Story" (you just had to be there!).
We finally pulled ourselves away around 2:30 a.m. and headed back to our hotel hoping that maybe tonight we'd actually get a decent night's rest.
To be continued...
About two hours later, we were awoken to noises. Inspite of the exhaustion, Jesse sat up with a start. What was that?
No, it couldn't be.
Yes, it was.
There was a loud rattling coming from our door and we realized someone was vigorously jostling our door handle.
As if the crickets, the dirt, the shorted out lights, the broken alarm clock, the partially broken door latch, and the lack of hot water wasn't enough, someone was now trying to get into our room at 3 a.m. in the morning.
Jesse quickly made a beeline for the door and looked out the peephole. Seeing no one, he waited for a few moments. Sure enough, a man slowly emerged from the room directly across the hall and crept up to the door next to us and vigorously attempted to open that door.
Jesse had had enough and went to call security. We waited and waited for security, but they never came. We were unsure of what to do next. We wanted to pack up and leave right then and there but we didn't really know where to go in an unfamiliar town at 3 a.m.
After a little while, we decided to just put tables and chairs in front of our door and try to get some more sleep.
We didn't wake up until almost 8:30 a.m. and realized there would be no way we'd make it in time for the first session. Oh well!
After a slower morning getting around, we finally made it to the Festival at 10:30 a.m., just in time to visit the vendor hall and then go to see our friends' movie Opportunity again (Jesse hadn't gotten to see it the day before and we really wanted him to be able to do so).
Before their movie could start playing, though, the fire alarm went off and so everyone had to evacuate the building. We were one of the first families out and it was quite the sight to see a hoard of confused people pouring out of the building.
Filmmakers discussing their films after the audience viewingWithin minutes, the all-clear was given (thankfully!) and we piled back in and greatly enjoyed viewing Opportunity again.
We took a leisurely lunch as a family (Jesse even surprised me with a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon - talk about delicious!) and then spent some time walking on the RiverWalk before heading back inside for more films.
Look at me! How cute am I?Er, at least, I thought we were going to be watching films. I had planned to take Kathrynne and Kaitlynn to the Young Filmmakers hour of films but I read the room numbers wrong and we ended up in the Introduction to Prizewinning Photography session. Since I know nothing about photography, I found this session absolutely fascinating and from the short while I was able to sit in on it, I picked up lots of great tips.
Jesse involved in an animated discussion with some of the HaydensOf course, I couldn't concentrate as much because right before the session started, I looked down to find Kaitlynn had proceeded to spit up everywhere all over my nice starched, collared shirt. And we're talking everywhere - including all in my hair, too. Lots of baby wipes later, I managed to look presentable enough again so I put Kaitlynn in the sling and hoped the stains on my shirt wouldn't be too terribly obvious after it dried. Ah, life with littles!
The last film of the day we were hoping to catch was Heartstrings. Since it was packed out the day before and they weren't letting anyone else in, we made sure that we got in this time. (Thanks in part to Mrs. Hayden and Nathan saving us seats!). We very much enjoyed this film and were especially impressed by the fact that it was directed by two young men who aren't even over the age of 18! If your family loves good films with God-honoring messages, you'll definitely enjoy this one! Check out the trailer here.
Kathrynne loved exploring the balcony staircase!We caught a quick bite to eat and then arrived back in time to get a good seat before the award ceremonies began. There was an aura of anticipation in the air everywhere wondering who would be announced as the winners of the Film Festival.
Before any winners were announced, though, we were first treated to some beautiful harp music by the Botkin sisters, among other things.
And then the awards began being handed out. Among all of the events of the award ceremony, I was especially touched by the award given for the Best Documentary.
From the press release:
After the ceremony was over, we enjoyed mingling some more with various people we had met over the course of the past two days and getting to meet and congratulate Colin and Emily Gunn. They were the producers of the film which was awarded the Best of Festival $10,000 Grand Prize. I have yet to watch my copy but I am very anxious to do so!A Cry from Iran, a powerful documentary on modern-day martyrdom, garnered the "Best Documentary" Award. The film tells the true story of Haik Hovsepian, the leader of Evangelical Christians of Iran who was brutally murdered for speaking out against the persecution of another Christian under Iran's Islamist regime. The film was produced by Joseph and Andre Hovsepian - the sons of the martyred hero - in honor of their father. The crowd rose to their feet in solemn applause as Joseph and Andre took the stage to receive the award.
"We are grateful that this film could touch the audience in such a deep way and communicate the message of love, courage, and sacrifice," stated Joseph Hovsepian, whose father was killed fourteen years ago. "In reality, the main award goes to the hero and role model of my life - my father - who portrayed the best example of a Christian father and a church leader for us in Iran... We are honored and humbled that we’ve had a small part in sharing [his] story with the world."
Kathrynne enjoyed practicing her Annie Oakley skills
Around 11:30 p.m., most everything was torn down and packed up and a whole group of us headed out to dinner. Apparently, this is an annual last night of the film festival tradition and they were kind enough to invite us newcomers along this time.Our group continued to grow and grow until by 12:30 p.m., we had over 50 people from the Film Festival at the restaurant. And what a great time we had!
I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard or enjoyed such wonderful fellowship. Our table had about five discussions going at once and there was no way I could keep up with them all. But I especially appreciated having a chance to chat with Phillip Bradrick (and hear all about his courtship with Katie Valenti!) and a chance to talk with Lydia Hayden (and Susanna, too!).
Nathaniel Darnell brought down the house with his hilarious rendition of the famed "Quarter Story" (you just had to be there!).We finally pulled ourselves away around 2:30 a.m. and headed back to our hotel hoping that maybe tonight we'd actually get a decent night's rest.
To be continued...
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:50 PM
8 Comments:
It's amazing that you stayed out so late with your little ones and no meltdowns from them!? Were they sleeping in their strollers or what? They must be so well behaved:)
Sorry to hear about the visitor-God truly protected you and the family!!
Glad to sear that the day was fun and look forward to the conclusion.
Praise the Lord He kept you safe. That 3 am thing must have been scarry.
I am laughing about two things:
1) that you could fall asleep after that night intruder thing
2) that the person you were talking with at the dinner table --- well, it sounded like he courted about three girls the way you wrote it. hee hee
brooke in oregon
Yikes!!! The incident at the hotel must have been scary!!!!! I don't think I would have been able to go back to sleep!
Gracie
That's really scary! Don't stay in a yucky hotel ever again.
For our honeymoon, we flew to Seattle, where we got on a cruise ship bound for Alaska. Our hotel in Seattle was booked on Priceline. It was disgustingly unacceptable, and it was our first night of our honeymoon! Blah.
We ended up calling Priceline (at 1 a.m. Seattle time, but 4 a.m. at our home time zone) to ask what we could do. They told us we could check out right away and they would refund our money.
We went to the front desk, explained our dissatisfaction, and used the yellow pages to find a nearby hotel. The second hotel sent a van to pick us up, and hearing our sad tale, offered us the honeymoon suite for a huge discount.
What a deal! Even though we were exhausted, we didn't have to stay in a horrible hotel room. It can be a pain to find a new place, but safety and comfort are important.
And yes, Priceline did refund our money very promptly.
I can't believe you stayed at the hotel!!! :) I would have freaked out, even with Jeremy there!
We have enjoyed reading about the Film Fest and the people you were able to met. Thank you for posting pictures! We hope to go to a festival sometime. We love Vision Forum events! :)
~Susan
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