ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 9 months ago - David Graham Scott

This is absolutely awful. I almost submitted a film to that. There are too many of these sharks going about. I seem to recall a particularly bad one in Wales run by an Asian crook who got away with it year in year out! Let's keep each other warned about these people. Maybe SP could make a Wall of Shame to keep us all informed of dodgy festivals.

11 years, 9 months ago - GILLIAN MCIVER

Strangely I just this morning before logging on to SP, write this blog post -
http://blog.gillianmciver.org/2013/11/27/why-do-us-film-festivals-have-such-massive-entry-fees/

I did see this festival advertised but as I had never heard of it I wondered if it was legit. And it seems it is not.

This is just absolutely disgusting.

11 years, 9 months ago - Simon Mercer

And yes David, surprised there's not already a wall of shame, that would be a great idea. This is not a rant against festivals, even small little ones struggling to do something new is appreciated. This is about truly dodgy/non-existent/scam ones. Now that I've seen how little you can do about this sort of thing I'm surprised more people don't do it. Great money making con.

11 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

BTW the 39d Ainger Road address is also what is listed for the festival on withoutabox. They also state that applications are complete and the festival is programmed, and due from Nov 12th-17th.

https://www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festival_id=6263

Mind you, with 3 weeks to go, I'd expect to hear a bit more press about venues booked, etc.

11 years, 9 months ago - Simon Mercer

Hi all thanks for the feedback. I don't really like being the angry warrier but I do not take getting 'screwed over' lightly. I try like the rest of you to do my due dilligence- researching fests.. this one having run for 6 years with reasonable track record and reputation was enough for me to go to go for it. My mistake.
I now see this LIDF festival is making promises to get people automatic consideration for the 'Cambridge Documentary Festival' 2014. Another festival that does not exist anywhere. Guess who will be running this one. Unless someone can clarify this new Cambridge festival I would put out the same big warning bells on that one.

Gillian- interesting article and strange timing on writing that! I'm not against entry fees, but I think you better have a proven track record as a festival before you start increasing them or asking for more than a friendly donation.

11 years, 10 months ago - Simon Mercer

Hi all,
Thanks all, this is just what I was looking for. Really helpful. (even if not very hopeful or nice to hear!)

Simon.

11 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Alternatively, you have an address (Ainger Road, probably residential looking at streetview, so good chance of funding the guy there) given for the submissions and company, and popping round to ask him in person might get the ball rolling. Tweets and emails can seem easier to dismiss than someone face to face.

11 years, 9 months ago - Simon Mercer

Just to confirm, this 2013 festival, advertised on LIDF website, facebook, twitter, withoutabox.com, and around various usual documentary outlets as happening 7-12 November 2013 never happened. That said they took my submission money and I assume did the same from many others. Did anyone else submit? Does anyone know how to track down my new best friend Patrick Hazard? All calls, emails, twitter/facebook have now gone dormant and unanswered. Not really keen to let this scam artist walk off with thousands of pounds of filmmakers' money.

11 years, 10 months ago - Donna Lipowitz

I had a film in this festival in 2011, The festival, even though enjoyable, was poorly organised, there was no press or publicity, almost empty cinemas/ screening venues for most film screenings.
Some venues were cancelled because he didn't pay the fee, and many films were not shown at all, and I remember the end of festival 'party' which did not really happen, just a few filmakers after the last screening, and and uncomfortable Patrick Hazard avoiding the fact that there was in fact that it all went so badly. He's a nice enough guy though, it seemed all his sponsors pulled out or something, but I calculated the amount of entries he had, compared with the volume of entries and thought that he should have been able to afford at least a poster for the festival. Yes, not even a poster.
They get away with it because the website looks very good.
I still say I enjoyed it as I met lots of filmakers who had travelled from all over the world to come to this festival, to represent their films. We all bonded and made the best of it, But really, if I'd travelled from , re eg Chille to the festival, at my own expense, I'd have been pissed.
He was lucky we were all so nice about it.
Best of luck, but I wouldn't hold your breath. I think the guy has problems, not sure whats up with him/ the festival.
Donna

11 years, 9 months ago - Marlom Tander

If he knows what he's doing corporate structure wise your claim will be against a company, not him. So he get's away with it. But you can break the limited co firewall if you can convince a judge that he is basically a con artist. You can also seek to have him disbarred as a director if he's just incompetant. Note - IANAL, and all the above is a slog that really needs a group of you. But there is a "Chasing My Money" docu in it for YouTube, all neatly tagged up :-) Actually, you could do that anyway, in the spirit of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrzNtTcOplg

11 years, 9 months ago - GILLIAN MCIVER

after that i remembered lots of similar situations - not just film festivals but all kinds of art ripoffs. How can we stop it? Or at least avoid them?

http://blog.gillianmciver.org/2013/11/28/follow-up-to-my-post-on-film-festivals/

11 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

There don't seem to be any updates on their site or anywhere beyond their call for entries. Try contacting the sponsor Ecover press dept, see if they have given any money and so have any leads.

Anyway the domain was registered by
PocketPictures Limited (05948920)
74 Goodhall Street
London
NW10 6TU
United Kingdom

(address at the time)

but moved to -
THE HUB
34B YORK WAY
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
N1 9AB

However that company has an application to strike off
http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/pocketpictures

due to returns being overdue
Accounting Reference Date: 30/09
Last Accounts Made Up To: 26/09/2009 (TOTAL EXEMPTION FULL)
Next Accounts Due: 30/06/2011 OVERDUE
Last Return Made Up To: 27/09/2010
Next Return Due: 25/10/2011 OVERDUE

They've had that strike off suspended
They have been here before (in 2011) and also had that suspended it seems.

You can get details from companieshouse website

The director is
PATRICK JAMES HAZARD who gave an address of
39D AINGER ROAD
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
NW3 3AT

All the above are from public records.

What does this mean? Can't say it looks like good news, however it may not all be bad. He's asked for a suspension of the striking of the company, so hasn't just cut and run. Will the festival happen? No idea, but you could ask the director.

11 years, 9 months ago - Marlom Tander

If you want a wall of shame, create one. A wordpress blog site will do - anything that pops up on Google searches should help people doing their Due Dilligence spot a dodgy festival. And if you include organisers names etc it becomes harder for phoenix rebranding. And when people say they will sue, tell them you'll see them in court :-)