Doing my part to boost arts innovation in Columbus

I felt beyond cool, sunglasses on and iced coffee in hand, walking into a screening at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.

I was in New York studying screenwriting. James Franco was studying filmmaking in the very same building, and he was screening his directorial debut at “Tribeca.” How exciting is this? I remember thinking. One of the country’s most prestigious film festivals, and I get a seat in the house.

It was a feeling I didn’t expect to have again. But the other day, I lucked into VIP passes for Columbus’ very own “Way Down Film Festival” and it all came back to me. Local culture-creators Stacy Cunningham, Jacy Jenkins and Cora King teamed up with Paul Pierce and the Springer Opera House to put together our area’s first high-profile film festival. Thirty short films were screened over last weekend’s two-day festival, featuring work from local filmmakers and those flying from Texas, Paris, and places in-between.

The festival was not only a forum for new, engaging works in film here in Columbus, but it also was a chance to solidify our city in the greater film industry. Over the past few years, Atlanta has been making a name for itself in the eyes of Hollywood’s movers and shakers. Way Down Film Festival asserts that Columbus must also be recognized as a hub of innovation in the industry.

As an attendee, I was inspired and impressed by the films, the artists and the richness of each event. I had conversations with independent filmmakers, learning about their scrappy, smart methods of funding and follow-through. Connections were made. Ideas and contact info were exchanged. And it didn’t feel like a matter of formality, but an earnest desire to collaborate. I’ve had an idea for a Columbus-based Web series for about a year now. At the festival, I formed allies with a desire to help support my vision for that project.

Attending the Tribeca Film Festival was a cool experience, but it didn’t impact me in a particularly meaningful way. However at Way Down, I didn’t just feel cool for being there, I felt purposeful. The organizers made it clear that we, the people of Columbus, were directly responsible for tilling the cultural soil of our city and making it possible for such an event to exist and flourish. I am charged up creatively and civically!

I want to continue to do my part to boost arts innovation in Columbus, so that events like this and others can be successful in our town. This doesn’t only keep creative people here, it also draws them here from other cities. In fact, the filmmaker (writer/director) that won an award for “Best Overall Film” expressed his love of Columbus and desire to come back soon. I responded by making him aware of CSU’s Marquerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers at the Carson McCullers Center. He was beyond excited at the idea of spending a year writing and living in our city. I believe he will apply.

This is my hometown. This is fertile ground for artists. This is where I want to be.

This story was originally published October 28, 2016 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Doing my part to boost arts innovation in Columbus."